FIRST, Go to your Brother

1
FIRST, Go to your Brother

• When should I go to my brother?
• March 13 - PM

2
To Go or Not to Go

• There seems to be some confusion about when one
  should or must go to their brother first
• What if I talk with the elders or minister first?
• What if I talk with someone for counsel and
  advice first?
• Lets start with our text

3
Jesus Statement

• Matthew 1815-17 - 15Moreover 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.

4
Private Wrongs

• What does this passage command?
• Personal wrong
• Lied to or about
• Gossiped about
• Cheated, swindled
• Not a public wrong but
• Personal
• Private
• Keep it that way

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Private Wrongs

• The text is clear
• If a brother wrongs you
• Go privately If no response
• Take 2 or 3 witnesses if no response
• Make it public if no response
• Remove them from the fellowship

6
Wrongdoers

• Matthew 523-24 - 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.

7
Wrongdoers

• If you have wronged a brother
• You cannot worship until the matter is corrected
• Go confess repent reconcile
• Now you can worship with a clear and clean
  conscience

8
When NOT To Go

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

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1 - Doctrinal Error Taught

• There are many teachers and preachers who are
  teaching error
• When they begin to teach error There is great
  DANGER
• Souls could be at stake if some believe and
  follow this false teaching.

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1 - Doctrinal Error Taught

• Speaking about dangerous error, not just a
  mistake in speaking
• I might say Moses when I intended to say
  Noah. No soul is in danger
• If I teach a doctrinal error it should be
  corrected - ASAP

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1 - Doctrinal Error Taught

• Galatians 24-5 - 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.

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2 - Public Knowledge

• A DUI in the newspaper is public information
  already
• Many are aware
• From public sources radio, paper
• From reliable sources family
• When they inform you that it is already publicly
  known

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3 - Harm the Church

• Christians sometimes do things that harm the
  cause of Christ
• Sometimes they harm the local congregation
• Grumble, gripe, spread false information
• Even if true Dont hang our laundry for the
  world to see
• Some speak rebellion against the elders

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4 Leadership needs to know

• Some matters need to be acted upon by those with
  some authority
• Some matters need be be handled by those who know
  how to counsel or help the situation
• Dont allow it to fester, build, boil
• Some ask Why dont the elders do something
  about this? Do they know?

15
When it is Private

• When a matter is a private issue between two
  Christians keep it private
• You may feel the need to discuss the matter with
  someone who will hold the matter confidentially
• Only make it public if it is necessary

16
When it is Public

• Openly taught error in doctrine
• Sin already publicly known
• When it may bring harm to the church
• When the leadership needs to know and/or act