Matthew_18_15-20_Part_3_Manuscript.docx

of the Sermon**

This sermon explored the deep calling of the church to be a holy, united, and blameless people belonging to God. Drawing from 1 Peter 2:9-12 and Matthew 18:15-20, it emphasized that God’s purpose in saving us is not merely to rescue us from hell, but to form a people set apart for Himself—pure, holy, and distinct from the world. The process of church discipline, often misunderstood or neglected, is presented as a vital means God uses to purify His church. The sermon walked through the four steps of church discipline, highlighting the seriousness of unrepentant sin and the authority Christ gives to His church in these matters. Ultimately, the call is for every believer to deal first with their own sin, then to lovingly address sin within the church, so that Christ’s bride may be presented pure and blameless, to the glory of God.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Our Identity as God’s People Shapes Our Conduct The church is not a random collection of individuals, but a chosen family, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. This identity is not self-made but given by God’s mercy and grace. When we truly grasp that we belong to God, it compels us to live differently—set apart from the world, pursuing holiness not as a burden, but as a joyful response to being His treasured possession.
• 2. Holiness Is God’s Purpose, Not Just Our Destination Salvation is not merely about escaping judgment or gaining heaven; it is about being transformed into a holy, blameless people for God. God’s desire is for a pure church, and every believer is called to participate in this process. This means that our daily choices, our repentance, and our pursuit of purity are central to God’s plan, not optional extras.
• 3. Dealing with Sin Is an Act of Love and Faithfulness Addressing sin—first in ourselves, then in others—is not about judgmentalism, but about loving God and His people enough to pursue what He desires. Ignoring sin, whether personal or within the church, is a denial of our calling and a failure to love. True faithfulness means we are willing to have hard conversations, to call one another back to Christ, and to value the purity of Christ’s bride above our own comfort.
• 4. Church Discipline Is a Sacred Responsibility, Not a Mere Procedure The steps of church discipline outlined by Jesus are not arbitrary rules, but God’s means of sanctifying His people. When the church acts biblically and carefully in these matters, it does so with Christ’s authority—what the church binds or looses on earth is bound or loosed in heaven. This should humble us, making us careful and prayerful, and should also sober those who are confronted, for to reject the church’s call is to reject Christ Himself.
• 5. The Purity of the Church Glorifies Christ and Witnesses to the World Whether through repentance or through the removal of unrepentant members, the process of discipline ultimately serves to make the church more holy. This purity is not just for our own sake, but for the honor of Christ and the witness of the gospel. When the church takes sin seriously, it proclaims to the world that belonging to Christ truly changes lives, and it upholds the worthiness of Christ to have a pure and blameless bride.

1. According to 1 Peter 2:9-12, what titles and descriptions does Peter use for the church, and what do they say about our identity?
2. In Matthew 18:15-20, what are the four steps Jesus gives for dealing with sin in the church?
3. What does Paul instruct the church to do in 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 when someone claims to be a believer but lives in unrepentant sin?
4. From the sermon, what is the main purpose God has for saving His people, beyond just rescuing them from judgment?

1. Why does Peter emphasize that the church is a “chosen family” and a “holy nation”? How should this shape the way believers see themselves and each other?
2. What does it mean that church discipline is not just a procedure, but a sacred responsibility given by Christ? How does this affect the seriousness with which the church should approach it?
3. The sermon says that dealing with sin is an act of love and faithfulness. In what ways can confronting sin in ourselves and others actually be loving, rather than judgmental?
4. When Jesus says, “whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven,” what does this teach about the authority and responsibility of the local church?

1. The sermon challenges us to first deal with our own sin before addressing the sin of others. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to pursue repentance or greater holiness right now? What step could you take this week?
2. Have you ever witnessed or experienced a situation where sin was ignored in a church or Christian community? How did that affect the people involved and the witness of the church?
3. The process of church discipline can be uncomfortable or even painful. What fears or hesitations do you have about participating in this process, either as someone who might need to confront or be confronted?
4. The sermon says that ignoring sin is a denial of our calling and a failure to love. Are there relationships in your life where you have avoided a hard conversation about sin? What would it look like to approach that person in love and humility?
5. How can our small group help each other pursue holiness and keep one another accountable, without becoming judgmental or harsh?
6. The purity of the church is meant to glorify Christ and show the world that belonging to Him changes lives. In what ways could our church or small group better reflect this kind of distinct, holy community to those outside?
7. When someone is removed from church membership due to unrepentant sin, how should we relate to them going forward? How can we balance the call to separate with the hope for their repentance and restoration?