The fourth episode in a 9-part series on some of the most mis-interpreted verses in the Bible. Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Episode 3 on Philippians 4:13 is now LIVE!
Episode Summary/For Further Exploration
John’s 4 Rules for Biblical Interpretation: How does what you’re reading apply to the Life of Jesus or the Life of the Author? Read the passage in different translations. Is it typically only used in one specific translation? What did it mean to the original hearers? Interpret the Bible with The Bible. Go to other parts of the Bible and see if the subject text is consistent with the character of God found elsewhere.
Process to Restore of a Fallen Individual as Outlined in Matthew 18 The Party Stumbles/Sins The Community of Faith Seeks to Restore the Individual. If your “brother or sister” stumbles go to them and illuminate the issue in love. The Community Forgives with Abundance the One Who has Stumbled.
Jesus’ Sermon in Matt 18 Abridged (Summarized by John) Let all people regardless of statue or status have access to Jesus. Those who humble themselves to be small like children will experience the fullness of God’s kingdom Anyone who gets in the way of those coming to Jesus will face opposition Remove from your own life the things which cause you to “stumble” Seek to restore those who have stumbled or fallen away from life with Jesus If someone has “stumbled/trespassed/sinned” against you go to them to illuminate the concern so that your relationship can be made right and they can be restored. Forgive them with abundance and completeness just as you have been forgiven and restored when you stumble. God the Father will forgive you to the extent you extend forgiveness to others.
Jesus will be present in your midst during the Restoration and Forgiveness of One Another. This is where the presence of Jesus is found. Restoration and Forgiveness are hard, but will make you more into the likeness of Jesus Himself.
Resources & References
Bible References (Order As Introduced): Matthew 18:20; John 15:7; Matthew 26:39; 2 Corinthians 12: 8-9; Luke 4:16; Matthew 4:23; John 10:22-23; John 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 3:16; John 14:16-17; Matthew 18:1-6, 8, 12-17, & 21-22; Matthew 19:1; Matthew 18:18; 1 Corinthians 5
Baylor Basketball National Championship in Basketball 🐻 🐾: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2021/04/05/baylor-crushes-gonzaga-earns-first-mens-ncaa-basketball-championship/7100491002/ (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2021/04/05/baylor-crushes-gonzaga-earns-first-mens-ncaa-basketball-championship/7100491002/)
Light the Night 2020 at FBC Huntsville https://www.fbchsv.org/lightthenight (https://www.fbchsv.org/lightthenight)
Additional Help for Bible Interpretation: https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-6-principles-biblical-interpretation (https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-6-principles-biblical-interpretation)
Brief Explanation of the Differences between Bible Translations: https://www.christianbook.com/page/bibles/about-bibles/about-translations (https://www.christianbook.com/page/bibles/about-bibles/about-translations) https://www.ucg.org/vertical-thought/infographic-types-of-bible-translations (https://www.ucg.org/vertical-thought/infographic-types-of-bible-translations)
Biblical Understanding of the Church: https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/the-church/ (https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/the-church/)
Additional Context
On bringing "presuppositions" to our reading of Scripture: “Whether one likes it or not, every reader is at the same time an interpreter. That is, most of us assume as we read that we also understand what we read. We also tend to think that our understanding is the same thing as the...