Judgment, Accountability, and the Nature of God's Kingdom
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the profound truths of God's word, exploring the themes of judgment, accountability, holiness, righteousness, and the nature of God's kingdom. We began by addressing the often misquoted scripture, "Do not judge, so that you won't be judged," clarifying that Jesus is not prohibiting discernment but warning against a judgmental spirit that lacks self-reflection and humility. We are reminded that the measure we use to judge others will be the measure used against us, and that we must first address our own shortcomings before attempting to correct others.
We discussed the concept of sin as missing the mark and the universal truth that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, which signifies eternal separation from God. However, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This gift is the essence of grace—receiving what we do not deserve—and mercy—not receiving the punishment we do deserve.
Accountability was highlighted as a means of mutual edification within the body of Christ, akin to iron sharpening iron. We are called to support one another in love, not to tear each other down. The metaphor of a threefold cord not easily broken illustrated the strength found in a community bound together in Christ.
Holiness was defined as being set apart, and we were reminded that God alone is holy. As His people, we are called to be holy, reflecting God's nature and love. Righteousness was explained as right standing before God, which is not achieved through our own efforts but through faith in Christ, who became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.
We also touched on the dangers of moralism and relativism, which can distort our understanding of God's unchanging standards. We were cautioned against creating idols of our own making, which will ultimately fail us, unlike the one true God who is faithful.
Finally, we were encouraged to discern wisely how we share the precious truths of the kingdom, symbolized by pearls, understanding that not everyone is ready to receive them. We must approach others with caution and love, seeking to draw them to the Shepherd rather than casting our pearls before those who cannot yet appreciate their value.
Key Takeaways:
- True judgment begins with self-examination and humility. Before we can effectively help others with their sins, we must first confront our own. This process is not about condemnation but about restoration and growth within the community of believers. [47:15]
- God's holiness and righteousness are not standards we can achieve on our own. It is only through the sacrifice of Jesus that we are made holy and righteous before God. This truth should humble us and inspire a life of gratitude and service. [01:01:57]
- Accountability in the Christian life is essential for growth, but it must be approached with a spirit of humility, not superiority. We are all on a journey together, and our goal is to build each other up in love and truth. [01:06:09]
- The things we hold dear, our "pearls," should be aligned with God's kingdom. We must be discerning in how we share the gospel, ensuring that we do not expose what is sacred to scorn or misunderstanding. [01:07:38]
- We must guard against the temptation to usurp God's throne by imposing our own standards of morality or truth. Only God is the perfect judge, and we must trust in His sovereignty and goodness. [01:04:01]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 7:1-6 (ESV)
> "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see 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,’ when there is the log 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 dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you."
2. Romans 3:23-24 (ESV)
> "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
3. Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)
> "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus warn against in Matthew 7:1-2 regarding judgment? ([18:50])
2. How does Jesus illustrate the concept of self-examination before judging others in Matthew 7:3-5? ([18:50])
3. According to Romans 3:23-24, what is the universal condition of humanity, and what is the solution provided by God?
4. What metaphor does Proverbs 27:17 use to describe the process of mutual edification among believers?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to address our own shortcomings before attempting to correct others, according to Matthew 7:3-5? ([18:50])
2. How does the concept of grace in Romans 3:23-24 challenge the idea of earning righteousness through our own efforts? ([52:03])
3. In what ways can the metaphor of "iron sharpening iron" from Proverbs 27:17 be applied to accountability within the Christian community? ([58:56])
4. How does the warning in Matthew 7:6 about not giving what is holy to dogs or casting pearls before pigs relate to sharing the gospel wisely? ([19:34])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you judged someone without first examining your own faults. How did that situation turn out, and what could you have done differently? ([18:50])
2. Romans 3:23-24 speaks of grace and redemption through Jesus. How does this truth impact your daily life and interactions with others, especially those who may not share your faith? ([52:03])
3. Think of a person in your life who helps you grow spiritually, like "iron sharpening iron." How can you express gratitude to them this week, and how can you be that person for someone else? ([58:56])
4. Jesus warns against casting pearls before pigs in Matthew 7:6. Are there situations where you need to be more discerning in how you share your faith? How can you approach these situations with love and wisdom? ([19:34])
5. The sermon mentioned the dangers of moralism and relativism. How can you guard against these in your own life and ensure that your standards align with God's unchanging truth? ([40:07])
6. Accountability was highlighted as essential for growth. How can you create a supportive environment in your small group or community where people feel safe to share their struggles and receive constructive feedback? ([58:56])
7. Reflect on the idea that "God's Throne is for God Alone." Are there areas in your life where you have tried to take control instead of trusting God's sovereignty? How can you surrender these areas to Him this week? ([01:03:18])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Humble Self-Examination
True judgment is not about condemnation but about restoration and growth. It begins with a personal, humble examination of one's own life and actions. Before attempting to address the faults of others, it is crucial to reflect on and correct one's own shortcomings. This process is not meant to be self-deprecating but rather a means to ensure that when offering guidance or correction to others, it comes from a place of love, understanding, and shared humanity. The goal is to foster a community where individuals support each other's spiritual growth and where accountability is a pathway to mutual edification.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)
Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you judged someone else. How might self-reflection and humility have changed your approach to that situation? [07:40]
Day 2: Reflecting God's Holiness and Righteousness
Holiness and righteousness are attributes of God that believers are called to reflect. However, these are not standards that can be achieved through human effort but are gifts granted through faith in Jesus Christ. By recognizing that it is only through Christ's sacrifice that one is made holy and righteous before God, a believer is humbled and moved to live a life of gratitude and service. This understanding should shape every aspect of life, encouraging a pursuit of God's standards rather than self-righteousness.
"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." (Romans 3:21-22a ESV)
Reflection: How does the understanding that your righteousness comes through faith in Christ affect the way you live out your faith daily? [01:01:57]
Day 3: Cultivating a Community of Accountability
Accountability within the Christian community is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. It should be approached with a spirit of humility and love, recognizing that everyone is on a journey of faith together. The purpose of accountability is not to assert superiority but to build each other up, to encourage, and to challenge one another to live in accordance with God's will. This mutual support is akin to iron sharpening iron, where each person's faith is strengthened through honest and loving relationships.
"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you partner with to foster a relationship of mutual accountability, and what first step can you take this week to initiate this partnership? [01:06:09]
Day 4: Discerning the Sharing of Sacred Truths
Believers are entrusted with the precious truths of God's kingdom, which should be shared with discernment and care. Not everyone is ready to receive these truths, and they should not be exposed to scorn or misunderstanding. This discernment requires wisdom and a loving approach, with the intention of drawing others closer to God rather than pushing them away. The gospel is a treasure to be shared thoughtfully, respecting the spiritual journey of each individual.
"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." (Matthew 7:6 ESV)
Reflection: How can you more thoughtfully and effectively share your faith with someone who may be resistant or indifferent to the message of the gospel? [01:07:38]
Day 5: Upholding God's Sovereign Standards
As followers of Christ, it is important to resist the temptation to create our own standards of morality or truth. God's standards are unchanging, and He alone is the perfect judge. Trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness means submitting to His authority and recognizing that human understanding is limited. This submission is not passive but active, involving a commitment to live according to God's commandments and to honor Him as the ultimate authority in all aspects of life.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways might you be imposing your own standards rather than seeking to understand and live by God's standards, and how can you begin to align your life more closely with His will? [01:04:01]
Quotes
1) "God's Throne is for God Alone. When we take morals, relativism, culture, society, whatever we want, and we make that the definition of morality, what we've done is we've taken God off the throne and we've put that in his place." [01:03:18] ( | | )
2) "Accountability begins with humility, not piety. It begins with looking at the man in the mirror before we look at the man in the window. Before we can worry about what's happening with our neighbors, let's spend some time and look in the mirror and see what's happening with us." [01:06:09] ( | | )
3) "Pearls are for the shepherd and his sheep, not dogs and pigs. What are pearls? Pearls are the things that are most precious to us... But here's what we learned a couple weeks ago: no man can serve two masters. If we want to understand what God wants for us, we have to seek first his kingdom." [01:07:38] ( | | )
4) "We see that man isn't capable of making the decision of what's good and what's evil... because man has a heart and what have we learned the heart of man is? Sick and rotten. It's deceitful. We cannot trust even us at the core of who we are; we need God's sense of morality." [47:15] ( | | )
5) "Jesus understood the Heartbreak of the Creator when he looked at creation... Jesus was the spoken word that brought us into existence... It broke his heart to see this religious system that people had turned worshiping God into. Worshiping God from the very beginning was meant to be an uninterrupted relationship." [31:36] ( | | )
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