Positioned For Access

Today I want to start a series from Matthew 7. Today I want to talk about putting yourself in position for access. God is the one from whom good things are to be expected, and where there is a contrast between what may be expected of God and what received is many times determined by how we conduct ourselves. Jesus discourse from the sermon on the mount transitions here to judgement and asking.

I believe these two topics are close together because it ties to our Christian conduct. Keep in mind Jesus covers a multitude of subjects in his teaching.

It was clear by the end of this chapter those who heard Jesus were astonished at his level of teaching. No one had ever taught like this!

Judge Not

Our conduct is vitally important. Jesus says, “Judge not, that you be not judged. (Mt 7:1). The call not to judge has made its way deeply into popular imagination: ‘Who am I to judge?’ Judgement is not the criticism or correction what we know is wrong. Judgement is taking the position of higher authority pointing out a flaw when we have flaws ourselves.

This I gonna mind my business and just let the world fall apart is not what Jesus was talking about.

The applications people often make (giving personal space to others; modesty about one’s own capacity to discern what is right; the desire not to be faced with responsibility for decisions in complex or disputed matters) probably have little to do with the intention of either Jesus or the Gospel writers.

So lets look at this closer. Similar to what Jesus said in Luke 6 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (Lk 6:37). Again this position is tied to you blessing. In Luke 6:38 Jesus uses this first to tie it to your giving. 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Lk 6:38).

Paul said it this way, 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. (Ro 14:13). So we should not become a stumbling block. So we should not be so righteous that we judge folks out of the church, The Message Bible says it this way, “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt. (Mt 7:1–4). We heard it why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that 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? (Mt 7:3–4). A mote can be compared to a splinter and a beam can be compared to a log. You get the picture?

So judgement cast criticism without considering our own behavior. Now a better way to assist is to offer assistance admitting your own fragility.

Maintain Integrity

Now in between judging and asking Jesus warns us about preserving our holiness. 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (Mt 7:6).

There is self responsibility Job said Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?

7  “Remember: who that was innocent ever perished?

Or where were the upright cut off? 8  As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. (Job 4:6–8).

And there is also not wasting our time trying to instruct the foolish. I learned to appreciate Proverbs 9:7-9

7  Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,

and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

8  Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;

reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

9  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. (Pr 9:7–9).

That’s the same chapter that reminds the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

So lets see what Jesus is trying to position us for. We need not judge and we have to maintain our integrity.

Ask and it will be Given

Here it is Ask 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Mt 7:7–8).

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mk 11:24).

22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us . (1 Jn 3:22–23).

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 Jn 5:14–15).

So Matthew says Jesus explains 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Mt 7:9–11).

So to get in the position for access we must not judge, maintain integrity and ask and shall be given.

So what are you desiring of the Lord this morning?

17  I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently find me.

18  Riches and honor are with me,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

19  My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

20  I walk in the way of righteousness,

in the paths of justice,

21  granting an inheritance to those who love me,

and filling their treasuries. (Pr 8:17–21).