Almost Honest Christians Week 2: Confront Their Sins Message Summary: Fear lets sin linger. When we see someone doing something wrong, we are so terrified of saying something, that we will do almost anything apart from confronting it. But God calls us to be courageous. His Word is filled with commands to correct, confront, and rebuke out of love for Jesus, love for the sinner, and love for those affected by the sinner’s actions. This message’s goal is peace, both the peace of addressing issues and the peace of mind knowing that you did something to address the sin in your midst. ✦ Almost Honest Christians = There is a sinner you are not confronting. ✦ Honestly, Confronting isn’t easy! ✦ Q: Whom & what should we confront? ❖ Matthew 18:15a — “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault…” ❖ Galatians 6:1a — Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person… ❖ A: God calls Christians to confront Christians. ❖ A: God calls Christians to confront sin. ✦ Q: How should we confront? ❖ Matthew 7:3-5 — “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ❖ Matthew 18:15 — “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.” ❖ Galatians 6:1 — Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. ❖ A: Loving confrontation requires humility, honesty & 200 proof Grace & Truth. ✦ Q: Why should we confront? ❖ Matthew 18:15 — “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.“ ❖ James 5:19-20 — My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. ❖ A: STP = LTP (Short-term pain = Long-term pleasure) ✦ Proverbs 27:5 — Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — Evaluate: At a spiritually healthy church, the pastors will frequently confront the congregation during church. GROUP — Agree/Disagree: Our church’s Life Groups are perfect places for Christians to confront one another. GROW — Meditate on 2 Timothy 3:16-17. What do you notice about the purposes of the Bible? GIVE — To the hundreds upon hundreds of people who joyfully give their time and their offerings to make our ministry possible, thank you! “Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). GO — Glance at Jesus’ mission for his followers in Luke 24:45-49. What connection do you see between our Lord’s words and today’s message. Homework: Nehemiah 8 (and 1 Corinthians 14 for extra credit!) (Hashtags: correction, sin, truth, repentance)