West Aurora church of Christ

06/14/2026

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06/13/2026

Gaining Your Brother (or Sister) (2)

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother” Matthew 18:15

Have you ever had someone come to you to talk to you about sin in your life? Jesus said that people should do that if they care about us, if they love us, if they want to maintain our relationship as brothers and sisters in Christ. However, most of us haven’t experienced this and it’s probably not because we are perfect. So, why don’t we do this with each other?

Them – Why don’t they talk to us?
Some people don’t know that Jesus said that problem resolution begins with them (Matt 18:15). Some people know it, but don’t think it will work. Some people are timid, fearful, or think it isn’t their job (it’s someone else’s job to correct people). Some people are afraid that they will be accused of being a hypocrite, hateful, or judgmental. Some people live inconsistently and are afraid their own sin will be pointed out if they point out someone else’s sin. While others may not think that sin (or at least THAT sin) is important or serious enough to mention.

Faith, trust in God’s word, love for others, and close relationships can overcome most of these! If they view telling us our fault as gaining their brother (Matt 18:15), they will talk to us!

Us – Why don’t they talk to us?
It may be that we haven’t made the effort to establish close spiritual familial relationships and we feel distant and unapproachable. Maybe they’ve heard us call correction hate speech, being judgmental, or none of their business. Being quick to anger and responding badly in the past will make people fearful they will provoke us. If we respond with accusations of hypocrisy, gossip, arrogance, or legalism, others will know we aren’t open to future correction. Spiritual or physical arrogance on our part will create pride barriers that most people won’t feel they can get through. Accusing others of personality clashes or jealousy, distracting from the real issues, will shut down productive communication. Belittling or excusing sin will push away those who love righteousness. And impenitence, continuing in sin, will alienate us from others AND God.

Faith, trust in God’s word, love for others, and close spiritual relationships can overcome most of these. If we view them telling us our fault as gaining their brother (Matt 18:15), we will welcome them to talk to us! dd

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother” Matthew 18:15 Have you ever had someone come to you to talk to you about sin in your life? Jesus said that

06/10/2026

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06/07/2026

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06/06/2026

Gaining Your Brother (or Sister) (1)

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother” Matthew 18:15

When someone sins against us, I mean, when they really hurt us, we are usually not inclined to do what Jesus says in Matthew 18:15. Maybe we get really quiet or even determine to never speak to them again. Or sometimes we actually desperately need to talk to someone and so we talk to a friend, or everyone about it – everyone except the one person Jesus said to go to first.

Before we start making excuses for not talking to people who sin against us because it is really hard to do, let’s admit that Jesus rarely, if ever, has us do the easy thing. He has just do the righteous thing, whether we find it easy or hard, whether we feel like doing it or not.

Let’s start with the reason before we talk about the action. Jesus optimistically says, “If he hears you, you have gained your brother” (Matt 18:15). The NASB says, “you have won your brother” and the NIV reads, “you have won them over.” This doesn’t mean that it is a contest or that we are trying to win an argument – it’s gaining or winning them in the sense of preserving or restoring the relationship. That’s the gain! That’s the win! Sin has occurred that has strained or broken our relationship – we want to have the relationship – and when the sin is corrected it is a “win” because the familial relationship is restored, we are close again.

If relationships are to exist, communication must occur. “…if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone…” (Matt 18:15). As awkward and uncomfortable as it may be to do this, not doing it won’t gain your brother (or sister). Silence, telling others, gossiping will make things worse and allow them to worsen under the surface.

I’m aware that Matthew 18 goes on to involve more people (and the church), but that’s not where it starts. It begins with “between you and him alone” (then involve others if they won’t hear you). A heartfelt, “I don’t want to lose my brother, I want to gain my brother” approach is where conflicts should begin. It’s not easy because they have sinned against us (in every imaginable and unimaginable way). But it’s about gaining or losing a brother or sister in Christ. It’s about the forgiveness of sins. It’s about more than their offense against us, but also against the Lord. It’s worth going to them. Is there someone you need to talk to? dd

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother” Matthew 18:15 When someone sins against us, I mean, when they really hurt us, we are usually not inclined to do what

06/04/2026

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05/31/2026

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05/30/2026

Who's In Charge Here?

We’ve all been in situations where we’ve wondered who is in charge. We wonder who runs a company whose product we love. We might ask who’s in charge at a restaurant where the food was bad. If things are crazy with people running around and need to be organized, we would probably say, “Who’s in charge here?”

In the spiritual world it’s fair to ask, “Who’s in charge here?” If you look at many religious groups, it can be hard to figure it out. Churches are run by pastors, councils, and popes. People are voting on what to believe. Churches are tailoring their worship to cater to the culture, fads, and desires of worldly members.

The Scriptures are clear: God is always to be the One in charge.

He’s in charge of creation
He’s in charge of His Word
He’s in charge of morality
He’s in charge of His people
He’s in charge of His church
He’s in charge of His worship
He’s in charge of the past, present, and future
He’s in charge of life, death, and the resurrection
He’s in charge of judgment
He’s in charge of immortality
He’s in charge of eternity

God is always the One to be in charge because He actually IS the only One in charge. It’s our job to recognize Him, listen to Him, and submit to Him (do what He says). We aren’t in charge of ANYTHING. Choosing our own way is open rebellion. Ignoring God’s Word, immoral actions, changing the work, worship, or organization of His church – they are all telling God He’s not in charge, we are! Let God be in charge because ultimately He is! dd

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19

“I am God, and there is no other… declaring the end from the beginning… saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” Isaiah 46:9–10

“All things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16–17

We’ve all been in situations where we’ve wondered who is in charge. We wonder who runs a company whose product we love. We might ask who’s in charge at a restaurant where the food was bad. If things are crazy with people running around and need to

05/27/2026

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