THE MESSAGE...

This week's message

27th July 2008

Matthew 18: 15 - 20

Power in Numbers

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The Christian faith is not solely an individual endeavor, but heavily incorporates the help of the community: the church. Christ calls us to draw nigh unto Him and this can be done individually to a certain extent, but to do so effectively and develop in totality of the spirit, the fellowship we have with others and exposure to the different talents of other believers is necessary. For example, one person may be gifted to teach and preach which will enable you to understand the word better and thus know God more. Or even another person could be gifted in worship and that could help you enter that higher level in the presence of God. These then improve our individual quest to seek God's face. Therefore, if one person sins against another it is a community concern. However, there should be respect for privacy and so if the matter can be addressed privately, it should. But when it cannot, then community is involved. Moreover, the power imparted is greater within a group of true believers as one person may be able to draw 1,000 souls into the kingdom of God, but two or three can draw 10,000. There is spiritual power in numbers and so we should use this to be victorious in battle against the enemy, help one another to grow in sprit and in truth and so much more.

AMEN