Looking Ahead - 7/31/2010
Saturday (Matthew 18:20) Read Matthew 18:15-20 again and ask yourself this question; "does this passage really teach about prayer?" You should have answered; no, this passage is about Church Discipline. "where two or three are gathered together in My name" is talking about a church meeting (a business meeting for us today). In verse 19 "if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask" is talking about a decision made by the church membership (or a church vote for us today). This is all taught in the context of Church Discipline, so a paraphrase might be "when you meet to discuss this problem of an erring church member, and the church agrees that he or she has sinned; be aware that God has already taken action in heaven. For in every true church meeting I (Jesus) am there (in the midst of that body)."
Saturday (Matthew 18:20) Read Matthew 18:15-20 again and ask yourself this question; "does this passage really teach about prayer?" You should have answered; no, this passage is about Church Discipline. "where two or three are gathered together in My name" is talking about a church meeting (a business meeting for us today). In verse 19 "if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask" is talking about a decision made by the church membership (or a church vote for us today). This is all taught in the context of Church Discipline, so a paraphrase might be "when you meet to discuss this problem of an erring church member, and the church agrees that he or she has sinned; be aware that God has already taken action in heaven. For in every true church meeting I (Jesus) am there (in the midst of that body)."
