Notes from 9/01/11 Caz service

From the 'Caz Service,' thurs. Sept. 1st

O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Week of Pentecost +12………….. Matthew 18:15-20

15 "If a brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 "Again, truly 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. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Title: CONFLICT RESOLUTION—JESUS’ WAY

1--How realistic is this problem, the idea of fellow Christians sinning against each other?

         1a--Can you think of any biblical examples of Christians being in conflict?

         1b--What sorts of conflict might arise in a modern church setting?

         1c--What’s at the root of such conflicts?

2--Vs 15 says if the “sin.” What if it’s not technically a sin, what if they’re just annoying you?

3--Do you think most Christians are happy to practice this form of conflict resolution? Why/why not?

         3a--What’s the alternative?

4—Why do you think Jesus even cares about this?

         4a—What’s the goal?

5—From vs 16, who should the “two others” be?

6—Is this the method you should use if your non-Christian co-worker sins against you? Why/why not? (hint:  see vs 17)

7—Vs 17 says if all else fails the person who committed the sin should be treated as a “pagan or tax collector.” What does that mean?

8—What’s the significance of Jesus saying he’s “present” in vs 20?

Consider:  being wrong…even being a sinner….isn’t the end of the world:

Hymn:  Jesus SINNERS doth receive!

St. Paul:  (1Tim 1:15) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.

Luther: Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly for he is victorious over sin, death, and the world