Sermon Tone Analysis

Alêtheia Christian Fellowship – December 9, 2007

 

*:Matthew 7:1&2 ~~* 1“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

2“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

*God commands* us, “Do not judge… Okay.

*Why* do so many people *jump up to establish the opposite* side?

Why *can’t we hear this and just accept it?*

Why do we *want to ensure judging is also good*?

Definition; (kri>nw = decide) in general it is the difference between *positive* and *negative*, *constructive* and *destructive*, *encouraging* and *dispiriting* – in the end *who benefits?*

I’m *tired of trying to minutely describe Judging* – it is a *legalistic mind* that desires a perfect description.

*Look into your heart and see if you can stand before God*.

*:**"Romans 14:1-20a ~~* 1Now accept the one who is weak in faith, instead of passing judgment on his opinions.

2One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.

3The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.

4Who are you to judge the servant of another?

To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike.

Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind… 10But you, why do you judge your brother?

Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt?

For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God… 12So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. 13Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way… 19So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

20Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food.

Jesus says *woe* to him who causes a little one to stumble

 

Being judgmental is *harsh and unfair*…

 

We are always *harsher* than God because we judge ourselves based on our *intentions* and we judge others based upon their *actions and results*.

Do you really want God to judge you on your results?

We always judge *unfairly* because we can never know the whole story.

Would you like to be judged with all the *mitigating and extenuating* circumstances as well as all the infinite details taken into account or would you like to be judged on *hearsay?*

*Causes:*

*       1-* Negativity

       *2-* Insecurity

       *3-* Immaturity (psychological and spiritual)

       *4-* Hidden Sin

       *5-* Satanic Forces

 

*Hebrews 10:24&25 ~~* 24let us consider how to *stimulate* one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but *encouraging* one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Being critical comes from a critical spirit which is demonic

 

A critical person is always interested in hearing the details of another person’s life especially if that person is absent and the story is sordid.

A critical person assumes the worst – guilty until proven innocent.

A critical person lacks mercy

 

Selfishness and unrealistic expectations lead to an attitude that hinders thankfulness – a critical spirit.

We become critical when we think we ought to control everything.

But when we can’t always manipulate the results we desire, we begin to view everything negatively and find fault with everyone else.

If unchecked, such an attitude will become a horribly corrosive habit that destroys our thankfulness and eats away at every other aspect of our spirituality.

The ultimate example is murder.

Romans 1:28-32 ~~ 28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,

 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; *they are gossips*,

 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;

 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that *those who practice such things are worthy of death*, they not only do the same, but also give *hearty approval* to those who practice them.

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 ~~ 1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

 3 unloving, irreconcilable, *malicious gossips*, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,

 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; *Avoid such men as these*.

*:Matthew 7:3-5 ~~* 3“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

4“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?

5“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Untranslated word for English flow – Better as*: “Why then, do…”*

 

If *God commands* us not to judge another and if we do we will be judged just *as harshly and unfairly*… Why then would you do it?

1- Why do you notice another’s speck?

2- Why do you focus on another’s speck?

3- Why do you try to remove another’s speck?

Hypocrite = you are not perfect so leave others alone!

You can never be log free!

If you are motivated by love alone then God through you may be able to remove another’s speck.

*:Matthew 7:6 ~~* 6“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

So many *automatically* and *erroneously* switch gears midstream and *assume* this is about the *Gospel*.

The principle is *generally valid, but* here Jesus is talking about judging and He’s now moved to correcting another.

Even if motivated by love and filled with God’s Spirit, many people are *unreceptive* and there is no point!

The *overall point is leave other people alone* unless God has *truly called1* you to *minister love2* into a *willing3 *person’s life for *their edification4*

 

*:Matthew 7:7&8 ~~* 7“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

8“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

*:Matthew 7:9-12 ~~* 9“Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?

10“Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

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 what is good to those who ask Him! 12“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.