WEBVTT

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 We are in Matthew chapter 7, and we have been going through the Gospel of Matthew for about half a year.

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 And before I read this passage, let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

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! Heavenly Father, I tremble before your Word because this is such an important message.

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 But it is also such a difficult message.

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 Lord, speak through me. May the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth be pleasing in your sight.

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 And help my dear brothers and sisters here at the church to hear you speak in and through your Word.

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 And to receive it humbly.

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 Despite the faulty and fallen messenger, may your perfect, infallible Word do the work.

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 Accomplish your purposes.

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 And build this church up.

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 Our church up.

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 For your glory.

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 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Matthew chapter 7.

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 I'll just read the first six verses out loud.

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 If you are able, please stand as we honor God.

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 As we hear from Him as He speaks to us in His Word.

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 Judge not that you be not judged.

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 For with the judgment you pronounce, you will be judged.

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 And with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

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 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye,

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 but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

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 Or how can you say to your brother,

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 let me take the speck out of your eye,

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 when there is the log in your own eye?

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 You hypocrite.

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 First take the log out of your own eye,

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 and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

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 Do not give dogs what is holy,

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 and do not throw your pearls before pigs,

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 lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 Please be seated.

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 I titled my sermon to Judge or Not to Judge,

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 which may have piqued your curiosity.

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 After all, isn't judging a bad thing that we should never do?

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 Doesn't it say right here in verse 1,

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 Judge not?

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 Clearly, we should never judge, right?

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 This is a common misunderstanding of this passage.

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 And one of the reasons why Welsh pastor D. Martin Lloyd-Jones argued

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 that this passage held special significance for the people of his age.

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 And I think that's true even more for us in our age.

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 This is what he had to say in one of his sermons.

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 He says,

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 Different periods in the history of the church need different emphases.

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 And if I were asked what in particular is the need of today,

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 I should say that it is a consideration of this particular statement.

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 This is so because the whole atmosphere of life today,

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 and especially in religious circles,

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 is one that makes a correct interpretation of this statement quite vital.

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 We are living in an age when definitions are at a discount,

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 an age which dislikes thought and hates theology and doctrine and dogma.

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 It is an age which is characterized by a love of ease and compromise.

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 Anything for a quiet life, as the expression goes.

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 It is an age of appeasement.

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 It dislikes a man who knows what he believes and really believes it.

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 It dismisses him as a difficult person who is impossible to get on with.

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 We want to be open-minded and non-judgmental people, of course,

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 but only to a certain point.

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 Open-mindedness is a function of humility,

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 a posture of learning that acknowledges our ignorance.

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 However, when we have learned the truth,

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 then we should close our minds to the falsehoods that masquerade as truth.

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 That's the goal for which we opened our minds in the first place.

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 As 19th century English author G.K. Chesterton once put it,

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 the object of opening the mind,

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 as of opening the mouth,

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 is to shut it again on something solid.

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 We don't keep our mouths open all the time as we live, do we?

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 Right?

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 We open it only to put food in the mouth,

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 and then once we have food in the mouth, we shut it.

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 Right?

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 He's using that analogy to say, likewise,

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 that the point of opening the mind

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 is to take hold of something solid,

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 to take hold of something true.

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 And once we have done that, we should close it,

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 keep out the lies,

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 and hold on to the truth.

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 We don't want to become like the people that Paul condemns in 2 Timothy 3, 7,

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 always learning and never arriving at a knowledge of the truth.

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 Some people are so nonjudgmental that they stand up for nothing.

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 They don't disagree with or object to views that are contrary to Scripture.

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 And that kind of nonjudgmentalism fits the ethos of our postmodern age

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 that despises claims of exclusive absolute truth.

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 But Jesus' teaching in this passage is far more nuanced than that.

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 What we really need to be able to do

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 is to make true and right judgments

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 without being bigoted and judgmental.

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 What we really need to be able to do

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 is to be men and women of conviction and courage

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 as well as humility and mercy.

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 Is that possible?

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 Yes, according to Jesus it is.

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 And he teaches us in this passage

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 that only those who have humbled themselves

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 before the judgment of God

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 can judge others rightly.

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 I'm going to first talk about how not to judge

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 and then secondly I talk about why not to judge.

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 I'm going to kind of reverse this passage

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 talk about verses 3 to 6 first

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 and then talk about verses 1 to 2.

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 Because the idea of judging is so widely misunderstood

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 and reviled today

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 before I can explain what Jesus' command judge not means

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 I want to first explain what it doesn't mean.

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 It doesn't mean that we can never critique views

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 and beliefs or bring correction to people.

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 Jesus himself says in John 7 24

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 do not judge by appearances

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 but judge with right judgment.

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 It's the exact same word that he uses here.

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 He commands us to judge

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 but not by appearances

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 but judge with right judgment.

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 Shortly after this passage in Matthew 7 1 through 6

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 in Matthew 7 15 to 20

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 Jesus tells us

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 Beware of false prophets

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 who come to you in sheep's clothing

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 but inwardly are ravenous wolves

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 you will recognize them by their fruits.

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 How can we tell that these are false prophets

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 who deceive the world?

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 By judging their fruits.

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 The fruit of the ministry that they do.

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 The words that they speak.

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 Their teaching.

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 Because remember if you're with us

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 in our series through the book of Revelation

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 in Revelation 13 11

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 it describes the second beast

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 which is a symbol of representation

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 of all the false prophets

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 that have deceived the world

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 throughout the ages.

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 And it says

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 it describes the second beast this way

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 is that it looks like a lamb

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 but that it speaks like a dragon.

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 False prophets when they come

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 they never announce themselves as false prophets.

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 You know?

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 I mean it's not like the fairytale

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 what is the little red riding hood?

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 The wolf is dressed like a grandma

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 but it's like patently obvious

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 that he's a wolf.

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 That's not the case with false prophets.

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 They don't announce themselves.

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 They come in sheep's clothing.

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 And what do sheep appear like?

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 They appear honest, innocent, harmless.

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 They're often very nice

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 at least on the outside.

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 They know how to pass as Christians.

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 They know how to say the right words.

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 They know the culture and the jargon.

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 They know how to ingratiate themselves

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 into the community,

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 the Christian community.

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 However, we can tell

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 that they are ravenous wolves

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 by their words,

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 by what they teach.

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 So undoubtedly we must exercise

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 discernment and judgment.

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 Jesus is not forbidding

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 this kind of necessary

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 and healthy judgment.

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 The Bible is full of examples

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 of this kind of necessary judgment.

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 After speaking about various segments

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 of the church,

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 widows and the elders

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 and the masters and servants

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 should behave and be treated

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 in the church,

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 Paul says in 1 Timothy 6,

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 3-5,

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 if anyone teaches a different doctrine

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 and does not agree

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 with the sound words

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 of our Lord Jesus Christ

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 and the teaching

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 that accords with godliness,

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 he is puffed up with conceit

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 and understands nothing.

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 He has an unhealthy craving

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 for controversy

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 and for quarrels about words

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 which produce envy,

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 dissension, slander,

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 evil suspicions,

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 and constant friction

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 among people

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 who are depraved in mind

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 and deprived of the truth,

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 imagining that godliness

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 is a means of gain.

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 That sounds like

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 some hard-hitting judgment,

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 doesn't it?

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 But it's accurate judgment.

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 It's right judgment.

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 You can go down the list

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 and search through the scriptures

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 and find it all over the place.

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 2 Timothy 2, 17-19,

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 Titus 1, 13,

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 Titus 3, 10.

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 Even the apostle of love,

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 John himself,

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 he says in 2 John 9-11,

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 this is the apostle

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 most known and famous

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 and passed throughout the history

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 for being someone

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 who was supremely loving

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 He says in 2 John 9-11,

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 Everyone who goes on ahead

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 and does not abide

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 in the teaching of Christ

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 does not have God.

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 If anyone comes to you

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 and does not bring this teaching,

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 do not receive him

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 into your house

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 or give him any greeting.

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 For whoever greets him

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 takes part in his wicked works.

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 All that to say,

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 Jesus is not commanding us

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 to never judge

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 in this kind of necessary

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 and healthy sense.

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 What then does Jesus mean

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 when he says judge not?

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 I think there are three kinds

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 of judgments that are forbidden

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 and I'm going to call them

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 one, hypercritical judgment,

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 two, hubristic judgment,

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 and three, hypocritical judgment.

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 They're all related,

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 so remembering the categories

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 are not important

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 because those categories

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 are from me

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 and not from the Bible,

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 but hopefully it helps us

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 to classify them

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 and remember them.

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 Looking at the context

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 of verses three to five,

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 we can first discern

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 that Jesus is forbidding

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 a kind of hypercritical judgment

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 that harps on other people's specks,

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 the specks in our brothers

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 and sisters' eyes

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 and to pass judgment on them.

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 For example,

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 Romans 14 teaches us

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 that there are matters

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 over which sincere Christians

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 might disagree.

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 And it says in Romans 14,

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 verse four,

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 who are you to pass judgment

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 on the servant of another?

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 It is before his own master

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 that he stands or falls.

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 And then it continues,

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 why do you pass judgment

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 on your brother?

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 Or why do you despise your brother?

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 For we will all stand

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 before the judgment seat of God,

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 for it is written,

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 as I live, says the Lord,

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 every knee shall bow to me

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 and every tongue shall confess to God.

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 So then each of us

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 will give an account

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 of himself to God.

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 There are non-essential matters

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 over which true believers

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 might disagree.

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 And we should not pass judgment

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 on one another

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 regarding those issues.

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 In that passage in Romans 14,

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 Paul gives two specific examples

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 of what we call

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 matters of indifference

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 or adiaphora

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 that Christians can,

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 are permitted to disagree on.

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 He says in Romans 14, verse two,

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 one person believes

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 he may eat anything

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 while the weak person

00:12:59.420 --> 00:13:00.259
 eats only vegetables.

00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:02.759
 Again, he says in verse five,

00:13:02.920 --> 00:13:03.759
 one person esteems

00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:05.220
 one day as better than another

00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.440
 while another esteems

00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:07.340
 all day alike.

00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:09.180
 We call these matters

00:13:09.180 --> 00:13:09.820
 of indifference

00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:10.800
 because Paul says

00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:12.600
 in Romans 14, 17 explicitly,

00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:14.360
 for the kingdom of God

00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.600
 is not a matter

00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.920
 of eating and drinking,

00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:18.680
 but of righteousness and peace

00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:20.120
 and the joy in the Holy Spirit.

00:13:21.280 --> 00:13:22.720
 So these matters

00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:23.820
 of eating and drinking

00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:24.960
 are not matters

00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:26.120
 that pertain ultimately

00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:27.580
 to the kingdom of God.

00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:29.160
 And it's okay

00:13:29.160 --> 00:13:29.980
 if believers disagree

00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:30.720
 on these things.

00:13:31.640 --> 00:13:31.980
 However,

00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:32.840
 that doesn't mean

00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:34.360
 that he's not telling us

00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:35.920
 to have no opinions

00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:37.160
 about these things at all.

00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:38.360
 He's not telling us

00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:39.460
 to suspend judgment.

00:13:40.640 --> 00:13:41.259
 No, Paul says

00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.420
 in Romans 14, 5,

00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:44.060
 each one should be

00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:45.140
 fully convinced

00:13:45.140 --> 00:13:46.759
 in his own mind.

00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.320
 Right?

00:13:49.140 --> 00:13:50.000
 Not only that,

00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.000
 Paul clearly

00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.520
 has an opinion himself

00:13:52.520 --> 00:13:53.480
 when he writes

00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:54.180
 about these issues

00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:55.220
 because he says

00:13:55.220 --> 00:13:56.520
 in Romans 14, 14,

00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:58.279
 I know and am

00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:59.679
 persuaded in the Lord Jesus

00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:01.039
 that no food

00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:02.480
 is unclean in itself,

00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:03.779
 but it is unclean

00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.139
 for anyone

00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.600
 who thinks it unclean.

00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.220
 Paul thinks

00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:07.899
 that Christians

00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:09.179
 can eat all kinds

00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:09.659
 of foods,

00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:10.799
 that there are no

00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:12.019
 clean and unclean foods

00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:12.759
 for the Christian.

00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:14.240
 And he describes

00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:14.840
 the person

00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:15.399
 who thinks

00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:15.840
 that Christians

00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.679
 cannot eat certain foods

00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:19.500
 as the weaker brother

00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.600
 or the weaker person

00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.299
 because of

00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:22.579
 his weak conscience.

00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:23.500
 So clearly,

00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.379
 Paul has an opinion

00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:24.879
 on this matter.

00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:25.360
 He's not saying

00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.160
 don't have any opinions

00:14:26.160 --> 00:14:26.900
 about these things,

00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:27.940
 but he's saying

00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:28.840
 you could have an opinion

00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:29.980
 and you can be fully convinced

00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.800
 in your own mind,

00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:32.100
 but it's just not

00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:32.759
 that important.

00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.680
 Don't pass judgment

00:14:34.680 --> 00:14:35.139
 on one another

00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:35.780
 for these things.

00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:36.340
 In the end,

00:14:36.420 --> 00:14:37.360
 God's going to judge.

00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:39.820
 Paul confirms his view

00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:41.420
 in Colossians 2, 16-17,

00:14:41.560 --> 00:14:42.300
 therefore let no one

00:14:42.300 --> 00:14:43.280
 pass judgment on you

00:14:43.280 --> 00:14:44.120
 in questions of food

00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:44.560
 and drink

00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:45.500
 or with regard

00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:46.139
 to a festival

00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:46.960
 or a new moon

00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.580
 or a Sabbath.

00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.980
 These are a shadow

00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:49.920
 of the things to come,

00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:50.820
 but the substance

00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.940
 belongs to Christ.

00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:54.460
 There are no holy days

00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:55.000
 or festivals

00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.220
 that Christians must observe.

00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:57.879
 There are no unclean foods

00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.460
 that Christians

00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.580
 must abstain from.

00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:00.940
 So obviously,

00:15:01.160 --> 00:15:02.800
 Paul did have an opinion

00:15:02.800 --> 00:15:05.000
 about this.

00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:05.980
 What he's saying,

00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:06.340
 however,

00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:08.740
 is to not be hypercritical

00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:10.759
 and to despise

00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.780
 a brother or sister

00:15:11.780 --> 00:15:12.400
 in Christ

00:15:12.400 --> 00:15:13.420
 for disagreeing

00:15:13.420 --> 00:15:14.580
 on matters of indifference.

00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:17.040
 When disagreeing

00:15:17.040 --> 00:15:18.200
 between brother and sister

00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:21.120
 becomes despising

00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.800
 between them,

00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:24.600
 we know that sinful judgment

00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.680
 that Jesus forbids

00:15:25.680 --> 00:15:26.220
 in this passage

00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:27.080
 has taken place.

00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.139
 Another kind of,

00:15:29.160 --> 00:15:30.040
 the second kind of judgment

00:15:30.040 --> 00:15:31.360
 that Jesus forbids here

00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.780
 is hubristic judgment.

00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:35.220
 Hubris is a Greek word

00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.879
 that describes arrogant people

00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.940
 who believe themselves

00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:39.920
 to be above human limitations.

00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:41.500
 Humans,

00:15:42.060 --> 00:15:44.120
 the classic,

00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:45.440
 tragic Greek heroes

00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:48.760
 who claim to be above

00:15:48.760 --> 00:15:50.080
 the rest of humanity

00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:51.780
 and dare to challenge

00:15:51.780 --> 00:15:52.400
 the gods,

00:15:52.560 --> 00:15:53.400
 the Greeks described

00:15:53.400 --> 00:15:54.880
 as having hubris.

00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:58.580
 Our hubristic judgment

00:15:58.580 --> 00:16:00.300
 goes beyond correcting

00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:02.020
 to condemning.

00:16:03.780 --> 00:16:04.660
 The parallel verse

00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:05.620
 in Luke 6, 37

00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:06.580
 of this passage

00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.700
 confirms this interpretation.

00:16:07.900 --> 00:16:08.040
 It says,

00:16:08.040 --> 00:16:08.720
 judge not

00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:10.000
 and you will not be judged.

00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.220
 Condemn not

00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:12.460
 and you will not be condemned.

00:16:12.940 --> 00:16:13.220
 Forgive

00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:14.899
 and you will be forgiven.

00:16:16.300 --> 00:16:16.860
 Condemning

00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.420
 involves a kind

00:16:18.420 --> 00:16:19.700
 of definitive judgment

00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.560
 that is inappropriate

00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:21.500
 for us.

00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:22.920
 Rendering

00:16:22.920 --> 00:16:24.259
 final verdict

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:26.360
 is an exclusively

00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:28.000
 divine prerogative.

00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.600
 Paul writes

00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.560
 in 1 Corinthians 4,

00:16:33.660 --> 00:16:34.240
 3-5,

00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.519
 But with me

00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.759
 it is a very small thing

00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:37.539
 that I should be judged

00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.019
 by you

00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:39.180
 or by any human court.

00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:40.080
 In fact,

00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.940
 I do not even judge myself.

00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.759
 For I am not aware

00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:45.080
 of anything against myself,

00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:47.200
 but I am not thereby acquitted.

00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.759
 It is the Lord

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.680
 who judges me.

00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:50.840
 Therefore,

00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:52.500
 do not pronounce judgment

00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.379
 before the time,

00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:55.019
 before the Lord comes,

00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.440
 who will bring to light

00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:57.299
 the things now hidden

00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:57.779
 in darkness

00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.440
 and will disclose

00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:59.720
 the purposes of the heart.

00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:01.080
 Then each one

00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:01.820
 will receive

00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:02.840
 his commendation

00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.420
 from God.

00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:05.420
 Only the Lord God

00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.980
 who brings to light

00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.799
 all the things

00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.539
 that are now hidden

00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.160
 in darkness,

00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.539
 only the Lord

00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.980
 who discloses

00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.819
 the purposes,

00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.319
 the secrets of our hearts

00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:15.420
 can pronounce

00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.279
 final judgment.

00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:18.480
 Only he has

00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.160
 all the knowledge

00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:19.860
 and information

00:17:19.860 --> 00:17:20.860
 and all the authority

00:17:20.860 --> 00:17:22.000
 to pronounce

00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.880
 that kind of judgment.

00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:24.819
 So it says

00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:25.460
 in James 4,

00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.140
 11 and 12,

00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.299
 Do not speak evil

00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.000
 against one another,

00:17:28.100 --> 00:17:28.360
 brothers.

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.279
 The one who speaks

00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.180
 against a brother

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.299
 or judges his brother

00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:32.319
 speaks evil

00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:33.200
 against the law

00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:34.500
 and judges the law.

00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:36.179
 But if you judge the law,

00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.119
 you are not a doer

00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.519
 of the law,

00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:38.299
 but a judge.

00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:40.119
 There is only one

00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.099
 lawgiver and judge.

00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:42.139
 He was able to save

00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:42.779
 and to destroy.

00:17:43.159 --> 00:17:44.099
 But who are you

00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:45.899
 to judge your neighbor?

00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.919
 To speak evil

00:17:47.919 --> 00:17:49.059
 against someone

00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:50.279
 is another translation

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.460
 for the word slander.

00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:53.220
 When we are no longer

00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:54.519
 trying to correct

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.720
 our brother or sister

00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.759
 to build them up,

00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:57.859
 but are instead

00:17:57.859 --> 00:17:58.859
 condemning them

00:17:58.859 --> 00:17:59.759
 to tear them down.

00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:03.460
 When we are no longer

00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.619
 seeking to restore

00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.939
 an erring brother

00:18:05.939 --> 00:18:06.500
 or sister

00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.639
 from sin,

00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:08.939
 but are instead

00:18:08.939 --> 00:18:09.799
 condemning them

00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.559
 in sin,

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.259
 we are no longer

00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.379
 submitting ourselves

00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:14.119
 under the law.

00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:15.779
 We are putting ourselves

00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.700
 above the law

00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.740
 by breaking

00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.179
 the law

00:18:19.179 --> 00:18:21.619
 of the love

00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:21.980
 of neighbor.

00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.700
 We are no longer

00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.679
 law keepers,

00:18:25.679 --> 00:18:26.339
 but instead

00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:27.279
 we are arrogating

00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.200
 for ourselves

00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.279
 the seat

00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.299
 of law giver,

00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.299
 the judgment seat

00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:32.720
 of God.

00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:34.399
 That's hubristic judgment.

00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:38.180
 The surrounding context

00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:39.039
 also clues us

00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.759
 to the third kind

00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.099
 of judgment

00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:41.099
 that Jesus forbids

00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.539
 and that's

00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.539
 hypocritical judgment.

00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.759
 He says in verses

00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.500
 three to five,

00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:46.980
 why do you see

00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.539
 the speck

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.759
 that is in your brother's eye

00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.660
 but do not notice

00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.399
 the log that is

00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:51.339
 in your own eye?

00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.960
 Or how can you say

00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.500
 to your brother,

00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.579
 let me take the speck

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.299
 out of your eye

00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:56.680
 when there is

00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.960
 log in your own eye?

00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:59.620
 You hypocrite,

00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:01.140
 first take the log

00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.840
 out of your own eye

00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:02.380
 and then you will

00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:02.920
 see clearly

00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:03.680
 to take the speck

00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.740
 out of your brother's eye.

00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.779
 Jesus is commanding us

00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.779
 to not judge

00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.640
 the same way

00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.380
 the Pharisees

00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.039
 judged him

00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.980
 in John 17

00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:12.079
 when he said

00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:12.920
 do not judge

00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.920
 by appearance

00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:15.059
 but by right judgment.

00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.799
 Jesus uses humor

00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.759
 and irony

00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.440
 in this passage

00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.740
 to accentuate his point.

00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.240
 Imagine a person,

00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.400
 it's really quite funny

00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:23.980
 to imagine it,

00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:26.559
 a huge log

00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.539
 sticking out

00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.539
 of his eye

00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:32.099
 and while he

00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:33.299
 has had the log

00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.240
 sticking out

00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.679
 of his eye,

00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:35.720
 he's straining

00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.579
 that very eye

00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.339
 that has a log

00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:37.720
 in it

00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:39.639
 and trying to perform

00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.619
 ocular surgery

00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:41.819
 on a brother or sister,

00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:42.980
 trying to remove

00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.559
 a speck

00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:45.960
 from his or her eye.

00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.339
 It's ludicrous.

00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:50.559
 Not only is it

00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.159
 impossible

00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:52.319
 to do

00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.899
 while the log

00:19:53.899 --> 00:19:54.819
 is sticking out

00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.139
 of your eye,

00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.300
 you cannot see clearly,

00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.800
 it's also ridiculous

00:19:57.800 --> 00:19:58.620
 that he is

00:19:58.620 --> 00:20:00.020
 trying to help someone

00:20:00.020 --> 00:20:00.660
 with such a little

00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.660
 tiny problem

00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.960
 when he himself

00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.880
 has a much bigger

00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.820
 problem.

00:20:06.520 --> 00:20:07.400
 This metaphor

00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:08.320
 of the eye

00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:09.759
 continues the theme

00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.880
 from chapter 6,

00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.280
 22 to 23

00:20:12.280 --> 00:20:13.080
 when Jesus said

00:20:13.080 --> 00:20:13.780
 the eye

00:20:13.780 --> 00:20:15.100
 is the lamp

00:20:15.100 --> 00:20:15.880
 of the body.

00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:17.160
 So if your eye

00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:17.840
 is healthy

00:20:17.840 --> 00:20:19.220
 or more literally,

00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:19.860
 if your eye

00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:20.620
 is single,

00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.360
 your whole body

00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:23.280
 will be full of light.

00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.220
 But if your eye

00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:24.740
 is bad,

00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.519
 your whole body

00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.000
 will be full

00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.639
 of darkness.

00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.119
 As I said,

00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:29.119
 then the attention

00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.139
 of the eye

00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:33.059
 reflects the affections

00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:33.619
 of the heart.

00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.740
 The direction

00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.960
 that your eyes go

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.559
 reflects the orientation

00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.740
 of your heart.

00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.839
 So if your eyes

00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.500
 do not have

00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.700
 a singular focus

00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.299
 on the kingdom

00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:44.799
 of God

00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.940
 and on God's righteousness,

00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.779
 then we are distracted.

00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:48.940
 Our hearts

00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.519
 are divided.

00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:50.940
 And when that's

00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.279
 the case,

00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:52.440
 we do not have

00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.120
 the clear

00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:54.340
 spiritual sight

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.480
 to perform

00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.400
 ocular surgery

00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.259
 on someone else's

00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.019
 spiritual eye

00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.539
 or soul.

00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.519
 Let me give you

00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:05.580
 some illustrations,

00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.360
 examples.

00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:07.380
 Have you ever felt

00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:09.400
 that your spouse

00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:11.059
 or your roommate

00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.640
 is lazy?

00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:15.080
 Or at least

00:21:15.080 --> 00:21:15.860
 that they're not

00:21:15.860 --> 00:21:16.920
 pulling enough

00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.000
 of their own weight.

00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.720
 They're not holding up

00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.200
 their end

00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:20.740
 of the bargain.

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.640
 Maybe

00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:25.860
 that's true

00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:27.259
 to a certain degree,

00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:28.720
 but maybe

00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.700
 that deficiency

00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.920
 is merely

00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.779
 a speck

00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:34.580
 and there's actually

00:21:34.580 --> 00:21:35.519
 a log

00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.259
 in your own eye,

00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:37.980
 a log

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.200
 of self-righteousness

00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.360
 that exaggerates

00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:41.640
 your own contributions

00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:42.840
 but belittles

00:21:42.840 --> 00:21:43.720
 or ignores

00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.480
 the contributions

00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.019
 of the other.

00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:46.840
 Maybe there's

00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:47.279
 a log

00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.259
 of selfishness

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.180
 that exaggerates

00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.140
 your own needs

00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:50.860
 and wants

00:21:50.860 --> 00:21:51.920
 but minimizes

00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.380
 the needs

00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:52.840
 and wants

00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.960
 of the other.

00:21:57.580 --> 00:21:58.400
 Maybe you think

00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.259
 that your co-worker

00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.320
 or boss

00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:02.220
 or your principal

00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.820
 investigator

00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:03.800
 or your professor

00:22:03.800 --> 00:22:05.580
 is incompetent.

00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.339
 incompetent.

00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:10.000
 They don't deserve

00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.119
 his or her job.

00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:13.179
 But have you

00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:13.839
 considered that

00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.579
 their weakness

00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:15.899
 might be a speck

00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:18.379
 all the while

00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:19.079
 there's a log

00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.439
 in our own eye,

00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.699
 log of pride,

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.099
 selfish ambition,

00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.039
 rivalry

00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:26.419
 that's envious

00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:27.119
 of others

00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:28.119
 and elevates

00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:28.759
 ourselves above

00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.199
 others.

00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:35.720
 perhaps you think

00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.500
 that someone

00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.100
 in church

00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:38.660
 is too

00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.240
 lax

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.819
 or complacent

00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:42.380
 and unserious

00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:43.059
 about spiritual

00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.559
 things,

00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.519
 about important

00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.160
 doctrines

00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:45.700
 and spiritual

00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.200
 matters.

00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:49.299
 But maybe

00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.500
 the bigger

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.259
 problem is not

00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.779
 them

00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.980
 but you.

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.299
 They have a speck

00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:55.920
 in their eye

00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:57.480
 whereas you have

00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.759
 a log of legalism

00:22:58.759 --> 00:23:00.000
 and self-righteousness

00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.820
 stuck in your eye

00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:03.860
 making you

00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:04.600
 hypercritical

00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:05.400
 and unmerciful.

00:23:07.060 --> 00:23:07.860
 You can also

00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.640
 go the other way.

00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.640
 Perhaps you think

00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:12.980
 that someone

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.380
 in church

00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:13.860
 is too

00:23:13.860 --> 00:23:14.680
 legalistic,

00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.140
 strict,

00:23:16.860 --> 00:23:17.259
 harsh,

00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.039
 demanding.

00:23:18.800 --> 00:23:19.440
 But what if

00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.000
 their problem

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.960
 is actually a speck

00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.960
 and yours

00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.460
 a log?

00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.200
 What if

00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:25.820
 instead of

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.639
 being merciful

00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.099
 and gracious

00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:27.700
 you're actually

00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.619
 being indulgent

00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.480
 and permissive

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.399
 and making

00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:30.899
 your own

00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:31.480
 feelings

00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:31.939
 and not

00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:32.779
 God's word

00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.359
 the final

00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:33.799
 arbiter

00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.299
 of what is

00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:34.700
 important

00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.099
 and what is

00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:35.399
 true

00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:35.859
 and what is

00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.179
 good?

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.139
 We cannot

00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:42.259
 see clearly

00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.819
 to remove

00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.299
 the speck

00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:43.899
 from our

00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.319
 brother or

00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:44.779
 sister's eye

00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.240
 if we have

00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.639
 a log

00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.079
 stuck in

00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:46.339
 our own

00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:46.559
 eye.

00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:47.480
 So we must

00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.059
 first humble

00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.539
 ourselves

00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.379
 and examine

00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:49.939
 ourselves

00:23:49.939 --> 00:23:50.579
 before the

00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:50.939
 light and

00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:51.339
 the judgment

00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:51.799
 of God

00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:53.419
 before we

00:23:53.419 --> 00:23:53.980
 attempt that

00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.319
 delicate

00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:54.779
 spiritual

00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.240
 operation

00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.740
 of removing

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.200
 the speck.

00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:57.980
 This is

00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.759
 very challenging

00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:00.539
 and I know

00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.299
 because I

00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.839
 failed many

00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:02.200
 times.

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.839
 And look at

00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.240
 what it says

00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:04.839
 in verse 3.

00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.799
 Why do you

00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.839
 see the speck

00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.279
 that is in

00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.819
 your brother's

00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.799
 eye but

00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.460
 do not

00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.319
 notice the

00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:11.960
 log that

00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.240
 is in

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.759
 your own

00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.059
 eye?

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.259
 As

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.839
 sinners it

00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.220
 is our

00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.819
 natural

00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.420
 sinful

00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.000
 tendency

00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.039
 to think

00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.359
 that we

00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:19.819
 can see

00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.440
 the speck

00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:20.700
 in other

00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.000
 people's

00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.319
 eyes very

00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:21.720
 clearly.

00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.799
 But we

00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.339
 do not

00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.319
 notice the

00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:25.659
 log that

00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:25.879
 is in

00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.159
 our own

00:24:26.159 --> 00:24:26.399
 eye.

00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:27.579
 Jesus

00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.299
 doesn't

00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:28.960
 accuse us

00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.539
 of seeing

00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.039
 the log

00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.259
 in our

00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.559
 own eyes

00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:30.919
 and then

00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:31.539
 ignoring it

00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:31.899
 and not

00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:32.700
 doing anything

00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.259
 about it.

00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:33.980
 He says

00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.240
 that we

00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.539
 don't

00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.039
 actually

00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.980
 notice the

00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.359
 log in

00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:36.659
 our own

00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:36.899
 eye.

00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.980
 This is a

00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.220
 vivid

00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.720
 illustration

00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.599
 of spiritual

00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.099
 blindness

00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.720
 which is

00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.159
 caused by

00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:44.519
 pride.

00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.399
 Pride is the

00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:46.879
 root of all

00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:47.059
 sin.

00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.200
 Spiritual

00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.939
 pride has a

00:24:48.939 --> 00:24:49.460
 tendency to

00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:49.859
 blind us.

00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.399
 Every sin

00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:50.719
 has a

00:24:50.719 --> 00:24:51.019
 tendency

00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.699
 to blind

00:24:51.699 --> 00:24:51.899
 us.

00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:52.959
 In John

00:24:52.959 --> 00:24:53.519
 9 Jesus

00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.139
 tells the

00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:54.519
 Pharisees

00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:54.859
 that they

00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.519
 are blind

00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.079
 to spiritual

00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:56.599
 realities.

00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:57.579
 Why does

00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:57.859
 he tell

00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:58.259
 them that?

00:24:58.699 --> 00:24:59.199
 Precisely

00:24:59.199 --> 00:24:59.699
 because they

00:24:59.699 --> 00:25:00.240
 claim to

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.619
 see.

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.659
 That's the

00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:06.039
 trouble with

00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.419
 having a

00:25:06.419 --> 00:25:07.439
 log in

00:25:07.439 --> 00:25:07.759
 our eye.

00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:08.299
 We think

00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:08.619
 that we

00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:10.000
 see but

00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.459
 we are

00:25:10.459 --> 00:25:10.759
 in fact

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.199
 blind.

00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.359
 The log

00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:12.799
 of sin

00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.639
 distorts

00:25:13.639 --> 00:25:14.500
 our vision

00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.319
 so that we

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.899
 live in

00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:16.919
 this world

00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:18.740
 of carnivore

00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.139
 mirrors.

00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:20.000
 fun

00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.240
 house

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.480
 mirrors.

00:25:20.520 --> 00:25:20.580
 You

00:25:20.580 --> 00:25:20.759
 guys know

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:20.940
 what I'm

00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.140
 talking

00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:21.400
 about?

00:25:22.320 --> 00:25:22.480
 The

00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.320
 mirrors

00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:23.560
 that you

00:25:23.560 --> 00:25:23.900
 look at

00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.120
 and it

00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:24.900
 just distorts

00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:26.259
 your body

00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.780
 or face

00:25:26.780 --> 00:25:29.520
 to comedic

00:25:29.520 --> 00:25:30.000
 proportions.

00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.720
 You

00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.100
 look at

00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:32.540
 someone's

00:25:32.540 --> 00:25:33.320
 speck in

00:25:33.320 --> 00:25:33.759
 their eye

00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.120
 and then

00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:34.620
 it looks

00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:34.940
 like a

00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:35.420
 ten foot

00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:35.820
 pole.

00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.900
 And then

00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:38.220
 you look

00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.800
 at your

00:25:38.800 --> 00:25:39.420
 own log

00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:39.680
 in the

00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:39.940
 mirror

00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:41.259
 and it's

00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.780
 barely a

00:25:41.780 --> 00:25:42.100
 dot.

00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:42.620
 You can

00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:42.880
 hardly

00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.200
 see.

00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:48.759
 How

00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.100
 then can

00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.420
 we know

00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:49.759
 we have

00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.100
 a log

00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.319
 in our

00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:50.480
 own

00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:50.720
 eye?

00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.039
 If this

00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.680
 is blinding,

00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.019
 if it's

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.340
 hard to

00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:53.720
 notice,

00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:54.380
 how can

00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:55.120
 we pay

00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:55.500
 attention

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.880
 to these

00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.039
 things?

00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:56.299
 I think

00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:56.500
 there are

00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.400
 two telltale

00:25:57.400 --> 00:25:58.440
 signs that

00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.019
 indicate that

00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.440
 we have a

00:25:59.440 --> 00:25:59.799
 log in

00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.059
 our own

00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.240
 eye.

00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.220
 One is

00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:01.640
 a tendency

00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.660
 to magnify

00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.019
 other

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.580
 people's

00:26:03.580 --> 00:26:04.220
 specks.

00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.120
 Ask

00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.500
 yourself,

00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.279
 do you

00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.720
 have a

00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.299
 hawk eye

00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.839
 when it

00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.220
 comes to

00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.460
 other

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.039
 people's

00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.779
 sins and

00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.099
 faults,

00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.399
 but you

00:26:15.399 --> 00:26:15.819
 tend to

00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.339
 be blind

00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:16.680
 as a

00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:17.799
 bat when

00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.139
 it comes

00:26:18.139 --> 00:26:18.759
 to noticing

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.099
 their

00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.799
 strengths,

00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:20.399
 their

00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:20.899
 gifts,

00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:21.500
 their

00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.079
 virtues,

00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.480
 things to

00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:23.859
 encourage

00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.119
 about

00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.379
 them.

00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.519
 If that's

00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:28.879
 the case,

00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.180
 then it's

00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.779
 very likely

00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:30.700
 that you're

00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.059
 not even

00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.619
 seeing the

00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:32.180
 specks that

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.480
 you think

00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:32.779
 you see

00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.240
 clearly.

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.480
 If we

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.259
 find ourselves

00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.680
 becoming

00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.599
 very critical

00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.180
 of someone,

00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.039
 we used to

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.399
 like and

00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:40.079
 appreciate this

00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:40.379
 person,

00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:40.740
 I used to

00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.480
 be friends

00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:41.839
 with that

00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:42.139
 person,

00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:42.399
 oh,

00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:42.839
 but we've

00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.299
 fallen out

00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:43.720
 of friendship.

00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.460
 We had

00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:46.960
 disagreement,

00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:47.319
 we had

00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.819
 conflict,

00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:48.559
 and now

00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.179
 all you can

00:26:49.179 --> 00:26:49.539
 see is

00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.079
 their flaws

00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:50.319
 and

00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:51.059
 specks,

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.740
 then likely

00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.339
 you have

00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:53.819
 a log

00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:54.019
 of

00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.859
 unforgiveness

00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.359
 in your

00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:55.859
 own eyes.

00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.839
 And your

00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.299
 perception

00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.859
 is skewed,

00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.179
 and you

00:27:00.179 --> 00:27:00.839
 have one

00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.599
 dimensionalized

00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:02.119
 that person.

00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.359
 When you

00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:05.960
 find yourself

00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.619
 being very

00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:06.980
 critical

00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.359
 towards

00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:07.720
 someone,

00:27:08.179 --> 00:27:09.000
 this is a

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.500
 practice that

00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:09.859
 I found

00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.379
 really helpful,

00:27:10.979 --> 00:27:11.779
 you start

00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.500
 making a

00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.159
 list of

00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:13.379
 their

00:27:13.379 --> 00:27:13.899
 redeeming

00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.359
 qualities,

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:16.740
 and start

00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.579
 thanking God

00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.199
 for them.

00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.959
 Give thanks

00:27:21.959 --> 00:27:22.379
 to God

00:27:22.379 --> 00:27:22.719
 for them.

00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.259
 A spirit

00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.219
 of thanksgiving

00:27:24.219 --> 00:27:25.579
 and encouragement

00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:27.159
 counteracts the

00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:28.319
 hypercritical and

00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.259
 censorious spirit.

00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:30.639
 Remember,

00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.019
 the Bible

00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.319
 commands us to

00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:33.139
 outdo one

00:27:33.139 --> 00:27:33.539
 another in

00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.099
 showing honor.

00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.219
 never,

00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:36.059
 never in the

00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.500
 entire Bible

00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:36.859
 does it

00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.439
 command us

00:27:37.439 --> 00:27:38.319
 to outdo

00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.799
 one another

00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.240
 in showing

00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:39.679
 each other's

00:27:39.679 --> 00:27:40.019
 faults.

00:27:46.199 --> 00:27:46.819
 We have

00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.359
 to do it,

00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:49.359
 but it's

00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.719
 not a

00:27:49.719 --> 00:27:50.259
 competition

00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.519
 that we

00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:51.719
 should be

00:27:51.719 --> 00:27:52.219
 overzealous

00:27:52.219 --> 00:27:52.539
 about.

00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:57.839
 A second

00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.599
 telltale sign

00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.180
 of a log

00:27:59.180 --> 00:27:59.359
 in our

00:27:59.359 --> 00:27:59.619
 own eye

00:27:59.619 --> 00:27:59.859
 is that

00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:00.059
 when we

00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:01.079
 are overzealous

00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:01.539
 to correct

00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:01.799
 someone,

00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.339
 a good

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.779
 question to

00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.399
 ask yourself

00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:05.720
 is,

00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.279
 do I

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.680
 have

00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.899
 first-hand

00:28:07.899 --> 00:28:08.420
 knowledge

00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.079
 of this

00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:09.579
 brother or

00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.180
 sister's

00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.440
 sin?

00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.799
 If we

00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.500
 only have

00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.559
 second-hand

00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.099
 knowledge of

00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.579
 their sin,

00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:18.700
 then we

00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.279
 are not the

00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:19.740
 first line

00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.259
 of defense.

00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.299
 It's the

00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.900
 person with

00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.720
 first-hand

00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.559
 knowledge of

00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.220
 that sin

00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:28.000
 who should

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.720
 bring that

00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:28.980
 loving

00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.420
 correction.

00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.480
 That person

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.140
 who has the

00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.640
 relational

00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.620
 proximity to

00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.539
 have first-hand

00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.160
 awareness of

00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:35.660
 that sin,

00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.440
 if instead

00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:39.819
 of correcting

00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.259
 that brother

00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:40.700
 or sister,

00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.259
 comes to

00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:43.000
 you and

00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.539
 talks about

00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:43.740
 it,

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.599
 not only

00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.120
 have they

00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:45.700
 shirked

00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:45.839
 their

00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:46.480
 responsibility

00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.079
 to love

00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.519
 their brother

00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:47.880
 or sister

00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:48.380
 by speaking

00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:48.740
 the truth

00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.279
 in love,

00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.259
 they have

00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:50.900
 also sinned

00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.680
 by gossiping

00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.400
 or slandering.

00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.240
 Speaking

00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:56.940
 ill of

00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.400
 someone in

00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:57.720
 a manner

00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.620
 that reflects

00:28:58.620 --> 00:29:00.380
 and shapes

00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:01.160
 negatively

00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.980
 other people's

00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.279
 view of

00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.440
 them.

00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.759
 If you

00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.319
 have only

00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:06.900
 second-hand

00:29:06.900 --> 00:29:07.259
 knowledge,

00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.019
 it is highly

00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.880
 likely that you

00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:09.799
 have incomplete

00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.339
 knowledge.

00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.299
 You have

00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.140
 partial knowledge.

00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:13.839
 Proverbs 12,

00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.620
 17 is

00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:15.120
 exceedingly

00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:15.420
 wise.

00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:15.839
 It says,

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:16.759
 the one who

00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.299
 states his

00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.059
 case first

00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.799
 seems right

00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:20.480
 until the

00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.119
 other comes

00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:21.839
 and examines

00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.079
 him.

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.919
 When you

00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.480
 have heard

00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.200
 only one

00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.119
 sided story,

00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.240
 even if

00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:28.039
 that person,

00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:28.740
 even when

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.240
 that person

00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.339
 is well-meaning

00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:31.000
 and trying

00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.480
 his or her

00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.059
 best to be

00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.919
 fair-minded

00:29:32.919 --> 00:29:33.639
 and balanced,

00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.700
 that story

00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.119
 is going to

00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:35.879
 be inherently

00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:36.799
 incomplete.

00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.740
 So if you

00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.279
 have only

00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:41.759
 partial

00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.440
 second-hand

00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:42.819
 knowledge

00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.399
 of someone's

00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:43.599
 sin,

00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.339
 don't be

00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:44.759
 the first

00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.279
 to confront

00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.359
 that person

00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:46.740
 of sin.

00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:47.539
 Encourage

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.059
 that person

00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.740
 with first-hand

00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.220
 knowledge to

00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:49.519
 go and

00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:49.940
 do that.

00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.759
 It's only

00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.139
 after the

00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:55.599
 first line

00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.039
 of defense

00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:56.660
 has fallen

00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:57.019
 that you

00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.519
 should consider

00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.000
 prayerfully

00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.619
 stepping in.

00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:00.980
 If despite

00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.420
 the fact

00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:01.899
 that you

00:30:01.899 --> 00:30:02.359
 have only

00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:02.859
 partial

00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:03.639
 second-hand

00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.139
 knowledge,

00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.879
 you're very

00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.480
 eager to

00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:05.839
 confront

00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.279
 your brother

00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:06.740
 or sister,

00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:10.420
 I heard

00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:10.839
 him say

00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.619
 that you

00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:11.980
 said,

00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:12.899
 that he

00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:13.399
 saw

00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:14.380
 that you

00:30:14.380 --> 00:30:14.580
 did

00:30:14.580 --> 00:30:14.820
 that.

00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:15.040
 Oh,

00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:15.300
 man.

00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.019
 You know

00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.240
 what it

00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.580
 says right

00:30:19.580 --> 00:30:19.880
 here?

00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.120
 That

00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:23.940
 overzealous

00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:25.160
 spirit is

00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:25.680
 reflective of

00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.160
 a log in

00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:26.400
 your own

00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:26.580
 eye.

00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.360
 Make sure

00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:28.720
 that your

00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.800
 heart responds

00:30:29.800 --> 00:30:30.900
 to the sin

00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:31.300
 that you

00:30:31.300 --> 00:30:31.980
 see in your

00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.320
 brother or

00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:32.800
 sister is

00:30:32.800 --> 00:30:33.519
 grief,

00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:36.860
 not glee.

00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:41.980
 If that

00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.540
 is how not

00:30:42.540 --> 00:30:43.060
 to judge,

00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:43.820
 then before

00:30:43.820 --> 00:30:44.140
 I go to

00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:44.380
 the next

00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:44.580
 point,

00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.040
 let's talk

00:30:45.040 --> 00:30:45.740
 briefly about

00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.240
 how to

00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:46.920
 judge well.

00:30:47.840 --> 00:30:48.300
 Jesus says

00:30:48.300 --> 00:30:48.580
 in verse

00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:48.960
 five,

00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.019
 first take

00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.620
 the log

00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:50.880
 out of

00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.180
 your own

00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:51.400
 eye,

00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.240
 and then

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.580
 you will

00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:53.140
 see clearly

00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:53.500
 to take

00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:53.920
 the speck

00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.220
 out of

00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.320
 your

00:30:54.320 --> 00:30:54.720
 brother's

00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:54.900
 eye.

00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:56.840
 Note that

00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:57.220
 Jesus

00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.620
 doesn't

00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.019
 say,

00:30:58.880 --> 00:31:00.360
 mind your

00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:00.980
 own business

00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:02.640
 and never

00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:03.240
 try to take

00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:03.660
 the speck

00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:03.920
 out of

00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:04.360
 your brother's

00:31:04.360 --> 00:31:04.540
 eye.

00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.340
 No,

00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:06.840
 he says,

00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.000
 first take

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.360
 the log

00:31:08.360 --> 00:31:08.580
 out of

00:31:08.580 --> 00:31:08.880
 your own

00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:09.080
 eye,

00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:10.000
 and then

00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.840
 you will

00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.519
 see clearly

00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:11.920
 to take

00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.320
 the speck

00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:12.580
 out of

00:31:12.580 --> 00:31:13.080
 your brother's

00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.299
 eye.

00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.079
 So the

00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:15.639
 first step

00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.319
 to judging

00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:16.799
 well,

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.159
 then,

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.939
 is examining

00:31:17.939 --> 00:31:18.599
 ourselves,

00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:20.019
 self-reflection,

00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.519
 and confession

00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.240
 of our own

00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:22.599
 sins.

00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:24.419
 Confessing

00:31:24.419 --> 00:31:25.079
 our own

00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.559
 sins to

00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:25.819
 fellow

00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.179
 believers

00:31:26.179 --> 00:31:26.659
 is a

00:31:26.659 --> 00:31:27.119
 profound

00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:27.720
 form of

00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.359
 humiliation.

00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:30.799
 And

00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.399
 humiliation,

00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.240
 for us,

00:31:32.679 --> 00:31:33.279
 though hard as

00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:33.720
 it may be,

00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.819
 is spiritually

00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.480
 healthful,

00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.019
 it's good,

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.059
 good,

00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:38.400
 because it

00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:38.799
 destroys

00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:39.279
 pride,

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.119
 which is

00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:40.339
 the root

00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:40.619
 of all

00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:40.859
 sin.

00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:42.660
 A habit

00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.759
 of self-reflection

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.519
 and confession

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.680
 prepares us

00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.779
 to judge

00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.220
 and bring

00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.759
 correction

00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.319
 well.

00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:51.059
 Dietrich Bonhoeffer

00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.579
 writes in his

00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:51.859
 book,

00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:52.879
 Life Together,

00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.259
 anybody who

00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.960
 lives beneath

00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.579
 the cross

00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.339
 and who has

00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:57.200
 discerned in

00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:57.700
 the cross

00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.160
 of Jesus

00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:58.920
 the utter

00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.639
 wickedness

00:31:59.639 --> 00:32:00.039
 of all

00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:00.500
 men

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.099
 and of

00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:01.539
 his own

00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.039
 heart

00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:03.119
 will find

00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:03.559
 there is

00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.200
 no sin

00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:04.480
 that can

00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:04.840
 ever be

00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:05.319
 alien to

00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:05.519
 him.

00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:07.160
 Anybody who

00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:07.620
 has once

00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.559
 been horrified

00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:09.180
 by the

00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:09.779
 dreadfulness

00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.180
 of his

00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.019
 own sin

00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:11.960
 that nailed

00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.680
 Jesus to

00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.319
 the cross

00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:14.700
 will no

00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.340
 longer be

00:32:15.340 --> 00:32:16.140
 horrified by

00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:16.799
 even the

00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:18.059
 rankest sins

00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.400
 of a

00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:18.660
 brother.

00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.819
 When we

00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.960
 remove the

00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.440
 lock from

00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:23.840
 our own

00:32:23.840 --> 00:32:24.620
 eye first,

00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:25.779
 then we

00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.319
 can judge

00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.680
 our brothers

00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.240
 and sisters

00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:29.019
 fairly and

00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.519
 correct them

00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:29.960
 not out of

00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.819
 self-righteousness

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.819
 but from a

00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:32.420
 broken and

00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.460
 contrite heart.

00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:37.660
 Secondly,

00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:38.600
 we need to

00:32:38.600 --> 00:32:38.900
 make sure

00:32:38.900 --> 00:32:39.120
 that we

00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:39.440
 are bringing

00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.259
 correction in

00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.019
 love and

00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.580
 gentleness.

00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.080
 Why?

00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.360
 Because removing

00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:45.380
 a speck from

00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:46.480
 someone's eye is

00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.220
 a very delicate

00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:47.779
 operation.

00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.759
 If you have

00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.440
 had the

00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:52.279
 blessing of a

00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:52.580
 brother or

00:32:52.580 --> 00:32:53.100
 sister trying

00:32:53.100 --> 00:32:53.500
 to do that

00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.000
 with you,

00:32:54.620 --> 00:32:55.420
 as I have

00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:56.220
 had many

00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:56.559
 times,

00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:56.920
 one of the

00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:57.400
 benefits of

00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:57.819
 being married

00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:58.279
 and being in

00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:58.779
 a church

00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.799
 where church

00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.240
 members actually

00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:00.680
 do that,

00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.779
 you know how

00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:03.580
 sensitive that

00:33:03.580 --> 00:33:04.059
 can be.

00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:08.180
 I think it's

00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:08.799
 appropriate that

00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.559
 Jesus uses the

00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.259
 metaphor of the

00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.019
 eye because

00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.740
 eye is one of

00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:12.039
 the most

00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.840
 sensitive parts

00:33:12.840 --> 00:33:13.380
 of our entire

00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:14.360
 body, right?

00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.519
 When you

00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.660
 have, you

00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.340
 know, when

00:33:18.340 --> 00:33:18.740
 you get some

00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.539
 sawdust on

00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.059
 your hand,

00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:21.819
 you just,

00:33:22.580 --> 00:33:23.660
 you know,

00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.380
 you get

00:33:24.380 --> 00:33:24.920
 sawdust in

00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.500
 your eyes.

00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:27.259
 It's stinging

00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:27.819
 and then it's

00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.539
 burning and

00:33:28.539 --> 00:33:28.980
 then you're

00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.840
 crying like a

00:33:29.840 --> 00:33:31.680
 baby to flush

00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:32.519
 that dust out

00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:32.980
 of your eye.

00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.019
 eye.

00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.940
 The eye is

00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.759
 such a delicate

00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.920
 and zealously

00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:40.059
 protected part of

00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:40.620
 our body that

00:33:40.620 --> 00:33:41.819
 when God wants

00:33:41.819 --> 00:33:42.700
 to communicate to

00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.299
 us in his

00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:44.460
 word just how

00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:45.920
 precious his

00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.620
 people are and

00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:48.200
 how protective as

00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:49.299
 our father he

00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:50.480
 feels over us,

00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:52.099
 he describes us as

00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:53.500
 the apple of his

00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:55.039
 eye, the pupil

00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:56.579
 of his eye.

00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.319
 When you touch

00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:00.099
 my people,

00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:00.539
 God says,

00:34:00.620 --> 00:34:01.319
 you touch the

00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:02.119
 apple of my

00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:02.419
 eye.

00:34:02.939 --> 00:34:03.519
 That's how

00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:05.259
 sensitive the

00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:05.740
 eye is.

00:34:05.859 --> 00:34:06.240
 So when we're

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.759
 trying to remove

00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.379
 a speck from

00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:07.960
 the apple of

00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:08.699
 someone's eye,

00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.659
 we must take

00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.340
 great care and

00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:10.860
 we must be

00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.159
 gentle.

00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.059
 So Ephesians

00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:14.099
 4.15 commands

00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:14.799
 us to speak the

00:34:14.799 --> 00:34:16.259
 truth in love

00:34:16.259 --> 00:34:17.199
 to one another.

00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:19.360
 That means we

00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.039
 should give one

00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:20.539
 another the

00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.239
 benefit of the

00:34:21.239 --> 00:34:21.639
 doubt.

00:34:22.799 --> 00:34:23.539
 That means we

00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.219
 should give each

00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:25.440
 other the best

00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:27.039
 possible construction

00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:29.579
 question because

00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:31.259
 1 Corinthians 13

00:34:31.259 --> 00:34:32.360
 4-7 says this

00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:33.139
 is what love is

00:34:33.139 --> 00:34:33.639
 like and we're

00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:34.079
 supposed to speak

00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:34.639
 the truth in

00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:34.980
 love.

00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.440
 Love is patient

00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:37.000
 and kind.

00:34:37.159 --> 00:34:37.619
 Love does not

00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:38.400
 envy or boast.

00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.199
 It is not arrogant

00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:39.719
 or rude.

00:34:39.759 --> 00:34:40.579
 It does not insist

00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.460
 on its own way.

00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:42.279
 It is not irritable

00:34:42.279 --> 00:34:42.779
 or resentful.

00:34:42.820 --> 00:34:43.619
 It does not rejoice

00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:44.340
 at wrongdoing but

00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:45.059
 rejoices with the

00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:45.440
 truth.

00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:47.259
 Love bears all

00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.679
 things, believes

00:34:48.679 --> 00:34:51.079
 all things, hopes

00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:52.840
 all things, endures

00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.400
 all things.

00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:56.980
 That looks like

00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:58.660
 benefit of the

00:34:58.660 --> 00:34:58.900
 doubt.

00:34:59.380 --> 00:34:59.960
 That means we

00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:02.079
 lead when we

00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:03.019
 bring correction.

00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:04.000
 We lead with

00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:06.000
 questions, not

00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.639
 presumptions.

00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:08.340
 That means we

00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.360
 speak the truth

00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:11.200
 boldly yet with

00:35:11.200 --> 00:35:12.039
 gentleness and

00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:12.400
 humility.

00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:17.860
 I know if some

00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:18.260
 of you are like

00:35:18.260 --> 00:35:20.760
 me, you don't

00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:21.460
 like conflict.

00:35:21.460 --> 00:35:21.599
 conflict.

00:35:22.800 --> 00:35:23.460
 You'd rather

00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:24.440
 avoid conflict.

00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:26.240
 And so this is

00:35:26.240 --> 00:35:27.019
 making you really

00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:28.860
 uncomfortable and

00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:29.579
 you really, really

00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:30.220
 don't want to do

00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:30.539
 this.

00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:32.800
 Well, you're not

00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:33.480
 alone if that's

00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:33.679
 you.

00:35:36.720 --> 00:35:37.539
 Sometimes people

00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.320
 don't respond well

00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:39.300
 to correction even

00:35:39.300 --> 00:35:40.220
 when you do a good

00:35:40.220 --> 00:35:40.960
 job of bringing it.

00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:43.720
 And so we prefer to

00:35:43.720 --> 00:35:44.480
 avoid it sometimes.

00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:46.380
 But we must not be

00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:47.260
 controlled by the

00:35:47.260 --> 00:35:48.159
 fear of our

00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:48.880
 brother or sister.

00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:50.220
 We must be

00:35:50.220 --> 00:35:50.880
 controlled by our

00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:51.380
 love.

00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:52.159
 of our brother or

00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:52.400
 sister.

00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:56.539
 It says in James

00:35:56.539 --> 00:35:57.579
 5, 19 to 20,

00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:58.260
 my brothers, if

00:35:58.260 --> 00:35:59.039
 anyone among you

00:35:59.039 --> 00:35:59.940
 wanders from the

00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.500
 truth and someone

00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:01.500
 brings him back,

00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:03.019
 let him know that

00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:04.000
 whoever brings back

00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:04.699
 a sinner from his

00:36:04.699 --> 00:36:05.860
 wandering will save

00:36:05.860 --> 00:36:07.119
 his soul from

00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:08.199
 death and will

00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:09.300
 cover a multitude

00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:10.139
 of sins.

00:36:10.840 --> 00:36:11.740
 What kind of

00:36:11.740 --> 00:36:12.720
 privilege it is that

00:36:12.720 --> 00:36:13.659
 we get to partake

00:36:13.659 --> 00:36:14.480
 in that work.

00:36:14.740 --> 00:36:15.220
 That when we

00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:16.639
 restore an erring

00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:17.360
 brother or sister

00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:18.720
 from sin who has

00:36:18.720 --> 00:36:19.579
 transgressed and we

00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.559
 bring them back.

00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:22.539
 we cover a

00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:23.440
 multitude of sins.

00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:24.380
 We save their

00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:25.599
 soul from death.

00:36:26.099 --> 00:36:26.900
 Do you not want

00:36:26.900 --> 00:36:27.460
 your brother or

00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:28.179
 sister to do that

00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:28.539
 for you?

00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:30.820
 I want you to do

00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:31.420
 that for me.

00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:33.199
 I need you to do

00:36:33.199 --> 00:36:33.759
 that for me.

00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:40.060
 Dietrich Bonhoeffer

00:36:40.060 --> 00:36:40.920
 says, nothing can

00:36:40.920 --> 00:36:42.320
 be more cruel than

00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.380
 that leniency which

00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:44.500
 abandons others to

00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:44.840
 sin.

00:36:45.360 --> 00:36:46.460
 Nothing can be more

00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.380
 compassionate than

00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:49.080
 that severe reprimand

00:36:49.080 --> 00:36:50.140
 which calls another

00:36:50.140 --> 00:36:50.880
 Christian in one's

00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:51.740
 community back from

00:36:51.740 --> 00:36:52.560
 the path of sin.

00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:55.100
 We are accountable

00:36:55.100 --> 00:36:55.740
 to one another.

00:36:56.240 --> 00:36:57.820
 We are members one

00:36:57.820 --> 00:36:58.280
 of another.

00:36:58.660 --> 00:36:59.440
 We are part of the

00:36:59.440 --> 00:37:00.700
 one body of Jesus

00:37:00.700 --> 00:37:01.220
 Christ.

00:37:01.220 --> 00:37:02.320
 Part of the same

00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:03.340
 family of God.

00:37:03.740 --> 00:37:04.260
 And that's why

00:37:04.260 --> 00:37:05.320
 three times in this

00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:06.220
 passage we see the

00:37:06.220 --> 00:37:06.980
 word brother.

00:37:08.160 --> 00:37:08.700
 And you could

00:37:08.700 --> 00:37:10.039
 insert there sister.

00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:12.360
 Brothers.

00:37:12.740 --> 00:37:13.059
 Brothers.

00:37:14.740 --> 00:37:16.280
 After Cain murders

00:37:16.280 --> 00:37:17.620
 his brother Abel and

00:37:17.620 --> 00:37:18.900
 God confronts Cain by

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:20.059
 asking, where is your

00:37:20.059 --> 00:37:21.220
 brother Abel?

00:37:21.780 --> 00:37:23.380
 Cain famously responds,

00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:25.440
 I do not know.

00:37:26.160 --> 00:37:27.019
 This is right after he

00:37:27.019 --> 00:37:27.380
 killed him.

00:37:27.680 --> 00:37:28.440
 I don't know where he

00:37:28.440 --> 00:37:28.640
 is.

00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:30.200
 I'm not my brother's

00:37:30.200 --> 00:37:30.519
 keeper.

00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:31.519
 What do you think I

00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:31.639
 am?

00:37:31.659 --> 00:37:32.400
 Just watching my

00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:32.900
 brother all the

00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:33.159
 time?

00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.980
 I know that it's a

00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:38.619
 common attitude of

00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.179
 people in New

00:37:39.179 --> 00:37:39.440
 England.

00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:41.900
 Well, that's none of

00:37:41.900 --> 00:37:42.380
 my business.

00:37:44.980 --> 00:37:50.119
 But as Pastor

00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:51.239
 Matthew Smethers

00:37:51.239 --> 00:37:52.940
 puts it in one of

00:37:52.940 --> 00:37:53.599
 his podcasts,

00:37:54.420 --> 00:37:55.280
 church membership

00:37:55.280 --> 00:37:56.759
 is where it's none

00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:57.519
 of your business

00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:58.300
 goes to die.

00:37:58.300 --> 00:38:00.720
 is where we say, I

00:38:00.720 --> 00:38:01.660
 am my brother's

00:38:01.660 --> 00:38:01.900
 keeper.

00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:03.640
 I am my sister's

00:38:03.640 --> 00:38:04.700
 keeper and they are

00:38:04.700 --> 00:38:05.060
 mine.

00:38:08.560 --> 00:38:09.720
 You might not be a

00:38:09.720 --> 00:38:11.240
 close friend of your

00:38:11.240 --> 00:38:12.280
 brother or sister in

00:38:12.280 --> 00:38:13.480
 Christ, but you don't

00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:14.640
 have to be a close

00:38:14.640 --> 00:38:16.000
 friend to bring loving

00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:16.460
 correction.

00:38:18.120 --> 00:38:19.340
 The bigger problem is

00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:20.039
 not the lack of

00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:20.519
 intimacy.

00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:21.880
 The bigger problem is

00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:22.860
 the lack of maturity in

00:38:22.860 --> 00:38:23.740
 the way people bring it.

00:38:23.739 --> 00:38:27.259
 the Bible is full of

00:38:27.259 --> 00:38:28.759
 examples of prophets

00:38:28.759 --> 00:38:30.039
 rebuking other members

00:38:30.039 --> 00:38:30.579
 of the covenant

00:38:30.579 --> 00:38:31.659
 community with whom

00:38:31.659 --> 00:38:32.619
 they have little to no

00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:33.159
 relationship.

00:38:34.399 --> 00:38:35.059
 Because it was a large

00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:35.699
 covenant community.

00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:38.179
 Micaiah with King Ahab

00:38:38.179 --> 00:38:39.199
 in 1st King 22.

00:38:39.759 --> 00:38:40.879
 Peter with Simon the

00:38:40.879 --> 00:38:41.439
 magician who was

00:38:41.439 --> 00:38:42.899
 supposedly a convert in

00:38:42.899 --> 00:38:44.219
 Acts 8, 18 to 23.

00:38:44.679 --> 00:38:46.059
 If we only admonish

00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:47.099
 those people that we

00:38:47.099 --> 00:38:48.459
 are close to, what

00:38:48.459 --> 00:38:49.719
 happens when a member

00:38:49.719 --> 00:38:50.779
 of a church is on the

00:38:50.779 --> 00:38:51.659
 fringes and they don't

00:38:51.659 --> 00:38:52.539
 have close friends?

00:38:52.539 --> 00:38:55.860
 Do we just abandon

00:38:55.860 --> 00:38:56.519
 them to sin?

00:38:58.219 --> 00:38:59.159
 On their path to

00:38:59.159 --> 00:38:59.599
 destruction?

00:39:03.199 --> 00:39:04.759
 Galatians 6, 1-5 is

00:39:04.759 --> 00:39:05.559
 inspiring and

00:39:05.559 --> 00:39:05.980
 convicting.

00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:06.820
 It says,

00:39:07.300 --> 00:39:09.980
 Brothers, sisters, if

00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:11.340
 anyone is caught in any

00:39:11.340 --> 00:39:12.599
 transgression, you who

00:39:12.599 --> 00:39:13.559
 are spiritual should

00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.779
 restore him in a spirit

00:39:14.779 --> 00:39:15.800
 of gentleness.

00:39:16.719 --> 00:39:17.900
 Keep watch on yourself

00:39:17.900 --> 00:39:18.739
 lest you too be

00:39:18.739 --> 00:39:19.079
 tempted.

00:39:19.619 --> 00:39:20.440
 He's aware that

00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:21.440
 confronting others of

00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:22.019
 sin can be very

00:39:22.019 --> 00:39:22.500
 tempting for

00:39:22.500 --> 00:39:22.920
 ourselves.

00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:24.719
 Bear one another's

00:39:24.719 --> 00:39:26.079
 burdens and so

00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:27.039
 fulfill the law of

00:39:27.039 --> 00:39:27.500
 Christ.

00:39:28.599 --> 00:39:29.960
 But let each one test

00:39:29.960 --> 00:39:31.480
 his own work and then

00:39:31.480 --> 00:39:32.800
 his reason to boast will

00:39:32.800 --> 00:39:34.099
 be in himself alone and

00:39:34.099 --> 00:39:35.219
 not in his neighbor.

00:39:35.860 --> 00:39:37.340
 For each will have to

00:39:37.340 --> 00:39:38.759
 bear his own load.

00:39:39.759 --> 00:39:40.400
 Isn't that interesting?

00:39:40.699 --> 00:39:41.500
 He says on the one

00:39:41.500 --> 00:39:43.599
 hand that each of us

00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:45.079
 will have to stand on

00:39:45.079 --> 00:39:46.420
 our own at the final

00:39:46.420 --> 00:39:46.780
 judgment.

00:39:47.239 --> 00:39:48.519
 Each will have to bear

00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:49.480
 his own load.

00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:51.960
 judgment judgment judgment

00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:51.960


00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:52.420
 judgment judgment judgment

00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:52.420


00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:52.980
 judgment judgment judgment

00:39:52.980 --> 00:39:54.079
 judgment judgment judgment judgment

00:39:54.079 --> 00:39:57.119
 we will not be judged according to the fruits of our church.

00:39:57.619 --> 00:39:59.759
 We will not be judged according to the fruits of your family.

00:40:01.059 --> 00:40:03.880
 You will not be judged according to the fruits of your friends.

00:40:04.380 --> 00:40:06.000
 You will be judged according to the fruits,

00:40:06.299 --> 00:40:09.360
 whether you yourself bore fruits keeping with repentance or not.

00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:12.559
 We must stand alone in final judgment.

00:40:13.759 --> 00:40:15.480
 But until that day,

00:40:16.840 --> 00:40:19.460
 it says, bear one another's burdens.

00:40:22.259 --> 00:40:23.299
 How do we do that?

00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:26.179
 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression,

00:40:26.340 --> 00:40:29.079
 you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.

00:40:29.779 --> 00:40:31.719
 On that day, we will bear our own love.

00:40:31.779 --> 00:40:33.840
 We must stand alone as individuals.

00:40:34.500 --> 00:40:37.539
 But until that day, we get to help each other.

00:40:37.779 --> 00:40:39.340
 We get to bear each other's burdens.

00:40:39.599 --> 00:40:41.699
 We get to restore each other from sin.

00:40:41.699 --> 00:40:44.340
 We get to speak the truth and love to each other

00:40:44.340 --> 00:40:47.420
 so that on that day when we have to stand alone,

00:40:47.539 --> 00:40:51.500
 we can actually stand and not fall before the judgment of God.

00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:56.880
 That's the privilege of being a member of the body of Christ

00:40:56.880 --> 00:41:00.320
 and speaking the truth and exhorting one another in love.

00:41:00.320 --> 00:41:05.720
 So I want to encourage you,

00:41:05.840 --> 00:41:08.680
 if you are members of the same local church

00:41:08.680 --> 00:41:11.620
 and you have enough relational proximity

00:41:11.620 --> 00:41:16.700
 to have come to firsthand knowledge of a sin of a brother and sister,

00:41:17.340 --> 00:41:19.240
 then it is not only your right,

00:41:19.239 --> 00:41:23.719
 it is your responsibility to say something

00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:28.719
 if there's unrepentance in it.

00:41:39.099 --> 00:41:41.459
 When it comes to unbelievers, however,

00:41:41.619 --> 00:41:42.899
 our responsibility is different.

00:41:42.900 --> 00:41:46.639
 That's why Jesus adds in verse 6,

00:41:46.740 --> 00:41:48.220
 Do not give dogs what is holy

00:41:48.220 --> 00:41:50.280
 and do not throw your pearls before pigs,

00:41:50.579 --> 00:41:53.220
 lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

00:41:53.980 --> 00:41:55.160
 It's kind of a random verse.

00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:57.300
 If you read it in context,

00:41:57.480 --> 00:41:59.300
 it seems like a random verse.

00:42:00.039 --> 00:42:02.139
 What does this have anything to do with the rest of the passage?

00:42:03.099 --> 00:42:04.280
 I've mentioned to you before

00:42:04.280 --> 00:42:06.800
 that when the Bible speaks of dogs,

00:42:06.900 --> 00:42:09.280
 you should not think of your cute pet corgis

00:42:09.280 --> 00:42:11.620
 and Pomeranians, right?

00:42:12.440 --> 00:42:13.960
 That would be anachronistic.

00:42:14.560 --> 00:42:16.620
 Dogs in the Bible times are,

00:42:16.740 --> 00:42:18.160
 and still in many parts of the world,

00:42:18.340 --> 00:42:22.240
 are scavengers, wild, disgusting animals.

00:42:23.280 --> 00:42:26.040
 They are symbols not of insiders,

00:42:26.560 --> 00:42:27.600
 pets that live in your home,

00:42:28.000 --> 00:42:29.800
 but they are symbols of outsiders,

00:42:30.640 --> 00:42:32.140
 pests that live on the street.

00:42:34.900 --> 00:42:35.960
 For this reason,

00:42:36.120 --> 00:42:39.260
 evildoers are sometimes described figuratively as dogs.

00:42:39.280 --> 00:42:40.140
 In the Bible,

00:42:40.240 --> 00:42:41.400
 in 2 Samuel 16, 9,

00:42:41.500 --> 00:42:42.560
 Psalm 22, 16,

00:42:43.000 --> 00:42:45.500
 it was the unflattering term

00:42:45.500 --> 00:42:47.000
 that the Jews of Jesus' day

00:42:47.000 --> 00:42:49.940
 used of unbelieving Gentiles.

00:42:51.060 --> 00:42:52.960
 Speaking of those who are excluded

00:42:52.960 --> 00:42:54.720
 from the new heavenly Jerusalem

00:42:54.720 --> 00:42:56.700
 in Revelation chapter 22, 15,

00:42:56.800 --> 00:42:57.100
 it says,

00:42:57.700 --> 00:42:59.519
 outside are the dogs

00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:01.200
 and sorcerers

00:43:01.200 --> 00:43:02.280
 and the sexually immoral

00:43:02.280 --> 00:43:03.580
 and murderers and idolaters

00:43:03.580 --> 00:43:05.720
 and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

00:43:05.719 --> 00:43:08.119
 pigs,

00:43:08.379 --> 00:43:09.399
 as you may have guessed,

00:43:09.439 --> 00:43:11.439
 is also not a complementary term.

00:43:13.099 --> 00:43:16.059
 According to Old Testament ceremonial law,

00:43:16.339 --> 00:43:18.299
 pigs were ritually unclean.

00:43:18.379 --> 00:43:19.719
 They were unclean animals,

00:43:20.259 --> 00:43:21.899
 unfit for consumption by Jews

00:43:21.899 --> 00:43:23.719
 and unfit also for sacrifice.

00:43:24.759 --> 00:43:26.399
 That's why in the Gospels,

00:43:26.459 --> 00:43:28.239
 when you read the narratives of Jesus' travels,

00:43:28.399 --> 00:43:30.079
 you only encounter pigs

00:43:30.079 --> 00:43:33.000
 when Jesus goes into the region of the Gentiles,

00:43:33.000 --> 00:43:35.579
 like the country of the Gadarenes

00:43:35.579 --> 00:43:37.619
 in Matthew chapter 8, 30 to 32.

00:43:38.599 --> 00:43:40.079
 Because of these associations,

00:43:40.380 --> 00:43:41.440
 the dogs and pigs here

00:43:41.440 --> 00:43:42.679
 refer to unbelievers,

00:43:43.320 --> 00:43:45.900
 those who have rejected Christ,

00:43:47.059 --> 00:43:49.099
 those who are incapable of receiving

00:43:49.099 --> 00:43:50.000
 the precious pearls

00:43:50.519 --> 00:43:52.360
 of God's holy truth and wisdom.

00:43:53.760 --> 00:43:55.320
 Jesus is here qualifying

00:43:55.320 --> 00:43:56.719
 what he said earlier on.

00:43:57.340 --> 00:43:59.360
 We should remove the locks

00:43:59.360 --> 00:44:00.260
 from our own eyes

00:44:00.260 --> 00:44:02.000
 so that we can remove the specks

00:44:02.000 --> 00:44:03.500
 from our brothers' and sisters' eyes.

00:44:03.659 --> 00:44:04.980
 But when it comes to those

00:44:04.980 --> 00:44:07.659
 who are not our brothers and sisters in Christ,

00:44:08.119 --> 00:44:09.559
 it is not our responsibility

00:44:09.559 --> 00:44:11.280
 to try to remove all their specks.

00:44:13.860 --> 00:44:14.300
 Why?

00:44:14.400 --> 00:44:15.940
 Because they lack the spiritual capacity

00:44:15.940 --> 00:44:17.760
 to receive the truth of God

00:44:17.760 --> 00:44:18.619
 that we bring to them,

00:44:19.099 --> 00:44:20.679
 lest they trample them underfoot

00:44:20.679 --> 00:44:22.280
 and turn to attack us.

00:44:23.780 --> 00:44:26.179
 Paul speaks of this exact same principle

00:44:26.179 --> 00:44:28.019
 in 1 Corinthians 5, 12 to 13.

00:44:28.019 --> 00:44:29.639
 For what have I to do

00:44:29.639 --> 00:44:30.880
 with judging outsiders?

00:44:31.880 --> 00:44:33.800
 It is not those inside the church.

00:44:33.900 --> 00:44:36.239
 Is it not those inside the church

00:44:36.239 --> 00:44:37.139
 whom you are to judge?

00:44:37.699 --> 00:44:39.380
 God judges those outside.

00:44:39.699 --> 00:44:41.980
 Purge the evil person from among you.

00:44:43.000 --> 00:44:45.280
 It is not our place to judge outsiders.

00:44:45.480 --> 00:44:48.000
 It is our place to judge insiders,

00:44:49.000 --> 00:44:50.019
 those who are in the church.

00:44:50.719 --> 00:44:52.559
 Paul says this in the context

00:44:52.559 --> 00:44:53.960
 of exhorting the Corinthian church

00:44:53.960 --> 00:44:55.539
 to exercise church discipline

00:44:55.539 --> 00:44:58.360
 and to excommunicate a professing believer

00:44:58.360 --> 00:45:01.420
 who is living in unrepentant sexual immorality.

00:45:03.340 --> 00:45:05.360
 It is not our responsibility

00:45:05.360 --> 00:45:07.099
 to become moral crusaders

00:45:07.099 --> 00:45:10.739
 and pass judgment on every passer-by unbeliever.

00:45:11.400 --> 00:45:13.420
 It is our responsibility rather

00:45:13.420 --> 00:45:15.679
 to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them,

00:45:15.739 --> 00:45:17.539
 to call them to repentance and faith

00:45:17.539 --> 00:45:19.460
 in the mercy and grace of God.

00:45:21.000 --> 00:45:23.079
 We cannot expect unbelievers

00:45:23.079 --> 00:45:24.139
 to behave like believers.

00:45:25.539 --> 00:45:27.079
 If you are here this morning

00:45:27.079 --> 00:45:28.279
 and you are not yet a believer,

00:45:28.800 --> 00:45:30.300
 how should you respond?

00:45:31.440 --> 00:45:32.860
 Your response shouldn't be,

00:45:33.599 --> 00:45:34.480
 a dog?

00:45:35.139 --> 00:45:35.940
 A pig?

00:45:36.739 --> 00:45:37.840
 How dare you?

00:45:43.119 --> 00:45:44.900
 Instead, your response should be that

00:45:44.900 --> 00:45:46.179
 of the Canaanite woman,

00:45:47.400 --> 00:45:49.420
 the Gentile woman in Matthew 15.

00:45:49.420 --> 00:45:52.800
 She asks Jesus to heal her son

00:45:52.800 --> 00:45:55.500
 and Jesus, to test her faith,

00:45:55.619 --> 00:45:56.980
 asks her, tells her,

00:45:57.780 --> 00:46:01.220
 it is not right for me to take the bread

00:46:01.220 --> 00:46:02.460
 that is for the children

00:46:02.460 --> 00:46:04.360
 and to give them to the dogs.

00:46:06.119 --> 00:46:07.639
 Ha, that's a hard test.

00:46:09.220 --> 00:46:11.340
 I'm sure she's heard that growing up

00:46:11.340 --> 00:46:14.420
 from Jews, unkind Jews.

00:46:14.420 --> 00:46:18.159
 But you know what she says?

00:46:18.880 --> 00:46:19.680
 She doesn't say,

00:46:19.760 --> 00:46:20.539
 forget your bread.

00:46:22.480 --> 00:46:23.300
 She says,

00:46:23.720 --> 00:46:25.400
 but even the dogs

00:46:25.400 --> 00:46:27.059
 get the crumbs that fall

00:46:27.059 --> 00:46:28.159
 from the children's table.

00:46:30.019 --> 00:46:32.000
 She humbles herself before God.

00:46:34.280 --> 00:46:35.740
 That should be your posture.

00:46:36.180 --> 00:46:36.900
 If you are here

00:46:36.900 --> 00:46:38.240
 and you do not yet know Christ,

00:46:38.239 --> 00:46:41.919
 before the holy and perfect God,

00:46:42.119 --> 00:46:43.679
 every single one of us,

00:46:44.319 --> 00:46:45.519
 dogs and pigs,

00:46:46.599 --> 00:46:49.159
 but worms,

00:46:51.059 --> 00:46:52.579
 unworthy and unfit

00:46:52.579 --> 00:46:53.719
 to worship him

00:46:53.719 --> 00:46:54.579
 and come to him.

00:46:55.000 --> 00:46:56.399
 But if we have the humility

00:46:56.399 --> 00:46:57.419
 to come to him and say,

00:46:58.219 --> 00:46:59.679
 but even the dogs

00:46:59.679 --> 00:47:00.759
 get the crumbs that fall

00:47:00.759 --> 00:47:01.819
 from the children's table.

00:47:03.619 --> 00:47:05.559
 Can you just let me scavenge?

00:47:06.879 --> 00:47:07.899
 Get some crumbs?

00:47:09.199 --> 00:47:10.739
 Can I just have a little bit?

00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:13.959
 And then God opens his arms

00:47:13.959 --> 00:47:14.919
 wide open and says,

00:47:15.099 --> 00:47:16.199
 no, no,

00:47:16.479 --> 00:47:17.779
 you are not a dog.

00:47:18.139 --> 00:47:19.339
 You are my child.

00:47:20.659 --> 00:47:22.259
 And welcomes us in.

00:47:23.719 --> 00:47:25.259
 Here is the feast

00:47:25.259 --> 00:47:27.519
 reserved for you.

00:47:28.519 --> 00:47:29.919
 Eat, take,

00:47:29.919 --> 00:47:31.000
 without payment.

00:47:38.239 --> 00:47:41.839
 In addition to teaching us

00:47:41.839 --> 00:47:42.779
 how not to judge,

00:47:45.099 --> 00:47:46.479
 I'm getting to my second point,

00:47:46.559 --> 00:47:47.379
 but I promise the second point

00:47:47.379 --> 00:47:47.959
 is a lot shorter

00:47:47.959 --> 00:47:48.619
 than the first point.

00:47:50.199 --> 00:47:51.379
 Jesus also teaches us

00:47:51.379 --> 00:47:52.479
 why not to judge.

00:47:52.979 --> 00:47:53.759
 Just two verses.

00:47:55.339 --> 00:47:56.959
 He could have commended us

00:47:56.959 --> 00:47:58.359
 to not judge,

00:47:58.739 --> 00:47:59.099
 you know,

00:47:59.139 --> 00:48:00.500
 without giving us

00:48:00.500 --> 00:48:01.839
 any reasons or motivations,

00:48:02.019 --> 00:48:03.039
 just because it's simply

00:48:03.039 --> 00:48:03.759
 the right thing to do,

00:48:03.760 --> 00:48:04.820
 but Jesus is very kind

00:48:04.820 --> 00:48:05.280
 and gracious

00:48:05.280 --> 00:48:06.980
 to give us additional motivation

00:48:06.980 --> 00:48:07.960
 in verses one and two.

00:48:08.620 --> 00:48:08.780
 It says,

00:48:08.780 --> 00:48:09.600
 judge not,

00:48:09.960 --> 00:48:11.420
 that you be not judged.

00:48:11.700 --> 00:48:12.700
 For with the judgment

00:48:12.700 --> 00:48:13.400
 you pronounce,

00:48:13.519 --> 00:48:14.360
 you will be judged.

00:48:14.700 --> 00:48:16.019
 And with the measure you use,

00:48:16.080 --> 00:48:17.460
 it will be measured to you.

00:48:19.300 --> 00:48:20.760
 These verses have been interpreted

00:48:20.760 --> 00:48:22.160
 differently by various people.

00:48:22.159 --> 00:48:25.819
 In one sense,

00:48:25.899 --> 00:48:27.079
 this verse can refer to

00:48:27.079 --> 00:48:27.940
 how we will be judged

00:48:27.940 --> 00:48:29.219
 by other people.

00:48:30.719 --> 00:48:32.359
 If we tend to be judgmental

00:48:32.359 --> 00:48:33.899
 and censorious toward others,

00:48:34.279 --> 00:48:35.839
 you'll likely draw the ire

00:48:35.839 --> 00:48:36.739
 of other people

00:48:36.739 --> 00:48:38.239
 and they will likely be judgmental

00:48:38.239 --> 00:48:39.599
 and censorious toward you.

00:48:40.019 --> 00:48:40.579
 That is true.

00:48:42.399 --> 00:48:42.559
 So,

00:48:43.480 --> 00:48:45.379
 however,

00:48:45.719 --> 00:48:46.920
 while that's true,

00:48:47.019 --> 00:48:48.059
 I don't think that's what

00:48:48.059 --> 00:48:48.980
 this passage means.

00:48:49.879 --> 00:48:50.699
 I mentioned earlier

00:48:50.699 --> 00:48:52.539
 that Luke 6, 37 parallels

00:48:52.539 --> 00:48:53.539
 this passage in Matthew.

00:48:54.119 --> 00:48:54.779
 And there it says,

00:48:55.119 --> 00:48:55.419
 judge not

00:48:55.419 --> 00:48:56.519
 and you will not be judged.

00:48:56.699 --> 00:48:57.339
 Condemn not

00:48:57.339 --> 00:48:58.460
 and you will not be condemned.

00:48:59.059 --> 00:48:59.319
 Forgive

00:48:59.319 --> 00:49:00.939
 and you will be forgiven.

00:49:01.980 --> 00:49:02.439
 Do you remember

00:49:02.439 --> 00:49:03.099
 that last clause?

00:49:03.199 --> 00:49:03.500
 Forgive

00:49:03.500 --> 00:49:04.919
 and you will be forgiven.

00:49:05.039 --> 00:49:06.079
 Where have we seen that before

00:49:06.079 --> 00:49:06.579
 in Matthew,

00:49:06.659 --> 00:49:07.539
 in the Lord's Prayer?

00:49:08.899 --> 00:49:10.480
 Echoes Matthew 6, 14.

00:49:10.639 --> 00:49:12.119
 For if you forgive others

00:49:12.119 --> 00:49:13.159
 their trespasses,

00:49:13.659 --> 00:49:14.980
 your heavenly Father

00:49:14.980 --> 00:49:16.279
 will forgive you.

00:49:17.039 --> 00:49:17.980
 It's referring to

00:49:17.980 --> 00:49:18.980
 God's forgiveness,

00:49:19.219 --> 00:49:20.519
 not man's forgiveness.

00:49:21.599 --> 00:49:22.679
 Based on that parallel,

00:49:22.779 --> 00:49:23.739
 I think we should interpret

00:49:23.739 --> 00:49:25.799
 the judgment of Matthew 7, 1-2

00:49:25.799 --> 00:49:27.019
 also as referring to

00:49:27.019 --> 00:49:27.939
 God's judgment.

00:49:29.539 --> 00:49:30.439
 Judge not

00:49:30.439 --> 00:49:32.739
 that you be not judged

00:49:32.739 --> 00:49:33.460
 by God.

00:49:34.259 --> 00:49:35.299
 For with the judgment

00:49:35.299 --> 00:49:36.159
 you pronounce,

00:49:36.439 --> 00:49:37.460
 you will be judged

00:49:37.460 --> 00:49:38.359
 by God.

00:49:38.899 --> 00:49:40.239
 And with the measure you use,

00:49:40.279 --> 00:49:41.299
 it will be measured to you.

00:49:42.259 --> 00:49:43.460
 But how can that be?

00:49:43.980 --> 00:49:44.659
 Does this mean

00:49:44.659 --> 00:49:45.739
 that we are saved

00:49:45.739 --> 00:49:47.319
 not by God's grace

00:49:47.319 --> 00:49:48.000
 through faith,

00:49:48.079 --> 00:49:49.000
 but by our good works?

00:49:49.000 --> 00:49:52.539
 Is it our obedience

00:49:52.539 --> 00:49:53.280
 to the command,

00:49:53.440 --> 00:49:53.880
 judge not,

00:49:53.980 --> 00:49:54.559
 that saves us

00:49:54.559 --> 00:49:55.219
 and delivers us

00:49:55.219 --> 00:49:56.079
 from the wrath of God?

00:49:56.800 --> 00:49:57.619
 Not at all.

00:49:58.360 --> 00:49:59.219
 We are saved

00:49:59.219 --> 00:50:00.559
 by grace alone,

00:50:00.659 --> 00:50:01.719
 through faith alone,

00:50:01.900 --> 00:50:02.780
 but the faith

00:50:02.780 --> 00:50:03.980
 through which we are saved

00:50:03.980 --> 00:50:05.019
 is never alone.

00:50:05.980 --> 00:50:06.619
 But it's always

00:50:06.619 --> 00:50:07.840
 accompanied by good works.

00:50:09.039 --> 00:50:10.119
 James 2 teaches us

00:50:10.119 --> 00:50:10.480
 clearly,

00:50:10.739 --> 00:50:11.900
 faith by itself,

00:50:12.000 --> 00:50:13.179
 if it does not have works,

00:50:13.280 --> 00:50:14.360
 is dead.

00:50:14.360 --> 00:50:16.700
 That is not saving faith,

00:50:16.820 --> 00:50:17.860
 but empty faith.

00:50:17.980 --> 00:50:18.700
 Faith without works

00:50:18.700 --> 00:50:19.660
 is empty faith.

00:50:19.740 --> 00:50:20.860
 It's a nominal faith.

00:50:22.320 --> 00:50:23.019
 Even demons

00:50:23.019 --> 00:50:24.039
 have that kind of faith.

00:50:24.280 --> 00:50:25.099
 They believe in God.

00:50:25.420 --> 00:50:26.420
 They just don't submit to Him.

00:50:27.260 --> 00:50:27.740
 Obey Him.

00:50:29.300 --> 00:50:30.440
 A genuine faith in God,

00:50:30.519 --> 00:50:30.700
 however,

00:50:30.740 --> 00:50:31.579
 is always accompanied

00:50:31.579 --> 00:50:32.320
 by obedience.

00:50:33.220 --> 00:50:33.920
 You can think of it

00:50:33.920 --> 00:50:34.440
 this way.

00:50:34.480 --> 00:50:34.900
 Many of you

00:50:34.900 --> 00:50:35.940
 graduated recently

00:50:35.940 --> 00:50:36.940
 from schools,

00:50:37.519 --> 00:50:39.019
 and when you graduate,

00:50:39.160 --> 00:50:40.200
 you get the cap and gown

00:50:40.200 --> 00:50:40.940
 and the diploma,

00:50:41.180 --> 00:50:41.579
 and you have

00:50:41.579 --> 00:50:42.640
 a graduation ceremony.

00:50:42.639 --> 00:50:45.839
 Those are the accompanying marks

00:50:45.839 --> 00:50:46.839
 or proofs

00:50:46.839 --> 00:50:47.719
 of your graduation.

00:50:48.920 --> 00:50:49.819
 But it's not

00:50:49.819 --> 00:50:50.839
 the cap and the gown

00:50:50.839 --> 00:50:52.079
 and the paper diploma

00:50:52.079 --> 00:50:52.619
 in your hand

00:50:52.619 --> 00:50:53.539
 that makes you a graduate.

00:50:54.699 --> 00:50:55.559
 It's the fact

00:50:55.559 --> 00:50:56.440
 that you have finished

00:50:56.440 --> 00:50:57.480
 your course load.

00:50:58.339 --> 00:50:58.900
 It's the fact

00:50:58.900 --> 00:50:59.659
 that you have met

00:50:59.659 --> 00:51:00.400
 the requirements

00:51:00.400 --> 00:51:01.139
 of your degree.

00:51:01.599 --> 00:51:02.599
 That's what makes you

00:51:02.599 --> 00:51:03.039
 a graduate.

00:51:06.099 --> 00:51:07.379
 In the same way,

00:51:08.400 --> 00:51:09.579
 the finished work

00:51:09.579 --> 00:51:10.460
 of Jesus Christ

00:51:10.460 --> 00:51:11.339
 on the cross

00:51:11.339 --> 00:51:11.819
 for,

00:51:11.820 --> 00:51:12.680
 on behalf

00:51:12.680 --> 00:51:13.340
 of His people,

00:51:13.700 --> 00:51:15.300
 that is the basis

00:51:15.300 --> 00:51:17.220
 for our graduation.

00:51:17.500 --> 00:51:18.240
 That is the basis

00:51:18.240 --> 00:51:19.300
 for our salvation.

00:51:21.120 --> 00:51:22.360
 What Jesus has already

00:51:22.360 --> 00:51:22.800
 done for us

00:51:22.800 --> 00:51:23.340
 on the cross,

00:51:23.480 --> 00:51:24.480
 but when we believe

00:51:24.480 --> 00:51:24.860
 in that,

00:51:24.900 --> 00:51:25.960
 and when we have faith

00:51:25.960 --> 00:51:26.300
 in Jesus,

00:51:26.380 --> 00:51:27.019
 and trust ourselves

00:51:27.019 --> 00:51:27.360
 to Him,

00:51:27.559 --> 00:51:28.300
 there are these

00:51:28.300 --> 00:51:30.019
 accompanying marks

00:51:30.019 --> 00:51:31.180
 and proofs

00:51:31.180 --> 00:51:31.980
 and evidences

00:51:31.980 --> 00:51:33.300
 like cap and gowns

00:51:33.300 --> 00:51:34.300
 and diplomas

00:51:34.300 --> 00:51:35.260
 that come with that,

00:51:35.300 --> 00:51:35.740
 and those are

00:51:35.740 --> 00:51:36.420
 the good works,

00:51:36.880 --> 00:51:37.539
 the fruits

00:51:37.539 --> 00:51:38.740
 of our faith,

00:51:39.200 --> 00:51:39.800
 the fruits

00:51:39.800 --> 00:51:41.640
 of the grace

00:51:41.640 --> 00:51:42.240
 that is at work

00:51:42.240 --> 00:51:42.620
 in us.

00:51:44.720 --> 00:51:46.140
 Consider James 2.13,

00:51:46.220 --> 00:51:46.500
 which says,

00:51:46.580 --> 00:51:47.100
 For judgment

00:51:47.100 --> 00:51:48.160
 is without mercy

00:51:48.160 --> 00:51:48.880
 to one who has

00:51:48.880 --> 00:51:49.780
 shown no mercy.

00:51:50.280 --> 00:51:51.300
 Mercy triumphs

00:51:51.300 --> 00:51:51.860
 over judgment.

00:51:52.720 --> 00:51:53.519
 If we,

00:51:53.900 --> 00:51:54.480
 as Christians,

00:51:54.620 --> 00:51:55.580
 show no mercy

00:51:55.580 --> 00:51:56.140
 to our brothers

00:51:56.140 --> 00:51:57.140
 and sisters in Christ,

00:51:57.480 --> 00:51:58.600
 then God's judgment

00:51:58.600 --> 00:51:59.960
 of us

00:51:59.960 --> 00:52:01.260
 will have no mercy.

00:52:01.320 --> 00:52:02.140
 It will be without mercy.

00:52:02.859 --> 00:52:03.839
 But if we do

00:52:03.839 --> 00:52:04.679
 show mercy

00:52:04.679 --> 00:52:05.199
 to our brothers

00:52:05.199 --> 00:52:06.099
 and sisters in Christ,

00:52:06.199 --> 00:52:07.139
 then at the final judgment,

00:52:07.279 --> 00:52:08.839
 we will receive mercy,

00:52:09.159 --> 00:52:10.400
 and mercy will triumph

00:52:10.400 --> 00:52:11.420
 over judgment.

00:52:12.199 --> 00:52:13.559
 It's the same principle

00:52:13.559 --> 00:52:14.400
 that we've seen,

00:52:14.519 --> 00:52:15.179
 that we've mentioned

00:52:15.179 --> 00:52:15.920
 over and over again

00:52:15.920 --> 00:52:16.500
 throughout the Gospel

00:52:16.500 --> 00:52:16.900
 of Matthew,

00:52:17.139 --> 00:52:17.699
 the parable

00:52:17.699 --> 00:52:18.900
 of the unforgiving servant

00:52:18.900 --> 00:52:20.539
 in Matthew 18.21-35.

00:52:21.980 --> 00:52:22.859
 We had sinned

00:52:22.859 --> 00:52:23.539
 against God

00:52:23.539 --> 00:52:25.199
 far more grievously

00:52:25.199 --> 00:52:27.059
 than any of our brothers

00:52:27.059 --> 00:52:27.480
 and sisters

00:52:27.480 --> 00:52:28.679
 ever have against us.

00:52:29.879 --> 00:52:31.199
 Our debt of sin

00:52:31.199 --> 00:52:32.019
 to God,

00:52:32.119 --> 00:52:33.059
 according to that parable,

00:52:33.139 --> 00:52:33.739
 is in the order

00:52:33.739 --> 00:52:34.239
 of magnitude

00:52:34.239 --> 00:52:34.980
 of billions,

00:52:35.199 --> 00:52:36.699
 7.2 billion dollars,

00:52:37.259 --> 00:52:38.039
 figuratively speaking.

00:52:38.759 --> 00:52:39.419
 And our brothers

00:52:39.419 --> 00:52:39.980
 and sisters'

00:52:40.199 --> 00:52:40.719
 debt of sin

00:52:40.719 --> 00:52:41.279
 toward us

00:52:41.279 --> 00:52:42.059
 is in the order

00:52:42.059 --> 00:52:42.739
 of thousands.

00:52:44.399 --> 00:52:45.279
 But if God

00:52:45.279 --> 00:52:46.480
 has been so merciful

00:52:46.480 --> 00:52:47.299
 to forgive us

00:52:47.299 --> 00:52:48.199
 our billions,

00:52:48.719 --> 00:52:49.339
 should we not,

00:52:50.079 --> 00:52:51.460
 also would we not,

00:52:52.199 --> 00:52:53.079
 forgive our brothers

00:52:53.079 --> 00:52:53.579
 and sisters

00:52:53.579 --> 00:52:54.319
 of their thousands?

00:52:57.139 --> 00:52:58.159
 Forgiven people

00:52:58.159 --> 00:52:58.500
 forgive.

00:52:59.579 --> 00:53:00.279
 Those who have

00:53:00.279 --> 00:53:01.179
 received mercy

00:53:01.179 --> 00:53:03.239
 extend mercy.

00:53:04.779 --> 00:53:06.299
 When Jesus first came

00:53:06.299 --> 00:53:07.199
 to our world

00:53:07.199 --> 00:53:08.000
 as the Messiah,

00:53:08.199 --> 00:53:09.480
 the Jews expected

00:53:09.480 --> 00:53:10.539
 judgment,

00:53:11.419 --> 00:53:12.519
 judgment of the wicked,

00:53:12.799 --> 00:53:13.739
 fire and brimstone,

00:53:13.980 --> 00:53:15.019
 sword and conquest,

00:53:15.399 --> 00:53:15.960
 but instead,

00:53:16.119 --> 00:53:17.139
 Jesus said in John 3,

00:53:17.199 --> 00:53:17.940
 16-17,

00:53:18.079 --> 00:53:19.179
 for God so loved the world

00:53:19.179 --> 00:53:20.440
 that he gave his only son

00:53:20.440 --> 00:53:21.799
 that whoever believes

00:53:21.799 --> 00:53:22.719
 in him should not perish

00:53:22.719 --> 00:53:23.739
 but have eternal life.

00:53:24.079 --> 00:53:25.539
 For God did not send

00:53:25.539 --> 00:53:26.500
 his son into the world

00:53:26.500 --> 00:53:27.899
 to condemn the world,

00:53:28.219 --> 00:53:29.559
 but to save the world

00:53:29.559 --> 00:53:30.179
 through him.

00:53:30.179 --> 00:53:32.599
 even though this world

00:53:32.599 --> 00:53:33.839
 spurned God

00:53:33.839 --> 00:53:35.519
 and all of his blessings,

00:53:35.960 --> 00:53:36.699
 even though we were

00:53:36.699 --> 00:53:38.000
 guilty of treason

00:53:38.000 --> 00:53:38.819
 because we have sought

00:53:38.819 --> 00:53:39.779
 to usurp

00:53:39.779 --> 00:53:40.960
 the very throne of God

00:53:40.960 --> 00:53:42.440
 by setting ourselves up

00:53:42.440 --> 00:53:43.259
 as the masters

00:53:43.259 --> 00:53:44.059
 of our own fate

00:53:44.059 --> 00:53:45.179
 and of our own lives,

00:53:45.619 --> 00:53:46.460
 and we didn't submit

00:53:46.460 --> 00:53:47.359
 to the rule of God,

00:53:47.899 --> 00:53:49.419
 Jesus did not come

00:53:49.419 --> 00:53:50.819
 to crush the rebels,

00:53:51.299 --> 00:53:53.319
 but to rescue them,

00:53:53.859 --> 00:53:55.259
 to reconcile them

00:53:55.259 --> 00:53:56.059
 to God the Father.

00:53:56.059 --> 00:53:58.480
 instead of sitting

00:53:58.480 --> 00:54:00.000
 in judgment over us,

00:54:01.719 --> 00:54:02.179
 Jesus,

00:54:02.759 --> 00:54:03.619
 the King of kings,

00:54:03.719 --> 00:54:04.420
 the Son of God,

00:54:04.619 --> 00:54:05.679
 subjected himself

00:54:05.679 --> 00:54:06.779
 to the humiliation

00:54:06.779 --> 00:54:07.820
 of sitting under

00:54:07.820 --> 00:54:08.579
 the judgment

00:54:08.579 --> 00:54:10.159
 of sinful men.

00:54:12.059 --> 00:54:13.679
 It's all so backwards.

00:54:14.519 --> 00:54:16.199
 It says in Matthew 27, 19,

00:54:16.340 --> 00:54:17.039
 that the Pilate

00:54:17.039 --> 00:54:18.739
 sat on his judgment seat

00:54:18.739 --> 00:54:20.440
 over Jesus.

00:54:20.440 --> 00:54:24.559
 We gave Jesus

00:54:24.559 --> 00:54:25.740
 a sham trial

00:54:25.740 --> 00:54:27.360
 in a kangaroo court

00:54:27.360 --> 00:54:28.320
 and charged

00:54:28.320 --> 00:54:29.619
 the very Son of God

00:54:29.619 --> 00:54:30.720
 with blasphemy.

00:54:31.220 --> 00:54:31.960
 Think of that,

00:54:32.360 --> 00:54:32.900
 the irony.

00:54:34.740 --> 00:54:35.440
 Sinful men

00:54:35.440 --> 00:54:36.940
 charging the Son of God

00:54:36.940 --> 00:54:37.840
 with blasphemy.

00:54:37.840 --> 00:54:42.620
 I should have been

00:54:42.620 --> 00:54:43.079
 the one

00:54:43.079 --> 00:54:44.160
 there

00:54:44.160 --> 00:54:45.960
 under that judgment seat

00:54:45.960 --> 00:54:47.260
 squirming,

00:54:48.200 --> 00:54:49.380
 crawling in shame.

00:54:50.160 --> 00:54:51.539
 That should have been me.

00:54:52.900 --> 00:54:53.420
 But instead,

00:54:53.640 --> 00:54:54.539
 Jesus sat

00:54:54.539 --> 00:54:56.760
 in that humiliating position

00:54:56.760 --> 00:54:58.360
 under the judgment seat

00:54:58.360 --> 00:54:59.240
 of idolatrous,

00:54:59.559 --> 00:54:59.980
 sinful,

00:55:00.380 --> 00:55:01.000
 rebellious

00:55:01.000 --> 00:55:02.160
 human beings.

00:55:02.159 --> 00:55:07.399
 But that was according

00:55:07.399 --> 00:55:08.379
 to God's sovereign plan.

00:55:09.659 --> 00:55:10.399
 Because it says

00:55:10.399 --> 00:55:11.420
 in Acts 2, 23,

00:55:11.539 --> 00:55:12.159
 this Jesus

00:55:12.159 --> 00:55:13.219
 delivered up

00:55:13.219 --> 00:55:14.099
 according to

00:55:14.099 --> 00:55:15.239
 the definite plan

00:55:15.239 --> 00:55:16.119
 and foreknowledge

00:55:16.119 --> 00:55:16.619
 of God,

00:55:16.960 --> 00:55:17.719
 you crucified

00:55:17.719 --> 00:55:18.239
 and killed

00:55:18.239 --> 00:55:18.799
 by the hands

00:55:18.799 --> 00:55:19.639
 of lawless men.

00:55:20.500 --> 00:55:21.599
 It was the will

00:55:21.599 --> 00:55:22.399
 of God the Father

00:55:22.399 --> 00:55:24.219
 to pierce his Son

00:55:24.219 --> 00:55:26.619
 for our transgressions.

00:55:27.079 --> 00:55:28.539
 It was the Father's will

00:55:28.539 --> 00:55:30.399
 to crush his Son

00:55:30.399 --> 00:55:31.699
 for our,

00:55:31.699 --> 00:55:32.819
 our iniquities.

00:55:33.759 --> 00:55:35.000
 In our place

00:55:35.000 --> 00:55:36.639
 condemned he stood

00:55:36.639 --> 00:55:39.279
 so that in his place

00:55:39.279 --> 00:55:40.359
 justified

00:55:40.359 --> 00:55:41.899
 we stand.

00:55:46.980 --> 00:55:47.839
 And then

00:55:47.839 --> 00:55:48.539
 God the Father

00:55:48.539 --> 00:55:49.219
 raised him

00:55:49.219 --> 00:55:49.859
 from the dead,

00:55:50.419 --> 00:55:51.059
 exalted him

00:55:51.059 --> 00:55:51.779
 above all rule

00:55:51.779 --> 00:55:52.259
 and authority

00:55:52.259 --> 00:55:52.980
 and power

00:55:52.980 --> 00:55:53.859
 so that he now

00:55:53.859 --> 00:55:54.639
 has the authority

00:55:54.639 --> 00:55:56.119
 to judge

00:55:56.119 --> 00:55:58.559
 all the quick

00:55:58.559 --> 00:55:59.179
 and the dead.

00:56:01.699 --> 00:56:03.819
 in anticipation

00:56:03.819 --> 00:56:04.379
 of this,

00:56:04.439 --> 00:56:04.919
 Jesus says

00:56:04.919 --> 00:56:05.559
 in John 5,

00:56:05.619 --> 00:56:06.460
 21 to 24,

00:56:06.799 --> 00:56:07.500
 which we read

00:56:07.500 --> 00:56:08.019
 in our assurance

00:56:08.019 --> 00:56:08.419
 of pardon.

00:56:08.559 --> 00:56:09.179
 Let's read it again.

00:56:09.559 --> 00:56:10.119
 Follow with me.

00:56:10.679 --> 00:56:11.719
 For as the Father

00:56:11.719 --> 00:56:12.779
 raises the dead

00:56:12.779 --> 00:56:13.899
 and gives them life,

00:56:14.259 --> 00:56:15.519
 so also the Son

00:56:15.519 --> 00:56:16.199
 gives life

00:56:16.199 --> 00:56:17.039
 to whom he will.

00:56:17.480 --> 00:56:18.119
 For the Father

00:56:18.119 --> 00:56:19.179
 judges no one,

00:56:19.319 --> 00:56:19.960
 but has given

00:56:19.960 --> 00:56:20.699
 all judgment

00:56:20.699 --> 00:56:21.279
 to the Son,

00:56:21.539 --> 00:56:22.539
 that all may honor

00:56:22.539 --> 00:56:23.039
 the Son

00:56:23.039 --> 00:56:24.259
 just as they honor

00:56:24.259 --> 00:56:24.739
 the Father.

00:56:24.739 --> 00:56:25.739
 Whoever does not

00:56:25.739 --> 00:56:26.259
 honor the Son

00:56:26.259 --> 00:56:26.819
 does not honor

00:56:26.819 --> 00:56:27.159
 the Father

00:56:27.159 --> 00:56:27.980
 who sent him.

00:56:27.980 --> 00:56:29.019
 Truly,

00:56:29.599 --> 00:56:30.079
 truly,

00:56:30.360 --> 00:56:31.900
 I say to you,

00:56:32.420 --> 00:56:33.480
 whoever hears

00:56:33.480 --> 00:56:34.079
 my word

00:56:34.079 --> 00:56:34.740
 and believes

00:56:34.740 --> 00:56:35.579
 him who sent me

00:56:35.579 --> 00:56:37.099
 has eternal life.

00:56:37.440 --> 00:56:38.800
 He does not

00:56:38.800 --> 00:56:39.599
 come into judgment

00:56:39.599 --> 00:56:40.800
 but has passed

00:56:40.800 --> 00:56:41.519
 from death

00:56:41.519 --> 00:56:42.340
 to life.

00:56:44.960 --> 00:56:45.599
 Beloved

00:56:45.599 --> 00:56:46.900
 child of God,

00:56:48.420 --> 00:56:49.940
 do you live

00:56:49.940 --> 00:56:50.519
 with fear

00:56:50.519 --> 00:56:51.280
 of God's judgment?

00:56:52.280 --> 00:56:52.940
 Do you live

00:56:52.940 --> 00:56:53.460
 with fear

00:56:53.460 --> 00:56:54.240
 of the punishment

00:56:54.240 --> 00:56:54.740
 of God?

00:56:54.840 --> 00:56:55.539
 Do you fear

00:56:55.539 --> 00:56:56.119
 living that

00:56:56.119 --> 00:56:56.740
 the other shoe

00:56:56.740 --> 00:56:57.780
 is going to drop soon?

00:56:57.980 --> 00:57:00.679
 hear this assurance,

00:57:00.840 --> 00:57:01.500
 this double

00:57:01.500 --> 00:57:02.340
 sure assurance.

00:57:02.519 --> 00:57:02.800
 Truly,

00:57:03.199 --> 00:57:04.440
 truly says Jesus,

00:57:04.599 --> 00:57:05.800
 I say to you,

00:57:06.380 --> 00:57:09.240
 I have received

00:57:09.240 --> 00:57:09.860
 all judgment

00:57:09.860 --> 00:57:10.519
 from the Father,

00:57:10.639 --> 00:57:11.340
 Jesus says,

00:57:11.559 --> 00:57:12.699
 and I say to you,

00:57:12.820 --> 00:57:13.159
 truly,

00:57:13.579 --> 00:57:13.880
 truly,

00:57:13.880 --> 00:57:15.159
 you have passed

00:57:15.159 --> 00:57:16.440
 from judgment.

00:57:18.460 --> 00:57:19.639
 You have passed

00:57:19.639 --> 00:57:20.219
 from death

00:57:20.219 --> 00:57:20.880
 to life.

00:57:24.659 --> 00:57:25.599
 There is

00:57:25.599 --> 00:57:28.119
 no condemnation

00:57:28.119 --> 00:57:29.339
 for those

00:57:29.339 --> 00:57:30.179
 who are in

00:57:30.179 --> 00:57:31.559
 Christ Jesus.

00:57:32.219 --> 00:57:33.960
 Praise be to God.

00:57:40.900 --> 00:57:42.159
 So have you passed

00:57:42.159 --> 00:57:42.960
 sinful judgment

00:57:42.960 --> 00:57:44.279
 on your brothers and sisters

00:57:44.279 --> 00:57:44.839
 in Christ?

00:57:44.840 --> 00:57:44.900
 Christ.

00:57:46.860 --> 00:57:47.660
 So have I.

00:57:51.160 --> 00:57:52.019
 I'm grieved

00:57:52.019 --> 00:57:52.500
 by it.

00:57:54.660 --> 00:57:55.579
 The good news

00:57:55.579 --> 00:57:56.140
 is that we

00:57:56.140 --> 00:57:56.920
 can repent

00:57:56.920 --> 00:57:58.440
 and God

00:57:58.440 --> 00:57:59.000
 shows us

00:57:59.000 --> 00:57:59.400
 mercy.

00:58:00.740 --> 00:58:01.260
 And it's

00:58:01.260 --> 00:58:02.480
 as we receive

00:58:02.480 --> 00:58:03.100
 God's mercy

00:58:03.100 --> 00:58:03.700
 that we are

00:58:03.700 --> 00:58:04.519
 enabled by the

00:58:04.519 --> 00:58:05.300
 power of the Holy Spirit

00:58:05.300 --> 00:58:05.980
 to dispense

00:58:05.980 --> 00:58:06.579
 this kind of

00:58:06.579 --> 00:58:07.420
 mercy that Jesus

00:58:07.420 --> 00:58:08.300
 commands us

00:58:08.300 --> 00:58:09.100
 to give.

00:58:09.099 --> 00:58:11.099
 this is how

00:58:11.099 --> 00:58:11.559
 we come to

00:58:11.559 --> 00:58:12.319
 obey this passage.

00:58:12.860 --> 00:58:13.579
 This is how

00:58:13.579 --> 00:58:14.099
 we become

00:58:14.099 --> 00:58:14.819
 enabled to

00:58:14.819 --> 00:58:16.039
 offer constructive

00:58:16.039 --> 00:58:16.480
 critique

00:58:16.480 --> 00:58:17.319
 and loving

00:58:17.319 --> 00:58:17.980
 correction to

00:58:17.980 --> 00:58:18.299
 one another

00:58:18.299 --> 00:58:19.319
 without contempt

00:58:19.319 --> 00:58:20.339
 and condemnation.

00:58:21.019 --> 00:58:21.940
 So I invite you,

00:58:22.500 --> 00:58:23.500
 drink more

00:58:23.500 --> 00:58:24.299
 deeply of the

00:58:24.299 --> 00:58:25.019
 mercy of God

00:58:25.019 --> 00:58:25.480
 at the foot

00:58:25.480 --> 00:58:26.039
 of the cross.

00:58:28.279 --> 00:58:29.239
 I assure you

00:58:29.239 --> 00:58:29.900
 that as that

00:58:29.900 --> 00:58:30.699
 mercy flows

00:58:30.699 --> 00:58:31.860
 deep inside you,

00:58:31.920 --> 00:58:32.400
 it will flow

00:58:32.400 --> 00:58:33.000
 more and more

00:58:33.000 --> 00:58:33.739
 out of your life

00:58:33.739 --> 00:58:34.819
 to those around you.

00:58:37.099 --> 00:58:37.739
 That's how

00:58:37.739 --> 00:58:38.339
 we remove the

00:58:38.340 --> 00:58:39.380
 log and get

00:58:39.380 --> 00:58:39.920
 after the

00:58:39.920 --> 00:58:40.240
 specks.

00:58:40.660 --> 00:58:41.039
 Let's pray.

00:58:46.280 --> 00:58:46.760
 Father,

00:58:46.900 --> 00:58:47.320
 thank you

00:58:47.320 --> 00:58:48.160
 so much.

00:58:50.340 --> 00:58:50.820
 Oh,

00:58:50.880 --> 00:58:51.440
 it gives

00:58:51.440 --> 00:58:52.420
 me

00:58:52.420 --> 00:58:53.640
 so much

00:58:53.640 --> 00:58:55.460
 joy,

00:58:56.600 --> 00:58:57.079
 freedom.

00:58:57.860 --> 00:58:57.940
 Lord,

00:58:58.000 --> 00:58:58.480
 it makes us

00:58:58.480 --> 00:58:58.800
 want to

00:58:58.800 --> 00:58:59.300
 shout

00:58:59.300 --> 00:59:01.700
 in exaltation

00:59:01.700 --> 00:59:02.940
 that there

00:59:02.940 --> 00:59:03.820
 is no more

00:59:03.820 --> 00:59:04.600
 judgment for

00:59:04.600 --> 00:59:04.960
 us,

00:59:05.240 --> 00:59:05.640
 that there

00:59:05.640 --> 00:59:06.400
 is no more

00:59:06.400 --> 00:59:07.220
 condemnation

00:59:07.220 --> 00:59:07.860
 for us.

00:59:08.340 --> 00:59:11.079
 we will be

00:59:11.079 --> 00:59:11.660
 judged by you,

00:59:11.780 --> 00:59:12.019
 yes,

00:59:12.760 --> 00:59:13.400
 but we await

00:59:13.400 --> 00:59:13.800
 the judgment

00:59:13.800 --> 00:59:14.680
 of commendation,

00:59:15.039 --> 00:59:16.320
 not the judgment

00:59:16.320 --> 00:59:17.220
 of condemnation,

00:59:17.220 --> 00:59:18.260
 because of your

00:59:18.260 --> 00:59:18.600
 son,

00:59:18.960 --> 00:59:19.700
 Jesus Christ.

00:59:19.820 --> 00:59:19.960
 Oh,

00:59:20.019 --> 00:59:20.620
 we love him.

00:59:21.340 --> 00:59:22.160
 We love you,

00:59:22.240 --> 00:59:22.440
 Father.

00:59:23.180 --> 00:59:23.920
 Thank you for

00:59:23.920 --> 00:59:24.420
 sending him.

00:59:24.820 --> 00:59:25.400
 Thank you for

00:59:25.400 --> 00:59:25.840
 your mercy.

00:59:27.680 --> 00:59:28.420
 Help us to

00:59:28.420 --> 00:59:29.100
 know your mercy

00:59:29.100 --> 00:59:29.820
 more so that we

00:59:29.820 --> 00:59:30.320
 might be more

00:59:30.320 --> 00:59:31.180
 merciful people

00:59:31.179 --> 00:59:34.799
 who can judge

00:59:34.799 --> 00:59:35.539
 rightly because

00:59:35.539 --> 00:59:36.299
 we have said

00:59:36.299 --> 00:59:36.699
 under the

00:59:36.699 --> 00:59:37.139
 judgment of

00:59:37.139 --> 00:59:37.399
 God.

00:59:39.119 --> 00:59:40.159
 In Jesus' name

00:59:40.159 --> 00:59:40.519
 we pray.

00:59:41.099 --> 00:59:41.339
 Amen.

00:59:41.339 --> 00:59:41.519
 Amen.

00:59:41.519 --> 00:59:41.519


00:59:41.519 --> 00:59:41.519


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00:59:41.519 --> 00:59:41.519


00:59:41.519 --> 00:59:41.519


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00:59:41.519 --> 00:59:41.519


00:59:41.519 --> 00:59:41.519


00:59:41.519 --> 01:00:11.500
 Thank you.