Relating Kingdomly Kingdom Living Series Matthew 7:1-12 Fettes Park Baptist Church 22nd June 2014 Alvin Chew

Matthew 7:1-6 ““Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 7:7-12 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 SO in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Content Judging others (7:1-5) Giving sacred things to dogs and pearls to pigs (7:6) Ask and it will be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened (7:7-11) So, do unto others what you would like others do unto you – aka “The Golden Rule” (7:12)

God’s Dream To create a kingdom people that reflect His glory. (Gen 12:1-3) To build a Community of Love (John 13:34-35).

2 Things to Beware of A Judgmental or critical spirit An aggressive and forceful behavior

The Progression in the STM Murder (Mt 5:25-26) Adultery (Mt 5:27-30) Judging others (Mt 7:1-5) Pushing our “Pearls” to others (Mt 7:6) Small Sins?

Do not judge, or you too will be judged (V1) The Greek word for Judge is “Krino” It means to “make distinction between” “Krino” is a general term – can apply in many ways It is not asking us to surrender our practice of distinguishing and discerning.

What kind of Judgment is it? For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Verse 2) The kind that has a “Boomerang” effect. Referring to a Judgmental spirit or attitude. A judgmental spirit often manifests itself in criticizing and blaming others.

A Judgmental Spirit is Dangerous and Damaging to Self and Others May lead to hate, anger and contempt. May cause serious soul injury to others. The element of self-righteousness might be present when we judge others.

About Criticizing and Blaming Prevailing in our fallen nature. A Potent weapon. Counter-productive. It does more harm than good.

Scripture never taught us to be critical and to blame others Plenty of Scriptures that teach us to do otherwise. Love one another (John 15:12) Be kind and compassionate to one another (Eph 4:32) Encourage and build up one another (1 Thes 5:11) Bear with each other and forgive one another (Col 3:13) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love (Rom 12:10)

A Plea to FPBC Put away our judgmental attitude, if we do that we will go a long way in our relationship with others.

Can’t we correct someone when they do something wrong? Jesus overturned the tables of those who buy and sell in His Father’s house .. (Matthew 21:12).

Yes there is a place for correction, but… Biblical practices must be followed (Matt 18:15-17) The spirit of doing it must be right – correction must be restorative and not with the attitude to “straightened up” the person. Must do it with gentleness, love and prayerfulness. Best to be carried out by a spiritually mature person.

Word of Caution Not everyone can take correction positively. It takes a person of a high level of spiritual maturity to receive correction (Psalm 141:5).

A Word of Wisdom from our Lord Be wise like as Serpent and innocent as the Dove (Matt 10:16) A lesson of Timeliness & Gentleness

Matt 7:3-5 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye

We have to be faultless before we can correct others? Not likely.. Jesus is likely referring to the “plank” as our judgmental attitude. Not even aware that its bad A tongue has no bones but its powerful enough to break a heart. We use the weapon most against people don’t like that we have most opportunity to be around with.

What is it saying? To put away our “judgmental” attitude if we seek to relate to other people kingdomly.

Matt 7:6 ““Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces”. (NIV)

Matt 7:6 ““Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Do not throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you”. (NLT)

Interpretation from the NLT Do not waste what is holy (The Law) on people who are unholy (Unbelievers).

Two issues with this interpretation It is unthinkable that Jesus would call people who reject the law as dogs and pigs. This interpretation does not fit into the context of verses 1-12 of chapter 7.

Most likely interpretation Jesus was not launching stinging attacks on people who reject the law as dogs and pigs, but rather pointing out a flaw with the Pusher. This illustration of dogs and pigs is made to expose the foolishness of the “Pearl Pusher”.

What’s the issue here? The issue is “Pushiness”. Sacred things  The Law or gospel Pearls  Wonderful ideas, philosophies of ministry, secret recipes, etc. The problem is the forcing of these onto others..

The Point is.. Its not the kingdom way to force anything on anybody.. We might invite a negative reaction that can be damaging. A story about a King who had won a war and conquered a Land…

The kingdom way to relate Ask, Seek and Knock… with men and with God.

Conclusion 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Ephesians 4:29-32 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.