METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY 3RD SEPTEMBER 2026 - DEALING WITH SIN IN THE CHURCH
DATE: THURSDAY, 3RD SEPTEMBER 2026
THEME: DEALING WITH SIN IN THE CHURCH
PASSAGE: MATTHEW 18:15-20
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.
MESSAGE:
Today's Bible passage is about reconciliation and conflict resolution, something that we sometimes find very difficult to achieve. We find it hard to forgive which is why we find it difficult to reconcile conflicts. No prayer of a person who nurses grudge against another person can be answered.
The passage emphasizes the importance of private reconciliation, followed by seeking help from others if necessary, and finally, the authority of the church to bind or loose and the power of unity in prayer. Let us look at steps towards achieving a successful resolution of conflict as stated in the passage:
Private Reconciliation (Verse 15): If a brother sins against you, go privately and make it known to him. The goal is to restore the relationship and seek repentance.
Seeking Witnesses (Verse 16): If the offended brother is not willing to listen, take one or two witnesses with you. This is to provide a more solid basis for the resolution.
Church Authority (Verse 17): If the offender still refuses to listen, the matter should be brought before the church elders who will take decisions about the matter and the offender's status in the church.
"Binding and Loosing" (Verse 18): This phrase refers to the role of church's authority to in making decisions binding on God's people, both in terms of admitting them to and excommunicating them from the faith. It implies that earthly decisions have heavenly consequences and backing.
The Power of Agreement in Prayer (Verses 19-20): Jesus promises that when two or three agree in prayer, God's presence is among them and He will answer. This emphasizes the importance of unity and shared prayer in seeking God's will.
In essence, the passage provides a framework for: addressing sin; resolving conflict exercising church authority and seeking God's guidance and the power of unity in prayer in obtaining God's answer and will in "anything whatsoever". What a blank cheque for us!
MEMORY VERSE:
"Verily I say unto you, whatever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" Matthew 18:18
HYMN: MHB 353 (8.8.8.6.) JUST as I am without one plea
1. JUST aa I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bldd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I cornel
2. Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse
each spot, O Lamb of God, I cornel
3. Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fighting and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I cornel
4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, In Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come
5. Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come
6. Just as I am Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come
7. Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and
height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come I
PRAYER
Help us, O Lord, to love one another and give no room for any conflict. Amen.
READ:
DAY: Lam 4
NIGHT: Lam. 5:1-22