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Relating KingdomlyKingdom Living Series
Fettes Park Baptist Church22nd June 2014
Alvin Chew
Matthew 7:1-12
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
1. Judging others (7:1-5)
2. Giving sacred things to dogs and pearls to pigs (7:6)
3. Ask and it will be given, seek and you shall find, knock
and the door will be opened (7:7-11)
4. 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
1. Murder (Mt 5:25-26)
2. Adultery (Mt 5:27-30)
3. Judging others (Mt 7:1-5)
4. Pushing our “Pearls” to others (Mt 7:6)
SmallSins?
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?
• 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.
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)
A Judgmental Spirit is Dangerous and Damaging to Self and Others 1. May lead to hate, anger and contempt.
2. May cause serious soul injury to others.
3. 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
• A lesson of Timeliness & Gentleness
Be wise like as Serpent and innocent as the Dove
(Matt 10:16)
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.
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.