Conflict Be Gone

Pastor Charles will be preaching from Matthew 18:15-20 and sharing what it means to have a new identity in Christ and to promote His righteousness. Although we are all sinners, the gospel provides us a way to handle conflicts within the church, and more importantly, we are to keep one another accountable for this. The three main points that Pastor Charles will focus on are:

1. We need to keep each other accountable

2. Accountability is not easy at times

3. Doing things God’s way opens the door for blessings

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel when someone does you wrong? Can anyone share a time (without mentioning any names) when someone really hurt you greatly? How did it impact you? In what ways do you think unforgiveness affects you negatively? Discuss.

2. Read Matt 18:15-20. Why do you think so many Christians choose not to keep each other accountable when it comes to sin? What can happen to a church that doesn't take very seriously? Read Gal 6:1. Are we doing anyone any favors by closing our eyes to sin or when we sweep sin under the rug? What's the harm in letting professing Christians live in sin in our midst? Share and discuss.

3. How can we best speak the truth in love while understanding we all fall short of God's standards? What do you think is the wisdom in the process outlined in our text? Have you ever seen this done? Why do you think it's so hard for people to follow? Discuss and share.

4. How should God's people respond when a person refuses to acknowledge his/her sin and doesn't want to accept discipline? Read Matt 18:18-20. In light of this text, how does God view church discipline and how important is church discipline? Where does our ultimate authority come from? Share and discuss.

   Be careful! Often our image of God can be warped. We can shape God in a way that is most palatable to us where He accepts and/or tolerates sin. But this version of God is not the God of the Bible. Our authority comes from the Word of God - not culture, traditions, or experiences. And most definitely not secular authorities.