Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 2 June 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 18

Subject: “Whatever you bind on earth” Matthew 18:15

#77

INTRODUCTION

18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Matthew 18:18-20

INTRODUCTION

1. This is a difficult text:

a) To understand

b) To apply

2. A little more effort needed:

a) To read

b) To discern

c) To understand

AUTHORITY TO BIND OR TO LOOSE

1. This “authority” needs to be carefully understood

a) This is awesome authority

b) Only God can bind or loose a person

2. The authority of the Apostles

a) It is called a “declaring authority”

b) They have the right to declare the authority behind an awesome decision, to bind or to loose

3. The understanding of this text is found in the original Greek text

a) The decision to bind or to loose is in the Perfect Tense

b) Meaning, that decision had already been made by the Lord

c) The Apostles have the privilege to declare the decision

THE PRESENCE OF GOD

1. In Jewish understanding, a minimum of 10 must be present to form an assembly

2. This is called a “minyan”

3. They may then affirm “authority”

4. The Lord Jesus taught otherwise

a) Even if there are 2 people praying to God the Father

b) And if they are in full understanding and agreement

c) They may make a request to God

d) This prayer request would be answered by God the Father

5. Two or Three people

a) There is no need to look for a minyan

b) 2 or 3 people would be sufficient

c) The Lord Jesus promised that He would be with that small company

d) They can accomplish much because the Lord’s presence is there

6. Examples

a) Peter and John in ministry Acts 3-4

b) Paul and Barnabas Acts 13

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To grow well

a) In knowledge

b) In wisdom

c) In faith

d) In maturity

2. To understand the use of:

a) Authority

b) Power

c) For life and ministry

3. To find confidence

a) In prayer

b) In difficult situations

c) To pray meaningfully and with faith