Jesus Cares for His Wandering Sheep

What Does Jesus Promise When His Church Gathers?

'Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.' (Matthew 18:18-20)

Jesus promises that when His people gather together as a church, He is right there with them. He gives the church — the assembly of believers — special authority to help bring back people who have wandered away from following Him. This isn't about being mean or bossy. It's about loving people enough to help them come back to Jesus.

Think about it: When have you seen people in your church family help someone who was struggling or making bad choices? How did they show love while also being honest?

Why Does the Church Have This Authority?

The sermon reminded us that Jesus loves His sheep so much that He doesn't want even one to be lost. Remember the story He told about the shepherd who left 99 sheep to find the one that wandered away? (Matthew 18:12-14) That's how much Jesus cares about every single person in His church.

The church has authority to discipline members not because the church is powerful or perfect, but because Jesus gave this responsibility to help restore people who are wandering away from Him. It's like when your parents correct you — they do it because they love you and want what's best for you.

Think about it: How does knowing that Jesus searches for wandering sheep help you understand why the church sometimes has to have hard conversations with people who are sinning?

What Does 'Church' Really Mean?

The word 'church' (ecclesia in Greek) simply means 'an assembly' or 'a gathering of people.' In the sermon, we learned that this word was used even in the Old Testament when Moses gathered God's people together in the wilderness (Acts 7:38). It was also used in the New Testament for regular town meetings — any time people assembled together.

So when we say 'church,' we're talking about God's people gathering together. You individually aren't the church all by yourself, and neither am I. But when we come together to worship Jesus, we are the church — His assembled people.

Think about it: Why do you think it matters that we gather together as a church instead of just believing in Jesus by ourselves at home?

Does the Church Have Authority Over Everything?

No! The sermon was clear that the church's authority is limited. The church has authority to help members repent and turn back to Jesus. But the church doesn't have authority over things that belong to the government, like prosecuting crimes. Romans 13:3 reminds us that God has given governments authority to punish wrongdoing and protect people.

For example, if someone in the church commits a serious crime like hurting a child, the church should call the police — not try to handle it quietly on their own. The church's job is to help people repent and follow Jesus, but some things require the government's authority too.

Think about it: Can you think of other examples where the church should help someone spiritually, but the government has authority over the legal consequences?

How Should We Come to Jesus?

The sermon ended by reminding us that we come to Jesus 'by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone.' That's true when we first believe in Jesus, and it's true every single day after that. We don't come to Jesus because we're good enough or strong enough. We come because we're weak and needy, and He loves us and forgives us.

When the church helps correct someone who is sinning, it's not because church members are perfect. It's because we all need Jesus, and we help each other stay close to Him. First John 1:8 says, 'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.'

Think about it: How can remembering that you need Jesus' grace every day help you be humble when you need to help a friend who is making bad choices?