Last week we started a two-week look at church conflict. We saw from the book of Philemon how the potential for conflict in the church was there from the very beginning as the church was made up of people from all walks of life, all political persuasions, all races, all economic classes, even masters and slaves – all becoming disciples of Jesus, and having Jesus as the one thing in common.
And because all of these people bring their humanity and brokenness and sinful natures with them into the church, guess what? Conflict is inevitable.
But the pain of conflict is NOT. The hurt that can be connected with conflict doesn’t have to have a place in the family of God. And ultimately, scripture shows us HOW to deal with that conflict in a manner that honors God and will help further His Kingdom here on earth.
So today, we’re gonna look at one of the key chapters in the gospels that help us understand the process of reconciliation out of conflict. Turn with me to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 18.
