The Word Judgment
Key Words of the Bible • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Introduction
Introduction
Words are an important part of our lives. Without words, we would not be able to communicate. Without words, we would not be able to learn from one another. Without words, we would be cut off from everyone around us. In the Bible, we find some words that are truly a foundation for the truths of the Bible. These words and their meanings are keys to unlock how we understand God, Christ, our sin and His salvation. Words need to be defined. In our series on the Key Words of the Bible, we are looking to define these important words as we study the Word of God.
The second word that we are going to be looking at is the word judgment. The words “judgment”, “judge”, “judgments”, or “judged” are found 1,828 times in our King James Bible. Judgment is an important part of our understanding of the Scripture.
The word “judgment” is often used in our lives as a negative. In a certain court case, there is a conversation about a “judgment” being handed down. Judges are discussed as being one way or another politically. We hear from many people that we ought not to judge others. The word is defined by Webster as
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) (Judgment)
judg•ment or judge•ment \ˈjəj-mənt\ noun
13th century
1 a: a formal utterance of an authoritative opinion
b: an opinion so pronounced
2 a: a formal decision given by a court
b (1): an obligation (as a debt) created by the decree of a court
(2): a certificate evidencing such a decree
3 a capitalized: the final judging of mankind by God
b: a divine sentence or decision specifically: a calamity held to be sent by God
We see the third definition is the one that affects us here but only the first part. The judgment brought by Christ’s coming does not have to be a negative thing. We are going to see this morning that it can be a positive thing for you and I!
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (2886 Here Customer Always Wrong)
A senior sales manager at a company got tired of his job. He gave it up and joined the police force. Several months later a friend asked him how he liked being a policeman.
“Fine,” said the ex-floorwalker. “The pay is good and so are the hours, but what I like best of all is that the customer is always wrong.”
We make judgments like this all the time. Sometimes they turn out to be true. Sometimes we learn later that they are not correct. Here we will see that Jesus makes a judgment simply by His coming to earth. Judgment can be a positive thing when it changes us and brings us to a decision in our lives. The judgment of Christ is going to allow for a positive response and a negative response.
Jesus chose to come and offer salvation to everyone whether He knew that they would accept it or not. The Pharisees would not accept it and thus they were under judgment. Jesus made judgment something that in the world the individual is responsible for.
Declaration
Declaration
Because Christ came to offer salvation to all, we must choose to accept the free gift and become His particular sheep in order to avoid the judgment He will bring. We see three products of judgment in these verses.
1. Judgment Causes Blindness
1. Judgment Causes Blindness
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
A. Jesus came for judgment v. 39
A. Jesus came for judgment v. 39
“For judgment” is the reason for the arrival “I am come into this world”. Because Jesus came to earth, there was going to be a distinction made among the people of the world. All of us are sinners. We are under the judgment of God because of our sin. This is a problem that the whole world has in common.
The word “judgment” here emphasizes this distinction. What we choose to do with Jesus causes a distinction between those who will accept Him and those who reject Him. Choosing to reject Him means that we are already going to a place called Hell. Choosing to accept Him means that we are going to a place called Heaven. Earlier in John, Jesus said
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jesus says that judgment is why He came into the world. This is the earth that He came to when He was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life. Choosing to come to earth was a choice that He willingly made for you!
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Light automatically judges darkness. Turning a light on removes the darkness in the room. The miracle of the healing of the blind man earlier in the chapter is here used as an illustration of the change that Christ brings in people’s lives. The blind man in chapter 9 had been blind from birth. He could not do anything to change that fact. Jesus came to open his eyes. This completely changed this man’s life. In fact, the miracle was a sign of the Deity of Christ based on Scripture.
The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: The Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: The Lord loveth the righteous:
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
John (John 9:39–41)
As Hughes points out, “Christ came to earth so that those who think they have spiritual insight may be shown to be blind, and those who do not suppose they have this spiritual insight may see. His whole argument centered around a person’s sense of need. If someone felt no need, he would not see; but those who knew they were blind were the ones who could be made to see” (Hughes, p. 164).
B. Judgment has positive purposes v. 39
B. Judgment has positive purposes v. 39
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Two purposes are seen here for the judgment of Christ.
That they which see not might see
Jesus says that there are people who currently are blind. Blind people are not able to understand the truth of Christ’s coming. There were many people in the Israel in the First Century that expected something other than the plan of God for Christ. They expected the Messiah to come and lead the Israelites in a war against the Romans.
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Christ says that He has come to bring sight to these people. The word to see here means to grasp or understand with our intellect. Some people were going to understand the truth as a result of the judgment of Christ.
2. That they which see might be made blind
Jesus also says that there are people who say that they see. These will become blind. Pride was something that the religious leaders of the day struggled with. They believed that they had figured everything out. They had ways to make the Law applicable to every situation. They could determine exactly what to do with any problem that came up.
Jesus says that the people who say that they have it all figured out on their own will become blind. They will not understand the reason that Christ was willing to die for them and rise again. They believe they can pay for their sin on their own.
The Pharisees ask if they are the ones that He is referring to. Are they blind also? Jesus replies that they are blind. In other places, He refers to them as blind guides leading other blind people.
Make the heart of this people fat, And make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
Jesus came to bring everyone of us to a point where we examine what the truth about eternity is. We can believe many things but when it comes to the ultimate question of where we will go, blindness will result in eternal darkness. Christ was coming to give an opportunity to those who would receive it to see the Light of the Gospel.
C. Judgment comes because of sin v. 40-41
C. Judgment comes because of sin v. 40-41
What is sin? What brings this judgment on us? Sin is anything that we say, think, or do that breaks God’s law or brings Him sadness. Our sin has resulted in an eternal destination of Hell. We see this here as the blindness of the people.
Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The importance of the statements made in these verses is that there is an eternal distinction made among people because of the coming of Christ to the earth. Forever the world is going to be changed as each person must face the truth that Christ is going to offer salvation to mankind. This requires a decision by each of His hearers.
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
What does the judgment mean to you? It means that you are either blind or seeing. You are either in the first group or the second. You have either accepted salvation or you are trusting in yourself for your eternal home. This is the judgment of Christ as He has come into the world.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
The Preacher’s Notebook: The Collected Quotes, Illustrations, and Prayers of John Stott “The Worst Blindness”
“The Worst Blindness”
Themes: God: Presence; Prayer
1. Where are you, Jesus?
You’re so hard to find!
Are you somewhere out there,
Or locked in my mind?
Do you fly with the birds,
Or walk on the ground?
Do you hang around churches?
Where can you be found?
2. Do you swim with the rivers
Or dance on the wind?
Am I blind to your presence?
Because I have sinned?
Do you go out the back door
When I ring the bell?
And if I can’t find you,
Will I end up in hell?
3. Do you hide in my wardrobe?
Or under my bed?
Am I being punished
For things I have said?
If I call out your name,
Do you block up your ears?
If I cried for your love,
Would you wipe off my tears?
4. If I stretched out my hand
Would I touch your face?
Or just find my fingers
Floating in space?
Where are you, Jesus?
You’re so hard to find.
Why can’t I see you?
Am I really that blind?
Judgment Causes Blindness
2. Judgment Creates Division
2. Judgment Creates Division
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
A. Entrance must come through the Door v. 1
A. Entrance must come through the Door v. 1
Chapter 10 sees a transition in illustration but not in the topic of conversation. Jesus is still discussing the idea of judgment but He is going to use a parable that would resonate well with His listeners.
There are three sections to this parable. The first is the entrance of the Shepherd to the sheep fold. He comes through the door. This is the appropriate way for someone to enter the place where the sheep are. Jesus reveals in verse 7 that He is the door of the sheep and the only way of entrance and exit to the sheep fold.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Volumes 1–5 Sheepcote, Sheepfold
At night the sheep are driven into a sheepfold if they are in a district where there is danger from robbers or wild beasts. These folds are simple walled inclosures (Nu 32:16; Jgs 5:16; 2 Ch 32:28; Ps 78:70; Zeph 2:6; Jn 10:1). On the top of the wall is heaped thorny brushwood as a further safeguard. Sometimes there is a covered but in the corner for the shepherd. Where there is no danger the sheep huddle together in the open until daylight, while the shepherd watches over them (Gen 31:39; Lk 2:8). In the winter time caves are sought after (1 S 24:3; Zeph 2:6). The antiquity of the use of some of the caves for this purpose is indicated by the thick deposit of potassium nitrate formed from the decomposition of the sheep dung.
What does it mean to enter into the door? It means that you would come through Christ as the door. Believing in Him for salvation allows entrance into the sheepfold. Christ went into the fold by the only acceptable place for this habitation. If you were to come into the sheepfold by another means, you would be seen as a thief.]
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Jesus says that we must come through the door not over the wall covered with the vines.
B. Enemies come from some other way v. 1
B. Enemies come from some other way v. 1
The person who would climb over the wall into the sheepfold clearly had ill intent. He desired to steal the sheep or harm them in some way. This was the desire of the Pharisees Jesus was speaking to. Jesus pointed out their desire in the book of Matthew.
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3045 Thief in His Range
A gentle Quaker, hearing a strange noise in his house one night, got up and discovered a burglar busily at work. So he went and got his gun, then came back and stood quietly in the doorway. “Friend,” he said, “I would do thee no harm for the world, but thee standest where I am about to shoot.”
Thieves were people that defined by their desire to steal. We see that the other two men that were crucified on the cross were thieves. Theft unfortunately is very common in our society. Here, the leaders were stealing the hearts of the people from worshiping God with their heart. The rules they established were stealing the honor that should have been given to God. The word used here for thief is the same that is found in
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
He also uses the word robber. This is interesting because this word carried more violence with it then the word thief. A robber was someone like a bandit or highwayman. He was someone like a zealot that would try to violently bring about a change in the Judean political situation. Christ says that those who are not entering through the door are people who steal and do so violently. They are out for themselves. We see this word used in
Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
Have you entered the sheepfold by the door? Are you trying to get in another way? The only way to enter in is through Christ alone. Christ makes a division here through the way people will enter in.
C. Jesus calls His sheep out by name v. 2-3
C. Jesus calls His sheep out by name v. 2-3
The second part of the parable shows Christ as the Shepherd of the sheep. This word shepherd is someone who leads, cares for and is known by His sheep. Because of His entrance by the door, Christ is accepted by the sheep and shows He is the true leader. We see the prophecy of the Shepherd fulfilled here by Christ.
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with his arm, And carry them in his bosom, And shall gently lead those that are with young.
Calling people sheep might seem like a low thing to do. Sheep are not typically the most pleasant or favoured of animals. In this society especially, anyone who would work with sheep was looked down on and was shunned in society. However, both Israel and the church are called sheep or flocks. This is found throughout the Old and New Testaments. We need someone to guide us.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
The Shepherd calls out His flock from the other sheep in the fold by name. They know His voice and follow Him. He leads them out as that is the job of the Shepherd. He knows the best water and the best pasture. He protects the sheep and gives His life fro them. There is a division because those who are part of His flock are the ones He knows. Is that you? Are you part of those who Christ knows.
And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
Judgment Causes Blindness
Judgment Creates Divison
3. Judgment Contributes to Discipleship
3. Judgment Contributes to Discipleship
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
A. Sheep follow their Shepherd v. 4
A. Sheep follow their Shepherd v. 4
The Shepherd may lead the flock but the flock must choose to follow. The prophecy of Moses was that there would come a Shepherd that would lead Israel.
Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.
We see the responsibility of the flock throughout the New Testament. The flock is to follow the Shepherd toward perfection. God wants us to be followers of Christ.
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
John John 10
“All kings are shepherds of the people.”
Homer
B. Sheep fear the Stranger v. 5
B. Sheep fear the Stranger v. 5
What is the difference between the Shepherd and the stranger? The difference is the voice. This is the articulated speech. The flock recognizes that the Shepherd is the one who leads them. This is still the method that shepherds in the Middle East take today. The calling out of their flocks from the other sheep in the fold is a combination of speech and song.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Christ is the one who calls us to follow Him. He works daily in our lives to bring us to the expected end that He has for us. But there are constantly other voices that try to pull us to other places. The fact that this verse uses “strangers” means that there are multiple voices trying to pull the Christian away. These voices are not recognized because they are foreign to the sheep.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
The people did not understand this parable. They were blinded by their sin. Christ would continue to show them the importance of who He is and why He came to earth in the verses ahead. The most important truth was that a decision must be made regarding Christ and man’s sin. We see this in the preaching of Paul.
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
Conclusion
Conclusion
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
We are all under judgment. This is a fact. The question is what side of the judgment that we are on. Are we on the seeing or the blind side? Have we entered in through the door or are we trying to climb over the wall of the sheep fold? Are we following the voice of the Shepherd or the voice of the stranger?
Judgment can be a positive topic when we are on the side of accepting Christ. You can do that today. All that is required is your choice to put your faith and trust in His finished work on the cross and that He was buried and rose again the third day.
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Salvation, Need For
A little boy came running into the house after playing outside. His mother stopped him and asked what was on his right hand. He replied, “Oh, just a little mud.” His mother then asked if he was planning on getting it off his hand. He thought for a moment and said, “Sure, Mom. I’ll just wipe it off with my other hand.” There was only one problem with the plan, one dirty hand plus one clean hand equals two dirty hands.
Many people are like that little boy, they see the evil and wrongs in their life and think they can make themselves clean by bringing the good in their life to bear on the problem. But it doesn’t work that way. We all need a way to be made morally and spiritually clean, and we will never succeed in doing it ourselves. The only solution is to be found in the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses us from all of our sins
Choose salvation today!