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Matthew 18:10-20 | Restoration & Rejoicing
Pastor Brent Brewer picks up in Matthew 18:10-20 as he shows us how God invites us to participate in His work of reconciliation.
Matthew 18:10-20
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. (For the Son of Man came to save the lost.) What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Sermon Notes:
Main Idea- God invites us to participate in His work of reconciliation
(1) The Father is committed to reconciliation. (10-14)
(2) The Father uses the local church to accomplish reconciliation. (15-17)
(3) When we act as agents of reconciliation, we are acting with Jesus' authority. (18-20)
Discussion Questions:
1. What does Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep (vv. 10–14) reveal about the Father’s perseverance toward His children? How does this shape our understanding of eternal security or the perseverance of the saints?
2. The sermon distinguished between the reconciliation of justification (salvation) and the reconciliation of fellowship (restored relationship within the church). How are these two related, and why is it important to keep them distinct?
3. According to verses 18–20, what authority has Jesus given to the local church, and how does this differ from individual spiritual authority? How does this passage challenge modern individualism in the Christian life?
4. In what ways does biblical church discipline reflect God’s character rather than contradict it? How does discipline serve as a means of grace rather than merely a form of punishment?
5. In your experience, what are some reasons Christians avoid confronting a wandering brother or sister? What fears, misunderstandings, or cultural influences make obedience to Matthew 18:15–17 so difficult?
6. Jesus repeats the phrase “if he listens” throughout the passage. What does it look like to cultivate a heart that listens when confronted? How can we practice humility and teachability before a brother or sister brings correction?
7. The sermon emphasized that church membership means being known and loved enough to be pursued. What are practical ways we can build this kind of “reconciling culture” in our small group or congregation?
8. The Father rejoices when a lost sheep returns. How can the church better reflect that joy when someone repents or is restored? What might rejoicing practically look like in our congregation when reconciliation happens?
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By Denver Baptist ChurchPastor Brent Brewer picks up in Matthew 18:10-20 as he shows us how God invites us to participate in His work of reconciliation.
Matthew 18:10-20
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. (For the Son of Man came to save the lost.) What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Sermon Notes:
Main Idea- God invites us to participate in His work of reconciliation
(1) The Father is committed to reconciliation. (10-14)
(2) The Father uses the local church to accomplish reconciliation. (15-17)
(3) When we act as agents of reconciliation, we are acting with Jesus' authority. (18-20)
Discussion Questions:
1. What does Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep (vv. 10–14) reveal about the Father’s perseverance toward His children? How does this shape our understanding of eternal security or the perseverance of the saints?
2. The sermon distinguished between the reconciliation of justification (salvation) and the reconciliation of fellowship (restored relationship within the church). How are these two related, and why is it important to keep them distinct?
3. According to verses 18–20, what authority has Jesus given to the local church, and how does this differ from individual spiritual authority? How does this passage challenge modern individualism in the Christian life?
4. In what ways does biblical church discipline reflect God’s character rather than contradict it? How does discipline serve as a means of grace rather than merely a form of punishment?
5. In your experience, what are some reasons Christians avoid confronting a wandering brother or sister? What fears, misunderstandings, or cultural influences make obedience to Matthew 18:15–17 so difficult?
6. Jesus repeats the phrase “if he listens” throughout the passage. What does it look like to cultivate a heart that listens when confronted? How can we practice humility and teachability before a brother or sister brings correction?
7. The sermon emphasized that church membership means being known and loved enough to be pursued. What are practical ways we can build this kind of “reconciling culture” in our small group or congregation?
8. The Father rejoices when a lost sheep returns. How can the church better reflect that joy when someone repents or is restored? What might rejoicing practically look like in our congregation when reconciliation happens?