Scripture: Matthew 7:1-12

I. Life in the kingdom of God is not judgmental.

A. Matthew 7:1 is perhaps the most well-known Bible verse in America today: “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Does Jesus mean that we should never confront someone doing wrong? No. Proverbs 27:6: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” And Jesus made a judgment that certain people were acting like dogs in pigs in Matthew 7:6. We are not, however, to have a critical and judgmental spirit. We are not to be like the Pharisees.

B. Do you want God to judge you in the same way that you have harshly judged someone else (vs. 2)? That would be disastrous! And judgmental people are hypocrites (vs. 5). Often, such hypocrites have a critical spirit. They criticize others without seeing anything in themselves to criticize. They are trying to direct the attention of others away from their own major flaws and onto the minor flaws of others. The log in their eye (vs. 3) has made them blind to their own sin.

II. But life in the kingdom of God is discriminating.

A. Jesus teaches us to be discriminating in vs. 6: “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” These dogs were savage, they were vicious, and they were disgusting to the Jews. They ate the decaying flesh of dead animals. And pigs would not appreciate the value of pearls just like wild dogs would not appreciate the value of animals sacrificed in the temple.

B. The dogs and pigs are unrepentant in their sin and adamantly reject the Gospel. They just don’t see the value of Jesus or the Gospel that He has brought to earth. Instead, they hold Jesus in contempt. Don’t be nasty and vindictive toward such people. Jesus says be discriminating. You cannot force the Gospel on anyone. God must change their hearts. People must want to receive the gift. Go then to people who are willing to listen to the Gospel.

III. Life in the kingdom of God requires trusting persistence.

A. Life is hard. (vs. 12). But Jesus promises to answer our prayers if we persist in asking, seeking and knocking (vs. 7). He answers prayers that seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). He answers prayers that are a burning pursuit of God. You can trust that God will answer your prayers because He is a good Father (vs. 11). He is merciful even to the evil (vs. 11). And He loves you enough to give you the power to live according to the standards of His kingdom: “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (vs. 12).

Application:
Seek God’s righteousness but don’t be self-righteous.

Sources:
The Bible
Commentaries by D.A. Carson, Charles Quarles, and J.C. Ryle

Sermon Discussion Questions

1) What is the difference between making a judgment and being judgmental? What are some good reasons for Christians not to be judgmental?
2) Who should we be careful about sharing holy things and holy conversations with? How can we discern when we should move on to another person who needs the Gospel?
3) What should be our attitude in prayer as we live in God’s kingdom? What is a simple summary of the Law and the Prophets?