Last night Walter and I visited The Journey, a non-denominational church here in St. Louis that is part of the Acts 29 network. The sermon impacted us both, so I thought I would share a bit of it with you.

Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure , it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 7:1-6

Sermon Notes:

Why is it so easy to see others small sin, but not our big sin?

We will be judged when we die.

We must be more concerned about our sin than the sin of others.

We create our own standard of judgement (vs.2..for how we judge others is our standard of measure)

Be in active repentance of your own sin.

verse 5- We must deal with our sin first, then we must deal with the sins of others

When was the last time you had someone confront you on your sin?

If you are in a church you should have people who love you enough to confront you on your sin.

Most people don't tell the truth and are scared of judging others because they are afraid of not being liked.

God didn't call us to be "nice" all the time.

Don't be a self-righteous jerk either.

How do we judge?

VERY CAREFULLY (compare to taking a speck out of someone's eye...you must be careful with the eye)
know your personality, if you know you aren't usually very sensitive...you need to be more sensitive and careful

VERY THOROUGHLY- be through, but if you are the sensitive type, you will have to be very straightforward and clearly explain everything. Don't avoid the truth.

What do we judge?

Inconsistency with the truth (scripture)

not motives-"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement." John 7:24
Don't make assumptions about people.

This is what you should judge:

sexual sin (any sexual contact outside the marriage covenant)
gossip
misuse of drugs (legal or illegal)
gluttony
drunkenness
(these are a few examples...you can find more in your Bible)

"Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." Proverbs 27:5-6

Who do we judge?
in the scripture he refers to brother---someone you are close to. Someone who you want to win..to grow in their relationship with Christ. A person you have paid relational rent to.

"He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue" Proverbs 28: 23

Our problem: We judge the world we don't know and don't judge the world we do know.

Why don't we judge? Fear, arrogance, insecurity

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:1-2

*This sermon was by Darrin Patrick, Lead Pastor of The Journey