Matthew 7:1-12 - How to Judge Correctly

TIME GOAL: 30 MIN TOTAL

Thanksgiving Service Plug.

Good morning GracePointe. So glad to be here today as we worship God together. Before we jump in to the sermon on the mount, I wanted to talk a little bit about our Thanksgiving Service On Nov 22 at 6:30pm. Last week I let you know that there will be pie. But I forgot to mention that we will need people to sign up to bring pie. This is incredibly important to me personally. I love pie. I need it. I wouldn’t say I am addicted to pie because I can stop anytime I want but.....please. Bring pie for us. But mainly for me.

We will have an evening of thankfulness with the choir, prayer, band and scripture it will be a great evening for us a church family

If you want you can also head to our website at gpointe.com to sign up.or on the church center app by clicking more than registrations! You can also let us know via the connect card by putting your contact info and someone will get ahold of you. I thank you in advance for the wonderful pies you will be bringing!

Series Intro:

But before we get to the pies, we need to see what Jesus has in store for us here as we have been going through the sermon on the mount in a series called Simply Different. We have looked at how Jesus outlines what it looks for you and I as people saved by Him....He is outlining how we are to be simply different as members of the Kingdom.

Our identity, our character, our influence, our interactions with others, children, spouse, friends, community…our interaction and communication with God, our motivation to not grow weary of doing good is bound up in how we are now new in Christ. The old way is gone, the new is now here.

This last week, Paul walked us through the end of chapter 6 and how Jesus was helping us not have our master be the possessions and the worrying that comes with trying to hold on and obtain more of those possessions. Instead, we understand that God is great, that God is glorious, that God is Good…that is, He is more than enough and that God is gracious. Our treasure is in Him! We need the gospel. And that is no different as we go on in the sermon on the mount. In fact, turn with me now to Matthew 7:1-12. Let’s start with verse 1.

Matthew 7:1-12 Intro: Don’t Condemn

Matthew 7:1–2 NIV

1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

This right here is one of the most quoted verses in the bible. By those who follow Jesus and those who do not. Many just stop on the first section of verse 1..Do not Judge. Do not judge.

This week I was thinking of the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. I read books pretty avidly I have seen great covers on poorly written and boring books. With Christmas coming, we have had presents that were finely wrapped only to open 15 things from the dollar general

Meanwhile the little bag has a set of car keys with a bow on em We judge presents based on the desire of the recipient and their thriving. Their good. not on the wrapping Growing up my grandparents put good gifts in old cereal boxes At first I judged them cause it didn’t look right but my metrics changed when the book or the video game or the nerf toy that shot 392 darts was in there I looked at those cereal boxes different

Judging is a tricky thing. All of us here have come in contact with judgement. And we jump straight to “Do not Judge”. What we are saying is what? do not condemn me, my soul, my person. Don’t pin me down as someone who is less than.

The problem I find is that when it is our issue that someone is pointing out, nicely or harshly, we go to this verse and say do not judge. However, when it is someone else’s issue, and we want to criticize and condemn, we pretend like this verse doesn’t exist. It comes down to a misinterpretation. We have to keep the main thing, the main thing. Jesus says we are to love our enemies, we are to be meek, humble, and peacemakers. He is not saying we cannot discern if an action is right or wrong.

What is Jesus saying here?

The greek word uses here is KREENO (Krino) and it means in a general sense “to decide between between two things, to make a decision on something.” Other definitions point to discriminating and critical spirit. Condemning and looking down on other people. Is Jesus saying that we cannot decide between two things, or make decisions on something? No! How do we know that?

Because else where Jesus says that we are stop judging wrong…and instead judge correctly. John 7:24

John 7:24 NIV

24 Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

Jesus and other books of the bible point out that members of the kingdom are to discern between actions. That we are to evaluate actions, thoughts, and feelings against the words and will of God. Do those thoughts and actions and feelings seek justice for others, love mercy and live out a life of humility? We are to evaluate that. What Jesus is saying here is DON’T CONDEMN PEOPLE. In whatever you do, say, or think....don’t condemn people.

With that framing, we of course don’t want to condemn others because we would not want to be condemned.

J.C. Ryle captures this well when he writes: “What our Lord means to condemn is a censorious and fault-finding spirit. A readiness to blame others for trifling offenses or matters of indifference, a habit of passing rash and hasty judgments, a disposition to magnify the errors and infirmities of our neighbors and make worst of them – this is what our Lord forbids.” And then he adds: “It was common among the Pharisees.”

The judgement we are not to do is condemning and looking down on others because of their actions or beliefs. Often times, our human nature leads us to condemn others. There was an action movie with Sylvester Stallone called “Judge Dredd”. He would yell out “I am the law”. It is an over the top caricature of the feeling many of us get when we look down on others.

The pharisees were amazing at this type of judgement. They were ultimate sin investigators. They sought out for the purpose of condemnation. They didn’t expose these things for the glory of God and the good of the people. They did it to increase their superiority. They did it to feel superior above others.

Before we press on, I want to be clear to outline what it looks like to break this command of Jesus. He is saying don’t condemn others.

· We break this command when we think the worst of others.

· We break this command when we only speak to or about others of their faults.

· We break this command when we condemn and assume the hidden motives of others.

· We break this command when we condemn others without considering ourselves in their same circumstances.

None of us want to be treated in that way. Jesus is saying “Don’t do that.”

How are we to judge?

So if Jesus is saying Don’t Condemn, but in John 7:24, he is saying Judge correctly. What does it look like to judge correctly?

Jesus reflects in verses 2-5 that there is a right way to judge. Lets read it here.

Matthew 7:2–5 NIV

2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

I want to outline a few ways we are to judge correctly. the first way is that we are to judge...

With Sincerity

Jesus is pointing out in verses 2-4 that we need to be sincere as we judge, as we make decisions and evaluate. We are not to be out for our own gain. We are not to have any other motive than God’s glory and another person’s good. We are to have the mind of Christ who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. Are we willing to have those motives when we are evaluating someone? We are not to judge hypocritically. The pharissees were lords of this. Later in Matthew 23, Jesus rebukes them harshly . Jesus rebuked them because “They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for people to see”.

The figures of a speck and a plank are real things. Helping my dad with his house, I have been drilling holes into the studs to run wire. If you are a newbie like me, You don’t position yourself right and they get in your eye and your mouth and all over your clothes. haha

Jesus is using these real things to humorously show how we are generally far more tolerant to our own sin than we are to the sin of others. The picture of someone with a 2 x 4 sticking out of their eye while pointing out a piece of sawdust in someone else’s. It is supposed to be outlandish because it needs to be for the audience both then and now to get it.

Thriving in the kingdom means you need to have an accurate view of yourself. Understanding just how broken, lost, and blind we are…without Christ. When we don’t understand that, and we try to evaluate and judge our brothers and sisters in Christ.....we look as foolish as someone with a 2x4 hanging out of their eye.

So we are to evaluate with sincerity but we also need something else. We are also to judge with....

With Wisdom and Discernment

IN HOW WE COMMUNICATE

We live in a day where we can use any words we want and as long as they are authentic to who we are, it is allowed it seems. No matter the hurt it may cause. No regard to whether it is factual or true. It is authentic. Please church, let us use wisdom with our words as we evaluate others.

In verses 2-4, we see how there is wisdom needed. There is discernment to know first if you are in a place to evaluate your fellow human. Are your motives correct? That requres wisdom and discernment because it is not always easy to know. We also need to discernment on how best to communicate that evaluation. The pharisees had a way as outlined above. Load on the guilt, shame. When you are evaluating someone and communicating an error, are you doing it in such a way that communicates how they can best receive it. Recently, we went through Proverbs and I talked about how we are to choose our words wisely. Things like timing, tone of voice, and the words we use should all reflect Christ. Not our displeasure to their behavior. Not how their error or wrong inconveniences us. Remember we are to be sincere and so the method that we use to evaluate others should be done with the same metrics.

Remember that when we evaluate others, we also keep in mind – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

We see more discernment and wisdom needed in verse 6. Matthew 7:6

Matthew 7:6 NIV

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

IN WHO WE COMMUNICATE TO

Another Aspect of wisdom and discernment is knowing if someone is ready to hear an evaluation. Have you met people who were simply not in a position to receive a sincere wise piece of counsel? I recently watched a video in which a driver of a vehicle pulled over and shot out of their car. They came around to the vehicle behind them and begain berating them. The driver of the first vehicle is saying “You have been following me. This is uncalled for. This is ridiculous. I didn’t do anything to you.....” The recipient of this tongue lashing was quiet. Finally, as the exasperated driver took a breath, the 2nd driver said “I didn’t mean any disrespect. I have been following you since we got gas at the gas station a couple miles back. I have been trying to get your attention because the gas dispenser from the gas station broke off of the pump as you drove away.” The first driver blinked a few times as they now saw the gas dispenser, hose and all, with a little bit of gas coming out of the hose....propped up out of their car. They said nothing and in utter shock and embarrassment, they got in their car.

Jesus is saying here “don’t throw out all discernment. There are people who are hostile to the kingdom of God. They serve a master of pride, of ambition. Sin is their leader. Do not stop discerning them but rather use all wisdom and discernment to be effective in reaching those who are ready. Dogs and pigs would have stirred up feelings of outright disgust in the audience Jesus was speaking to. Jews would have nothing to do with that.

“Dogs” and “pigs” refer not to unbelievers, but to those who are adamantly opposed to the gospel. Dogs weren’t cuddly things back then. They were scavengers who roamed the streets. Jesus is being harsh. There are some people who are like that. They’re dangerous, savage, and unclean. Pigs were the vile creatures that Jews would have nothing to do of.

When Jesus spoke these words, pearls were even more valuable than diamonds. They were the epitome of luxury. Jesus tells us to be careful about taking the most valuable thing we have — the gospel — and offering it to people who are hostile to it.

The point is we are to respect the decision of others. If they express a desire to not hear or experience the gospel, honor and respect their decision. Just as God does as He does not force us to love and experience Him. We have a choice!

That brings up a thrilling question…how do you know if someone is ready for a word of caution, or encouragement of change? They don’t have a sign! Christ responds as if the question was asked by then going into prayer.

With Prayer

Matthew 7:7–11 NIV

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

We are evaluate and discern things with folks using sincerity and wisdom. But we also need to be utilizing our communication with God. We are to apply the frame work of prayer that we talked about just a few verses ago. Remembering our position with God, Seeking His kingdom and will, forgiving others just as God forgives us. Our prayer is to reflect this.

Christ is saying that we are to ask for wisdom. If you ask, and seek, and knock on the door for wisdom, Christ is saying you will receive, and find and open a door of wisdom. These verses have often been used to advance an idea that if we ask for anything, with enough faith, God will give it. That is not accurate in so much that it does not ring with other aspects of Scripture.

In Luke’s account of these verses, we see in Luke 11:13 that Christ said “how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” The words used for good gifts point to that which is always beneficial to you. Wisdom and discernment is always beneficial. You might be thinking that the powerball winnings are always beneficial but history would say otherwise. About 70 percent of people who suddenly receive a windfall of cash will lose it within a few years, according to experts.

Left to ourselves, we are tempted to judge hypocritically and undiscerningly. But when we pray, we can ask God to give us eyes to see, hear, and understand how we should judge. We need wisdom! James outlines this in James 1:5

James 1:5 NIV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

As we think about how to approach evaluating others with sincerity and humility, with wisdom and discernment and with prayer, we can trust that God will give all that we need to do this correctly.

Jesus ends in verse 12 with a drop the mic, bottom line verse. He says,

BOTTOM LINE: V12

Matthew 7:12 NIV

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

This verse is widely known as the golden rule. Other commentary frame it as the Mt Everest of all ethical teaching. It is important to note that it is to be used in context. That first word “SO” ties it to all of the sermon on the mount that we have been going through. Remembering that we are to be poor in spirit, that we are to be humble, contrite, peace makers. That we are to love our enemies. that we are to hunger and thirst for a righteousness that only comes when we accept the Gospel and let the Holy Spirit work with in us. Verse 12 is general summary of what we have covered up to point. To live simply different means to interact in word, thought, and deed just as you would have them do with you.

The word “do” actually means “keep doing.” This is not a “one shot” or “one time” emotional splurge; it is to be a continuous pattern in our lives. Sometimes, we can treat others how we want to be treated....one time. maybe twice.

It reminds me of later in Matthew 18, Peter comes to Jesus and says How many times must I forgive my brother? In light of what we are reading through today, Peter is saying how many times do I have to treat my brother How I would want to be treated? Because of a misinterpretation of Amos 1:3, Peter thought he was raising the game when he said “up to 7 times?” Jesus replied not seven. but seventy times seven.

The symbolism here is that we keep doing it. We treat others how we want to be treated.

Wrap Up

Another way of asking this question would be in humility ““How would I want others to treat me in view of my sinfulness and obvious flaws?” Perhaps some of you today are thinking…i don’t know about obvious flaws…haha

But honestly....No one is not rightous…no not one. Not you. Not me. Not my parents. Not your favorite celebrity. Not your local beloved pastor. Not your favorite pastor that you watch on tv. No not one. If we are not perfect that how do we want to be treated when we know we have flaws. that need correction. that need evaluation. As Christians, we want to be judged and evaluated because we know that sanctification comes through that.

So how do we want to be evaluated? I asked myself that question. How do I want to be judged?

I would not want to be treated harshly or smugly. I do not want to be condemned.

I would want to be treated with an evident spirit of love, encouragement, and a desire to build me up rather than to tear me down.

I would not want my sins to be winked at but lovingly confronted and corrected with the purpose of God’s glory and my good.

May we evaluate and judge correctly those around us. May we see our brothers and sisters as fellow image bearers. May we judge with sincerity, wisdom, prayer, and ultimately humility as we do unto others what we would have them do to us. Let us Pray

PRAYER:

Forgive me Father, for the times I have been less than kind about one of your children. I am sorry, because I know that you have so much more to be disappointed about in me than I do in others. Father, I want you to help me now, as I pray; please remove any bitter or critical spirit that infects my character. Through your Holy Spirit, form in me the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that show your presence and transformation in my life. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

BENEDICTION:

GracePointe will you stand with me. 1st John 3:18

1 John 3:18 NIV

18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

I ask that this week we aim to judge others intentionally with sincerity, humility, wisdom and prayer. May God work in our community to develop one another. May the world know that we are Christians by our love. Have a great day and we will see you next week.

discard:

Growing up, coming from a small town, it seems like I was always being cataloged as “probably not good enough”. This happened quite a bit in music competitions that I would do. I would enter a vocal competition and someone would go, Scott Brockett, and they would then look at me. Judging this raggamuffin by my haphazard cover. They then would find out I was from…and now I am a little big haired ragumuffin from little podunk prineville Oregon. After the music competition, when they came to me to let me know I got first place, they would be so incredulous. They were judging me before I opened my mouth!