Sermon Extras

SERMON NOTES

The Bible Doesn’t Say That Week 3 – Judging? Matthew 7:1-12, REVIEW> We are in a really fun series that is taking serious what the Bible actually says. We are moving a certain direction in this series. (*Show Graphic)  

INTRO> Today, we have by far the most misunderstood and the most misused verse in the Bible. It is the most DEFENSIVE statement used by christians and non-christians alike… it is… “The Bible Says… do not judge!” I mean… it does right? It’s right here? “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Matthew 7:1 Before we go any further… can I do something really quick? I want to read something to you:

• “It’s raining!” said the farmer amidst the drought.
• “It’s raining!” said the bride on her wedding day.

APP> What changed? It’s the same sentence right? What has changed is the CONTEXT in which that statement was made. The OED defines context- the words that come just before and after a word, phrase, or statement, and help you to understand its meaning *ILL> This is how we tend to read this passage of scripture (Show Pic) 

• Take a text out of it’s context and all you’re left with is a con.
• When it comes to the scriptures we must let scripture interpret scripture.
• Can I show you real quickly how to do this? Really. Go to the back of your Bible and find the list of words, find the J. There is judge, judged, judges and judgment, then you will find a reference to John 7:24, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

CONTEXT> “log in your own eye” v3 –Jesus just judged “ you hypocrite”- v5 Sounds judgmental to me “dogs and pigs” v6 wow Jesus really? harsh. “false prophets” v15 If there are false prophets, then there are, true prophets, how am I suppose to know? Make a judgement? “You will recognize them by their fruits” v16 So then WHAT IS Jesus saying in this verse?  

APP> Before we go any further into the text and get into the heart of the message I want to say something. This verse is used by both christians and non christians alike: 

• Non-Christan = Self Defense
• Christian = Self-Righteous

“If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.” ― Augustine APP> The phrase, “do not judge” is most often used as a defense to justify living a sinful lifestyle. 

• Poor Judgment happens when:
  1. You are more concerned with other peoples sins than your own.“why do you see the speck in your brothers eye and not the plank in your own eye..”
  2. You treat people like problems. “Let me take the speck out of your eye..” People are not problem’s though we create them. People are people. *ILL> Magnifying Glass.
  3. You hold non-christians to a christian standard.

• “do not give to DOGS what is holy.. or pearls to pigs..” Jesus is saying a very Jewish statement here. These animals where considered unclean. Jesus is saying, “Why are you surprised they acted that way?” The apostle Paul would say the same thing, “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”

1 Corinthians 5:12

APP> Jesus is telling us if these are markers in your life, you are judging wrongly, worldly. Before we get into what it looks like to judge properly, there are things that we have no jurisdiction in. 

We can’t judge: *(Credit to James Macdonald Blog)

• “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 his commendation from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5 ILL>*Steven Covey on Subway station, mans kids.
• “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24
• “ So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 *ILL> Francis Schaeffer, tape recorder “Then God would simply say to the man, though he had never heard the Bible, now where do you stand in the light of your own moral judgments? The Bible points out . . . that every voice would be stilled. All men would have to acknowledge that they have deliberately done those things which they knew to be wrong. Nobody could deny it.”

• Proper Judgment happens when:
  1. I evaluate my own sins first. “First take the speck out of your own eye..” Do you see what Jesus is doing here, he is engaging us first. *ILL> If you have ever flown no one ever listen to when the fly attendant give the speech. This time, they showed a video (which says more about us than them) But this pictured popped up (PIC).

APP> How in the world could you ever save some one from drowning when you yourself are sinking. APP> A proper view of Jesus produces humility. 

1. I engage my brothers sins second. “then you will see clearly to take out the speck in your brothers…” Do you see the logic behind Jesus words here. We have to be careful, Jesus isn’t calling us to be head hunters he is calling us to be heart searchers.. How are we suppose to do this?
   • “Correct him not as a foe, nor as an advisory exacting a penalty, but as a physical providing medicines.” – John Chrysostom
   • I embrace rather than exclude. “brother” used 3x in the passage!
   • APP> How can you do this? Well… you realize that Jesus was judged, Jesus was excluded so that you could be embraced. “…“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”… Matthew

27:46

Big Idea > The Bible says for us to judge in light of the fact that Jesus was judged for us.