I Need You, My Brother, My Sister / Sermon Series: To Save That Which Was Lost - Part 5 (Santosh Poonen)

Matthew 18:11-22 If your “brother” — i.e., your husband/wife, children, or a brother/sister in the local church — sins against you, seek reconciliation with them privately and gently first (Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15). Remember that you are trying to win your brother/sister, not the argument! To "win your brother," is to have the attitude that Jesus had. When He looked down from heaven and saw Saul "breathing threats and murder" against Him and His family, Jesus didn't think how He could destroy Saul, but rather, "I must win Saul!" He did win him, and Paul became one of the boldest witnesses for Jesus. When attempts to privately and gently win a brother are unsuccessful, the elders and the church have authority to deal with it (Matthew 18:16-20). This usually comes at the expense of our own earthly reputation, but that is where we demonstrate our value of and sense of protection for God's family. Let us love like Jesus did -- "to the end" (John 13:1). This means that we will be tested with disappointment and sacrifice along the way. But, when we live this way in forgiveness and reconciliation, then Christ WILL be present in our midst (Matthew 18:20). This is the true Church that Jesus is building. To love the Head, Jesus, is to love His Body as well. May we recognize our need of EVERY member of the body in which God has placed us! "I need you, you need me We're all a part of God's body Stand with me, agree with me We're all a part of God's body It is his will that every need be supplied You are important to me, I need you to survive I pray for you, you pray for me I love you, I need you to survive I won't harm you with words from my mouth I love you, I need you to survive."