The Barn Christian Fellowship

1. Judging

Matthew 7:1-5

1.1 This judging is not to estimate a man's value but to condemn his person.

• 1.1.1 The believer himself MUST judge or evaluate but NEVER condemn.
• 1.1.2 So the judgement must never be hypocritical (where the "judge" is himself committing the same offence) or self-righteously (where the "judge" is looking down on the offender, IE judging from a position of strength).

 James 4:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:21

• 1.1.3 A believer should test all things or evaluate, then he can discern and not violate Scripture.

 1.2 What then is the believer to judge?

• 1.2.1 The sexually immoral:1 Corinthians 5:9  
• 1.2.2 Those who masquerade as angels of light:2 Corinthians 11:14
• 1.2.3 False prophets:1 John 4:1

1.3 The way the church dealt with Paul is an example of correct judging. As a Jew, who was persecuting the church, they treated him as such and then were weary of him when he got saved until he had born fruit.

Matthew 7:3-5

1.4 Sometimes believers want to do all the judging (evaluating) without themselves being judged (evaluated).

• 1.4.1 Leadership must be open to correction! Proverbs 27:17

1.5 Another application of Matthew 7 is to first "qualify" to judge.

• 1.5.1 This means that I have no authority to judge your situation unless I have first travelled on your road!!

2. Throwing Pearls to Pigs

Matthew 7:6

2.1 The word dog is used figuratively of several things in the Bible, two of which are unbelievers and backsliders. The word "pig" generally refers to backsliders.

Mark 7:24-30

2 Peter 2:20-22

2.2 So Jesus says that we must be careful what we share with whom - this is in reality a form of judging, or evaluating.

2.3 Sharing should be based on the spiritual capacity of the listener.

• 2.3.1 An unbeliever will not understand the deep truths of the Word.
• 2.3.2 A young believer will not understand certain aspects of a mature believers relationship - EG hours in prayer.
• 2.3.3 A carnal believer will not understand things pertaining to discipleship, 100% commitment.
• 2.3.4 A jealous believer will not appreciate the things God shows and reveals to other believers.

2.4 When you're studying God's Word and God reveals something to you, there is a tendency to get so excited that you run out the door, grab the first person you find and share your revelation. Many times this is dangerous for both believers and unbelievers.

2.5 Some people in leadership treat too many people as if they are "pigs" and "dogs". In other words they impart so little information to those around them they their followers have no idea what is happening. There must be a balance between imparting all the information and revealing none at all.

3. Ask, Seek, Knock

Matthew 7:7-11

3.1 There is an indication here of really persevering in order to receive. As Bruce Winston says: "Ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking."

3.2 Look at the way in which Jesus says a natural father will operate: Will a natural father trick his son by giving him a stone when he asks for bread? (Bread was baked in such a way that it resembled a flat, hard, stone.) Or will a natural father be so evil as to give his son a serpent that can cause him harm when he asks for food?

3.3 Asking must be based on the Word of God and must be in faith.

James 1:5-8

4. The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12

4.1 One of the key verses in this passage! If believers thought about this before they acted or spoke, maybe there would be a radically different response to things in life.

• 4.1.1 We often want grace but don't give grace!

 James 2:1-9

 5. The Narrow Gate

 5.1 It seems as if the multitudes again show up here as the theme changes to a salvation message:

Matthew 7:13-14

5.2 Jesus is the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). This is a narrow way - not all roads lead to Rome!!

5.3 There are more opportunities presented by the world whereby one can go astray than opportunities for right living.

1 John 2:15-16

6. Wolves in Sheeps Clothing

Matthew 7:15-20

6.1 Notice that the wolves are in sheep's clothing, not shepherd's clothing. This is how they infiltrate the congregation, not through the pulpit.

6.2 The way they are recognized is by their fruit, not by their teaching!!! They have all the right words to say, but there is no fruit.

6.3 There is a difference between a bud, blossom and fruit. We sometimes look at blossoms and judge these as fruit. A lot can happen between the stages of a blossom and the bearing of good fruit! This is the reason why n most instances we cannot make an instant decision as fruit takes time to manifest - sometimes even years! This is why Paul says not to put someone considered a novice into a position of authority. People have to go through the stages of pollination, blossoming and then bearing fruit. What is also important is that during the process leadership provides the right tools for fruit - IE fertilizer, watering as well as digging around and also pruning.

Matthew 7:21-23

6.4 Contrast this passage where people call him Lord but have no heart change and the passage below:

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

I have Holy Spirit power.

The dye has been cast.

I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His.

I won't look back, let up, slow down or back away.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colourless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer and labour by power.

My face is set, my gait fast, my goal heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the energy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me.

And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me --- my banner will be clear."

Author unknown.

 

 

7. Conclusion - Building a House

Matthew 7:24-27

 

	HOUSE BUILT ON THE ROCK	HOUSE BUILT ON THE SAND
Sayings Of Jesus	Hears and does them	Hears and does not do them
Nature of Storm	Rain, Floods & Wind	Rain, Floods & Wind
Consequence of Storms	House did not fall	House fell
Description of Builder	Like a wise man	Like a foolish man

7.1 What is important in this illustration is:

• 7.1.1 The same storms come on both houses.
• 7.1.2 It requires diligent work to build a house on a rock.

 James 1:21-25

7.2 When a person is not a doer of the word, he quickly forgets the word and it has not benefited him, in the same way as an image is lost from our minds when we have only seen it for a moment.

7.3 Matthew ends the chapter with the statement that the people were astonished at the teaching of Jesus - His teaching was one of authority. Matthew 7:28-29

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