Category: Judgment
Subject: Judgment
Sermon: God’s Measure
God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our own. We can’t know His will unless He reveals it to us. It is not surprising that God’s measure of worth is often at odds with the thinking of men.
“Judge not that you be not judged”
It seems that the most widely quoted passage of scripture in our time is Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Often, it is shortened as a part of the statement, “Jesus said, ‘Judge not’!” The statement is true, Jesus did say, “Judge not.” To understand His statement, however, takes some explanation. It is not as cut and dried as many would have you believe.
First, consider the full statement of Jesus in the text, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (1-2). The context shows that this is not a blanket condemnation of judging. It is, rather, a warning. No man can judge another without being judged himself—and, with the same standard of judgment.
From the Preacher’s Pen: God’s Justice and Mercy
The world has a skewed view of the Almighty God of heaven. Some consider Him to be a hateful, vengeful God. When they consider God’s treatment of the pagans in Canaan, of Sodom and Gomorrah, and other examples of God’s judgment, they see only His reaction, not the just causes that precipitated that judgment.
Others go to the other end of the spectrum. They see the love of God expressed in Jesus’ life and death and consider Him to be a benevolent God that will overlook sin, and allow all men a heavenly home.
Both images are partly accurate, but entirely wrong because they are incomplete. They emphasize one aspect of God, while rejecting another! God is both just and merciful. Any accurate view of the Almighty must balance these two attributes. The Psalmist, in Psalm 85, expresses that balance well.
“Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven” (10-11).
The Psalmist understood the fierceness of God’s anger. Israel was guilty of sin, and so God showed them His wrath. However, upon their repentance, the Psalmist confidently called upon God to “Show us Your mercy, Lord,
And grant us Your salvation” (7). Eternal salvation is available to all who fear Him, showing God’s justice, and His mercy!
The Condition of the Erring
It can be rather unpleasant to correct an erring brother in Christ. If the brother is unrepentant, he may resent any admonition, and even become contentious. Too, others who do not recognize the importance of such correction may object. Such responses may cause hesitation, or even dereliction of duty on the part of the spiritual despite the instruction of the Holy Spirit, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).
As one who is striving to serve God and your fellow man, the next time you feel such a hesitation to fulfill your duty, perhaps it would be good to see the erring one as God sees him. Consider the following:
Invitation: Don’t be Afraid to Miss
Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera
Too often people allow fear to paralyze them to inaction. Christians can be cheated out of character building, becoming what God wants us to be, and becoming successful even to the point of obtaining heaven, all because they are afraid to put forth the effort to succeed. (Matthew 25:14-30)
Sermon: Can you get away with it?
It is childish. Like a kid wondering if he will get caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But, many men are more concerned about getting caught than they are being truly righteous. The lesson concludes that with God, you can’t avoid the consquences of sin, death and judgment.
Sermon: My Will VS Thy Will
God has blessed man with free will. He compels no one to obey Him. His desire is for men to voluntarily come to Him, to worship Him, and obey Him. Men have a choice. However, while all of this is true, it must be understood that the choices men make have consequences.
Sermon: Fall Meeting 2013 (Jerry Fite)
The following wonderful lessons were preached by Jerry Fite at the West Side church from November 2-7, 2013. There were 9 lessons in all, with sermon audio and PPTX files supplied for each.
Unity in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)
(Saturday, November 2, 2013)
- A study of 1 Corinthians 12 explaining in the context of spiritual gifts, that the purpose of a unified spiritual body is edification. The Corinthians were to exercise their spiritual gifts to edify all, as they were united in loving care for one another.
The New Testament Canon
(Sunday Bible Class, November 3, 2013)
- The lesson discusses the canon of scripture, and how it is obtained. The point is made that the church did not determine what books were conanical. Rather, they acknowledged what all understood to be true.
Why Do You Do Good Works? (Ephesians 2:10)
(Sunday AM Worship, November 3, 2013)
- We are to do good works as a second opportunity to truly live. We are alive by the grace of God, and therefore should be zealous for good works.
Applying the Minister’s Checklist (1 Timothy 4:15-16)
(Sunday PM Worship, November 3, 2013)
- Paul revealed to Timothy certain things that should be present for him to be effective as an evangelist. In application, brother Fite asks, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child of God in the local church observed the checklist as well?
Hold to the Pattern of Sound Words (2 Timothy 1:13)
(Monday, November 4, 2013)
- In application, brother Fites calls for faithfulness to the gospel pattern in areas such as Music in worship, Benevolence, Evangelism and the plan of Salvation.
Must I Forgive? Then How?
(Tuesday, November 5, 2013)
- Jesus indicated in Matthew 6 that we must forgive others if we wish to be forgiven. The lesson examines the obligation to forgive, and what to do if a person is unwilling to ask forgiveness of us.
Pay Attention to Your Speech (James 3:1-12)
(Wednesday AM Class, November 6, 2013)
- An expository lesson discussing James 3. Brother Fite calls for us to pay attention to our speech. Our speech should bless, edify, give grace to those who hear, and be full of thanksgiving.
A Plan for Raising Children to be Joyous Christians
(Wednesday PM, November 6, 2013)
- How do we raise joyous children? By helping them to know: The Lord is the Creator of all; their Savior from sin; their High priest; and the presenter of the Crown of Eternal Life.
Before the Judgment Seat
(Thursday, November 7, 2013)
- When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, some will be surprised. Because they are classed among the wicked; they will be the last rather than the first, they will be lost because they were not abounding in the work of the Lord. Live so that you will not be surprised at the judgment seat of Christ.
Invitation: Life is a Vapor
Invitation delivered by: Ben Schmidt
When we witness an unexpected death, we realize that life is a vapor. (James 4:14). Since this is so, where are we laying up our treasures?
Mining the Scriptures: Acts 1:9-11
Immediately following Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples following His resurrection, He ascended into heaven. With His ascension came the angel’s promise that Jesus would return, “in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (11).
There are several truths to note regarding Jesus’ promised second advent. First, note that his coming (as with his ascension) would be a visible event. The apostle Paul affirmed this as true in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Second, this second coming of Jesus will be a coming in judgment upon the world. In 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10, Paul writes that when Jesus comes, it will be to take vengeance upon the disobedient, and to give eternal rest to the faithful.
Third, when Jesus comes a second time, it will mark the end of the physical universe. Peter weighs in on this truth, affirming it in 2 Peter 3:8-13. The immolation of the universe is cause for us to live lives of “holy conduct and godliness.”
The promise of Jesus’ coming is sure. The angel’s words must be heeded. We must prepare for that day, lest we, as the foolish virgins, be shut out when the bridegroom comes! (cf. Matthew 25:1-13).
Invitation: We Shall Stand Before the Throne
Invitation delivered by: Ben Schmidt
Ben read from Matthew 25, Mark 9 and Revelation 20 to show the difference between everlasting destruction, and everlasting reward. He made the point that our obedience, or lack thereof will determine whether our names are written in the book of life, as he called for needed repentance and obedience to the gospel.
Sermon: Are You Ready for Judgment?
Jeremiah Cox preached this short lesson, brought on our fifth Sunday singing night. He asked the question, Are you ready for the judgment day? The lesson explains what it means to be prepared for Christ’s coming.
“Your sin will find you out”
Numbers 32 records the petition the children of Reuben and Gad made to Moses and the leaders of the congregation of Israel. They desired to settle on the east side of the Jordan River rather than with the rest of the Israelites in Canaan. Moses agreed to allow this, so long as the two tribes guaranteed they would fight with the rest of Israel until “until every one of the children of Israel has received his inheritance” (vs. 18). Having given his approval, Moses warned the people should they go back on their word:
“But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out” (vs. 23).
There are many different examples, in both the Old and New Testaments, of people trying to hide their sin. While it is possible for the sinner to hide his sin from men, it is not possible to hide his sin from the Almighty.
In the News: Foolish Predictions
As everyone knows, the ancient Mayan calendar ended on December 21, 2012, and the world did not end. Now, the Mayans were not predicting the end of the world, but that didn’t preclude a lot of foolish people predicting its demise, based on the calendar.
In fact, such foolishness has a long history. I recently came across an internet article which recounted 11 different predictions of earthly destruction (at the least), none of which came true. Here is a concise listing, with a couple of points at the end:
Painful Consequences
One of the many reasons why sin is so popular in our society is that people have been able to convince themselves that such activity can be enjoyed with few consequences.
While certain sins in the past carried with their commission a certain stigma, such is not the case today. Pregnancy outside of marriage, sexual promiscuity, drug use, homosexuality — all are accepted by society, or at the most are looked upon as a mild indiscretion. We witness the famous engaging in bizarre and destructive behavior, and they are continually enabled and excused in their lawbreaking and infidelities. Authority figures in our country, including policemen and educators, often have their hands tied when trying to deal with crime and delinquency. We are a society that defends, rationalizes and enables. Sin is seldom dealt with as God intends — even in the church.
