Judge Not???

Website Editor • Jun 24, 2020

From Pastor Lance Shumake's message on Matthew 7:1-6:

"JUDGE NOT, LEST YE BE JUDGED."

Matthew 7:1 is often quoted, yet also often misunderstood. It will stumble into a conversation when one person is making a moral assessment of another and it rubs the wrong way. "Judge not...", the offended will say.

But.. is this what Jesus is really saying? Does He truly want us to never judge others?

As contrary as it may seem, the answer is no. Fair evaluation and discernment of people are good things! (ex. discernment of false teachers, wolves in sheep's clothing, etc.) Rather, He IS telling us not to condemn others or judge them unfairly.

In context, Jesus is worried about the unity and harmony of His disciples. It is a threat to the unity of the church when members of the same body jump to conclusions about others. Though Jesus was speaking to His disciples, He might as well have been speaking directly to us today. Everywhere we look, someone is making a judgment about someone else. 

Consider face masks. What do you think when you see someone you know wearing one? What do you think when you see someone you know not wearing one? 

On Sunday, Pastor Shu guided us through four reasons we tend to judge others unfairly:

We judge others unfairly when we forget what we don't know. Often, we make assumptions without knowing all of the context. We don't know the heart, intent, or circumstances -- but, based on the information we do have, we jump to conclusions. We decide that we're right and more enlightened that the other person. We become arrogant and lacking humility. This is a scary and dangerous place to be. It is a place where we consider ourselves gods above others.

We judge others unfairly when we ignore our own shortcomings.  Jesus points this out in verse 3, "why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?".  It is far easier to point out faults in others while forgetting our own. 

Jesus tells us to put away the magnifying glass and pick up a mirror. Our mirror is God's Word. It shows us where we are in our journey to become more like Christ. It teaches us, instructs us, and corrects us. It helps us deal with our own sin struggles so THEN -- only after -- God can use us to help others.

We judge others unfairly when we fail to discern properly. Actually, in verse 6, Jesus hints that maybe we're failing to discern at all: "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs." 

Once you deal with your own sin, God gives you the ability to approach people in a different way. But, on the back end of this, don't stop judging people completely! Don't stop discerning.

To put what Jesus is saying bluntly, there are some activities, discussions, and people that are not worth your time. Don't waste your time wading into these situations as judges. We must be a people that balance humility and discernment.

We judge others unfairly because we lose sight of the Gospel.  The Gospel reminds us of the measurement God uses to judge us: even though we are certainly guilty and dead in our trespasses, God sent Jesus to take our verdict and pay the penalty for our sin. Because of Jesus, our Holy Judge declares us "not guilty!" for all eternity. Through Him, we are declared righteous before God!!

When we remember the Gospel and what God has done for us, we are transformed! God gives us the ability to be more patient with others. 

Colossians 3:12-17 says it better than we ever could,

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Watch this sermon, here.

Jesus is Much More Better

15 May, 2024
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Sermon text: Romans 5:12-21 Adam ruined it for everyone —sin came into the world through Adam —death came into the world through sin —death spread to all men because all sinned “God has always dealt with mankind through a head and representative. The whole story of the human race can be summed up in terms of what has happened because of Adam, and what has happened and will yet happen because of Christ.” —Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Jesus is the true and better Adam “Cranfield explains, ‘That one single misdeed should be answered by judgment, this is perfectly understandable: that the accumulated sins and guilt of all the ages should be answered by God’s free gift, this is the miracle of miracles, utterly beyond human comprehension.’ The final word from God could have been “Condemned, on the basis of many trespasses.” Instead, it is “Justified, through the gift of Jesus’ righteousness.” That is why Paul declares that the gift is “much more” or “much better” than the result of Adam’s trespass.” —Daniel M. Doriani, Romans Through Jesus grace abounds and grace reigns Discipleship Questions: What are some reasons we might not like the idea that we all sinned when Adam sinned? What can help us embrace the idea that we all sinned when Adam sinned? How does that idea set us up for the good news about Jesus and what He accomplished? How does the truth from this passage build our assurance of our salvation? In what ways is what Jesus did much more powerful and better than what Adam brought us? How have you experienced the reign of grace in your life despite the reign of sin and death in the world? How can we experience the reign of grace through Jesus in everyday life?

No Fear of Judgment

08 May, 2024
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Sermon text: Romans 5:6-11 God has already done the work needed to save us He took the initiative “God has addressed the cause of the offense… Although he is the offended party, God has removed the offense. God has extended “the olive branch.” -Jay Smith He justified us He reconciled us Reconciliation is an objective event that God accomplished by removing the barrier of sin that separated himself from humanity. This result is independent of humanity’s response although it formed the basis for an individual’s subjective appropriation.” Jay Smith Appropriate: “To set apart for or assign to a particular recipient.” Christians need not fear judgment day 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Discipleship Questions: How does it change your outlook on life to know that you have peace with God? In what ways have you experienced the greatness of access to God’s grace? How does future certainty bring us lasting hope? Describe a time when you experienced joy in the midst of suffering. How has God used suffering to grow your faith and mature you? What are some ways you have experienced God’s love being poured into your heart?

The Joy of Justification

29 Apr, 2024
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Sermon text: Romans 5:1-5 We find joy in the blessings brought by justification —peace with God —access to God’s grace Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —hope of the glory of God “Christian hope is not uncertain, like our ordinary everyday hopes about the weather or our health; it is a joyful and confident expectation which rests on the promises of God, as we saw in the case of Abraham. And the object of our hope is the glory of God (2), namely his radiant splendor which will in the end be fully displayed. —John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans We can even find joy in our sufferings “Various kinds of sufferings will come to us, but we can rejoice in them when we recognize that they serve a purpose: to develop our Christian character. In verses 3b–4 Paul shows how a godly response to suffering can initiate a series of virtues, culminating, strikingly, in hope. Note, however, that Paul is not saying that we should rejoice because of suffering. Evil things are still just that—evil—and we never should be happy about them. But by looking beyond the suffering to its divinely intended end, we still can rejoice in the midst of them.” —Douglas J. Moo, Encountering the Book of Romans —suffering produces endurance “ We know this, especially from the experience of God’s people in every generation. Suffering produces perseverance ( hypomonē , endurance). We could not learn endurance without suffering, because without suffering there would be nothing to endure.” —John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans —endurance builds character —character gives us confident hope Discipleship Questions: How does it change your outlook on life to know that you have peace with God? In what ways have you experienced the greatness of access to God’s grace? How does future certainty bring us lasting hope? Describe a time when you experienced joy in the midst of suffering. How has God used suffering to grow your faith and mature you? What are some ways you have experienced God’s love being poured into your heart?
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