Judging Others

Published: Sept. 26, 2022, 10:37 p.m.

Judging Others: Christians are often perceived as being judgemental - sometimes with good reason. But how are we to apply the teachings of Jesus' way while being both loving and honest? First, you must work on your own struggles before trying to help others, as this provides clarity and compassion and also helps to build community with your church family. Recorded on Sept 25, 2022, on Matthew 7:1-6, by Pastor David Parks. This message is part of our sermon series “The Unexpected Way,” from the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7 in the Bible. The way of Jesus is totally unique; it’s different from every other way of life, philosophy, or religion. Why? Because the teaching of Jesus — emphasizing holiness, humility, justice, faith, and sacrificial love — leads to a whole new gospel-centered ethic. This ancient ethic, if actually practiced, has the power to bring abundant love and joy, and peace to anyone, anywhere today. This is the way. Sermon Transcript   All year, we’re focusing on Learning the way of Jesus, which means that all year, we’ll basically be answering the question, “If the gospel is true, how then should we live?” And we’ve been working through a very famous teaching of Jesus known as the Sermon on the Mount in a sermon series called, The Unexpected Way. The Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew chapters 5-7 and today we’re starting chapter 7. For the last two weeks, we considered Jesus’ teaching on money, wealth, and possessions. He dealt with both the disordered love of money that is so tempting for us, but also the fears, anxiety, and worries that our money and our possessions tend to produce. If you missed any of the messages in this series, you can always go back and watch on the church app or on YouTube or listen to the audio podcast. Today, Jesus turns from dealing with worry to focus on the problem of being harshly critical or judgmental of others. Right or wrong, Christians often get the reputation of being judgmental or of having a holier-than-thou type of attitude. Have you ever experienced this? Or have you ever been accused of this? For being judgmental of a friend or family member or someone? I have. At the last wedding I officiated, I didn’t know most of the people at the reception other than the bride and groom. So, of course, at dinner, I was seated with people I didn’t know. With my level of extroversion, this isn’t usually a problem. I actually love those situations. But when the lady who was seated next to me saw that it was me, the pastor, who’d be sitting at their table and, in fact, sitting next to her, she literally said, “Oh no!” I said with a smile, “Oh no? What do you think I’m going to do to you?” And she said something like, “Well, now we need to be on our best behavior.” I laughed and said I’d try not to make things too weird or painful for the table, and we had a great evening. But what was she afraid of? I think she was afraid I would be judgmental of them. Or maybe that I’d look down my nose at them or make them feel guilty or something. Now that wasn’t fair, but as I said, right or wrong, Christians don’t have the best reputation with judgment. So what are we supposed to do? Should followers of Jesus never pass judgment on someone regardless of what decisions they make or what they do? Or is there a way to judge others without making them feel unloved or hopelessly condemned? There is much wisdom in our short passage today. If you have a Bible/app, please open to Mt 7:1.  Matthew 7:1-6 (NIV), “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,