Jesus Guides His Church to Call Each Other to Repentance (Matthew 18:15-20)

Jesus Guides His Church to Call Each Other to Repentance, Week 3, September 20, 2020

Readings for this Week:

First Lesson: Ezekiel 33:7-11: God drops on us the heavy message of being a watchman for our brother. God’s judgment on fallen man is as clear as it is severe. If we fail to do the job God has assigned us, God promises to hold us accountable. With the Law driven deeply into our hearts, God then reminds us why he has given us this job: because of his grace and his desire for the salvation of all mankind..

Psalm 51: Psalm 51, written by King David, contrasts the depths of guilt and the riches of forgiveness..

Second Lesson Galatians 2:11-21: Being your brother’s keeper will lead at times to uncomfortable situations or even confrontations. Here Paul tells how he had to oppose Peter to his face. Paul did not do this out of jealousy. This had to do with the eternal salvation of everyone involved. Paul took his job of being a watchman seriously: if righteousness could be gained by following the law, hen Christ died for nothing!

Gospel and Sermon text: Matthew 18:15-20:  Satan tries to make Christian discipline seem like the height of hypocrisy or meddling. But only love could lead the Christian and the Church to go to a fallen brother. Only love led our Savior to command it. Even the manner Jesus prescribes shows great love for the fallen. Such a great privilege and power has Christ bestowed on us!

Sermon:  Jesus Guides His Church to Call Each Other to Repentance.

Jesus suggests that we are to have a God-like love for sinners. And he gives us a blessed privilege to show that love; handling his law and gospel for the salvation of souls.

You and i get the to share God’s Word with people so that they will repent and be saved. This is gospel ministry! We also are blessed that others will do this for us, too.

May the Holy Spirit help us to see that calling each other to repentance as loving work and fill our hearts with God-like love when we see each other wandering. Amen.

Pastor Ron Koehler