FIRST, Go to your BrotherFIRST, Go to your Brother

When should I go to my brother?

March 13 - PM

To Go or Not to GoTo Go or Not to Go

• There seems to be some confusion There seems to be some confusion about when one should or must go about when one should or must go to their brother firstto their brother first

• What if I talk with the elders or What if I talk with the elders or minister first?minister first?

• What if I talk with someone for What if I talk with someone for counsel and advice first?counsel and advice first?

• Let’s start with our textLet’s start with our text

Jesus’ StatementJesus’ Statement• Matthew 18:15-17 - Matthew 18:15-17 - 15“Moreover if your

brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

Private WrongsPrivate Wrongs• What does this passage command?What does this passage command?• Personal wrongPersonal wrong

• Lied to or aboutLied to or about• Gossiped aboutGossiped about• Cheated, swindledCheated, swindled

• Not a public wrong – but:Not a public wrong – but:• PersonalPersonal• PrivatePrivate• Keep it that wayKeep it that way

Private WrongsPrivate Wrongs• The text is clear:The text is clear:• If a brother wrongs you –If a brother wrongs you –• Go privately – If no responseGo privately – If no response• Take 2 or 3 witnesses – if no Take 2 or 3 witnesses – if no

responseresponse• Make it public – if no responseMake it public – if no response• Remove them from the fellowshipRemove them from the fellowship

WrongdoersWrongdoers• Matthew 5:23-24 - Matthew 5:23-24 - 23Therefore if you

bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

WrongdoersWrongdoers• If you have wronged a brother:If you have wronged a brother:• You cannot worship until the matter You cannot worship until the matter

is correctedis corrected• Go – confess – repent – reconcileGo – confess – repent – reconcile• Now you can worship with a clear and Now you can worship with a clear and

clean conscienceclean conscience

When NOT To GoWhen NOT To Go• Are there situations where I should Are there situations where I should

not or am not obligated to go to the not or am not obligated to go to the brother first?brother first?

• I believe there are at least 4 situations I believe there are at least 4 situations where it is not necessary (though not where it is not necessary (though not wrong) to go the the brother first.wrong) to go the the brother first.

1 - Doctrinal Error Taught1 - Doctrinal Error Taught• There are many teachers and There are many teachers and

preachers who are teaching errorpreachers who are teaching error

• When they begin to teach error – When they begin to teach error – There is great DANGERThere is great DANGER

• Souls could be at stake if some Souls could be at stake if some believe and follow this false teaching.believe and follow this false teaching.

1 - Doctrinal Error Taught1 - Doctrinal Error Taught• Speaking about dangerous error, not Speaking about dangerous error, not

just a mistake in speakingjust a mistake in speaking

• I might say “Moses” when I intended I might say “Moses” when I intended to say “Noah.” – No soul is in dangerto say “Noah.” – No soul is in danger

• If I teach a doctrinal error – it should If I teach a doctrinal error – it should be corrected - ASAPbe corrected - ASAP

1 - Doctrinal Error Taught1 - Doctrinal Error Taught• Galatians 2:4-5 - Galatians 2:4-5 - 4And this occurred

because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

2 - Public Knowledge2 - Public Knowledge• A DUI in the newspaper is public A DUI in the newspaper is public

information alreadyinformation already• Many are awareMany are aware

• From public sources – radio, paperFrom public sources – radio, paper• From reliable sources – familyFrom reliable sources – family• When they inform you that it is already When they inform you that it is already

publicly knownpublicly known

3 - Harm the Church3 - Harm the Church• Christians sometimes do things that Christians sometimes do things that

harm the cause of Christharm the cause of Christ• Sometimes they harm the local Sometimes they harm the local

congregationcongregation• Grumble, gripe, spread false Grumble, gripe, spread false

informationinformation• Even if true – Don’t hang our laundry Even if true – Don’t hang our laundry

for the world to seefor the world to see• Some speak rebellion against the eldersSome speak rebellion against the elders

4 – Leadership needs to know4 – Leadership needs to know• Some matters need to be acted upon Some matters need to be acted upon

by those with some authorityby those with some authority• Some matters need be be handled by Some matters need be be handled by

those who know how to counsel or those who know how to counsel or help the situationhelp the situation

• Don’t allow it to fester, build, boilDon’t allow it to fester, build, boil• Some ask – Why don’t the elders do Some ask – Why don’t the elders do

something about this? – Do they something about this? – Do they know?know?

When it is Private:When it is Private:• When a matter is a private issue When a matter is a private issue

between two Christians – keep it between two Christians – keep it privateprivate

• You may feel the need to discuss the You may feel the need to discuss the matter with someone who will hold matter with someone who will hold the matter confidentiallythe matter confidentially

• Only make it public if it is necessaryOnly make it public if it is necessary

When it is Public:When it is Public:• Openly taught error in doctrineOpenly taught error in doctrine

• Sin already publicly knownSin already publicly known

• When it may bring harm to the churchWhen it may bring harm to the church

• When the leadership needs to know When the leadership needs to know and/or actand/or act