Judge Not..
Notes
Transcript
Service Notes:
Need to learn to play gold. Putt Putt on October 10th
Important 4:30 Volunteer Meetings. We are looking at important aspects of our LifeGroups
October 3rd, Parent and Baby Dedication
Introduction to the Text:
One of the most well know phrases by Jesus “Judge not”
Most do not know or care about the context.
Last sermon
Love your enemies
Do good to those who hate you.
Bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who mistreat you.
Do not retaliate
Give freely
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Luke 6:26–38 (KJV 1900)
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Christians are not to judge other Christians. And Christians are to judge other Christians. That’s what the Bible teaches. Any questions?
I. We must be prayerfully, slow to condemn.
I. We must be prayerfully, slow to condemn.
II. Must not only be quick to forgive but to give.
II. Must not only be quick to forgive but to give.
III. Let the knowledge of doing right before God be your only reward
III. Let the knowledge of doing right before God be your only reward
IV. A proud spirit speaks critically of others but a humble spirit will be used to correct others.
IV. A proud spirit speaks critically of others but a humble spirit will be used to correct others.
Introduction
Introduction
Only one friend who is paid to be a judge. Judge Tolar. Greg saying “yes your majesty”
Judging others has become an American past time. It is probably why reality tv is so popular.
Story of two old men arguirng about fish having fun. “You have never been a fish.” As silly as that is that is what much of life is made up of if we are not careful. Four Square at our house is called Debate Practice.
Are we to judge?
Are we to judge?
Christians are not to judge other Christians. And Christians are to judge other Christians. That’s what the Bible teaches.
In fact, the apostle Paul says both things in the same letter just a few paragraphs apart.
1 Corinthians 4:5 (
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Don’t judge other Christians.
1 Corinthians 5:12 (AV)
For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
Judge other Christians.
Judge other Christians.
Is Paul contradicting himself? No. Paul is simply instructing us that there are things we must not judge and things we must judge.
Of course, “judge not” does not mean what some would like it to mean.
Luke 6:36 is the life verse of many who simply would like to live in sin undisturbed.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
There must be a right and wrong way to go about this.
John 7:24 (AV)
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Critical thinking, discernment, and “right judgment” belong to every mature disciple of Christ.
How we must not judge
How we must not judge
1. Motives of the heart
1. Motives of the heart
Manifest the counsels of the hearts 1 Cor 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
How are you to know someones heart?
Example: Tony Stewart hit a man who came to confront him on a Nascar track
Stewart was trying to avoid Ward
Stewart was trying to scare him by brushing him back
Stewart was trying to kill him outright
2. Not sinful behavior
2. Not sinful behavior
Don’t judge others based on their decisions, actions, perspectives, words, or personality that concern us if those things themselves are not explicitly sinful
Should the kids be in trouble for that? No it is not wrong it is just weird.
What is the debate that Paul was addressing in 1 Cor 1
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Who is your favorite Paul, Apollos, or Peter?
These men were different
because all men are different
different strengths, emphasis, and gifts
John 7:24 (AV)
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
3. Judgment with hypocrisy
3. Judgment with hypocrisy
Matthew 7:4 (AV)
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
It does not mean it is not to help others out but first take heed to your own heart.
Matthew 7:5 (AV)
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
4. Judgement without mercy
4. Judgement without mercy
Hypocrisy is never the friend of mercy.
When we spend more time noticing others’ sins than our own, we struggle to wear the “spirit of meekness”
Galatians 6:1 (AV)
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
5. With a false balance
5. With a false balance
“We have a way of swelling others’ specks into logs, and of shrinking our own logs into specks.”
Luke 6:38 (AV)
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
“The command to judge not is not a requirement to be blind, but rather a plea to be generous”
James 2:13 (AV)
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Generous, merciful judgment takes energy and time. It is far easier to madly swing the gavel.
What We Must Judge
What We Must Judge
Christians must judge the explicitly sinful behavior of a professing Christian.
Jesus said a “tree is known by its fruit”
Matthew 12:33 (AV)
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
When do the hidden sinful purposes of the heart reveal themselves? In a person’s explicitly sinful behavior.
That’s why Paul didn’t even have to be present to pass judgment on a man who engaged in sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5:3).
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
1 Corinthians 5:3 (AV)
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
And he explicitly instructed the Corinthian Christians to pass judgment on him too due to his behavior.
1 Corinthians 5:12–13 (AV)
For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
When we sin, our Christian brothers and sisters have an obligation to judge us. They must not condemn us, but they must, out of love, call us to repent.
Such judgment is a grace, an expression of God’s kindness and they only compound their sin if we take offense.
Romans 2:4 (AV)
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
How are we to judge?
How are we to judge?
This can be hard when we look at the context of being asked to rightfully judge just not those you love but even those who do not love you.
I. We must be prayerfully, slow to condemn.
I. We must be prayerfully, slow to condemn.
Luke 6:37 (AV)
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Jesus is saying, “In the circumstance of you not being loved well, in the circumstance of you being mistreated, be slow to condemn.” He is asking you to operate in the opposite direction of your instincts.
We must have a healthy suspicion of our own pride, and keep Jesus’s words ringing in our ears.
Move prayerfully slow.
See the person as your brother.
See the person as your brother.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
There have been times I thought the “brother talk” was weird but I have grown to love.
How we judge says more about us than it does the person being judged.
If you want to invest time into conflict resolution, deal with yourself 99 percent of the time.
Do not “set at nought” or despise your brother.
Don’t treat your brother scornfully without brotherly affection.
Recognize we all will be judged someday.
Romans 14:10–12
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Reexamine.
Reexamine.
The first thing we must do in this circumstance if we are going to seek not to quickly condemn those who have done us wrong, we're going to reexamine ourselves.
Reexamine ourselves of what? We’re going to reexamine our motives.
II. Must not only be quick to forgive but to give.
II. Must not only be quick to forgive but to give.
Luke 6:37 (AV)
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
What's your instinct? It's to say, “You were wrong! You caused all this!” What does Jesus say? “Be quick to forgive. Be slow to condemn, but be quick to forgive.”
Forgiveness is how love covers a multitude of sin
1 Peter 4:8 (AV)
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
What does that look like in real life?
Proverbs 17:9 (AV)
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;
But he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
9 He that covereth (doesn’t mean hide) a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Be ready to give.
Luke 6:38 (AV)
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Don't be looking for what you’re going to get from this situation.
Problem with forgiveness. It means we give up our rights to gain from someones actions toward us.
Not only ready to not get but give!
Ephesians 4:28 (AV)
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
III. Let the knowledge of doing right before God be your only reward
III. Let the knowledge of doing right before God be your only reward
Be assured of God's reward.
Luke 6:38 (AV)
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
If you are slow to condemn, quick to forgive, ready to give rather than to get, then here's what you’re going to find out. Once you have given up any idea of getting out of that relationship, receiving out of that relationship, what are you going to find? God is going to put good measure into your lap.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Luke 6:38 (AV)
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
We must remember our own sins and seek to correct in the same way that we would want to be corrected for our sins.
How do you do this? Find your treasure outside of retaliation.
How do you do this? Find your treasure outside of retaliation.
Psalm 63:3 (AV)
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise thee.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
What feels better than revenge? Obedience to God.
What feels better than taking things into your own hands? Leaving them in His.
IV. A proud spirit speaks critically of others but a humble spirit will be used to correct others.
IV. A proud spirit speaks critically of others but a humble spirit will be used to correct others.
James 4:10–11 (AV)
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Evil speaking is what comes from a heart that is prideful
Evil speaking is what comes from a heart that is prideful
Ever apologized to someone for someone for something you said and they “said I didn’t take take in a bad way” and you thought “well you should have it is how I meant it”
Evil speaking is judgement toward a brother not humble correction.
Evil speaking is judgement toward a brother not humble correction.
God will not use you to help bring healing to a person that you are speaking evil about.
What is speaking evil of someone? It is a proud, hurtful, demeaning speaking about another’s faults without any heartfelt care for their good
It is judging some one in a manner you do not want to be judged. Is a violation of our text.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Judge with Right Judgment
Judge with Right Judgment
How we judge others says far more about us than how we are judged by others.
John 7:24 (AV)
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Review:
Right judgment is
charitably quick to believe innocence,
charitably slow to pronounce guilt,
charitably redemptive when it can be.
and charitably silent if at all possible.
Believer - have you been living according to God’s Word in this area?
Have you ever felt falsely judged, misunderstood, do you long for a day when the perfect Judge will rule and reighn?
That day is coming.
Let me remind you how he will judge.
Revelation 20 tells a story of judgement for all those who have not found forgiveness of sins on this earth.
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:12 (AV)
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
I can tell you on that day every man and woman who stands before Jesus will be found guilty
Galatians 2:16 (AV)
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
This should help explain to you why we sing a song like “My faith hath found a resting place”
My faith has found a resting place
Not in device nor creed
I trust the Ever-living One
His wounds for me shall plead
Enough for me that Jesus saves
This ends my fear and doubt
A sinful soul I come to Him
He'll never cast me out
I need no other argument
I need no other plea
It is enough that Jesus died
And that He died for me
‘