SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Matthew 7:1-6
WHEN MY OPINION IS DANGEROUS
#20 - SERMON ON THE
MOUNT
It is very easy to pass judgment
on the character, intentions, abilities, activities, words, and ideas of
others. It is also very easy to be wrong when we pass judgment on the
character, intentions, abilities, activities, words and ideas of others.
The theme of the Sermon of the
Mount is Living Righteously. There are times when our opinions of others
can be dangerous. They are dangerous
because of a judgmental attitude. If we are going to live in a way that is
righteous before God we must learn when we are to judge and when we are not to
judge. This morning we want to examine:
STANDARDS OF JUDGMENT – Vss. 1-2
Vss. 1-2 – Verse 1 has often been misunderstood. People have read this verse, and
have come to the conclusion that they should not do any judging at all. This is
not what Jesus was saying. There are at least
3 specific times in which we as Christians should do some judging. One of them
is mentioned right here in this chapter.
Matthew 7:15-20 tells us that we should be able to judge that someone is a false
teacher. One of the problems with many
Christians today is that they don’t know when someone is inaccurately and/or
deceptively teaching the Word of God.
In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul
criticizes the Corinthians because they did not judge immorality within the
church. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
God judges sin on the outside of
the church.
God expects us to judge sin on
the inside of the church.
In 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 we
find that Christians should be able to resolve matters among themselves instead
of taking each other to court. 1 Corinthians 6:1-2
As Christians God enables us to
judge disputes between other Christians. Oh that we would seek to bring our
squabbles with other Christians to other Christians so that they might be
resolved peacefully.
So, if we are to judge false
teachers, and if we are to judge sin among believers, and if we are to judge
disputes among Christians, what was Jesus referring to when he said, “Judge not
that ye be not judged”?
To judge here means to be
judgmental.
This would carry the idea of
condemning another.
This would carry the idea of
having a critical spirit.
Very often this condemnation of
others and this critical spirit are expressed through gossip.
People are forever criticizing
and evaluating in a negative sense the ministry of others.
Let me warn you. It seems that anyone
who is accomplishing anything for the Lord is vulnerable to criticism. And we
must be careful because we are very capable of finding fault with each other.
We are capable of criticizing a
person’s methods.
We are capable of criticizing a
person’s motives.
We are capable of criticizing a
person’s effectiveness.
How many times out loud and in
our hearts have we used unjust or uncalled for criticism? I know that I have
been guilty of this.
How then do we know when we are being
critical or judgmental? Here are four questions that we can ask ourselves:
1. Am I criticizing because I am
saddened concerning sin?
2. Am I talking about this
person’s fault because I am concerned about this person’s spiritual well being?
3. Am I talking about this
person’s fault because I want him to look bad and me to look good?
4. Am I critical of this person,
because I am angry or bitter against this person?
There are times when people
problems come up and must be talked about, especially by church leaders. But
when we are talking about another may it always be:
·
Out of dislike for sin, not the
sinner
·
Out of concern for another, not
myself
·
Out of love for my brother or
sister, not dislike.
Judge not, that ye
be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:
Notice that God promises us the
same type of judgment that we administer. I, for one, would rather have fair,
equitable, and merciful judgment for myself, wouldn’t you?
To receive such judgment, my
judgment of others must be fair, equitable and merciful.
and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
What does this mean?
I get the impression that God is
saying, when you criticize another for his failure, you will be tempted in the
same area.
For example:
·
Have you ever criticized another
for losing their temper, and then lost your temper?
·
Have you criticized someone else
for being defensive and then become defensive yourself.
·
Have you criticized another for being
dishonest, and them been tempted to be dishonest yourself?
SEEING THE PROBLEM – Vss. 3-5
Does Jesus expect us to ignore
the problems in another’s life?
The answer is “no”.
The Lord does want us to see the
other person’s problem clearly.
Most of us can spot the problems
of others, so we think, without seeing our own problems.
Vs. 3-4 – A mote is a piece of sawdust or chaff.
A beam is a log or a wooden
rafter.
I think if Jesus were speaking
today he might say, “Why are you finding fault with the splinter in someone
else’s eye when there’s a 2 by 4 in your eye?
You can’t see clearly to correct
a brother or a sister when you yourself have greater problems.
Vs. 5 – Notice what Jesus calls people who criticize others, but allow sin in their
own lives. He calls them hypocrites!
Jesus tells us to first examine
ourselves!
When we feel motivated to
criticize, we should look at ourselves first, and confess whatever failures we
have. 1 John 1:9
When we examine ourselves and
confess and forsake our own sins, two things will happen.
1. When I am right with the Lord, I will know whether I need to deal with
the problem in the other person or not.
Maybe the problem was not as I thought it was before.
2. If I do go to that person with a need to correct him or her, I will do it
with the right attitude. And the person is more likely to be receptive.
Galatians 6:1
SHARING THE TRUTH – Vs. 6
Vs. 6 - Matthew 7:6 - 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.
A Jew would not give a piece of
sanctified meat from a sacrifice to a dog.
A Jew would not give that which
was precious, like a pearl to a pig. Pigs were considered “unclean” animals.
There is no doubt that you and I
should share our faith with others. The Great Commission is very clear about
that. Mark
There is also no doubt that God
has appointed us to share what we have learned of Christian truth with each
other. Colossians 3:16, Hebrews
10:24-25
Although Jesus has ordained that
we share the Word of God with Christians and non-Christians alike, there are
times to be silent.
When an unbeliever continues to
mock and demean the Gospel when we try to present it, we need to remain silent
until that person is ready to listen.
If a “Christian” is mocking and
demeaning the Word of God as it is presented it is better to be silent.
When the Apostle Paul met stiff
opposition in the Synagogue, he would move to another location. Acts 19:8-9
We are not required to share our
testimony or the Gospel or blessing in walk with God to people who seek to
mock, make fun, or ridicule our Christianity. Instead we are to share our
pearls with those who will listen respectfully.
But when someone is seeking to
cause embarrassment for the Gospel, we are become silent.
I need to be careful.
There is a time when my opinion
is dangerous.
STANDARDS OF JUDGMENT
SEEING THE PROBLEM
SHARING THE TRUTH