God Honors Right Relationships - Matthew 18:18 (NIV)

S. Matthew 18:18 (NIV) “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be found in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth, will be loosed in heaven.”

O. I always wondered about this “binding” and “loosing” language. Jesus is teaching on relationships of one another. “Binding” means to tie up, to fasten, to delcare to be prohibited.” “Loosing “ means to “free up or untie.”

It appears Jesus is saying when you come together to settle differences (v.15-35) whatever you agree to do, God will honor that. If you agree to restric certain actions or you agree to free up from previous limitations, God will honor that.

A. I will always seek reconciliation with anotehr brotehr or sister in Christ. I value the importance of coming together, talking and finding agreement. When we do this, God honors it. Sometimes we just may have differences that cannot find agreement, other than agreement of each seeking God’s leading in another direction. If we handle this right, God honors that too.

P. Thank you Father for this word today and for bringing me clarity on this topic and passage. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to teach this to others and to practice this “honoring relationships thought” with others. In Jesus’ name.

Discovering Our Place in the Church, the Body of Christ

S. 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.”

O. Paul is teaching on the working fo the church, the Body of Christ. He describes the gifting that we all have. We all have gifts. We all have different gifts. All tghe gifts (members of Christ’s body) are important and we should not seek or be envious of the gifts others have.

A. I love the clarity of 1 Corinthians 12 in describing how the church, the Body of Christ operates. I will continue to use the gifts God has given me and I will continue to help others realize the gifting God has given them so they can fulfill His purpose in their lives. #knowGod #findfreedom #discoveryourpurpose #makeadifference

P. Thank you FAther for your word today. Thank yo ufor saving me, calling me and gifitng me. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to use the gifts God has graciously given me (leadership, pastor, teacher, evangelism, encourager, faith) to help others realize their place in the Body of Christ.

Teamwork in the Kingdom of God

S. 1 Corinthians 3:8-10

8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.

O. Paul is teaching that leaders in the church of Jesus Christ all play a role in the spiritual development of people. Leaders don’t all do the same - rather, their combined efforts God uses to build believers in the faith and thereby building His Holy Temple (Eph. 2:20-22); i.e. the church the Body of Christ.

A. Comparison is someting we all need to resist unless we are comparing ourselves to God’s expectations for our own lives. I will resist the competitive comparison and focus on my pastoral role to do my part in building others up in their faith.

P. Thank you Father for this word - Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to enjoy this pastoral season and the people you are entrusting me with. Help me to do my part in equipping them for our call in their lives.