Pay It Forward Series

INTRODUCTION

• SLIDE #1

• Paying it forward is the concept of sharing the blessing you have received with others, not because they deserve it, but rather because you chose to do so.

• The phrase PAY IT FORWARD was made popular by the release of the movie in 2000 entitled Pay It Forward.

• In the movie, the school teacher (played by Kevin Spacey) gives his class an assignment: look at the world around you and fix what you don't like.

• One student (played by Haley Joel Osment) comes up with an idea, in order to fulfill the assignment he came up with the pay it forward concept: #1 it is something that really helps people; #2 something they can't do by themselves; and #3 do it for them, and then do it for three other people.

• In the movie this concept conceived in the mind by a small boy and put into action was shown to spread all around the country.

• This was a movie, but would it not be great to see it in the real world.

• In reality Christians are called to live this type of existence. We have been blessed in big ways by God and we are called to share those blessings with others.

• God has the above assignment to us, now it is time foe

• If we are seeking that new you for the new year, if we are seeking to grow in our faith and our relationship with God; being able to pay it forward will be an important part of our development.

• Today we are going to look at three areas in which we can pay it forward and a reality of paying it forward.

• Let’s turn to Luke 6:37-38.

• SLIDE #2

• Luke 6:37–38 (ESV) “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 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.”

• SLIDE #3

SERMON

I. Pay it forward with your judgments.

• Verse 37 starts off with the admonition, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned;.

• WE have spoken of this same thought before, it is also found in the parallel passage in Matthew 7:1-2.

• SLIDE #4

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• Matthew 7:1–2 (ESV) “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

• We need to understand what Jesus is telling us. He is NOT telling us we cannot make evaluations of situations and people.

• The word translated JUDGE can mean to evaluate or analyze.

• The Greek word “judge” is the source for our English word “critic.” It seems to imply a critical, judgmental, self-righteous spirit which judges others more severely than it does itself.

• It emphasizes one set of sins over another set of sins. It excuses one’s own faults, but will not excuse the faults of others

• Jesus is not telling His people to refuse to think critically or make decisions, nor was he attempting to abolish the legal system or disciplinary measures.

• We are called to be discerning and to make certain judgments.

• In Matthew 7, just after this admonition not to judge, Jesus says…

• SLIDE #5

• Matthew 7:6 (ESV) “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

• What Jesus speaks of is judging people harshly while overlooking our own sins.

• This is why going down a bit further in our passage Jesus states:

• SLIDE #6

• Luke 6:41–42 (ESV) 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

• 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

• Jesus was referring to the judgmental attitude that focuses on others’ faults, criticizing and tearing them down.

• Is it not easy to look at other people through the eyes of judgment while we turn a blind eye to our own short-comings?

• When Jesus is saying to judge not and condemn not, the verb tense relays the thought to STOP DOING WHAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY DOING!