The Extreme Danger of Improperly Judging Others (pt. 2)
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Improperly Judging Others Results in Personal Condemnation
Improperly Judging Others Results in Personal Condemnation
Review: Paul shifts his identification and assessment of sin from the Gentiles to the Jews
Two Types of Judgment:
Sinful Judgment
Obedient Judgment
SINFUL JUDGMENT moves us and others away from God!
This is an evaluation that condemns
This is an evaluation based upon our assessment and standards (we lack authority)
OBEDIENT JUDGMENT moves us and others toward God!
This is an evaluation that repents
This is an evaluation based upon the authoritative word of God (God gives commands—not recommendations)
Bearing this in mind, let’s briefly review why Paul saw this in his audience and why God detests SINFUL JUDGMENT
Unrealized Sinful Hypocrisy Resulting in Departure from God as the Main Problem within the Jewish Audience
Unrealized Sinful Hypocrisy Resulting in Departure from God as the Main Problem within the Jewish Audience
Think about it, the Jewish people of Paul’s day:
Reveled in National Pride instead of Glorifying the Lord through Faithful Obedience
Embraced Extreme Racism instead of Sacrificial Love toward the other Nations
Were Characterized by Religious Pride instead of Spiritual Humility and Repentance from Sin
As such, the audience Paul has in mind are completely ignorant of the extent of their hypocrisy:
They have the covenant of God, but they live in constant violation of it
They have the Law, but they live by the teaching and thoughts of the religious leaders—not God’s word
They have the temple (the place of God’s abiding presence), but they have turned it into a place of business and profit through fraud and extortion!
They
Ignorance about our hypocrisy NEVER leads to confession of and repentance from personal sin; instead, it lead to the harsh judgment and condemnation of others.
Sinful Hypocrisy Naturally Develops into Sinful Judgment
Sinful Hypocrisy Naturally Develops into Sinful Judgment
When Paul observes how his people fail to obey God and live in hypocrisy, he realizes that the Jews are sinfully condemning the world around them in a manner the defames the Lord and lessens His glory!
Consequently, Paul rebukes this terrible practice
Additionally, Paul identifies why/how this is evil
Paul Identifies the Characteristics of Sinful Judgment as that which :
Paul Identifies the Characteristics of Sinful Judgment as that which :
Paul Identifies the Characteristics of Sinful Judgment as that which :
1. Ignores Personal Sin (vs. 1)
2. Ignores the Righteousness of God (vs. 2)
3. Ignorantly Assumes a Mastery of Righteousness (vs. 3)
4. Arrogantly Abuses the Righteousness of God (vs. 4)
5. Ignorantly Accumulates a Greater Outpouring of God’s Wrath (vs. 5)
6. Ignorantly Fails to Understand God’s Goals (vs. 6-10)
Now that we’ve recapped last week, let’s see how the Bible actually instructs us to judge.
What Does Obedient Judgment Look Like?
What Does Obedient Judgment Look Like?
Generally speaking, OBEDIENT JUDGMENT moves us toward God
Obedient Judgment Properly Distinguishes Between Good and Evil
Obedient Judgment Properly Distinguishes Between Good and Evil
= We are to test the spirits (what does this mean?)
= Tells us that mature believers are those who’ve learned to distinguish (judge) between good and evil.
IT IS AN IMMATURE, UNGODLY, AND BANKRUPT CHRISTIANITY THAT REFUSES TO LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SIN!!!
Obedient Judgment Strives to Deal with Personal Sin (the “log”)
Obedient Judgment Strives to Deal with Personal Sin (the “log”)
= Jesus tells us to remove the log (sin) from our own eyes!
= Tells us that we must confess our sins (that we’ve judged/identified as sin) to find forgiveness from God
= Tells us to properly judge ourselves to avoid sin and the judgment of others!
= Tells us to examine ourselves and test ourselves (judge) to see if we belong to Jesus!
IT IS AN IMMATURE, UNGODLY, AND BANKRUPT CHRISTIANITY THAT REFUSES TO IDENTIFY THE SIN WITHIN US AND OUR POSITION/RELATION TO CHRIST!
Obedient Judgment Strives to Warn, Rebuke, Discipline, and Invite Repentance from Sin (the “speck”)
Obedient Judgment Strives to Warn, Rebuke, Discipline, and Invite Repentance from Sin (the “speck”)
= We are to judge each other (not those outside the church) so that we avoid sin!
= We are to warn (exhort) each other daily so that we are not hardened by sin
= Elders who sin are invited to repent, but if they refuse to do so they are to be rebuked in front of the church!
= We are to rebuke those who sin, but we are also to forgive those that sin.
= Instructs us to patiently encourage, warn, chasten, and help each other.
= Tells that it is a good thing to turn sinners from error!
IT IS AN IMMATURE, UNGODLY, AND BANKRUPT CHRISTIANITY THAT REFUSES TO HELP OTHERS SEE SIN, OFFER REPENTANCE, REBUKE THOSE WHO PERSIST, AND FAIL TO FAITHFULLY LOVE THOSE WHO REPENT!
Obedient Judgment Strives to Identify and Refute False Teaching
Obedient Judgment Strives to Identify and Refute False Teaching
= Tells us to be aware of false teachers who come into destroy the body—and that we will know them by their fruit (works)
= Tells us to watch out and avoid false teachers/teaching
= Tells us to expose the works of darkness
= Tells us to avoid those who appear godly but deny the power of God
IT IS AN IMMATURE, UNGODLY, AND BANKRUPT CHRISTIANITY THAT REFUSES TO IDENTIFY AND AVOID FALSE TEACHING!
Obedient Judgment Strives to Purge a Rebellious and Unrepentant Attitude from the Corporate Body of the Church
Obedient Judgment Strives to Purge a Rebellious and Unrepentant Attitude from the Corporate Body of the Church
= Tells us to have nothing to do with those we’ve warned but refuse to comply
= Tells us that we are to have nothing to do with the one who rejects Biblical instruction
= Jesus praises the Ephesian church for not tolerating false teachers
= Paul tells the Corinthian church to put out the brother that openly sins and refuses to repent
= Paul says that he has nothing to do with Hymenaeus and Alexander because of their blaspheme
= Jesus tells us to put out the brother that we repeatedly call to repent but fails to do so!
= Paul tells us to turn away from those who persistently cause dissension and teach contrary to Scripture.
IT IS AN IMMATURE, UNGODLY, AND BANKRUPT CHRISTIANITY THAT REFUSES TO DISTANCE ITSELF AND PURGE FROM ITSELF WHAT GOD HATES AND REJECTS!
Immature, Ungodly, and Bankrupt Christianity:
Refuses to judge between good and evil
Refuses to judge and determine the sin within us
Refuses to judge the sin in others and help them repent
Refuses to identify false teachers/teaching
Refuses to flee from remove what God hates, rejects, and prohibits!
Those who say Christians should not judge have no idea what they are talking about!
We do not judge to the point that we condemn others and wish their destruction
BUT we do judge to the point that we avoid sin, turn from sin, and encourage others to do the same.
GOD SHOWS US THROUGH THE BIBLE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG WITH THE INTENTION THAT WE WOULD OBEY
What Should Our Response Look Like?
What Should Our Response Look Like?
Integrity instead of Hypocrisy
Confession instead of Concealment
Praise instead of Criticism
Praise instead of Criticism
Intercession instead of Gossip
Accountability instead of Passivity
Separation instead of Acceptance
What should I do?
Confess and Repent
Ask the Lord for strength to encourage instead of condemning
Abide in the word of God to the point that your thinking is literally verses of the Bible!!!
Actively worship in the body of Christ