Matthew - Week 57

Not One Should Perish 

READ 

Matthew 18:12-14 

12 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! 14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” 

(You may have noticed that we skipped over Matthew 18:11. This verse is not found in the earlier manuscripts so most modern translations omit it.) Jesus continued to talk about the little ones. He told a parable about a shepherd who had 100 sheep and one was lost. Leaving the 99, he went to look for the lost one. When the lost one is found the shepherd rejoiced over that one more than those not lost. Notice it is not the heavenly Father’s will that any of the little ones perish. 

REFLECT 

As you pray for children to trust Jesus as Savior, you are praying something that is God’s will. 

RESPOND 

Ask others to pray with you for little ones among your families and friends who have children who need to trust Jesus as Savior. 

Dealing with Offenses 

READ 

Matthew 18:15-17 

15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.” 

This passage tells how to handle an offense if one is made against you by another believer. 1) you should go privately to the person and explain the offense; 2) if he or she does not listen to you; take one or two others as witnesses and go to the person again; 3) if the individual refuses to listen to you and the witnesses, take your problem to the church; 4) if the person will not accept the church’s decision; treat the individual as an unbeliever. 

REFLECT 

Have you ever been in a situation where this practice needed to be followed? How did it turn out?  

RESPOND 

It is difficult to handle situations as described in this passage, but it is necessary if you wish to follow biblical instructions. Pray about having the courage to follow these directions when a serious problem arises between you and another believer. 

Forbidden and Permitted 

READ 

Matthew 18:18 

18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” 

This passage is similar to Matthew 16:19 and John 20:23. Matthew 16:19 has been previously explained. Notice how the New American Standard Bible translates this verse: “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” As mentioned earlier, this translation more accurately brings out the nuances of the original Greek language. The believer can announce what has already taken place in heaven.  

REFLECT 

Think of the privilege you have of telling a person if he or she has confessed sin it is forgiven in heaven. Think also of the sadness to have to tell some that if they have not trusted Jesus as Savior their sins are not forgiven.  

RESPOND 

With another believer, look at Matthew 16:19 and John 20:23 and examine the surrounding verses. An individual verse should not be taken out of context to learn of its true meaning. 

Where Two or Three Gather 

READ 

Matthew 18:19-20 

19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” 

This passage is often taken out of context. Remember that the surrounding subject has been referring to church discipline when two believers cannot solve their problems. Where two or three are gathered together and ask the heavenly Father for guidance, they should remember the Lord is there among them. This should encourage them to move ahead with their decision. 

REFLECT 

Have you thought about the passage in this way? Will it change your view about how to use these two verses? 

RESPOND 

Another passage about church discipline is 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. The entire passage gives reasons for exercising discipline. Consider this passage carefully.