If thy Brother Sin Against Thee - Frank Brancato 8/13/06

It's certainly good to be here this morning.

And we appreciate the presence of all those that have come to

be with us to worship God. Today we're grateful for that

and I am honored to be your speaker.

I want to invite your attention. As I have written on the board

to the Book of Matthew, the 18th chapter.

And we'll begin reading there in verse 15.

The words of Jesus are these moreover, If thy brother shall

trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee

and him alone. If He shall hear thee, thou Hast

gained thy brother, but if he will not hear thee, then take

with be one or two more that in the mouth of two or three

Witnesses, every word may be established and if he shall

neglect to hear them, tell it to the church.

But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as

a heathen, man, and a publican. There's much in the in the word

of God that tells us about what God has done because of man's

sin. I am so grateful.

As are you today that God loved us.

So very much when we were not worthy that He sent Jesus

Christ, as the Fulfillment of his scheme of redemption to die

on the cross. And that you and I when we

contact that blood at, baptism, our sins are washed away.

Much is said about the sinner with regards.

Hissing to in the word of God to the alien sinner who has not

been enlightened by the gospel. And then is has the

responsibility of obeying the gospel and going down into the

Waters of baptism to rise and walk in newness of life with his

sins washed away. The Bible also is clear about

what happens to us when we fall into the Temptation and a snare.

And when we stumble and fall, after we become a Christian, all

the Bible, Speaks. So greatly about the seriousness

of sin, but our question before us today, is this, what does it

say about my obligation? Me personally, what must I do

when my brother Falls going to talk about this from the

eighteenth, chapter of the Book of Matthew and what Jesus meant

and what you and I can glean from these verses of scripture,

that Jesus said so long ago, I failed to mention just a moment

ago and I'd like to say so now that we have some Visitors that

are among us and we're very thankful that you're with us and

we want to say welcome to you and also we say this certainly

not to the exclusion of any other but it's wonderful that

may is better today and is able to be with us.

We're thankful that prayers have been heard and answered on her

behalf. Going back to the occasion upon,

which Jesus spoke these words. So long ago, you remember that?

The Disciples of Jesus came to him and asked him a question and

quite certainly, they were not prepared, or they couldn't have

even fathom. That Jesus would answer the

question. Like he did so long ago.

They asked Jesus a question much, like maybe you.

And I would ask as we live in a world or in a society of

competitiveness and ranking and so on.

And so Fourth, what we want to do, as being in the Mortal,

fleshly bodies that we are in. We want to know how it is that

we can rise up the chain or rise up the pecking order.

As it were as there. Are animals out in a pasture,

they have a pecking order and I just kind of picture in my

mind's eye, these disciples, that came to Jesus and they

asked him, this question eagerly, anticipating his

response and they asked Jesus, they said, who is greatest In

the Kingdom of Heaven. Oh, I would just imagine that

they sat anxiously as Jesus would respond, but Jesus

responded much like he did. And in a way that I'm sure

surprised them. All he calls a little child unto

them and the Bible says and he took that child and he said that

child in the midst of them. And he said this, he said,

except you be converted and become as little children, you

You shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

That's exactly how it is. That Jesus responded to their

inquiry on that occasion. They asked, who's the greatest?

We want to know who the first place fella, is we want to

understand the chain or the pecking order.

But Jesus said this, except you be converted and become as

little children, like the child that I have stood in the very

midst of you today, you can't go to heaven at all.

Very interesting because Jesus now is going to continue on with

a number of things regarding one of these little ones, or one of

these children, what was Jesus talking about though?

When he said except ye be converted and become as little

children? How can that be?

Well, this coincides just exactly what the words of Jesus

and John the third chapter. When he spoke to Nicodemus on

that occasion when he said that a man must be Again, we

understand that the child of God is born again.

We don't, we are not. There are not many different

kinds of Christians and we happen to be a born-again one.

No, but all Christians are born again.

What did Jesus say in Matthew 18?

You have to be converted and become as little children,

Nicodemus had no idea what Jesus was referring to.

So, he asks a question much like I'm sure we would have asked as

As well and G and Nicodemus says, how is that possible?

How can a man be born again when he is old?

Could he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be

born? But Jesus would say that, which

is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the

spirit is Spirit. Jesus says that a man must be

born of water and the spirit and the Apostle Paul in Romans the

6th chapter says, exactly how that happens.

We rise to Walk in newness of life when we go down into the

Waters of baptism. And when we do that, we contact

the precious blood of Jesus which washes our sins away,

that's what Jesus was talking about.

They wanted to know who's going to be the greatest and Jesus

says, except ye be converted and become as this little child, you

cannot go to heaven at all. But then in context to what

we're discussing, Now, now, Jesus begins to speak of the

child of God. He refers to the child of God,

as little children, he refers to the child of God as one of these

little ones and so on. And he says, in verse number 6,

now if anyone would offend one of these little ones, it would

be better. That a millstone were hung

around his neck and that he were drowned in the depths of the

sea. Oh, the Lord Jesus Christ, and

his Father. God, Almighty loves the little

ones. They love the child of God.

Those that have become as a little child at baptism.

Oh, yes. Jesus says, if anyone would

offend one of these little ones, it would be better than a

millstone were hung around his neck and that he were drowned in

the depths of the sea. The question though, is, what

does the word offend mean? I understand as defined by mr.

Thayer, it means To put a stumbling block or to put an

impediment in the way of upon which another May trip and fall

simply in the common vernacular in our simple language today.

What Jesus was talking about was to entice to sin in verses 7

through 9 Jesus, pronounces woe upon all those who encouraged to

sin or all those that put stumbling blocks in the way of

or in the Of the righteous and the person or the thing that

tempted to do evil was to be cast off or given up.

Even if it was as dear as the right eye, the right hand, or

even the foot in verse 9. Jesus, almost repeats.

The very same words that he said on The Sermon on the Mount.

So long ago, when he preached that, sermon in the fifth

chapter of Matthew and verses, 29 through 30, where Jesus said

these words and And If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out

and cast it from thee. For it is profitable for thee,

that one of thy members should perish and not by whole body,

should be cast into hell. And If thy right hand offend

thee, cut it off and cast it from thee.

For it is profitable for thee, that one of thy members should

perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

What did Jesus mean in Matthew chapter 5?

Matthew 5 · chapter mention

If and what does Jesus mean in Matthew 18?

What's he saying? Is he saying that if I'm a

chicken fee, for I have a problem stealing from others.

That the only way that I'm going to be able to stop doing that

is, is he commanding me to go and chop off my hands at the

wrist so that I no longer can go out and use these hands to steal

from another is that what Jesus meant did?

Jesus mean when one would be guilty of the lust of the eyes,

or To lust after another one or do that, which is unlawful in

the sight of God and do so by the eyes.

Is he saying that I must now go and pluck out my eyes for it is

better for me to live my life with no eyes and go to heaven.

Is that what he means? What about when he says by foot,

he's talking about things that are very precious to us, my

hands, my eyes and my feet, I need these things.

I need my eyes to see. I need my And it's the function

and I need my feet to walk. All these are things that we

need but Jesus was talking about something that's even more

important. He's talking about offending or

causing your brother to stumble or fall.

And what he's talking about is this he didn't mean that.

If one has feet that are running to Mischief, he didn't say go

home and take something ever so sharp and cut the feet off at

the ankle. No, these are figurative.

Things. They are not literal things.

We know and God's word that God never permits a man to maim

himself. It is a sin to do yourself harm

in that respect. So what was Jesus?

Speaking of he is using figurative language to show that

we need to deny our selfish and proud desires and do like Paul

said in Colossians. You remember earlier on in the

chapter before verse 5 of Colossians 3, what Paul said is

he's now saying that after you become as little children that

Jesus said after you rise from the Waters of baptism you are

not through, you are not done and you have even a greater

responsibility you have to stay in a state of forgiveness.

You have to stay in a state that will cause you to be able to be

saved in that last and final day.

You now are Governed by different rules and regulations

and that's found in God's word. So what did Paul say he says,

what's your risen with Christ now?

You seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on

the right hand of God? Do you know how the absolute

best way to not struggle in this life?

You know what, the very best way is listen folks, I'm not naive

to think that there are not great Patients all around us.

You need to know this too. That the devil, the devil knows

your weaknesses and will entice you and we'll do things in order

that you might stumble, because that's what he wants.

The place called hell was prepared for the devil and his

angels and he wants to take as many people with them with him

and his angels as possible. But, you know, how you avoid the

Temptation proverbs? Says you refrain your foot from

their path. Oh, I'm not trying to

oversimplify but it's quite true that you cannot do two opposite

things at the same time. What did Paul say by divine

inspiration of the Holy Spirit? You want to know how you'll be

successful. Living the Christian Life.

You stop thinking about these things and you start setting

your affections on these things. If I am traveling in the proper

way and I am governed by the things that are found in this

word. As the Bible, says whatsoever,

things are lovely whatsoever. Things are true whatsoever,

things are pure of good report, what did it say, think on these

things? That's how you avoid the

tempter, that's how you avoid stumbling and falling.

So what was Jesus talking about with reference to the flesh?

Well, like Paul said in Colossians 3 you set your

affections on things above, not on things on the earth and then

he says in verse 5, you put To death their members which are

upon the Earth. You turn your back on those

fleshly or worldly or sinful things. if I am thinking about

God, I'm not going to think about something that's evil or

Wicked at that very time. Surely not, I have to stop

thinking about that, which is good and that, which is

righteous in order to think about those things that are

evil. If you find yourself struggling

start being proactive, don't be one.

That is trying to avoid the Temptations as they come your

way of all the negative things that are before you and hope to

succeed. No, you start.

Actively thinking on the things that you should and live in

accordance with that and let your actions follow where your

heart is, and that which is right and you'll be successful

in this life. In verse 10, Jesus says, to take

heed that you despise. Not one of these little ones.

Interesting, word, despised here.

I understand this word means to distain to think little of or to

regard with contempt, which means to be literate.

It'll or treat with disrespect. This tells me that as I live the

Christian Life, I am not to have disdain for my brother.

I am not to thank little of my brother.

I am not to regard with contempt, my brother and I am

not to belittle him or treat him with disrespect.

That's what Jesus says when he said be careful, be careful that

you do not despise your brother. Mr. Bowles says, to despise them

means to put Temptations in their way.

He said men often despise the poor or the humble Christian in.

So doing they do them wrong and almost forced them by oppression

into doing evil. But the Bible is very clear that

the Lord is the Avenger of those who treat such disciples in that

way. The Apostle Paul said in first

1 Thessalonians 4 · chapter mention

Thessalonians chapter 4 and in verse number 6, he said that no,

man, go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter because

that the Lord is the Avenger of all such as we also have

forewarned you and testified, but then Jesus gives another

reason for not. Despising those little ones, not

casting stumbling blocks in front of fellow Christians.

You know why verse 11? He came to seek and save That

which is lost. Oh, great.

Pains have been made so that you and I can go to heaven, woe to

the one that would cause a stumbling block to be placed in

front of a brother to lose his soul.

That Jesus died in order to save all.

This is serious business as we live our lives.

Then Jesus continues on and verses 12 through 14 and he gave

the parable of the lost sheep. You know what he said about

this? He is saying that even the ones

that we would consider the Least.

He's saying that there is just as much of a desire on the part

of God. That that one is saved.

Then the ones that the world would look upon or you and I In

the Flesh would look upon as those that are the most renowned

the ones that we see the preachers.

And so on that, we see in the public eye preaching the word of

God. And so on Jesus is outlining

that that person that would be two as I paraphrase, that would

be considered the most renowned, whatever that means.

Is no more important than the little one that struggling, day

by day. And you know what he says about

that, he Likens it like this, if a man has a hundred sheep, he's

got a hundred of them. 99 of those, stay home, 99 of those,

stay in the flock and they do not leave or depart.

Jesus says about this idea. What if one departs what if one

is lost? He said, you not only are going

to go out and search for him but I want you to notice Is the

diligent search and the efforts to restore or bring back that

sheep. He said that a man is going to

depart the 99 and he's going to go to the mountains and he's

going to do whatever it takes to bring that one back.

That's what Jesus thinks about the Christian.

That's what he thinks about and as he gave his application to

the parable, it says, even so it is not the will of your father,

which is in heaven. That one of these should perish,

the point that Jesus is making is that, as it's not, the will

of the Shepherd that one in the flock, should perish.

So it is not the will of the father that even one of the

least of the disciples would perish.

Either, now these three verses Continuing on, he still talking

about little ones, who are the little ones, they are the

Christians, he talks about the uring love for those that are

lost and how important it is not to cause your brother to

stumble. Now he's going to talk about

what do you do when he does stumble?

What is my obligation? What is my duty along that line

specifically we're not going to talk about anything else other

than what Matthew Teen is referring to, by way of context.

And that is, if my brother sin against thee, the only thing

that Matthew 18, the rules of Matthew 18 are regarding, is a

specific instance, of one personally, sinning against

another, the rules of Matthew 18.

Do not apply to First Corinthians 5 or Tigers 3 and

10. And if you'll come back tonight,

we'll talk about those things as well.

But notice in Matthew, the 18th chapter Jesus, Jesus is

referring to one specific thing. What is my responsibility?

When my brother sins against me notice this is a sin.

It must be a definite sin and not an imaginary wrong or an

imaginary grievance that comes under the teachings by context

of Jesus here. Often times members of the body

of Christ, might imagine that they've been sinned against when

in reality, no sin has been committed.

Extend. Jesus gave three things three

instructions before we talk about it though.

What about the idea if God In His Infinite, Wisdom sent Jesus

to die for the sins of the world.

And Jesus has the utmost feelings of compassion toward

those that are lost, wanting them to return.

Jesus Christ is going to be the righteous judge the Bible says,

and all of that, what about you and I Being judges of our fellow

man, really quickly, Matthew 7, Jesus on the great, Sermon on

the Mount. He specified that the manner in

which we judge is under question, but not the judging in

itself. In fact, the Bible is clear not

only in Matthew 7. Not only is it okay to judge?

But I am told that I must do so and what?

Jesus Likens it, he Likens it like this.

He said, if your brother has a Back in his eye, one, little

speck, and you've got a beam in your eye.

He wasn't saying, keep your beam.

Let him keep his spec and everybody work on their own

problems. No, that's not what Jesus said.

Jesus said, get the beam out of your eye first, what is the

reason for getting to beam out of your eye?

So you can see, clearly to help your brother get the speck, out

of his eye, we have a responsibility to each.

Other, you've heard me say this and that time to time, it's

going to take all of us. It really is.

We need each other and to help each other along the way and

along those lines. What do you do though?

Says Jesus, when one would sin against you number one, step 1.

He says, you go and tell him his fault between thee and him

alone. What did Jesus mean?

When he said, tell him his fault, it means so much more

than just letting him. Um, know what he has done.

Telling his fault directly means this.

It means to reprove, or to rebuke him remembering the

entire time. There is one object desired.

You know, I'll tell you sometimes, we're afraid to go

talk to someone for fear of how they'll respond.

But if you can manifest the attitude, in your demeanor, in

your speech and in every manner that you are going about to do

this and have it be what the focus is that Jesus says it is

that's because you love your brother to the point that you

want them to be restored. If they can feel that in your

conversation, chances are you're going to be successful and even

if you're not successful, folks usually don't raise up and get

angry about those things when you have The proper heart, the

entire gist of what Jesus is wanting us to understand is the

object is to restore our brother or our sister.

This is very important because we are talking about something

that is very, very important and very serious.

We're talking about Sin and any sin that is unrepented of makes

that individual lost until he or she makes those things, right?

That's why. Why should I go to talk to my

brother when he has sinned against me?

Because he's lost. If he's not lost, it wasn't a

sin. And if it wasn't a sin, Matthew

18 does not apply. But if he has sinned, any sin

unrepented of will cause you to be lost.

So we need to understand that and to restore him to duty

number one and also to restore him to our friendship.

And when we do that, that's the object of the rebuke is to bring

him back to both. Also, please notice that it is

not as Some were inclined to have it that the offender must

do the going. But rather it is the offended

that must go. It is true that elsewhere in the

word of God. It's made the duty of the

offender when he remembers that his brother has oughta gainst

him to go and be reconciled to his brother that is true.

But in the context of Matthew 18, and according to the

teaching of this passage the offended is not to wait for

this. The it is to go and speak to the

offender. Have you ever said this though?

Have you ever done this ever at all?

Even once. He knows where I am.

He knows where to find me. It's his problem.

Not mine. He needs to straighten this out.

That's not what Jesus said. Jesus said the offended go and

speak to the offender and don't wait for him to come to you.

That is very important, those who have not sinned, but only

have been sinned against have an opportunity and an obligation as

well. Mr. McGarvey said you may thus

be like the Shepherd that Jesus spoke of in the previous verses

and they also avoid the sin of despising an airing disciple.

I think there's something else that needs to be observed here.

Jesus does not specify the time. He does not specify the place

nor does he specify the circumstances of going to the

offending brother. They are not specified by Jesus

but it must be like the matter and manner of the rebuke, you

got to choose a time that you're going to be successful.

That's the whole object. If my brother, I'll use Bob

because he's in the front row and he won't mind. but if Bob

sins against me, I have the obligation of loving Bob Soul

enough that I'm going to go to him and speak to him and I'm

going to choose a Time. And a place with surrounding

areas in circumstances where in that I'm not there to embarrass

him, I'm there to restore him and I need to pick and choose

the very best circumstances and the very best place.

Jesus says, when you go do that, you show him his fault to him

and him alone. But also notice what Paul said

in Galatians 6 and verse 1. He said Brethren If any man be

overtaken in a fault. All ye, which are spiritual

restore. Such an one in the spirit of

meekness considering thyself lest thou also be tempted.

In other words, show him is wrong, so that he will repent.

Again, it's the duty of the offended party to do such what

happens when you don't What happens if Bob sinned against

me? And I don't do what Jesus said.

See the rules are perfect, the pattern is perfect.

It's man that messes it up. What if I don't do what Jesus

said. And Bob has sinned against me,

I'm going to start brooding over it, aren't I?

You know what happens when you do that, it's really hard not

to. This is what happens when you

brood over it and you don't take care of it.

Over time you start to Harbor malice in your heart.

If you Harbor malice in your heart long enough, it's going to

gender hatred and now you've sinned.

Look at that. Not only is it the

responsibility to restore your brother but it's to also help

you not to stumble and fall. Jesus would say that if a man

would have hatred for his brother.

It's like murder. You've done that in your heart,

all the things that were under the Old Law was specific, black

and white do this, don't do that.

But Jesus would say, I know that you've heard it hath been said,

but I say unto you That tells me that my thoughts about my

brother are in question as well. Hopefully and prayerfully when I

go to him. He will say sure.

And put it away, put it aside. And all is well, and let me just

say this, if he repents don't ever speak of it again.

That's the worst thing that you can ever do.

Speak to your brother privately, if in this private sin.

If he has repented speak, no more against it.

Now, Jesus said, well, if he won't hear you, there's a second

step. And he says, you take two more

with you, you go with one or two more.

Now, there's three that have come to this erring, brother.

He is a lost sheep and as straight away, and if the

brother who is found him cannot restore him.

Him. He must get one or two more to

help him again. The object is still to gain or

restore that brother. The Jews required at least two

witnesses, to Every Act of crime and offense against the law

Deuteronomy 17 and verse. Number 6, this very same

principle is carried out in the New Testament as well.

John 8 and 17 second Corinthians, 13 and 1 and

Hebrews 10. And verse 28, This truly is wise

or else. God God would not have not

commanded it to be. So now the design of taking two

witnesses, maybe two phone, number one first of all the

Airing or offending brother, maybe it may be possible that he

would be induced to return. Because of the prudent and wise

Brethren that go with you. Maybe someone else just happens

to know how to say it, a little better.

If you ever wanted to tell somebody something, and you were

nervous about it and inside you felt a certain way about it, but

when you conveyed it, it didn't sound at all.

Like you really wanted it to sound.

You wanted to delicately speak. Something to this, this fellow

your brother in Christ, whoever it is a family member, but then,

as you hear it, as it's being said, that's not really what I

meant and you sound horrible about it in your tone, maybe,

maybe. Maybe you just don't have the

ability to speak as you really feel.

Maybe Jesus said there's plan to take a couple more.

You know something else too it may be that your brother does

not even know that he sinned. You see how important it is to

go to him and if he didn't know that he said that he has a good

heart he's going to immediately say I had no idea, I'm sorry

forgive me and then all is well. So number one, step for bringing

one or two more is so that they may use all of their influence

on restoring the brother too. But Says, if the, if he will not

hear or he will not repent, there is yet a third step.

And Jesus says you go to the church, you tell it to the

church. Again, the purpose of all of our

efforts is to save the wrongdoer when the one who has received

the wrong has exalted exhausted. All of his means I use Bob again

if I go to Bob and I'm trying so hard.

But I can't be successful. And then I go and I bring two

more and we try ever so hard but we're not successful, we still

have a brother that's lost the needs to take care of his sin.

So now it goes before the church, I want you to notice

something, though. The attitude and the Heart of

the church is the exact same attitude and heart as the very

first time. Then I went and spoke to my

brother. And what are we going to do now?

We're going to use everything. We possibly can in the spirit of

meekness, there needs to be a United effort that is

prayerfully, based that we might restore the brother and to do

so, with every means that we possibly can as it goes before

the church, if he will not hear thee, tell it to the church.

If the church, if he will, not hear the church.

Jesus, says treat him as a heathen, man, and a publican.

Skip another words he's to be avoided until he repents he is

though entitled to the Ernest Goodwill with all the offices of

humanity. But he no longer is in

fellowship with the body of Christ, because as one man said,

one time, the one who will not hear the church, has no claim on

it for its fellowship and blessings.

Any more than anyone that's outside of the body of Christ.

You know, in all manners of discipline, In the word of God.

The reason for the discipline. Now when he won't hear the

church is for that individual to feel in his heart, the

separation of his loved ones and brethren, Not because there's

hatred and Punishment, not because somebody's being

vindictive, it's so that person comes to see the light, so that

person may repent and make it right.

Sometimes people say, well, you know, I just love them too much.

I'm going to share something with you that this is the best

way that I know to put this. Someone asked me one time.

What if one of those little ones was Taylor or Tanner?

What then, I understand that when your child is not living,

right? I understand that that's even

more difficult because of your feelings of affection toward

them. I understand that all I can say

is I would hope and pray that I would love them as much as my

father. Loved me.

There Comes A Time in your life when you feel the separation

from that which is good and right and you come to the

crossroads of a decision. And sometimes your brethren or

your family is the only tie that you have left.

Sometimes you're so filled with the worldly things that are

around you, you've made poor choices and decisions and the

only thing and the only tie that you have, that, that which is

righteous and right, is your brethren, your friends, or your

family. Well I happen to know that good

decisions can be made when that happens.

That's the result that we're trying to achieve.

That's the reason. It's not that we have hatred.

Oh, no, we love them enough to do that in that they might

return. In conclusion this morning.

These are the steps of Matthew 18, specifically referring to

when one sins against you now, then as long as we live in the

flesh, there is going to be various conflicts.

I understand that we're in the flesh.

We're going to have disagreements from time to time.

We're going to have misunderstandings and even sin.

These are things that are going to go on, whether we like it or

not, they do go on, but if we would go back to the Bible

pattern and we would follow the Bible pattern, that's perfect

and go back to some other things that we have considered in our

Wednesday, evening, studies about the heart and, and the,

and the motive behind my actions.

Again, if I'm thinking about Terry, and he's thinking about

me and we're putting our self aside as the word of God

teaches. We're going to get through

anything. We're going to get through

anything. We thank you for listening to

our podcast. Put on by the Church of Christ

at 22:15 plans. Road in Bakersfield, if you

would like any additional information or you would like to

receive a free Bible correspondence, course by mail.

Please email us at info at True Church of Christ.

Bakersfield.com. Our service times are Sundays at

10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. please

make plans to join us. We would love for you to be our

honored guest