DEALING WITH SIN IN THE CHURCH

This powerful message confronts us with a crucial yet often uncomfortable reality: how we handle sin within the church community. Drawing from Galatians 6:1, we're reminded that when someone is overtaken by sin, our response reveals the depth of our spiritual maturity. The call isn't to condemn or destroy, but to restore with gentleness and meekness—fruits of the Spirit that reflect Christ's heart. The sermon unpacks the profound truth that we are ambassadors with a ministry of reconciliation, as outlined in 2 Corinthians 5. Satan's ultimate goal isn't just to make us stumble; it's to separate us from God. When we respond to others' failures with harsh judgment rather than compassionate restoration, we're actually advancing the enemy's agenda. The woman caught in adultery becomes our template: Jesus didn't condemn her, but He also didn't compromise with sin—He said, 'Go and sin no more.' This balance is critical. We learn that dealing with sin follows a biblical progression from Matthew 18: private confrontation first, then involving witnesses, and only as a last resort bringing it before the church. The leaven analogy from 1 Corinthians 5 shows us why we can't ignore sin—it affects the entire body—but our motivation must always be restoration, not reputation management. As the bride of Christ, we're being prepared for His return, and that preparation involves both personal transformation and helping others find their way back when they've strayed.