Movement Killer: Misapplication

Jesus has taught a new way of thinking about God’s expectations, His heart, His expectation now He deals with those who will miss the meaning and run headlong into misapplication of His teaching.

Judging

Matthew 7:1–5 CSB

1 “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use. 3 Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.

Merciful, peacemaker, build a bridge

Matt 7:1 is probably the most misquoted verse in the Bible.

The danger is us taking Jesus’ teaching and then thinking we are Spiritually elite and then using that elitism on everyone else.

What is the basis of our judgment?

He wasn’t telling them not to make judgements but he was telling them how to make judgements.

We judge others based upon their actions and we judge ourselves based upon our intentions.

Jesus says, make Judgments based on God’s standards and your forgiveness.

You have received mercy now grant mercy.

Righteous Judgement begins with a sober self-assessment!

Let’s look at the Pharisee’s self-assessment.

Matthew 23:29-31 (CSB) 29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, 30 and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we wouldn’t have taken part with them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets.

Preaching:

Matthew 7:6 CSB

6 Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.

As we share the good news, we must be discerning.

Jesus sends out his disciples

Matthew 10:12–14 CSB

12 Greet a household when you enter it, 13 and if the household is worthy, let your peace be on it; but if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.

Matthew 10:16 (CSB)

16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.

There are some who will not receive the word. They will tear it up and stomp on it.

We can still pray for them, that their eyes and ears will be open but while we are standing their arguing with them we may be missing the opportunity to share with others. And we may be allowing spiritual damage to those listening.

Jesus did this with the Pharisees.

Prayer:

Matthew 7:7–12 CSB

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, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him. 12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus tells us to ask:

James 4:2–3 CSB

2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

We are to ask: Persistently

Expectantly