Life in the Kingdom: Restoring the Sinning Brother (Little One)

Perhaps the most famous section of Jesus' fourth discourse in Matthew's Gospel is vv15-20 and its topic of church discipline. However, this church discipline section cannot be understood or applied appropriately without understanding the context of the whole chapter. The foundation of seeing oneself and the brethren as little children, receiving one another as a little child, and protecting and looking to retrieve each little one in the name of Christ and for Christ's sake is both necessary and a glorious blessing in the community of the local church. Then church discipline is able to be seen and carried out as an extension of that same communally humble, sacrificial, and loving service to one another and to Christ.

Matthew 18:15-20 – Restoring the Sinning Brother (Little One)

I. Self-Discipline (18:1-14)
--[Discipline of Self is Necessary for Care of Others]
---A. Self-Discipline and Context
---B. Self-Discipline and Confrontation

II. Mutual Discipline (18:15-17)
--[Mutual Care is Necessary for Discipline of Others]
---A. Go Tell Him Alone (v15)
---B. Take One or Two More (v16)
---C. Tell It to The Church (v17)

III. Church Discipline (18:17-20)
--[Authority of Church is Ultimately Necessary for it All]
---A. Excommunication (vv17-18)
---B. Authority (vv19-20)