The sermon “Jesus: In Context” by Cole Tuck, delivered on February 15, 2026, concludes a series addressing commonly misused statements of Jesus. This final message focuses on Matthew 18:20 (“For where two or three have gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst”), correcting the widespread misconception that it guarantees God’s presence only in groups of two or more (e.g., small gatherings, prayer meetings, family devotionals, or justifying skipping church assembly).
Cole passionately dismantles the popular but misguided application of Matthew 18:20, showing through careful exegesis that the verse is not about God’s general presence (which is constant, as seen in Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 6:6, and 1 Corinthians 3:16) or a promise for prayer agreements. Instead, it provides divine reassurance and authority in the difficult process of church discipline, confronting and restoring (or, if necessary, withdrawing fellowship from) an unrepentant brother or sister in sin.
The passage (Matthew 18:15-20) outlines Jesus’ clear, step-by-step formula for handling sin among believers:
- Confront privately.
- Take one or two more witnesses (echoing Deuteronomy 19:15’s requirement for establishing facts).
- Bring before the whole church.
- Treat the unrepentant as an outsider (Gentile or tax collector) if they refuse to repent.
The “two or three” phrase ties directly to the witnesses in verse 16, and Jesus assures that when believers follow this loving, obedient process, He is present—affirming the decision, binding/loosing with heavenly authority, and supporting the church in upholding holiness. Tuck emphasizes that this is not about punishment but restoration, motivated by love (Galatians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 16:14), and warns against substitutes like gossip, ignoring sin, or misusing the verse to avoid gathering with the full church. He highlights real-world misuses (e.g., small groups claiming sufficiency, excusing absence from assembly) and calls for contextual Bible study to avoid such errors. The sermon opens with a celebration of recent baptisms and closes with encouragement for fellowship, study, and obedience.
Talking Points
- Context is essential: Matthew 18:20 sits amid instructions on handling sin in the church (verses 15-17 before, forgiveness parable after), not isolated promises about prayer or presence.
- Common misuses: Treating the verse as a “minimum attendance” for God’s presence (e.g., “Even if only a few show up, God is here”); justifying family-only “church” or skipping corporate assembly; claiming guaranteed answers when two or three agree in prayer (related but distinct from verse 19).
- True meaning: Jesus promises His presence and authority when believers faithfully confront sin—private → witnesses → church → discipline if needed—echoing OT legal standards (Deuteronomy 19:15) for fair evidence and restoration.
- God’s constant presence: Believers are never alone (Hebrews 13:5; Spirit indwells individually); this verse is specific encouragement for the hard task of discipline.
- Love and gentleness required: Confront in humility, not anger or gossip (Galatians 6:1); motivation must be love for God, His word, and souls—not personal grudges.
- Why discipline matters: Ignoring unrepentant sin harms the church’s witness, confuses believers/children, and dishonors God; proper practice protects holiness and promotes repentance.
- Application today: Follow Jesus’ formula exactly; avoid shortcuts; study full passages to prevent misinterpretation of Scripture.