God's Gospel Truths
Matthew 18:15-20
If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 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.’ 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. 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. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
~ Jesus
Pondering Point
Often this piece of the Bible gets trotted as a blueprint for handling offenses in the church (rightly so by the way). But rarely does it used to call us together in prayer before our mutual Father. The goal of Jesus isn't merely to handle offenses. The further (and higher!) goal is coming together in front of the Father praying and having Him amidst us.
Prayer
Father God, help us see the value of agreeing in prayer and enjoying your presence among us collectively. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.