CAREFRONTATION
Biblical Peacemaking
Matthew 18:15-17

What do you do when a person sins against you?

• Avoid
• Attack

We do peacemaking with the goal of restoration.

(Handle it with care: “carefrontation”)

RESTORATION: In Greek meaning, a medical word: To set a broken bone… “think of a patient and tenderness that requires; thus, CARE… CAREFRONTATION

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. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Matthew 18:15-16

Matthew 18:17 (Next Sunday)

• Stage 1: PERSONAL CAREFRONTATION
  (Goal: Restore a brother)
  • PREPARE TO GO
    • ANALYZE THE ISSUE (Pr. 23:23)
    • ASSESS THE ISSUE (1 Pet 4:8)
    • SEEK COUNSEL (Pr 1:5)
    • AVOID GOSSIP (Pr 25:9-10)
    • REPENT OF YOUR PART (Matt. 5:23-24)
    • PREPARE IN LOVE (Matt 7:12)
  • GO ALONE
    OFFENDER approaches OFFENDED (IDEAL)
    
    • Admits personal responsibility
    • Names specific offense
    • Makes no excuses
    • Does not blame others or circumstances
    • Acknowledges pain/cost to offended
    • Shows genuine brokenness
  • GO ALONE
    • OFFENDED approaches OFFENDER
      • Approaches in love (Matt 7:12)
      • Grants forgiveness (Luke 17:3-4)
      • Discerns & be patient (1 Thess. 5:14)
    • OFFENDER responds to OFFENDED
      • Humbles himself (James 4:6)
      • Repents with godly sorrow (2 Cor 7:8-11)
      • Receives forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
• Stage 2: PRIVATE CAREFRONTATION
  (Goal: restore a brother)
  If the offender does not listen…
  But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
  • Matthew 18:16
    • Witness: this is an obligation, and not to be done lightly
    • Witness: your testimony is under scrutiny (Dt 19:18); to protect the offended/er from false witness
    • Witness: stake your character and reputation on the truth of your testimony regarding the conflict and who is to be blame
    • Witness that the offended is acting in good faith.
    • Witness the right spirit in attempting to work out a reconciliation.
    • Witness to any agreement.
    • If the offender does not listen…
  • Reconcile people, handle it with care: CAREFRONTATION
    • God is glorified.
    • Relationships are restored.
    • Unity in the church is preserved.
    • Peace