How are sinners supposed to live together in unity? Jesus addresses this issue in Matthew 18:15-20. This passage which has been referenced as “church discipline, is perhaps better identified as the restoration principle. The point of this passage is to help us understand how we encourage each other to remain faithful to the Lord, and what is the process by which we maintain the purity of the Church. Restoration from sin is the corollary of evangelism. Restoration deals with sin in the lives of those who have made professions of faith. Evangelism is the initial act of discipleship, whereas the restoration principle is part of the follow-up and shepherding of professing saints. This passage outlines four basic steps to achieve correction and restoration in the lives of believers. Allow me to share the first today, and develop the other three in the days to follow. First, is Private Reproof, found in Matthew 18:15. Here we see that the offended believer is responsible to arrange a PRIVATE meeting and share with the offender what sin they have committed. The word for “reprove” in this passage means “to bring to light”. Often people do not realize that they are caught up in … READ MORE

Some people dismiss church membership because they think it means making people jump through hoops, or they think it means erecting standards of behavior for the sake of entry. However, Christianity is not about standards, it is about free grace. We must understand that the standard for church membership should be no higher or lower than the standard for being a Christian. The church’s responsibility is to affirm sheep. What are the steps that we should look at in order to bring a person into membership to the church? This must be something universal, and regardless of age or culture. It does not mean that they should have a complete knowledge of the Bible, but it does mean that a person who becomes part of a church can point to three things that will be developing in their heart and mind. Every person is at different stages in these three areas, but they must be able to demonstrate that they are willing to grow in their understanding of these three areas of thinking:1. Faith – A church is to affirm a person’s profession of faith as Jesus did with Peters affirmation in Matthew 16:16 “You are the Christ, the Son … READ MORE

The body of Christ which is represented in every redemptive community is designed to put the alternative rule of Christ on display for the waiting world. The very boundaries, which are drawn around the membership of a church, yield a society of people that invites the nations to something better. We must remember that Jesus said that “I will build MY Church” (emphasis mine), how does He do that? Romans 10:13-15 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. How then shall thy call on Him in whom they have not believed: and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” God uses His people to bring the message of salvation to the world, and the church is supposed to demonstrate the power of a transformed life to the world. The church is a beautiful thing that we should desire to represent to our community. None of us is a … READ MORE