TAKE OFF YOUR GOD SUIT

I grew up in West Texas – God’s country

West Texas is the home of the Sweetwater Rattlesnake roundup.

There is bunch of types of snakes in Texas,

In fact, Rattlesnakes alone have 10 different species, not to mention Copperheads, water moccasins, coral snakes which are all venomous.

There are at least 13 different species that are not venoumous, that also live in Texas.

When my brother and I visited my grand parents in Luther Texas (30 miles northeast of Big Springs.

Mother would constantly warn us “Watch out for Rattle snakes”.

If you asked her what kind of snake was okay, she would reply, “The only good snake, is a dead snake!”

My point here is this:

In lieu of considering all the information and doing the research on all the different kinds of snakes:

My mother made a judgement call on snakes, venomous or not they are all BAD!

CONSIDER vs. JUDGEMENT

What is the difference between considering and judging?

Considering, is an observation, a studying of the facts so that a person can come to an informed knowledge of what they are believe or dis-believe.

Judgement, is to separate, to make a decision, a decisive separation or choice based on the information collected.

You see God gave us the ability to judge, but judging should be the 2nd step to a Christian. The 1st step should be to consider, consider the reason for a judgement and then all the facts.

Fact 1: not all snakes are poisonous

Fact 2: some snakes are good to have around

Fact 3: I don’t care, all snakes are BAD.

Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Right there in the first sentence “let us consider” let us study, let us learn, let us observe one another so that we can make the right decision.

So we can spur each other on, so our choice is beneficial rather than detrimental.

We should RESTORE not DESTROY

BUILD UP not TEAR DOWN

Acts 15:1–11 (NIV)

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: A >“Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

B >6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? C >11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Now let’s look at this:

A > Paul and Barnabas did their research – even though they had a strong belief one way, they were willing to research and consult with others.

B > Paul and Barnabas and others met and discussed it in great detail the issue at hand.

C > In the end they made a decision that all are SAVED BY GRACE.

Matthew 7:1–6 (NIV)

Judging Others

7 “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.

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.

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.

Jesus preaching tells them straight up,

“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.

To put it simply -

DO NOT JUDGE one another – meaning do not judge who they are as a person.

Why shouldn’t we judge one another?

Well it tells us in verse 5 that we have no right to judge

Why?

Because we are just as guilty.

Ø You are not sinless

Ø You do not know what the Holy Spirit is doing in their lives

Ø Mainly because you are not perfect either

Ø And you didn’t die on a cross as a perfect person for others sins

I know this is going to be a shock to some of you

YOU AREN’T QUALIFIED,

YOU AIN’T GOD!

You see God made the laws,

Jesus followed them,

And they have authority over us, God’s decision trumps ours every time.

I could stop the sermon there – but I am not going to.

It’s to early for lunch anyway.

JUDGEMENT TRAPS

What traps do we fall into that causes us to feel qualified to judge?

Bad or incorrect information passed down from generation to generation.

A learned Prejudice.

Misinterpretation of the word of God

Let’s look at a very popular cultural craze – tattoos

Ø Tattoos are for sailors and military people when they get drunk

Ø They are all drug addicts, convicts, and bikers

Ø Tattoos are of the occult

All three of those examples are can be true depending on the person.

But it can be just a true that lawyers, preachers, mothers, fathers, even grandparents can have tattoo and be none of the above.

Interracial relationships

OH, this was taboo in our family.

What are some reasons these relationships are judged?

Ø The bible says they are wrong

Ø The children will be punished by society

Ø They never work there is too much against them

Once again, all these are true in a specific circumstance for instance:

Ø The bible says they are wrong

Deuteronomy says the Israelites were to destroy all the inhabitants of the Canaan land and not intermarry, because they served other gods.

Moses' wife was of another race and in Numbers 12:1-15

Aaron and Miriam were punished for criticizing this interracial marriage.

The book of Ruth tells a story of a foreigner who became part of the lineage of Christ.

The harlot, Rahab, also of another nation, is included in the lineage of Christ as recorded in Matthew 1.

Ø The children will be punished by society

Sometimes kids do get made fun of and sometimes they flourish

Ø They never work there is too much against them

Do you know that we the body of believers are the bride of Christ

AND Jesus Christ was not a white man.

AND there is an enormous amount of battles against the marriage between Christ and his bride – but it is working and does work all the way through the end.

Also we judge people:

Ø who ask for help

Ø People who drink alcohol

Ø Their Politics

Ø People who do fit our understanding of pretty or handsome

Ø We judge because of their clothes

Ø How they parent

Ø What school they went to

Ø How much money they make

AND ON AND ON

As only Paul can do,

He nails it on the head in Romans 14:8–23 (NIV)

8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. A > 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:

“ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,

‘every knee will bow before me;

every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ”

B > 12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

C > 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

D > 22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Paul tells it like it is:

Basically we all have our own convictions in life and usually with right reasons.

Shouldn’t we discern what our tattoo will be about and if it would lead people to Christ or away?

Shouldn’t relationships be more important than color or ethnicity?

We judge those asking for help but do we take the time to hear their story?

Shouldn’t we use common sense to not drink in front of someone who struggles with being an alcoholic?

Politics… yea.

Parenting- don’t we stop for a minute and think of how hard it really was and try to put yourself in their shoes today and offer help or the very least… prayer?

JUDGEMENT CALLS ARE REALITY

Most everything in life require some discernment, but first we need to realize that if we judge others, we too are opening ourselves up for judgement before the Lord.

John 7:24 NIV

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

< E X P A N D >

Leviticus 19:15 NIV

“ ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

< E X P A N D >

The reality is that we need to make judgement calls in life.

To kill or not to kill the snake?

How we will parent.

What products we will buy.

Hiring and firing employees.

Who we will be friends with.

Etc.

As believers we have a responsibility to discern throughout our lives what will be pleasing to the Lord and to build others up.

ABSOLUTE TRUTH OR JUDGEMENT?

Today, because most people do not believe in absolute truth everything can be considered judging.

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (V. 1)

Clearly judging others involves first examining our own hearts and lives before others.

READ Romans 3:9-20 (Explain…)

All Have Sinned

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

10 As it is written:

“There is none righteous, no, not one;

11 There is none who understands;

There is none who seeks after God.

12 They have all turned aside;

They have together become unprofitable;

There is none who does good, no, not one.”

13 “Their throat is an open tomb;

With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;

“The poison of asps is under their lips”;

14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;

17 And the way of peace they have not known.”

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.[1]

Matthew 7:3–5 NIV

“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? 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? 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.

We got to examine ourselves and our own hearts and lives before we look anyone else’s life.

So here’s an interesting question -

As a believer, should we never judge?

We’ve already talked about using discernment and judging what choices to make in our own lives, but what about that controversial topic of not judging others?

Let’s start with those who have chosen to not believe in God’s Word or follow Jesus.

Don’t judge a non-believer because they are not a follower of Jesus.

With that said, the only truth we can discuss with them is justification by faith, through Jesus Christ.

It’s the gospel boys so let’s discuss it!

Here a must believe by faith –

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Next, the greatest news there is - the football in zone verse:

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The unbeliever cannot fully understand any other doctrines, because they have not allowed the gospel of Jesus Christ to change their hearts, nor do they have the Holy Spirit to intercede.

Want to know why so many people have not come to Christ?

The church over the years has done a horrible job at witnessing to them but have been very efficient in exclusion by self-righteous judgment..

Ghandi even said, “I don’t like the Christian but I love their Christ.”

The global church has a lot of people who love the idea of following Jesus but love judging others, and making them feel horrible about themselves more.

Those people need to… TAKE OUT THE PLANK!

WHEN SHOULD WE JUDGE?

But as a believer when should we judge?

We should judge our fellow brother or sister in Christ in order to keep them from sin.

Matthew 18:15 NIV

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

If they do not listen you take the next steps as laid out in Matthew 18.

Is this to condemn the person? No!

It is to restore them back to their relationship with God.

What is the biggest excuse we don’t help our fellow Christians in their sin?

We say, “We’re all sinners, who am I to judge!”

WRONG – WRONG - WRONG

If you had a life saver and your friend was drowning would you throw them an anchor?

Neither should we neglect an opportunity to help them get back on track, IN LOVE and GRACE!

We also might avoid confronting other believers who are in sin because we don’t want to ruin our friendships.

Or worse, we want to see them fail so that we look better standing next to them in front of other people!

The average Christian might hear your words and say, you’re clearly judging and I don’t like it!

The mature Christian would say you are clearly judging and I want to thank you for showing grace and love to me like Christ would.

You’ve helped me move past a sin in my life where most people would and have just accepted it but inside it’s really been killing me.

I’ve been praying for that friend to speak truth into my life, to pray for me and encourage me.

Because of your obedience to the Lord I have grown closer to the Lord and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

To be completely honest, I have heard that from one or two people in my life when I have had to confront them.

Others have decided to leave the church or not be friends with YOU anymore, no matter how much you attempt to do it in love.

There is a point where we say what we can, through God’s grace and leave it to Him.

After all, God is the judge and we are not.

I truly believe that as we live out the Beatitudes as Jesus laid out for us in Matthew 5, we develop the correct character in order to Clearly Judge.

Matthew 7:6 NIV

“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.

Dogs back in Jesus’ day were savage.

They were not the domesticated ones that you dress up in people clothes today.

They ate everything, including people at times.

Pigs in Jesus’ day were considered unclean by the Jewish people and were never associated with them.

Pearls, obtained from the Persian Gulf or from the Indian Ocean were almost priceless.

They were way beyond the purchasing ability by the common person.

In order to obtain one, they would most likely have to sell all of their possessions.

This analogy of the pearls and the dogs & pigs that Jesus gives is to show us that the gospel is valuable.

When people scorn, ridicule or mock it we need to give them to the Lord but move on to those who are willing to listen.

Otherwise it’s like throwing pearls to the pigs or dogs who think its food but just end up trampling over it without a care.

Judging is to see that if someone is unwilling to listen, you move on to the next person.

Judging is knowing that the gospel is precious and realizing that people are, in need of it.

The last thing I would say is that no person can truly know the other person’s heart.

Labradorite Rock analogy.

Polished and work it looks complete different.

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Only you know where you are at in your heart and whether you need to surrender things to Him today.

Judging comes down to surrendering your heart and life before the Lord, otherwise you become the authority and judge.

Do you really want that responsibility?

PROBABLY NOT HUH…

Get the plank out, examine your life first before other’s;

Take off your God suit and give them what they need

THE GOSPEL!