Do Not Judge… vs. 1-6

• 1^st – Relationship with Others…
  • Having established how to become a Citizen of the Kingdom [we are NOT good]
  • And having moved on and define how to LIVE as a CITIZEN…
  • FIRST – by telling us how we are to RELATE to God [SIX ways]
  • FINALLY – Jesus will now tell us how we are to RELATE to each other!
• 2^nd – Motives… vs. 1-2
  • The command… vs. 1
    • Judge not – that you be not judged!
    • FIRST – do not JUDGE [imperative] others – or we will be JUDGED [passive]
    • JUDGE [κρίνω] – 114x in NT – to CONDEMN – have an OPINION about someone
    • This is NOT talking about our relationship with God…
    • This is talking about how we are to interact with OTHERS – do NOT judge them!
    • I have heard people say you CANNOT judge me – only God can judge me…
    • And to some extent I think I understand what they mean – but we need to be careful!
    • While it is true we cannot judge the INTENT of the heart…
    • We absolutely can JUDGE their actions – by comparing them to the Word…
    • If what someone is doing in CONTRARY to the Word – then we can say it is WRONG…
    • But we CANNOT judge WHY someone does something – what their MOTIVE is…
    • Only God knows the motive of the heart – only He can Judge that!
    • Psalm 44:21 – “For He knows the secrets of the heart.”
  • The reason… vs. 2
    • For with what judgment you judge – you will be judged.
    • And with the measure you use – it will be measured back to you!
    • The REASON why we are NOT to JUDGE is because it will come back to us…
    • However we JUDGE [present] others – is how they will [future] JUDGE us…
    • We same way we MEASURE [μέτρον] others – is how they will [future] measure us!
    • James [brother of Jesus] gave us a scenario in a church…
    • A rich man walks in with fines clothes – gold rings – he is invited to sit in the best seat…
    • A poor man follows – wearing rags – he is told to sit on the floor!
    • James 2:4 – “Have you not shown partiality [κρίνω] among yourselves – and become judges!”
    • We tend to make snap judgements of others – based on how they LOOK…
    • Or we read into simple GESTURES – without taking the time to learn their MOTIVES…
    • But when we are JUDGMENTAL of others – they tend to be JUDGMENTAL of us…
    • Better to think the best of others – do NOT assume their intentions…
    • Then other people will tend to think the best of us and our motives!
• 3^rd – Speck in the eye… vs. 3-5
  • Seeing Sin… vs. 3
    • Why do you look at the speck in your brothers eye…
    • But do not consider the plank in your own eye!
    • Sometime the Greek can inadvertently have a funny connection to Ilonggo…
    • Having stated that we are NOT to JUDGE others – the very next word is TEH [τί]
    • We can easily SEE [active] the SPECK in our brothers EYE…
    • SPECK [κάρφος] – a small piece of straw or dust…
    • Yet we do NOT stop and CONSIDER [we do see it] the BEAM in our own EYE…
    • BEAM [δοκός] – a LARGE piece of TIMBER used to support a house…
    • Because the SPECK and the BEAM are likely the same thing!
    • If you were to put YOUR finger in front your EYE – it would seem SMALL to me…
    • But if were to put MY finger in from of my EYE – it would seem HUGE…
    • Both ways it is a FINGER that is blocking our VISION!
    • We tend to see the SINS in others – that we are also struggling with…
    • We are the most JUDGMENTAL – when we also are GUILTY…
    • If we are GREEDY we SEE greed in others – if we have PRIDE we JUDGE the prideful…
    • We like to point out their flaws – because it takes the focus off of OUR own…
    • By pointing out THEIR sin – we can justify ourselves that we are not as bad!
  • Our Sin First… vs. 4
    • How can you say to your brother – Let me remove the speck from your eye.
    • And look – a plank is in your own eye!
    • HOW can we demand [imperative] to pull the SPECK out of our brothers eye…
    • While we still have the BEAM blocking our own vision!
    • When I was a child I used to go every year to summer camp…
    • I got into a fight – and a boy shoved a broom into my right eye – scarring my pupil…
    • I had to go to the EYE doctor and get treatment…
    • Imagine if that doctor – had a large BEAM coming out of his EYE…
    • I would have said NO thank you – I do NOT need your help!
  • Hypocrite… vs. 5
    • Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye.
    • Then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers eye!
    • If we JUDGE others – pointing out their SIN [speck]
    • Just so that we can look BETTER – we are being a HYPOCRITE [ὑποκριτής] – TWO faced…
    • We are NOT really trying to HELP them – we are USING them to make us look better…
    • Therefore – FIRST cast out [imperative] the BEAM from our EYE…
    • THEN we can see CLEARLY to remove [future] SPEC from the EYE of our brother!
    • If I told someone I would help them overcome DRUNKENNESS…
    • As I was holding a bottle of BEER in my hand – they would be right to doubt me!
    • We CANNOT take people to a place we have NOT been…
    • In order to lead them to VICTORY over sin – we need to be VICTORIOUS…
    • Not that we are PREFECT – but we are seeking the ANSWER – looking to Jesus…
    • Because then we will have the right MOTIVE – not JUDGING others to look better…
    • But coming along side others – so they also can also be set FREE!
    • I Corinthians 11:1 – “Follow [μιμητής] me as I follow Christ.”
• 4^th – Not for Pigs… vs. 6
  • What is Holy…
    • Do not give what is holy to the dogs. Nor cast your pearls before swine!
    • There is a WARNING that Jesus gives we need to pay attention to…
    • We are called to come along side our BROTHERS – Galatian 6:1
    • But we are NOT to cast [subjunctive] what is HOLY [ἅγιος] before DOGS [unbelievers]
    • And do NOT give [subjunctive] our PEARS [wisdom] to PIGS [backsliders] – II Peter 2:22
    • We CANNOT help people who do NOT want to be helped…
    • If we give the HOLY [ἅγιος] Word to unbelievers who do NOT want the TRUTH…
    • Or if we give PEARLS of wisdom to backsliders who are NOT open to CORRECTION…
    • It will NOT have any effect – because their hearts are NOT ready!
    • Hebrews 4:2 – “The word which they [hear will] not profit them – not being mixed with faith.”
  • Not received…
    • Lest they trample them under their feet – and turn and tear you in pieces!
    • If we insist on reaching out to the DOGS and SWINE…
    • They will likely [subjunctive] TRAMPLE our words under their feet [ignore what we say]
    • Then TURN on us – and ATTACK [subjunctive] – tearing us to pieces!
    • People do NOT like to be told they are SINNERS – told they are WRONG…
    • They will likely as not – turn their ANGER on us – and ATTACK…
    • That does NOT mean we do NOT share the Gospel to SINNERS – Matthew 28:19-20
    • It does NOT mean that we do NOT reach out to our BROTHERS – Hebrew 3:13
    • What is means is we NEED to be led by the Spirit of God…
    • So that we know what we are saying is NOT judgmental – it is done in LOVE!
    • Ephesians 4:15 – “Speaking the truth in love.”

• 2^nd – Golden Rule… vs. 7-12
  • 1^st – Keep Asking… vs. 7-8
    • How to Ask… vs. 7
      • Ask – and it will be given to you. Seek – and you will find. Knock – and it will be opened to you!
      • Jesus begins by given us THREE commands…
      • FIRST – We must [imperative] continually [present] ASK what the Lord wants us to DO…
      • If we do – then God will [future] GIVE [passive] His will to us…
      • SECOND – We must [imperative] continually [present] SEEK where He wants us to GO…
      • If we do – then God will [future] SHOW us [passive] where we need to be…
      • THIRD – We must [imperative] continually [present] KNOCK on the door in front of us…
      • If we do – then God will [future] OPEN [passive] the door for us!
      • My uncle Jim was a NICE man – he would help anyone…
      • But he wanted NOTHING to do with Jesus – hurt by RELIGION when he was young…
      • My Dad shared Jesus with him for TWENTY years – but He always rejected…
      • He was diagnosed with CANCER – and went into a COMA…
      • My Dad was by his bed – he woke up and accepted Jesus – died the next day!
      • Often when we PRAY we give up after a week – or a month – or a year…
      • But God does not call us just to ASK once – God calls us to be continually SEEK…
      • We need to be persistently KNOCKING – and NOT give up!
    • The Result… vs. 8
      • For everyone who asks receives – and he who seeks finds.
      • And to him who knocks it will be opened!
      • EVERYONE [πᾶς] who is an ASKER [participle] receives [present] NOW…
      • EVERYONE [πᾶς] who is a SEEKER [participle] finds [present] TODAY…
      • EVERYONE [πᾶς] who is a KNOCKER [participle] the door will EVENTUALLY [future] open!
      • [participle] – takes a VERB [action] and makes it an ADJECTIVE [description]
      • EXAMPLE – someone might occasionally go for a run [verb]
      • But a RUNNER [participle] is someone who is defined by running!
      • We are to be DEFINED [participle] by CONTINUALLY coming to the LORD…
      • We are ASKERS – SEEKERS – and KNOCKERS…
      • Because we KNOW we have a GOD who ANSWERS – SHOWS – and OPENS…
      • When we get to heaven – we will be amazed at how much God wanted to do in our lives…
      • But it NEVER happened simply because stopped ASKING – SEEKING – and KNOCKING!
      • James 4:2 – “You do not have because you do not ask.”
  • 2^nd – Who to Ask… vs. 9-11
    • Earthly Father… vs. 9-10
      • What man is there among you who – if his son asks for bread – will give him a stone?
      • Or if he asks for a fish – will he give him a serpent?
      • Jesus uses the EXAMPLE of a FATHER to make His point…
      • What FATHER would give [indicative] his SON a stone [useless] – if he asked for BREAD…
      • Or give [indicative] his SON a SNAKE [harmful] – if he asked for a FISH!
      • Any parent can relate to this – we do not give our kids LESS than they ask for…
      • It is in our nature to give them MORE than they ask for – because we LOVE them!
    • Heavenly Father… vs. 11
      • If you then – being evil – know how to give good gifts to your children.
      • How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
      • Even though ALL men are SINNERS [πονηρός] – even FATHERS – Psalm 14:1
      • They still know how to give GOOD things to their children when the ASK…
      • How much MORE will our FATHER in Heaven give GOOD [ἀγαθός] to the ASKERS [participle]
      • What is the GOOD that the FATHER will give to us!
    • Holy Spirit…
      • Luke 11:13 – “Your heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”
      • All of this ASKING – SEEKING – and KNOCKING comes down to ONE thing…
      • We NEED the POWER of the HOLY Spirit to come into our lives!
      • The ministry of the Spirit can be broken up into THREE categories…
      • The Spirit is with [παρά] us – CONVICTING us of our SIN – pointing us to Jesus – John 16:8
      • The Spirit lives in [ἐν] us – when we put our FAITH in Jesus – John 20:22
      • The Holy Spirit comes upon [ἐπί] us – gives us POWER to live for Jesus – Acts 1:8
      • We NEED the POWER of the HOLY Spirit every day…
      • Therefore we as constantly asking the FATHER to give His SPIRIT to us…
      • So that we have the POWER to do what is impossible on our own…
      • To live our life by the Golden Rule!
  • 3^rd – Do unto others… vs. 12
    • Therefore – whatever you want men to do to you – do also to them.
    • For this is the Law and the Prophets!
      
    • THEREFORE – because we are FILLED with the HOLY Spirit…
    • Rather than being JUDGMENTAL of others – hypocritically tearing them down…
    • We instead are able to CONSIDER how we want them [subjunctive] to ACT towards us…
    • However we want to be TREATED – is how we MUST [imperative] treat others…
    • What we WANT is for others to LOVE us – therefore we must LOVE them…
    • Because only LOVE – fulfills ALL of the LAW and the PROPHETS [commands of God]!
    • When asked which was the GREATEST commandment – Jesus said there are TWO…
    • LOVE the LORD your God with all your heart – soul – and mind – Deuteronomy 6:5
    • And LOVE your neighbor as yourself – Leviticus 19:18
    • Matthew 22:40 – “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
    • This is NOT saying that people DESERVE to be LOVED…
    • Lets be honest – people are STINKERS – they are HARD to LOVE…
    • But it is NOT about WHAT they do us – it is about WHAT God DID for us…
    • He has given us the EXAMPLE – He LOVED the UNLOVABLE – Romans 5:8
    • And we likewise – filled with His SPIRIT – are called to LOVE sinners…
    • Because in the end – there are only TWO roads!

• 3^rd – Two Roads… vs. 13-14
  • 1^st – Easy Way… vs. 13
    • Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction – there are many who go in by it!
    • FIRST – there is the WIDE gate – it allows ANYONE to come through…
    • It is at the END of the BROAD way – meaning LOTS of roads lead to it…
    • But this GATE leads to THE [ὁ] DESTRUCTION [ἀπώλεια]
    • ALL roads do NOT lead to heaven – they lead to the JUDGEMENT Seat – Revelation 20:13
    • This gate is WIDE – all RELIGIONS – faith in anything but Jesus – leads to it…
    • Sadly – there are MANY [most] people who are walking down it!
    • I was talking to Hallel the other day about follow the CROWD…
    • Lemmings are famous [though not entirely true] for going over cliffs…
    • I warned her NOT to be a lemming – know who you are following!
    • We need to be careful when we FOLLOW the crowd…
    • If everyone is doing something – going the same way – that does NOT mean we should follow…
    • Because most people are going the WRONG way – and are headed for HELL!
  • 2^nd – Hard Way… vs. 13-14
    • [We must] enter by the straight gate.
    • Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life – and there are few who find it!
    • SECOND – there is a NARROW gate – it is HARD to get through…
    • But the command [imperative] is that we MUST enter there…
    • Because even though it is DIFFICULT [trouble] – it is the ONLY way that leads to LIFE…
    • And there are FEW [a small minority] who find it!
    • The ONLY way to get to Heaven is through Jesus Christ – John 14:6
    • If there was any other gate – then the cross was a waste of time – Galatians 2:21
    • Which is why we are called to be DIFFERENT from those who are in the world…
    • Because we are filled with the Spirit [ask] – we have the power to live the Golden Rule…
    • So we can show a LOST world – the RIGHT way – the NARROW path that leads to Heaven!