The Phil Files

In my Heartlight.org post this week, I talk about Radical community, the kind of community Jesus calls His followers to practice in Matthew 18. This is one of the most frank, in-you-face sections of Jesus’ teaching — mentioning millstones around our necks (Matthew 18:6-7 NAS), eternal fire and the fire of hell (Matthew 18:8-9), and being tortured by the jailer (Matthew 18:34-35). It is clearly about life in church — he addresses us as disciples in (Matthew 18:1) and even uses the word “church” twice (Matthew 18:17).

Jesus uses incredibly strong language to warn what is stake in this matter of living radical community. I believe this is because we so desperately need genuine community, because the stakes of our living faithfully are so high, and because God values each of us as precious “little ones.” So the Lord gives us four principles or values that He wants us to live as God’s “little ones” as we live in community:

1. Be accountable for our actions and influence (Matthew 18:6-9)
2. Reach out and rescue those in trouble or who are caught in sin (Matthew 18:10-14)
3. Confront those who sin and work to redeem them (Matthew 18:15-20)
4. Generously forgive those who sin against you (Matthew 18:21-35)

(To listen to the mp3 of this full message, click here.)

Wow! This is strong and direct teaching from Jesus. How do you feel about all of this?

Do you believe we practice these four principles of community very well?

Why are they important for genuine community?

How would living these out help bless the family of God all around the world, but especially in our home congregations?

I’d love to get your reaction to this as we continue to talk about genuine community.