Seeking the Stubborn
Matthew 18:15–20
Today we're talking about something that all of us know about. Everybody has someone in the family, every church has some situation, every workplace has it as well. And if we're honest with ourselves, sometimes it's us. What I'm talking about are stubborn people.
In this passage, we're told, "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault just between the two of you." Then Jesus gives us a process. If they won't listen, take two or three others. If they still won't listen, involve the church.
The heart of it is this: when a relationship is broken, don't just walk away. Seek to make it right. The Christian should spare no effort to set things right again between you and the other person.
Go to them. Don't talk about them, go to them. Would you agree that probably 80 to 90% of the problems would be solved if we just go to each other and talk? Often it's a misunderstanding.
Sometimes we need to ask, is the stubborn person me? Where have I decided I'm right and somebody else is wrong? Sometimes Jesus is seeking me and trying to remind me I should be the one willing to change.
When Jesus says "in my name," Jesus means we don't do this merely in our own strength. We seek people because Jesus sought us. We forgive because Jesus forgave us. We pursue reconciliation because Jesus has reconciled us to him. Don't give up too soon.
This whole passage of scripture is not about shunning difficult, hard-headed, stubborn people. It's about how to bring back those sheep that have gone astray. And just like a shepherd, when the shepherd finds that sheep, he doesn't stand there with a stick and beat it. He holds it like a baby and carries it back.
That's the good news. That's the gospel. Through Jesus Christ we can start anew, and we can come back together, and we can forgive, and we can be healed.
From the sermon of September 6, 2026
Pastor William Mitchell
Today we're talking about something that all of us know about. Everybody has someone in the family, every church has some situation, every workplace has it as well. And if we're honest with ourselves, sometimes it's us. What I'm talking about are stubborn people.
In this passage, we're told, "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault just between the two of you." Then Jesus gives us a process. If they won't listen, take two or three others. If they still won't listen, involve the church.
The heart of it is this: when a relationship is broken, don't just walk away. Seek to make it right. The Christian should spare no effort to set things right again between you and the other person.
Go to them. Don't talk about them, go to them. Would you agree that probably 80 to 90% of the problems would be solved if we just go to each other and talk? Often it's a misunderstanding.
Sometimes we need to ask, is the stubborn person me? Where have I decided I'm right and somebody else is wrong? Sometimes Jesus is seeking me and trying to remind me I should be the one willing to change.
When Jesus says "in my name," Jesus means we don't do this merely in our own strength. We seek people because Jesus sought us. We forgive because Jesus forgave us. We pursue reconciliation because Jesus has reconciled us to him. Don't give up too soon.
This whole passage of scripture is not about shunning difficult, hard-headed, stubborn people. It's about how to bring back those sheep that have gone astray. And just like a shepherd, when the shepherd finds that sheep, he doesn't stand there with a stick and beat it. He holds it like a baby and carries it back.
That's the good news. That's the gospel. Through Jesus Christ we can start anew, and we can come back together, and we can forgive, and we can be healed.
From the sermon of September 6, 2026
Pastor William Mitchell
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