The BIG Picture (Q&A)

📜 Did You Know: Where two or three are gathered ? Matthew 18:20 — “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Misunderstanding: This verse is often quoted to validate small prayer meetings or church gatherings, as though Christ’s presence depends on a minimum group size. Context: The surrounding passage (Matthew 18:15–20) is not about general fellowship or worship—it’s about church discipline. Jesus lays out a process for addressing sin among believers: First, speak privately to the offender (v.15). If they won’t listen, bring one or two witnesses (v.16). If they still refuse, bring the matter before the church (v.17). If repentance is rejected, the church may withdraw fellowship. Verses 18–20 then affirm the church’s authority to make binding decisions in such matters, when done in unity and under Christ’s name. The “two or three” refers to the minimum number required to establish a matter (cf. Deut. 19:15), not a formula for summonin...

As we navigate the complexities of Christian living, we often find ourselves at crossroads, unsure of how to navigate the nuances of faith and practice. In Romans 14, the Apostle Paul addresses a crucial aspect of Christian relationships, urging believers to walk in love and unity amidst differing convictions. As we explore this chapter, we're reminded that our faith is not only a personal matter but also one that requires consideration for others. In this lesson, we'll dive into the heart of Paul's teaching, culminating in the profound statements in verses 22-23, which serve as a guiding principle for navigating disputable matters. The context of Romans 14 is centered around the issue of "weaker brethren" (Romans 14:1), those whose faith is not as mature or robust as others. Paul exhorts believers not to "despise" or "judge" these weaker brethren (Romans 14:3, 10), but rather to receive them with open arms, just as Christ has received us (Roma...

Paul tells us that our conscience can get  seared , 1Tim.4:2. This mostly applies to unsaved people, but it does not disqualify those who are saved but who have never grown up in the Word. The saints at Corinth are a good example, being saved, but flagrantly carnal and worldly as babes in Christ. Being seared in conscience means that we become insensitive to what is wrong, and it does not bother us when we fall in its traps. In direct contrast to this is a saved person who spends time in the Word, studying it, allowing it to renew their minds, and giving themselves over to obeying it. Such a person becomes  ‘unseared’,  being sensitive to the will of God and to godliness. The remedy to a seared conscience is not practicing law or having righteous willpower, but the knowledge of grace through the work of Christ which we find in the doctrine of Paul’s epistles. This can only come to us by spending time in the Word. It is the Word of God that prunes, and cuts away, discerns ...