The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand—The Book of Matthew · Pastor Adam Wood · Matthew 18:15–20 · November 30, 2025

Transcript:
Matthew chapter 18 this morning, Matthew chapter 18. Lord willing, this morning will be the first part of a two-part study in the second half of Matthew here. And the reason I say it's not actually two separate, it's not actually one message that's divided into two, but the two parts are intimately related. And so what we'll study tonight, if the Lord is willing, is directly related to what we'll see today this morning in Matthew 18, verse number 15. Matthew 18 verse 15. The Bible says, moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, and go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. And if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee 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 unto the church. But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. That should be familiar to all of us, a recent study we've gone through with that. Verse 19. I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Would you pray with me this morning? Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your word. Thank you for the truth that it contains. We pray that you would help us to, you give us grace, that is, to live up to it, to do what your word says, to obey your voice. Because we know your way is the best way. And Lord, you have good motivations for everything that you tell us. It is for your glory and for our good, for our benefit that your name might be glorified through us in this world around us. Lord, help us as we study your word. Guide us each one. Help me, Lord, to say the things that your people need, Lord, because you alone know the needs of each and every person. And so Lord, just like we come every Sunday, Lord, we acknowledge that we can't do anything without you. And Lord, that you are the one who is able to meet our needs, spiritual and otherwise, you're the one who is able to direct our steps individually. Our eyes are upon you, Lord. So help us, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Notice in verse number 15 that this, 15 to 20, this section begins with the word moreover, which indicates to us that it is a continuation of sorts from the previous section that we studied last week, which is the section of Scripture dealing with offenses or stumbling blocks. And it's no surprise that this section, which deals with a trespassing brother, we'll get to that in a minute, is related to offense because oftentimes the very thing that causes us to stumble is the sin of another. We can think that we have this hyper atomized view of ourselves and we think, well, what I do, it doesn't affect anybody else. That's their problem. And the Lord says, that's not the way it works. We affect each other, both in our families, in our church, at our work, whatever the context is, what we do affects other people. Sometimes that causes a stumbling block. Sometimes it encourages others. And sometimes it causes situations where there's a trespass. And so it's no wonder that these two sections are connected by the word moreover. Notice what it says in verse 15. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee. So I want to set the context of these verses because it's very specific. I know that sometimes these verses are used and applied more generally and that's good. That's fine and right. But I want us all to see specifically what the Lord's referring to in this passage. The first indicator is the word brother, the word brother. In other words, the spiritual connection is what the Lord is primarily referring to. If you keep reading, he mentions brother in verse number 15, trespass against thee. Verse 16, there is a mention of two or three witnesses, one or two more. And then in verse 17, there's a mention of the word church. So the idea is there's one or two more, two or three witnesses. And if that fails, then it goes to the church. And then if the person in question neglects the church, then the person is treated not as a part of the group anymore, but is treated as someone outside of the group. So that sets the context of this. What's primarily in view is not necessarily personal relationships like you might have at your home or your work or your job or whatever. Although the principles here definitely apply. But what is specifically being referred to here is the relationship that might exist in a church setting. That's why the brother, the witnesses, and then the church is mentioned. So in this case, the main thrust, the main truth that the Lord is aiming at is this situation in which we find ourselves on a weekly basis. That is, the church meeting together. The church is not just the church on Sunday. The church is the church every day. But we meet on Sunday and we have relationships, hopefully with one another outside of our meeting. That's the hope. That's the goal. Sometimes there are problems that arise within people in the church. But again, we're not even talking about just personal problems. If you and I as individuals, if we have any kind of relationship with another human being, there are going to be problems. Right? It is inevitable. It doesn't matter. They could be your blood brother and sister. Sometimes the biggest problems that we tend to have are with people that are closest to us. Husband, wife, children, parents. Brothers, sisters. But then anytime you have coworkers, you have friends, you have extended family, you have church folk, brothers and sisters in Christ, and it goes on and on from there. Anytime you have two people that are rubbing together like this, there's going to be sparks from time to time. And the Lord obviously has principles to deal with that. Let me show you one that we've already studied. And I want to show you a contrast. Go to Matthew 5. Don't lose your place here because we're coming right back. Matthew 5 verse number 23. Matthew 5 verse number 23. You see the same terminology, although it says something different. Matthew 5, 23. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberst that thy brother, same term, hath ought against thee. Now, the word ought, we've already looked at this, but the word ought just means anything. So, ought is not a thing. It's a container that contains anything. Okay? Leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way. First, be reconciled to thy brother, then come and offer thy gift. Notice the context of this is worship. Right? This is temple, in the temple is what this is talking about. But the context is worship, which is kind of similar to a church setting, is it not? Verse number 25. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whilst thou art in the way with him, lest in any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. So, in verse 23 and 4 we see that in this case, unlike in Matthew 18, this is a case where I'm going to worship and I remember that someone has a problem with me. Not the reverse. Not I have a problem with them. Not that they have harmed me, but I remember that they have the idea that I have harmed them. I'm to leave my gift, go to that person, and reconcile that problem. Of course, to the best of my ability, and then offer the gift. In other words, there's not supposed to be, where it is at all feasible, there's not supposed to be outstanding issu...