Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Example of Denise Kinney
• Often we point the finger
• Often we judge incorrectly
• We are so quick to condemn
• We see others as prideful
• We forget what is in our hearts
• Jesus is the only one who can pronounce judgment
• He is the only one without sin
• He did not have a censorious spirit
• He came into the world to save
• Yes he exposed sin and pronounced sin, but grace was always on His lips
• Jesus warns against a censorious spirit
• The tendency of the human heart is to have a critical spirit
• Jesus says judge not and condemn not
• Overview:
• Jesus forbids a censorious spirit v37-42
• Jesus commands a generous spirit
• Jesus warns about spiritual blindness v39-42

Jesus forbids a censorious spirit (v37-42)

• Judge not ...
• Does not mean you cannot have convictions
• Not alternate truths
• Scripture is absolute
• We must be clear about what is right and wrong
• Jesus exposed hypocrisy
• Judgementalism - running down, nitpicking
• Not judgmentalism - warning in love
• Do not stand in judgment over others
• As though you were living the good life, that you are better, that you are not exposed to their sins
• The pharisees did this
• Do not judge on appearance and without facts
  • Personal example
• Do not spread gossip
• Example
• Quote from Proverbs
• Investigate matters where appropriate
• Judgementalism causes a lot of sadness
• James 4:11-12
• Are we taken up with secondary matters?
• It can occur in churches
• It occurred in several New Testament churches
• Rom 14:1-5,10,13 – explanation
• In secondary matters: let there by tolerance, love and understanding
• Judge not, lest you be judged
• Almost a principle of reaping and sowing
  • Explanation
• v37 - not speaking about eternal judgment
• The Bible says salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ
• There is no condemnation for "those who are in Christ Jesus"
• A censorious spirit
• Is a sure sign that such people are not in Christ
• Do we live in this habitual way?
• James 2:13
• Are you unmerciful?

Jesus commands a generous spirit (v37-38)

• Forgive and give
• These are promises
• God is a kind and generous God
• He will supply our every need
• The image of a grain merchant
• He gives over abundantly
• Follow in Jesus' footsteps
• If we realise how sinful we are and forgive others - God will forgive us

Jesus warns about spiritual blindness (v39-42)

• Jesus gives parabolic words – v39-42
• Picture language
• Example
• We should practice self examination
• God wants us to judge our own hearts
• The Bible is a mirror and shows us our hearts
• Example of David and Bathsheba
• Watch who you are following and who you are listening to
• The disciples had to be trained by Jesus
• The purpose of Church is that we would become like Jesus

Closing Remarks