A Call for Self Reflection

Please Turn to Luke 7

Tonight we are going to look at a portion of scripture which to me is very impactful

Right here from Lukes Gospel we are going to see a teaching from Jesus which at times has been taken out of context at times but then also in my opinion isnt talked about enough

We live in a day and age where judgement and being quick to judge is the social standard is it not?

where modern media takes the worst of something and plasters it all over.

No worse time do we see this than during election time where people will cut things take them out of context and rip people apart judging them harsly based upon one thing someone says

we live in a culture now which opinion's are no longer taken into the equation its either you agree with our agenda or we will cancel you

and you are asking how in the world will all of this come together and how does this tie into us as Christians this evening?

Well tonight I want us to take over the next few minutes here tonight to survey our lives and see where we stand

So tonight i want to preach a message entitled

A call for self reflection

Pray

Read Luke 7:37-42

Here I want us to see three parts of this survey and by the end of this message I pray we can all walk away with a better outlook on how we are living our lives for the gospel of Jesus Christ

Because simply the way we live our lives has a direct reflection on our testimony so tonight lets take a closer look

1: Self Reflection (VS 37-38)

look back at what is said in verses 37-38

and immediately what I want you all here tonight to understand is that this portion of scripture is often taken out of context by a lot of people

A pastor preaching on this very portion of scripture once put it this way:

We start with the Bible verse that must be taught to every critic of Christianity by our culture. “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.” This verse is taken by peoples to imply that people need to mind their own business. “Judge, not,” they say, giving them the freedom to serve the cultural idol of personal autonomy. “I am in control of my own life. So don’t tell me how to live.” The problem with this perspective is that it misses the point in which Jesus is saying.

Jesus does not use this verse as a weapon to protect personal autonomy, but rather as a weapon of self-reflection to destroy judgment and condemnation of others. The world says, “Do not judge me,” but Jesus says, “Judge yourself!! Examine how you are treating others. ” Look at the principle, “For with the same measure that ye mete it shall be measure to you again” This is not a New Age idea of cosmic karma which says that the Universe will pay you back for what you do. This is a principle that is established from the very mind of God. We reap what we sow. The principle is given by the one who is going to judge the living and the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is saying that the same measure you use towards others I will use towards you. Jesus is destroying the idea of personal autonomy for everyone will have to stand before Him as judge.

So knowing that we are all going to be judged by the Supreme Judge, Jesus Christ, we must examine what we are seeing? Are you looking to judge and condemn others? Or are you looking to judge and condemn ourselves? Are you seeing the sins of others or are you seeing are your own sin?

Jesus is calling us to a higher ethic than the world. We are called to love in mercy.

So how do you apply this principle?

Let me give you a small example. Let’s say you come to church and you walk by someone that does not say hello to you. A natural response, “What is wrong with her? What problem does she have with me? I hope she listen to the sermon today.” A response based on this principle, “I wonder why she didn’t say hi to me. Maybe she is having a down day. I have down days. I am sure their days when I am not very friendly. Let me pray for her and see if I can serve her.” Instead of assuming someone else’s motive, we examine our hearts. We give the person the benefit of the doubt. We believe the best about the person rather than the worst. Whenever we are offended we have to fight the natural response, and chose to walk in the Spirit for this is the way of love.

you want to know something tonight my friends this is not the easiest thing to do is it?

We to often choose the natural response rather than the response Jesus wants us to choose dont we?

my friends we should not be judging others so willy nilly this is not a passage of scripture to be used to defend ones self autonomy but rather this is a portion of scripture literally screaming hey make sure you examine yourself how are you treating others and those around you

2: Proper Instruction (VS 39-40)

reread verse 39-40

here in these two passages we are given an amazing truth and a very simple question

who are you following?

Many people and i would argue most people have someone in their lives they look up to and there is nothing wrong with having someone like this

the point and where this becomes a problem is when we start holding that persons opinion over Gods opinion

We must make sure that our instruction comes from a good place

the reason being those who teach us we will start to become more like them

and im grateful to have a great pastor to be working under so that way I can learn from Him and grow to be more like Christ

but as scripture says the blind cannot lead the blind we must be following after true instruction which only comes from Jesus Christ and His precious word

Truly we must shape our lives around good Godly counsel and that counsel is found only within the Word of God

so tonight I ask you who are you instructors for me some of the most influential people in my life have been the more spiritual people

And this unfortunately is also the case with those in the world we have people who want to be influencers and do all these things and show the unrealistic side of life but what this world needs is more men and women to stand up and be good influences of Jesus Christ

showing the next generation what is truly important.

3: Internal Examination (VS 41-42)

lastly these next two verses are truly such an important reminder for us here this evening

read

the teaching here is explaining that its not wrong to help your brother when he is struggling but to do it in the right manner

basically by saying hey before you try to help your brother with the splinter in his eye make sure you get rid of the 2x4 sticking out of yours.

this internal examination is to make sure that we are properly dealing with that which we have going in in our lives but once we get right with God and we see another brother struggling with this same issue then can we help them

This passage is basically saying dont be a hypocrite

but know that you can be a help only when you have dealt with yourself first

Truly these three things that we see here are not ways to beat us down and to call you out and step on your toes there reminders that Jesus gives to make us more like Christ in our lives

so tonight I pray we take these tests examine our lives so that we might be more Christ like

pray