Approachable. Matthew 18:15-2

Do you ever read the New Testament, especially Acts, and wonder how the church was so dynamic and made such an impact on their world. It forces questions like, why aren't we more like that? Why aren't we making a difference in our communities like they were?

I think the answer to these questions have a lot to do with the passage below. When we're wronged typically we get a little upset and then either tell someone else about how terrible we were treated, and by a fellow christian at that. Or, we'll supress it and pretend like it doesn't bother us.

This passage suggests, or rather demands, that when we are wronged we take go directly to the person who wronged us with a forgiving heart. The purpose is to prohibit any disunity in the church. Jesus knew division would lead the church to ineffectiveness and so gives this command. Try it sometime.

Matthew 18:15-22
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Questions
1. How do you think someone would respond if you approached them like this passage tells us to?
2. How would you respond?
3. What's the most challenging part of this passage?