Does Matthew 18 provide a sequence of resolving arguments that ends with the Church as the highest authority or not?
Since the scripture is God's word inspired, if God had intended that kind of assignation of authority of His own and His Son's sovereignty, it would be there using no uncertain wording, clear and unambiguous and unarguable.
The majority of the New Testament advises individuals There is no scriptural basis for any intention Jesus had of creating a central, all powerful church that interprets God's word to the people, judges the spiritual condition of the people and determines the spiritual destination of anyone.
Not only does Matthew, or any other scripture, makes any church the highest authority, but it is not possible. The authority had been assigned elsewhere: the individual, for himself.