Evening Service for 9/27/2009
Matthew 7:1-5
Thesis: These verses teach us 3 important lessons
For instances:
1. We must be cautious in judging others. Vs. 1 and 2 a
A. Jesus here is talking about a judgmental attitude. How many wrong thoughts, words, and acts would be curbed if we took these words seriously!
B. “Opie’s Charity” from the Andy Griffith Show- The episode begins with Andy and Opie playing catch. While they are playing, Annabelle Silby comes by to solicit help with the annual children’s charity drive she heads up every year. Andy and Annabelle go into the courthouse to discuss the status of the charity drive. While at the courthouse, Annabelle compliments the town’s children on their willingness to help out with such a worthy cause. Andy, taking this opportunity to brag, suggests that Opie is probably one of the biggest contributors in his class. However, Annabelle relates that Opie only contributed 3 cents to the charity drive. The next lowest contributor was 5 cents. Andy is beside himself. He can’t believe his son would contribute such a measly amount to a worthy cause like the children’s charity drive. When Opie returns to the courthouse, Andy proceeds to have a discussion with his son to discuss the importance of giving. Opie claims he is saving his money to buy his girlfriend, Charlotte, a present. Try as he might, Andy just can’t get the point across to his son that he should give more to the charity drive. That night at supper, Andy still cannot convince Opie that it is important for him to be generous in his giving. Finally, Andy has had it and he sends Opie to his room. While Andy is muttering to himself about how embarrassing it is for the son of the town sheriff to give the least amount to the charity drive, Aunt Bee interjects. Aunt Bee asks Andy to stop and think about what he is saying. Is he more concerned about what other people think that he is about his own son? Is he really ready to give up on his son because of this one incident? Andy realizes what he has done and calls Opie downstairs. He tells Opie that it is Ok to spend all his money on his girlfriend, and it doesn’t matter if he buys her a toy or takes her to the movie for 2 dollars’ worth of popcorn. Then Opie says something Andy never expected, something Andy never even considered. “I was saving to buy her a coat.” “A coat?” Andy asks. Opie continues, “Yeah, her family doesn’t have a lot of money, and her coat is kinda worn out.” Andy’s mouth drops. “But Opie, you never told me what the money was for.” Opie’s response is, “you never asked.”
C. Joey Fann- This reminds me of a particular Sunday morning in church. My wife, Nicole, and I were sitting near the front, and two women we didn’t know were sitting in front of us. During the service I noticed that the women were whispering to each other. It really didn’t bother me at first, but it was a little distracting. As the service went on, the women kept whispering. Now this might be expected behavior from two children, but there were grown ups. Everyone knows that you’re not supposed to talk in church, especially if you are sitting near the front! The more it went on, the more upset I became, and I eventually lost track of the sermon. I had no idea what the preacher was saying. I just couldn’t believe these two women had the nerve to be so distracting in church. In a little while the sermon was over and it was time for announcements. One of the announcements was a welcome to the wife of one of our missionaries. She was in the States for a short time and wanted to visit our congregation since we were helping to support their mission effort. She was traveling with a friend, and they were sitting in the front. “What?” I thought. “Those two women? The women who have distracted me throughout the entire service? The two that caused me not to get anything from this morning’s message? And one of them is the wife of a preacher? You’ve got to be kidding!” “By the way,” the announcer continued, “our guest doesn’t speak English, so when you introduce yourself, her friend will be happy to interpret for you.” Oh, that is why they were whispering. This lady wanted to know what was being said; and her friend was interpreting for her. I felt very small. I assumed I knew all the facts when I didn’t. I judged this situation on my perception- just like Andy did with Opie. The rest of that Sunday I kept thinking to myself, “You never told me she didn’t speak English.” But then again, I never asked.
2. We must be correct in judging others. Vs. 2 b - With the measure
A. We must measure our judgment of others in terms of the measure we want to be judged ourselves.
B. When we judge, ask:
1. Is it true?
2. Is it fair?
3. Is it necessary?
4. Is it kind? A.W. Hewitt said, “It is only the kindly man who can effectively rebuke evil.” Jesus is our Supreme example. Jesus was such a loving, kind, gentle soul, whose usual attitude toward people was one of respect, friendliness, and compassion. In the examples of Jesus dealing with notorious sinners, his rebukes of them are so effective because of his kind and gentle character.
5. Is our attitude Christ like?
6. Does the Bible support such a judgment?
C. This brings up an interesting point. Some people have used Matthew 7:1 as a basis to justify their behavior. Several years ago Bobby Knight, Indiana University’s long time, legendary and often controversial head basketball coach was fired. After this several sports news programs showed various heated interviews with Bobby Knight over this incident and several others over the years. One of the segments showed the hot tempered and often foul mouthed Knight quoting Scripture from the Bible. Knight said, “I can in no manner be seen as a Bible scholar; but the Bible says somewhere, “Judge not that you be not judged.” Then, in the answer to the next question asked of him, Knight took God’s name in vain in his reply.
D. Perhaps no other passage is abused as much in our go along to get along society as this one. The prohibition in this passage is not against the forming of opinions or even against judging. The prohibition is against making judgments without proper evidence or from the wrong motives.
E. Our Lord commanded us to make judgments. (John 7:24 NIV) Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."
F. These judgments are to be made with the Bible. Concerning such the Lord said, (Mat 7:20 NIV) Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
G. A better word here is discernment. We must discern right from wrong. (1 John 4:1 NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
H. We must discern to save the lost. It is wrong to call the wicked righteous. (Prov 24:24 NIV) Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"-- peoples will curse him and nations denounce him. (Prov 24:25 NIV) But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.
I. We must discern to restore the one who has been enslaved again in sin. (Gal 6:1 NIV) Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
J. In the letters to the Corinthians Paul criticizes them because they did not judge immorality within the church. (1 Cor 5:12 NIV) What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? (1 Cor 5:13 NIV) God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
K. How can elders shepherd the flock if they can’t determine who has gone astray? How can they recognize a wolf in sheep’s clothing? How can they direct and teach unless they are able to judge right from wrong?
J. (James 4:11 NIV) Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. (James 4:12 NIV) There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you--who are you to judge your neighbor?
3. We must be considerate in Judging Others vs. 3-5
A. To be considerate we must first cast out the plank that is in our own eye, and then we will see clearly to extract the splinter from our brother’s eye. Considerate judgment always begins with self analysis and self adjustment.
B. Psychologists talk about “projecting”- seeing our own faults in others.
C. Most of us can spot the problems of others without seeing our own problems. We have blinders on.
D. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
E. I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven’s door, Not by the beauty of it all, by the lights or its décor. But it was the folks in heaven who made me sputter and gasp; the thieves, the liars, the sinners, the alcoholics, the trash. There stood the kid from 7th grade, who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor, who never said anything nice. Herb, who I always thought was rotting away in hell, was sitting pretty on cloud nine, looking incredibly well. I nudged Jesus, “What the deal? I would love to hear your take. How’d all these sinners get up here? God must’ve made a mistake. And why’s everyone so quiet, so somber? Give me a clue.” “Hush, child,” said He. They’re all in shock. No one thought they’d see you.”
Conclusion and invitation:
(Mat 7:12 NIV) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
