Working At Getting Along With Each Other!

Sermon Notes

September 6, 2009

Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248

(480) 895-8766

Matthew 18:15-20 NRSV

¹⁵“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. ¹⁶But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ¹⁷If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

¹⁸Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

¹⁹Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

A. Introduction

1. Satan pickets a Church

a. It was a strange scene outside Porter’s Chapel Church. Satan was outside the Church picketing people passing by and those arriving to worship. This red suited menace stood outside the doors of the sanctuary with a sharp pitchfork in one hand, and a protest sign in the other hand telling folks not to worship God. The Devil hollered, “Don’t you go to Church today, or I’ll get you if you do!” The police were called. Indeed the local “911” switchboard according to the dispatcher lit up like a Christmas tree! Half a dozen police officers were sent out and they later told reporters that people were frightened to death! Little kids were crying and a lot of adults looked scared. “Satan” was taken into custody and it turned out that it was only the pastor in disguise! And I know what some of you are thinking. Pastor Floyd S. Turlington was testing his people. He wanted to see who the true Christians were. He wanted to see who was willing to defy Satan and stay loyal to the Lord Jesus.

b. A handful did go on into the sanctuary. One gray haired old saint marched right into the Church and on the way told Satan to go home! (Or words close to that.) Another man came right up and shook the Devil’s hand saying, “Well, we finally meet. You know I’ve been married to your sister for forty years.” The Devil asked, “Then why are you going into Church?” The man replied, “Your sister has not kept me out of my house for all those years, and you’re not keeping me out of God’s house.” Now I don’t know whether the man was teasing or not. But I do know that some people are hard to be with. Some folks are as mean as the devil. Fortunately, such people are in the minority. However, all of us at times are not so easy to live with. And that is why in part Jesus shared the words contained in today’s Scripture.

2. Today’s Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

a. Jesus knew that as humans we would make mistakes and even sin against each other. He knew that this would happen even among fellow Church members and even in the best of our families. So Jesus gave us inspired advice for working at getting along with each other.

b. And on this “Labor Sunday” when so many rest from their everyday work, I share what Jesus tells us to do to get along with each other. He tells us to be willing to take the first step. He tells us to recognize that we need each other, and that above all we need Him.

B. Be willing to take the first step.

1. Peanuts Comic Strip

a. In the Peanuts Comic Strip, Lucy is pounding on the floor and throwing a tantrum. She hollers, “You promised me a Birthday Party, and now you say I can’t have one! It’s not fair!” Linus says to her, “You’re not using the right strategy.” Lucy stops fussing and says, “What?” Linus goes on: “The more you fuss the worse off you’ll be. Why not admit it was your fault? Why not go up to mom, and say to her, ‘I admit I’ve been bad, and you were right to cancel my party. From now on I shall try to be good. That’s much better than ranting and raving. All that does is prove her point.” Lucy stands up and gives this thought a try. She recites to Linus, “I’m sorry, dear mother. I admit I’ve been bad, and you were right to cancel my party. From now on I shall try to be good.” Linus smiles. Lucy takes a few steps toward mom and then cries out, “I’D RATHER DIE!!!”

b. We humans hate to take the first step in trying to resolve a conflict. And this is true if we did the wrong, or “they” did the wrong, or if both of us share the blame.

2. Today’s Scripture: Matthew 18:15

a. However, Jesus’ words in verse fifteen are direct and to the point: “If your brother sins against you, Go to him…” (Matthew 18:15a TEV)

b. If we feel that someone has wronged us we are to go to them and try to work things out. And in the spirit of what Jesus is telling us this is also true: If we have hurt someone else in our Church or family, we are called to take the first step to apologize and seek reconciliation.

C. Recognize that we need each other.

1. Plane mishap

a. In 1989 Kerry Lappan was flying on a plane bound for Australia. A cargo door failed, and a huge hole was ripped in the side of the plane. Sadly nine people were pulled out by the change in air pressure, and would die. Kerry’s seat was near the hole and even though she had her seat belt on she was very frightened. The plane shook and vibrated as the captain worked at keeping it under control. Kerry’s seat seemed to rock more and more with every vibration, and she kept slipping down in her seat belt. She was sure that she was going to die. It was just a matter of time until either the seat bolts gave way or she slid out of the seat belt, and fell 24,000 feet to her death.

b. Then there was the man in the seat across the isle from her. “A wonderful, wonderful man!” She gushed to the reporter later. This man turned and with both hands firmly held one of her hands. “And praise God!” Kerry said, “He did not let go!” At that moment Kerry Lappan realized that she desperately needed another human being.

2. Today’s Scripture: Matthew 18:15-16

a. All through today’s Scripture lesson is the spirit of community. In essence Jesus says: “Go to your brother or sister.” “Seek out one or two others.” “Go to the whole Church.” (paraphrase of words from Matthew 18:15-16) We are called to strive to live in harmony with others one on one. We are called to seek the wisdom of those whom God has given us as our leaders. And we are called to live together in peace and harmony in our homes, in our Church, and in our community

b. Jesus is telling us that we need other human beings not only at the difficult times, but also throughout our lives. God did not make us to be isolated creatures. We need the fellowship, guidance, help and love of others.

D. Recognize that we need Jesus!

1. South Korean Christian: Mr. Cho

a. During the Korean War, a South Korean Christian, a civilian named Mr. Cho, was arrested by the communists and ordered shot. When the young communist leader learned that Mr. Cho ran an orphanage full of small children, he decided to spare Mr. Cho and kill his son instead. So they shot the nineteen-year-old boy in the presence of his father. Later the fortunes of war changed, and the United Nations forces captured the young communist leader. He was tried and condemned to death. But before the sentence could be carried out, Mr. Cho pleaded for the life of his son’s murderer. Mr. Cho said, “Jesus has forgiven me, and now I forgive this man. He is young, and did not really know what he was doing because he has been “brain-washed” by communist hate-filled propaganda. Give him to me and I will teach him the right way to live.” The request was granted, and Mr. Cho took the man into his own house. The young communist leader was amazed at what Mr. Cho said, and wanted to learn more about this Jesus he spoke of. In time he became a believer, and today is the pastor of a large Christian Church in South Korea.

b. Now I could have used others stories that speak of why we need Jesus. I could have shared personal stories and other people’s stories about how Jesus got us through difficult times, and how we could not have made it without the Lord. There are a lot of reasons we need Jesus. Today, I have chosen a story about how Jesus helps us to forgive and reconcile with others.

2. Today’s Scripture: Matthew 18:20

a. In verse twenty of today's Scripture, Jesus says: “For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them.” (Matthew 18:20 TEV)

b. We need Jesus to forgive our sins and to restore our relationship with God. We, also, need Jesus to help us be the best person we can and to help us live in peace with others. On our own we will dwell on the slights and the insults. On our own we will hold that grudge and nurture that hatred of the one who wronged us. However, if Jesus is asked into our midst, then His love begins to rule our hearts, and we begin to reach out to others with love and forgiveness. We will never get along with one another as God’s children without the guidance of God’s only begotten Son. We need Jesus.

E. Conclusion

1. Jesus loves him!

a. Grandma was rocking out on the front porch. Her daughter Carol and granddaughter Julianne came out, sat down, and began to talk. They were complaining about a relative named Rudy, who was married to Carol’s sister, Becky. Carol said, “Rudy is such a liar. He’s borrowed money from half the family and never paid it back.” Grandma, replied, “But Jesus loves him.” Julianne said, “Did you smell him? He reeks of cheap booze! No wonder they never have any money.” Grandma again said, “Jesus loves him.” Carol was quite angry, “Now Becky tells me the loser is cheating on her.” Grandma a third time said, “But Jesus loves him.” Julianne said, “Grandma that may be so, but I don’t reckon that Jesus knows him like we do.”

b. Jesus does know every one of us. And He still loves us. And he calls us to work at getting along with each other. This is what he tells us to do:

2. Recap

a. Be willing to take the first step.

b. Recognize that we need each other.

c. Recognize that we need Jesus!

Working At Getting Along With Each Other!

1. Be willing to take the first step.

2. Recognize that we need each other.

3. Recognize that we need Jesus!

Matthew 18:15-20 NRSV

¹⁵“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. ¹⁶But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ¹⁷If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

¹⁸Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

¹⁹Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”