Mission Possible pt 12
Notes
Transcript
If you had to name what the single most detrimental activity to the testimony of the Church is, what would you say?
(hypocrisy…)
But… What is hypocrisy rooted in?
(Judgment)
Is there anyone in this world who is not guilty of judgment? — and by “judgment” I mean passing judgment - being critical of others?
(no!)
Everyone is guilty, and everyone — believer and non-believer alike — passes judgment...
3 Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.
4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.
Do you see how quickly people pass judgment?
First Paul was a criminal — a murderer — then, he was a god!
I always found this interesting.... In their rush to judgment, the people completely missed who Paul was! In their judgment of him, they missed what was being revealed through him… They missed God!
Judgement is dangerous, amen?
There is no doubt that judgment is the single most detrimental issue in — and to — the Church is there?
Judgement defiles and destroys… and the Bible… God’s Word… God’s maintenance and technical manual for Christians strongly opposes it!
You see… Only God is qualified to judge!!!
What does He tell us to do? LOVE!!!
God’s command to us is to Love!!
30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
We are commanded to Love… to love ourselves… to love each other as brothers and sisters… to love others — even if they don’t believe the way we do… to love God....
Why?
Because God loves us!!!
Because God forgave us!!!
Because God gave us Grace!!!
You see… We are commanded to Love… and leave the judging to God!
God is the ONLY One qualified to judge!
But, How often do we do that?!
Let me tell you — Judging is a dangerous practice - It defiles and destroys!
Some of you know where I’m going with this, but I want you to see something here....
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
“So… [Therefore]...” there’s that word again… “[because of what I just said] do not worry about tomorrow...”
What did He say?
33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Do you understand what Jesus meant?
“Do not worry...” “Seek first the Kingdom...”
We talked about this last week — Jesus tells us to “not worry”… to not waste our life on worry… but to live life!!!
Then He says this:
1 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.
2 For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.
Why does Jesus turn from “Don’t worry, Live Life!” to “Do not Judge”?
Because… Judgment destroys life!
Christ does not want us to destroy life… He wants us to LIVE!
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Jesus wants us to experience true life — life without bounds… life without chains… life without stress and worry… life that is lived in the FULLNESS and FREEDOM of His Grace!!!
WHY?!
Because LIFE REVEALS the Kingdom, and RESTORES people!!!
But… Judgment DESTROYS Life!
It destroys our relationship with our brothers and sisters…
It destroys our relationship with ourselves...
It destroys our testimony!
(my story)
That little old lady’s judgment of me changed my whole world… it changed my view of the Church… it changed my life! (and not for the better!)
13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?
15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
You see… Her judgment prevented me from hearing and understanding the Word!
Look at verses 1-2...
1 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.
2 For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
The Living Bible translates it this way:
“Don’t Criticize, and then you won’t be criticized! For others will treat you as you treat them.”
Judgment… Criticism… destroy!
When we allow them into our lives they will bring nothing but destruction…
But here’s what we really need to understand… Judgment and Criticism reveals a lack of understanding within our hearts!
12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?
We — you and I — are not the Judge!!!!
27 but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.
We are supposed to be self-controlled and obedient to Christ...
32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Do you see judgment anywhere in there?!
Judgment cannot be a part of the Christian’s life!!!
You see… We are not supposed to judge people! But.... Does that mean that we do not address people’s sins, as much of the world (and a growing portion of the Church) wants us to believe?
NO!!! Acceptance and “turning a blind eye” to the sin of others is not love!!!
We are supposed to deal with sin… BUT…
We must deal with our own first!!!
3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?
Paul told Timothy:
22 Do not ordain anyone hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
We are supposed to “keep ourselves pure”… yet, how often do we turn that into the “keep the world pure”?
We beat others down… we judge them… all in the name of the Kingdom — all in a feeble attempt to “feel” like we are creating Holiness… and doing God’s work…
Let me tell you — We are not qualified to judge others!!!
4 Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Should we seek to help others see and understand their sin? Yes!!!
But… not in judgment!
You see… it doesn’t matter if they are LGBTQ+… It doesn’t matter if they believe in God… It doesn’t matter if their faith and trust is in the world… or that they refuse to change… It is not our place to judge!!!!
That is between them and God!!!
They will stand or fall according to their decision!
4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.
Our ONLY responsibility is to LOVE!!!
Our sole responsibility is to bring the Gospel to them… in LOVE!
We cannot do that unless we understand that God is the ONLY judge… You see… if I understand that, then my concern becomes for them… out of love… that they not be judged harshly by God!
Have you ever wondered why we fail at doing that so often?
It’s because we have to tend to our own sin first....
4 Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye?
look at:
1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.
God promises to deliver us from our sin… to cleanse us… to pour out His grace on us…
We CANNOT help our brothers and sisters… our neighbors… anyone break free from the bonds of sin, if we are not free ourselves!
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
This is why David prayed:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
24 See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
We have to learn to pray like that!!!!
We have to learn to seek God daily… not for needs… not for direction… but for cleansing....
We need to seek God daily for our own freedom from sin....
Because… Here’s the truth…
Our judgment of others is due to our own sin!
We see in others the sin that is in our lives…
Think about it… The cheater sees in their boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, the characteristics of a cheater… that’s why they struggle to trust!
The narcissist sees in other people the characteristics of narcissism…
The “Hater” sees hate in others…
The “racist” sees racism in those around them…
The “judger” sees “judgment” from others…
Why is that?
Guilt.
We… people… even Christians… have a tendency to hide from our shame and guilt… we try to cover it up by projecting it onto others… its easier that way!
We do not have to face our own wrongdoing… our own sinful attitudes… if we focus on “correcting” the attitudes of others…
You see… We do not just have to stop judging others… we need to stop judging ourselves!!!
Look at:
10 For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
Does this mean that we — Christians — will give an account for our sins?
NO!!!
Confessed and forgiven sin falls to Grace!
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
God has forgiven us!
We are no longer guilty of our sin!
He has cleansed us… He has taken away our shame… We do not have to live with it any longer!!!
We have to learn to live within that promise!!!
The account we will give — is of what we did with the Grace given us!
Did we share it? Did we pass it on to others… even our enemies?
Did we “love our enemies, our brothers and sisters, our neighbors, as ourselves”?
Because....
18 And “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?”
Our testimony matters!!!
We are not to judge… We are to Love!!!
We cannot do that if we do not let go of ourselves… cleanse our hearts… let go of our judgment of ourselves… and allow God to be God!
Bottom line: Judgment destroys life!
“Don’t waste your life on judgment.”
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.