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The Sermon on the Mount 16
Introduction:
1. In Matthew 7 Jesus revealed His will on a number of subjects. 2. In vs.1-5 He addressed "judging." Discussion: I. (vs.1a) JESUS COMMANDS US NOT TO JUDGE A. He said very plainly, "Judge not." B. This is a challenging command because the Lord teaches us to make certain judgments (Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:3; John 7:24). C. To understand what Jesus was talking about, we must define "judge." 1. In general, "judge" means to form a conclusion on the basis of evidence. 2. In the context, "judging" is severely and unfairly finding fault in others. 3. Jesus forbids having a harsh, critical, and pessimistic attitude that is demonstrated by constantly finding fault in others. D. After telling us not to do this kind of judging, . . . II. (vs.1b-2) JESUS EXPLAINED WHY WE MUST NOT JUDGE A. (vs.1b) We must not judge to prevent being judged ourselves. B. (vs.2) We can expect to receive the judgment that we pass out (Galatians 6:7). C. After explaining why we must not judge, . . . III. (vs.3-4) JESUS ILLUSTRATED THE KIND OF JUDGING THAT HE FORBIDS A. Jesus forbids pointing out the faults of others while overlooking our own faults. 1. Jesus talked about a man who had a "beam" [large piece of wood] in his eye. 2. He overlooked his beam to point out the "mote" [small piece of wood] in his brother's eye. 3. The Jews were guilty of this kind of judging (Romans 2:1-3, 21-24). 4. This is the kind of judging that the Lord forbids. B. This is a serious matter because: 1. pointing out the faults of others while overlooking our own can become a habit 2. those who do it influence others to do the same thing. IV. (vs.5) HOW TO CURE AND PREVENT THIS TYPE OF JUDGING A. First, we must realize that it is a sin. 1. The Lord forbids it, and if we do it we transgress His will -- this is sin (1 John 3:4). 2. Jesus also said that a person who constantly looks for faults in others while overlooking his own is a hypocrite. B. The Lord teaches us to pull the beams out of our own eyes. 1. We are to judge ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). 2. However, we must judge ourselves by the Lord's standards (2 Corinthians 10:12, 18). C. After judging ourselves by the Lord's standards we can see clearly to help others with their faults. D. Additional instructions include: 1. practicing the "golden rule" (Matthew 7:12) 2. loving one another as Jesus commanded (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7) 3. provoking one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24) 4. speaking properly (James 4:11-12; 2:12-13) 5. obeying 1 Peter 3:8-11. | ||