2. Matthew 7:1-6 " Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, " Let me remove the speck from your eye '; and look, a plank is in your own eye?

3. Matthew 7:1-6 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. " Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

5. Judge not.. " Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

6. Judge not.. 1.“A text out of context is a pretext to religious error”. We know we have heard this verse used to say we should not judge anyone for any reason. Does the text support this idea? NO! 2. If verse one does not tell us not to judge then what is the text teaching us? a. Consider the context

7. Judge not.. 2. If verse one does not tell us not to judge then what is the text teaching us? a. Consider the context For with what judgment you judge… Matthew 7:2a

8. Judge not.. 2. If verse one does not tell us not to judge then what is the text teaching us? a. Consider the context (Matthew 7:2a) What is being considered? The judgment with which we judge others is compared. b. How we judge others is how we too will be judged.

9. Judge not.. 2. If verse one does not tell us not to judge then what is the text teaching us? b. How we judge others is how we too will be judged. ….and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Matthew 7:2b

10. Judge not.. 2. If verse one does not tell us not to judge then what is the text teaching us? b. How we judge others is how we too will be judged (Matthew 7:2b) So are we told not to judge? No

11. Judge not.. 2. If verse one does not tell us not to judge then what is the text teaching us? So are we told not to judge? No And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, " Let me remove the speck from your eye '; and look, a plank is in your own eye? – Matthew 7:3-4

12. Judge not.. 2. If verse one does not tell us not to judge then what is the text teaching us? So are we told not to judge? No (Matthew 7:3-4) We are commanded not to judge in a hypocritical way.

13. The TOO COMMON judgments And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, " Let me remove the speck from your eye '; and look, a plank is in your own eye? – Matthew 7:3-4

14. The TOO COMMON judgments Consider…. Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.“ (John 7:24) Also consider Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly. (John 7:24 NLT)

15. The TOO COMMON judgments Consider…. Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.“ (John 7:24) Also consider Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly. (John 7:24 NLT)

16. The TOO COMMON judgments John 7:24 A person cannot help others fairly or righteously when you are overburdened with your own flaws (sin).

17. The CURE for the COMMON judgment 1. What does Christ say is the cure for the COMMON (unrighteous) judgment? Repentance of one’s own sins. Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:5)

18. The CURE for the COMMON judgment 2. Some judgment is demanded; sometimes you may encounter dogs or swine; when these people are identified it is then wise to direct your attention elsewhere to avoid becoming entangled in a harmful debate. " Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. (Matthew 7:6)

19. Asking, seeking and knocking " Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

20. Asking, seeking and knocking 1. The words “asking, seeking & knocking” are commands that show persistent action “keep on asking; seeking; and knocking”. Real faith does not grow weak because a prayer is not answered immediately. 2. Here Jesus goes from the lesser to the greater- meaning if we, being inferior to God, treat our own children kindly, surely the Father will not neglect His family.

21. Asking, seeking and knocking Or 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? 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! Matthew 7:9-11

22. Golden Rule Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

23. Golden Rule 1.This verse is used as the closing statement in this section of Christ’s lesson. Christ’s lesson. 2. The way we desire others to treat us should be what drives us in how we treat others. in how we treat others. a. If we want to be treated kindly, we must treat others kindly.

24. Golden Rule A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

25. What about you? 1.Are you judging with righteous judgment? 2.Are you continuing to seek God? 3.Are you following the Golden Rule that Christ teaches?