There was a small town that had been “dry.” A local businessman decided to build a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. It was not long afterwards that lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner of the bar sued the church, claiming that the prayers of the congregation were responsible. The church hired a lawyer to argue in court that they were not responsible. The presiding judge, after his initial review of the case, stated that “no matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not.” (J. K. Johnston)
Introduction
Continue- walk through SOTM- Mtt 7.
In SOTM, Jesus is addressing- not just individuals, but the church as a community of believers.
He is concerned not only w/how we relate to Him, but how we relate to one another/the world around us.
V7:1-5 (read)- V7:1-2
How do we respond to- believer not living- godly life-
first response- often criticism- quick judgments
allow a little flaw- color the entirety of their life
What does it mean not to judge another person?
Are we to ignore the sins of other Christians?
Are we no longer- discern between truth/error?
We are called to be discerning, yet not judgmental.
To be judgmental is to …
look for faults in others
assume the worse of their motives
believe we have the authority to sit in judgment over another person.
Rom 14:4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. NASU
We so quickly see the faults in other Christians but fail to realize that God wants them to succeed.
1 Cor 4:4-5
4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.
5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. NASU
The point that Paul is making is that man is not God.
Not only are we not to judge, but we ourselves are among those who will be judged by God.
Jesus is not instructing us to ignore sin.
He is however challenging us to be generous in our attitude towards others.
To renounce any tendency to play God in others lives.
Once we judge others we set ourselves up as spiritually superior to them.
Rom 14:10-13
Each of us must give an account to God for our own actions/attitudes- therefore be careful how- judge.
The spiritual function of discernment can quickly become a vehicle for criticism.
The one true judge of man is the HS.
The HS may allow us to see what is wrong in another person- purpose is for intercession, not criticism.
1 Jn 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death … NASU
V7:3-5
Jesus is encouraging us- if we are going to be critical, apply it to yourself first.
Rom 2:1-3
We are not fit to judge others because we are both …
fallible human beings (we are not God),
fallen human beings (a sinner among sinners).
It is difficult for us to objectively judge others.
We tend to exaggerate the faults of others and minimize the seriousness of our own faults.
Lk 18:9-14
It is important to apply as strict a standard to ourselves as we do to others.
1 Cor 11:31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. NASU
Danger in calling suspicion, spiritual discernment.
Often we are guilty of what we see in another.
When we judge another in an area where we are guilty ourselves, we bring judgment upon ourselves.
Mt 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. NASU
We cannot earn mercy by being merciful, but we can exclude ourselves from receiving mercy if we
do not repent of our critical spirit.
The fact that we are not to judge others, does not relieve us of responsibility towards our brothers.
Jesus taught his disciples how to help one another engaged in sinful activity.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Jesus is not saying- do not use discernment, but- do not judge others without first correcting ourselves.
V7:6
Jews called Gentiles, dogs.
The reference is to unbelievers who have a natural life but do not have a spiritual life.
It might refer to those who have heard the Gospel but- repeatedly/defiantly rejected it.
There are some truths- God makes simple to all men.
i.e. truths about salvation/sanctification.
The understanding of other truths depends on having a spiritual relationship w/God, being born-again.
Our testimony to the world should be concerning Jesus Christ and His message of hope- salvation.
Beyond that our testimonies should be for believers who can spiritually understand/discern.
Biblical truths- not to be thrown- before unbelievers indiscriminately, but thoughtfully/prayerfully.
We can feed squirrels, ducks, but do not feed- bears.
If bears are not satisfied, they will often turn on you.
V7:7-8
Jesus is again talking to us about prayer.
In these verses Jesus makes some strong promises.
Here God promises to answer our prayers.
We allow- problems of life- override promises of God
I would suggest that His promises are couched in the context of three commands … Ask, Seek, Knock.
The grammar used in this verse is not just Ask, but keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking
These verses imply persistence/perseverance in our seeking of God- our communicating w/God.
Too often we have bought into the philosophies of this age and its over-confidence in human wisdom.
This tends to reduce our living spiritually, to naturally
It can undermine our life and confidence in God.
Mt 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. NASU
This is someone who recognizes their spiritual bankruptcy and need for God.
V7:9-11
Parents, being fallen people, are selfish by nature- here Jesus calls them evil (compared to God).
The essence of this parable is the contrast between the goodness of men and the goodness of God.
If human parents know how to give good gifts to their children, by comparison, how much more God.
Some dilemmas concerning prayer …
1. Prayer seems inappropriate
Prayer implies God needs either to be …
told what we lack or
convinced He should answer our prayer.
God’s answering prayer depends on our asking …
not because He does not know our need or
because He is reluctant and needs persuasion.
When we pray we are not trying to persuade God as much as we are trying to bring ourselves into full
alignment w/God’s will/fully submitted to Him.
1Jn 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. NASU
God wants to bless us, but He is more interested in bringing our heart/mind into alignment w/Him.
2. Prayer is unnecessary
Many people seem to get through life without prayer.
In fact, they seem to get the very same things w/o prayer that I get w/prayer.
Must distinguish between the gifts that …
God gives to all men as our Creator and
He gives His children, those who know Him
As Creator, God gives to all men- life, food, water, children, whether they pray or not.
Mt 5:45 … for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. NASU
None of these gifts depend on whether people acknowledge God as Creator or not.
However the gifts that God gives as our Savior/Father, are not poured out on those who do not know Him.
These gifts are not material, but gifts of the Spirit …
salvation, forgiveness, deliverance from evil,
peace, a life lived in faith, work of HS.
3. Prayer is unproductive
People argue that prayer is unnecessary because
God gives to those who do not pray- likewise-
… they say it is not productive because
God does not give to many who do pray.
Dealing here w/problem of unanswered prayer.
The promises that we see here are not unconditional.
They are not absolute with no strings attached.
If they were, prayer would become magic and we would become like Aladdin and his genie.
Every time we rub our prayer lamp, God pops out and answers our every request however
selfish or harmful to ourselves or others.
God is good and gives only good gifts to His children.
Jas 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or 1shifting shadow. NASU
He is also wise and knows which gifts are good for us and which will bring more harm than good.
If we ask for things that are good for us, God answers our prayers.
If we ask for things which are not good- either …
because- not good in and of themselves or
they are not good because of how they would affect us … He denies them.
It is good that God answers prayers!
It is also good that God does not answer all prayers.
V7:12
Many religions contain the negative to this principle.
Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.
That is much different from what Jesus says.
The negative says …
If you do not like to be robbed, do not rob others.
If you do not like to be cursed to not cures others.
Jesus says …
If you enjoy being loved, love others.
If you like to receive things, give to others.
Man is very selfish and concerned about himself.
Here Jesus uses this natural tendency to cause us to be concerned for others, and not just ourselves.
Conclusion
The Christian life- not just an individual value system or an individual life-style.
It is also a community matter- it involves relationships
Two areas of consciousness that should drive us as Christians is …
1st -our relationship with God and
2nd -our relationship w/brothers/sisters in Christ
Beyond these- also called to consider our testimony before the world.
God wants to teach us how to live a life in such a way as to care for and love others- especially …
our brothers and sisters in Christ.
