January 27, 2013
Morning Service

Matthew 7: 1-11

 

As we work our way through the Sermon on the Mount, we must realize that Jesus is inviting us to have a closer relationship with Him. We saw how He promised to reward us if we would do our charitable deeds, pray and fast with the attitudes He prescribed for us.  He warned us be careful where we seek our treasures, because they are tied to our heart.

 

Mat 6:19-21 Do not lay up treasures on earth for yourselves, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.  (20)  But lay up treasures in Heaven for yourselves, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.  (21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

In verses 25-32 Jesus instructs us not to worry about our life, but trust God who knows what we have need of and will provide it.  He gave us the key to a worry free life in verse 33.

 

Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.

·         This is God’s desire for us.  He wants us to put Him first in every aspect of our life and when we do He promises to take care of the rest.  By practicing our faith, we deepen our relationship with Him.

 

Mat 7:1-2 Judge not, that you may not be judged.  (2)  For with whatever judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you again.

Judge- To form an opinion; to bring to issue the reasoning or deliberations of the mind.

·         We are told not to create an opinion on someone’s reasoning or motivations for their actions.  In essence, finding the faults in others and looking upon them with condemnation.

·         Jesus is the only judge who truly knows man’s motives.

 2Ti 4:1 Therefore I solemnly witness before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead according to His appearance and His kingdom,

John 5:30 I can do nothing of My own self. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me.

·         It is not in a Christian’s job description to judge another person in critical fashion according to their motives, appearance, actions, or words.  Notice that whatever level we use to judge others that is the level with which we shall be judged.  He now gives us a great example of this.

 

Mat 7:3-5 And why do you look on the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?  (4)  Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull the splinter out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?  (5)  Hypocrite! First cast the beam out of your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to cast the splinter out of your brother's eye.

·         The picture He paints for us here is exaggerated, but certainly gives us the point He wants to make very clear.

·         We, who are imperfect ourselves, cannot correctly judge others.  We are responsible for our own actions and will answer for them, not our brothers’. It is a natural reaction for us to compare ourselves to them, but Jesus here calls us to look first at ourselves.  Only then can we see clearly to help others.

·         Any ministry we have must be an overflow from our personal relationship with our Savior.  Our first priority in our walk with God has to be keeping ourselves on task. (Example of air masks)

·         This is also a great example of how to start a revival.  We are to focus on correcting our own shortcomings first, and then we can help our brother overcome his with a greater compassion.

“ Start a fire inside my soul one I can’t contain one I can’t control, I want more of You God I want more of You God.”

·         By surrendering our lives to Christ first, He then works through us to change the world.

 

 

 

 

Mat 7:6 Do not give that which is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and tear you.

Discern- To see or understand the difference; to make distinction; as, to discern between good and evil, truth and falsehood.

·         Jesus tells us to discern those who are unreceptive, and even offer contempt for the Christian message; we have no obligation to continue to share the gospel with them.

·         It is more of an act of discernment that we practice here not judgment.  Prayer here is our best option.

 

Mat 7:7-8 Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.  (8)  For each one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.

·         He again stresses the need for prayer in our lives.  Ask and you will receive.  Seek and you shall find.  Knock and it will be opened to you.  These are all verbs that denote action.  Prayer is to be an active communication with our Creator. 

 

Eph 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

·         Paul here tells us that our prayer life is to be a pursuit of God faithfully and humbly lifting our requests and the needs of others before Him in the Spirit. 

·         This is however, not an open invitation to receive all we want.

 

1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

·         Our prayer life is a yielding of our will to His.  “Seek first the kingdom of God.”  Our goal in prayer is to be faithful to ask, seek, and knock the rest is in God’s omnipotent hands.

·         Remember Jesus’ request in the Garden and what followed it.

 

 Mat 26:39  And He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.

·         That is seeking first the kingdom of God.  We trust Him enough to accept “No” as an answer to our prayers.  We do not let this shake our confidence in Him, because He can do ALL things.  It becomes a faith issue.  Do I trust God to give me what is best for me?

 

Mat 7:9-11 Or what man is there of you, if his son asks a loaf, will he give him a stone?  (10)  Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a snake?  (11)  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him?

·         Jesus also exposes us to wonderful character trait God possesses.  He knows what is best for us and that is what He will give us. 

·         He gives us the example of a parent wanting what is best for their children.  Is what they want always what is best?  They would stay up all night and eat nothing but candy.

·         We, as parents, also struggle to guide our children in the right direction.  Sometime it is hard to discern what is truly best for them and we often wonder if we have done the right things.

·         God does not suffer from that indecision or doubt.  HE KNOWS what is best.  He always does what is best for us.  This is a principle we need to live out before our children and all those around us.

·         Example of Paul and his thorn in the flesh.  (2 Cor. 12:7)  It helped keep Paul from thinking of himself too highly and kept his reliance on his Savoir.

 

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

 

Jesus informs us that He is the Judge and we are not to do His job.  We certainly have our hands full with ourselves.  He wants us to ask, seek, and knock but most of all trust. 

 

Father may I keep my focus upon You and cultivate our relationship.  May my trust in You grow daily.