Sermon Study Guide


[PDF]Sermon Study Guide - Rackcdn.comb5d29352f4cbb4f36764-64716aaac85f98c90d1d9176c94b76d6.r70.cf2.rackcdn.co...

6 downloads 198 Views 597KB Size

“Avoiding a Critical Spirit” Dr Henry Schorr September 14, 15, 2013 The Main Thing: ‘ Avoiding a Critical Spirit’ Jesus knows there is within each of us a capacity to criticize, to find fault, to put down, to set others straight, co condemn, to attack, or reprove other people, in short, to judge others. He knows how devastating these actions are to relationships and so He gives a very clear command, ‘Do not judge...!’ When we understand Jesus’ command, we are freed to trust Christ with our pride, treating others as we would have them treat us.

PURSUE RELATIONSHIP: Opportunities to connect and pray as a group 1. What were your feelings when you were accused of some action that you really didn’t do? 2. What were your feelings when you accused someone of an action that they really didn’t do?

PURSUE GOD: Time that is devoted to the Word of God Observation and Reflection 1. Matthew 5, 6 describes what a true citizen of God’s Kingdom looks like. Read Mt 7:1-7, 12. How does Jesus’ command ‘Do not judge’ fit into life in God’s Kingdom? 2. Pastor Henry defined what Jesus did ‘not’ mean by the word ‘judge.’ Review this from the summary. Which one is most challenging for you? What is the difference between having critical understanding (discernment) and a ‘critical spirit’? 3. What reasons does Jesus give for us not to judge? (Mt 7:2-5). What additional reasons do we find in: Ro 2:2, 3; Phil 2:3; James 2:13 4. How would living out Matthew 7:12 work against having a critical spirit?

THE WORD (NIV) Matthew 7:1-7, 12 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you good gifts to those who ask him!... 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Romans 2:2,3 2

Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

Application 1. What do I think the underlying cause is when I judge someone? Where am I coming from when I ‘judge’ someone? 2. How can I show mercy and God’s love instead of judgment to those whom I have a tendency to judge? 3. What ways can I approach people in my sphere of influence who are intolerant with me about biblical standards? 4. What Scriptural principle can you personalize for your relationships this week?

Philippians 2:3 3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

James 2:13 13

…because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

The first verse of Matthew chapter 7 contains Jesus' well-known command, “Do not judge”. This command is part of what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon Jesus is describing what a true citizen of the Kingdom of God is like, both on the outside and on the inside. It is not a list of things that we must do on our own; it is a description of what the Holy Spirit develops in us as we submit to and follow Jesus. In this next section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks to our tendency to compare ourselves with others, promote ourselves and protect our insecurities. Jesus' solution to that is “Do not judge”. But this command is easily misunderstood, and often misused. When Jesus gives this command, he is not saying that we are to turn a blind eye to the ungodly decisions of people we love (Proverbs 27:6, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15-17). Further, he is not saying that we are to abandon any moral convictions, or that we are not to be discerning in our relationships. Matthew 7:6 seems to indicate that we are to be discerning regarding the people we speak the truth to - there are some that simply will not receive it. Matthew 7:15 warns about false prophets. Discernment is necessary. What Jesus is saying is that we are not to have a critical spirit or attitude toward others. A critical spirit can start with constantly focusing on someone's shortcomings, and turn into seeing them as the enemy and treating them with contempt. We can be critical of people's motives, their backgrounds, and how they dress. We can be critical of those who do church differently from us, or raise their children differently. There is a long list of those things that we choose to judge. The root of this critical spirit is all too often pride – the desire to be first. What is in our heart will come out of our mouths (Matthew 12:34-35). There are good reasons not to have this critical spirit towards others. When we have a critical spirit we will be judged by God and others. Others will be critical of us, and in fact will judge us back with the same critical spirit we have levelled at them (James 2:13; Matthew 7:2). But we are also incapable of judging others. Jesus describes the impossible situation of having “a log in your own eye” and trying to take out “the speck in your brother's eye” (Matthew 7:3-5). We are blind to our own sins and failures, partial to ourselves, and unqualified to judge. God alone is able to see all things and judge truthfully (Romans 2:2). We can keep from developing this critical spirit by focusing on Jesus. As we stay focused on Him and surrender our lives to Him, we will no longer be inclined to compete against and be one up on others. Our desire will be to please God alone. Secondly, we can ask God for His help (Matthew 7:7). Lastly, we can live out the golden rule (Matthew 7:12). The golden rule is not the way to heaven or the complete description of the Christian faith, but it is a profound principle that Jesus gave to govern our attitudes toward others. There really is no limit to how we can apply this principle to our lives. When we find ourselves wondering how to treat someone, we can ask ourselves “how would I like to be treated in their place?” Just imagine how different our lives and our world would be if people lived in humble dependence on the Lord, regularly asked God for His help to do what they couldn't do in themselves, and did for others what they would want others to do for them.