Loving People in the Kingdom

Introduction/tension

As we continue to look at how the upside down kingdom operates, we must dive in to how we interact with people in this kingdom. How does our king desire us to treat others in the kingdom and outside the kingdom. And we should not be surprised that it’s different than what the world we live in, this earthly kingdom tells us. Before we look at the principles tied to the new kingdom, let us consider how we are instructed to interact with people in the kingdom of this earth.

Self first

We are instructed by the principles of the earthly kingdom to be extremely self oriented. “Live your truth”, “Hold grudges”, “Manipulate.” The lost goes on. This kingdom we currently are in is very self oriented. And that’s why we have crime, outrageous litigation, and more.

Convenience

We are commanded to take it easy in this earthly kingdom. Only do what is easy. That’s ironic since there is an epidemic of anxiety and stress plaguing us. People rely on governmental systems to an unhealthy degree. And then, heaven forbid we be held accountable for our decisions. This is why abortion is so prominent. It is mostly because people do not want to be inconvenienced with a child that their actions produced.

Reciprocity

An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. We assume that we should always receive something. That we are owed something and if we are going to give anyone anything, it better be reciprocated. That’s not altruism. That’s doing something demanding something in return.

Condemnation

We think it is our job to judge everyone for every action while not receiving any judgment ourselves. It’s very hypocritical. So, we are quick to condemn. But none of these are our job.

A need we all have

There is a better kingdom and a better way to live. Quite contrary to the world I just described. But far better. There is a better way to treat others. Not just those in the kingdom of our new king but all peoples. This will not only produce a better situation for a different kingdom but these principles will help others trapped in the earthly kingdom to see a better way. And we who belong to both kingdoms have to be careful. This is why Jesus teaches this new way. The members of his kingdom have tendency to let the earthly kingdom override the ways of Jesus’ kingdom, if we’re not careful. We will judge improperly. We will demand reciprocity rather than being generous without desire of a return. We too will seek convenience instead of doing hard things and accepting the consequences of our actions. And we will put ourselves first and others last. We must be careful. Let’s prayerfully approach our king and ask him to help us today as we listen to his instructions on how to treat other people.

"Lord help us to be humble enough to hear your word and help us to respond to you in joy as we apply your word to our lives.”

What God Says: Biblical Truth

If you’re able, please stand to honor the word of the Lord.

Matthew 7:1–12 CSB

“Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. 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. Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? 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? 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. 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. “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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. Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

1. Remove the Log Before You Report the Speck (vv. 1-5)

Jesus begins by talking about human condemnation. Who’s job is it to condemn? We assume, according to the ideas of this world, that it is our job. We are judge and jury. We must point out everyone’s wrong and cast judgement. But we are not fit to be a judge to this capacity, because we are without fault.

When Jesus encountered a judgmental crowd or religious people who had brought a sinful woman to him. He said (John 8:7)…

John 8:7 CSB

When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.”

You see, we are not without sin of our own. It disqualifies us from being able to the be the type of judge we desire to be. There is a type of judgment we can bring but it has some qualifications. We’ll discuss that in a moment. But we must understand our rightful place and we must understand who is the only proper judge, our king. Ps 50:6

Psalm 50:6 CSB

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God is the Judge. Selah

He is the righteous judge and we are first responsible for ourselves before this righteous judge.

Romans 14:10–12 CSB

But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

We must give an account to God about ourselves. That’s who we should concern ourselves with. Jesus says to us, the standard for which you will be judged will be based on how you judged others. I don’t know about you, but i think i’ll just keep to myself.

But that’s really not what we’re told to do in the kingdom either. As much as we’re not to judge others improperly. We’re also not meant to just live in a cave and let the world go to pot. There is a type of judgement we’re to have. We are meant to inspect other’s fruit but only once we’ve dealt with our own wrongs first. Jesus says, take the log out of your eye before you start inspecting speck in other people’s eyes. This figure of speech is meant to get you thinking. I’ve got more wrong with me than i’m willing to admit and far more than the person i’m judging. This figure of speech is ludicrous because we’re meant to see a crazy contrast. But once we do settle our situation with the king, then perhaps we might point out the speck we see. But not our of condemnation, but so that the person can be more of what their king wants.

2. Rely on the Father's Goodness to Fuel Your Generosity (vv. 7-11)

Jesus first begins with an instruction on how to ask from our king. He indicates that whatever we desire is available to us Matt 7:7-8

Matthew 7:7–8 CSB

“Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

But we cannot take this out of the context it is in. This could seem self serving. But we just learned about considering other better off than ourselves. It doesn’t make sense to think of this as many prosperity preachers will preach it.

Certainly, our king gives good gifts. That’s here. That’s a part of this. He actually tells us that we’re evil and we wouldn’t give bad gifts to our kids. Therefore, he is a much better father and king and we can rely on him to give us what we ask for. But what we ask for is couched in the reality that we will be generous with it. What will we do with what we are given. Will we hoard it for ourselves. If so, I don’t think we can anticipate having much. But if we will consider others with what we’ve been blessed with, perhaps then we will receive.

To further illustrate this, I think about Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the talents. Remember, he gave one servant 5 talents, one 2 talents, and one 1 talent and the one who had 5 used them well, enhanced them. He was responsible with them. So did the one with 2 but the one with one went and hid it. Didn’t manage it well. And the king, in the parable representing God, was pleased with the two servants who managed it well, and was displeased with the one who managed it poorly. Well, part of managing the Lord’s resources that he gifts us with well means to be generous with it. To think of others with it.

Matthew 25:23 CSB

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’

So, the goodness our father and king gives to us should push us to manage his goods well and that means we are to be generous.

3. Run Everything Through the Golden Rule (v. 12)

I know this because Jesus ties this passage to something we’ve likely heard all our life. Many call it the golden rule. It’s actually scripture.

Matthew 7:12 CSB

Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Do to others as you would have them do to you. A simple rule. But profound. Totally different than the rest of the world. But it is a principle we can live by. The Lord, my king, wants me to treat others a specific way. It’s very simple. All of it comes through this. If I would want them to do it for me, i’ll do it for them.

I want generosity coming my way. I want forgiveness. I want someone to act not out of convenience when necessary. I don’t want condemnation. But helping me see a blind spot would be helpful. I wouldn’t mind someone doing something for me without desire of anything in return. I’d want someone to think about me above themselves. Therefore, I will do the same.

Friends, because that’s what Jesus did for us.

He was extremely generous. He laid himself down. Even to death on a cross to give you something you didn’t desire or deserve. He thought of you before himself. He offered a way for you dodge condemnation from the only righteous judge. And he didn’t do it so you could give him something he didn’t already have. But he does desire for you and I to live form a heart of gratitude.

Run to Jesus

Run to the presence of the king today!

Come to him today. Here’s how you do that:

Jesus I’m a sinner. Desperate without you.

I believe in you. Forgive me of my sins.

Help me to depend on you daily and walk with you all the days of my life.

In Jesus name, amen.

Closing

He’s inviting you to come to him today.

Matthew 11:28–30 CSB

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Romans 10:9–10 CSB

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

Romans 10:13 CSB

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.