Posts Tagged ‘ Judgment ’

Sermon on the Mount study notes: Matthew 7:1-6

I have started a small group series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I am sharing my notes in case anyone else wants to use them with their group. [Reminder that these are only notes!]

Sermon on the Mount – Part 12

Matthew 5:1-2:
Jesus wants to teach the crowds: Who are they? Jewish disciples: People who understand the
Scriptures (at least to a point). Notice from 7:28 the crowds still came along, but this teaching is for His disciples.

What does “blessed” mean?
Based on the first twelve verses, blessed means realizing our own wretchedness and need for a Savior. In other words, it is becoming/being a Christian.

What was discussed last time?

• Don’t worry.
• Trust God.

Matthew 7:1:
Cut and dry, right? Don’t judge.

  • Jesus always takes us deeper.

Matthew 7:2-4:
DISCUSS!

  • Not just “don’t be a hypocrite.”
  • Getting stuck on others’ sins:
    • We are at least as guilty of that sin
    • We are unaware of our particular sin
    • We are covering for our own sin
    • We are avoiding our own sin
    • We are seeking power over others
      • See also: Cult leaders
  • When we judge others, we invite the same judgment. (Be ready: 1 Peter 3:13-17)

Matthew 7:5-6:
Not hypocrisy, but helping from experience.

  • v. 5: We are to judge rightly – discernment.
    • As revealed from God’s Word:
      • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
      • Hebrews 4:12-13
      • They are judged by God as revealed in Scripture (The Way of the Master – Ray Comfort)
    • As demonstrated by Paul:
      • Ephesians 3:7-13
      • 1 Corinthians 15:9-11
  • v. 6: What?!
    • What do dogs do with things?
      • “Ooh! Toy/Substitute for an animal!”
        • Tear it to shreds (make excuses, shift the blame: see legalistic Christians … and most others)
        • Make a bed out of it (become more hypocritical through claiming better righteousness: see Critical Race Theory)
        • Get it a slobbery, fecal mess (like shredding and bedding, but distorting the meaning: see liberal Christianity)
    • What do pigs do with things?
      • Live in a sty.
        • Roll in/on it (Try to discredit it while appearing to be better: see many atheists or NAR/Prosperity Preachers)
        • Eat literally everything (claim all truths are equal, except conservative Christianity: see New Age and Postmodernism)
    • Proverbs 26:11; 2 Peter 2
    • Mark 6:10-11

We are to judge with God’s standard (The Bible – literally “canon” = “standard” or “ruler”): we start with ourselves, then we help the world. (Matthew 28:18-20)

2021
11/16
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Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 5:21-26

I have started a small group series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I am sharing my notes in case anyone else wants to use them with their group. [Reminder that these are only notes!]

Sermon on the Mount – Part 6

Matthew 5:1-2:
Jesus wants to teach the crowds: Who are they? Jewish disciples: People who understand the
Scriptures (at least to a point). Notice from 7:28 the crowds still came along, but this teaching is for His disciples.

What does “blessed” mean?
Based on the first twelve verses, blessed means realizing our own wretchedness and need for a Savior. In other words, it is becoming/being a Christian.

Matthew 5:21-22:

“Said to those of old …” – could be said today: “That’s an archaic saying!”

What is the anger Jesus is referring to?
To be enraged, basically to lose control of oneself to emotion or extreme action. (Matthew 15:16-20)
(Interestingly, the work for judgment in Greek is our root for “crisis”)

What about these “insults”?
Gr. “Rhaka” – Numbskull! Fool!
Yet, “You fool!” – Gr. “more” or “moros” – our root for “moron”

Liable to the council could simply mean “the city elders” or, in our case, church elders, or it could even mean local authorities!

The “hell of fire” is literally “Gehenna”, the perpetually burning fire pit outside of Jerusalem at that time. The implication is eternal torment.

Matthew 5:23-26:

  • Vv.23-24: “offering your gift” – We don’t make sacrifices anymore, but we give our gifts of physical worship and financial support.
    • What if “they” don’t want to accept reconciliation?
      • “So far as it depends on you …” – Romans 12:18
      • “… shake the dust off your feet …” – Luke 9:5
        • Do your part, stop if they want you to, but keep the door open.
    • Like what?
      • Going on a mission trip (To get away from some people?)
      • Starting a Bible study/Ministry (To show everyone how bad they are?)
      • “I’ll pray for you.” How are we using this? Snidely, or sincerely? Intending then forgetting?
    • How are we giving?
      • OT: Tithe given to support the Temple and priests/caretakers (Basically a national tax)
      • Angry/Bitter?
        • Not giving because of what “the church” did to you
        • Giving to prove you are better than someone
      • 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 –
        • Giving to receive?
          • Prosperity gospel teaches “See, sow a seed and reap a financial and physical bounty!”
          • The only promise we get from Scripture is receipt of eternal life.
        • Giving because of gratefulness?
          • 2 Corinthians 9:11-15
  • Vv. 25-26: Mentioned possibly church or city elders could be the judges. Could mean actual court.
    • 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 – We are to avoid lawsuits and being like the world.
    • Hebrews 10:26-31 – God is the Judge to worry about most!
      • Hebrews 12:12-17 – We will all stand before The Judge: can we ever pay our debt? (No.)
2021
09/21
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VerseD: Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Matthew 5:44, ESV

When we pray for and do good works toward those who mistreat us, we either heap coals on their heads for the final judgment or lead them to saving knowledge in Jesus Christ.

2020
06/20
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Message Series: Malachi 3:16-18

It is about time for a short message series.

For the past few weeks and over the next couple of months, I will upload short messages based on the book of Malachi. It will probably be eight total and based on the section divisions in the English Standard Version of the Bible.

No special titles. Just taking a quick look at what was said.

So read along with me, and let us study what Malachi said to his people about 2,400 years ago.

Malachi 3:16-18

Remember that Malachi literally means “my messenger”, so he is God’s messenger, as all the Prophets were.

Chapter 1 was about God’s love for His covenant people – those who obey and love Him – versus those who refuse to listen to Him. The priests offered lame, sick, and injured animals as sacrifices, basically taking the Lord’s name in vain by calling it acceptable even though they were worthless gifts.

Chapter 2 can be called the passage about “bovine scatology”, because priests then (and many now) led people astray with false teachings. So God rebuked them and showed they are outside of the covenant.

Chapter 2 finishes with God rebuking not only the priests but any who practice what God said not to, and leads into chapter 3 in which God calls out those who call evil good and vice versa (which leads to His eventual judgment!)

Chapter 3 is largely about stealing from God, which was equated to not sharing the Gospel or giving the Church (and thus God) a bad name so that others want nothing to do with Jesus. It is like robbing God of souls.

Now, on to discuss the wrath of God:

16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

  • God compares the godless with the godly.
    • Contrast v. 15 with vv. 16-18
  • The deeds of the righteous and unrighteous will be easily seen.
    • This was made after most COVID-19 restrictions were being lifted, but riots are erupting around the USA due to police brutality. Minneapolis (the epicenter, based on the death of George Floyd – a black man who did not deserve the treatment he received) has been literally burning.
    • Seeking revenge is not good, nor wishing/inflicting harm on others as retribution.
      • Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35
  • We need to remember we are not fighting people, but powers, principalities, and authorities: a spiritual war. (Ephesians 6:12)
    • It is proper to be angry, but we must not let our anger lead to sinful acts. (Ephesians 4:26)
    • And we need to remember that we are all sinners in need of grace. (Romans 3:23)
  • God’s got this and hears our prayers and laments:
    • Revelation 5:8; 8:1-5
  • God will avenge – not just us, but His reputation:
    • Revelation 20-21
      • 20:12, 15
2020
05/30
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VerseD: Jeremiah 17:10

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Jeremiah 17:10, ESV

God knows that everything we do is tainted by sin. So we are under judgment, unless we are found washed by the blood of Christ.

2020
02/19
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VerseD: Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12, ESV

This is not about remembering birthdays and anniversaries (though, that is not bad.)

Rather, we should aware of God’s power and Christ’s immanent return to bring justice and peace.

2020
01/03
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VerseD: Isaiah 26:9

My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
Isaiah 26:9, ESV

When God ordains calamity and strife, the wise see His reproof and grow closer to Him. It is easy to grow complacent amidst blessing.

Seek God continuously.

2019
12/05
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Matthew 7:1-2

“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.”
Matthew 7:1‭-‬2, ESV

Jesus never said “never judge.” He warned to use good judgment, but realize you invite judgment from others.

Judge yourself first according to Scripture, then help others do the same.

2019
08/31
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Sermon: The Great War – John 16:5-15

I preached this past Sunday, June 30, 2019. I would have uploaded this sooner, but I am sure you understand technological issues and upload errors …

I barely used notes, so there is barely enough to read. If you want the full text, then listen to the message by clicking here or listening below!

https://DanielMKlem.sermon.net/player/audio/21412913?repeat=false&autostart=true

I actually started reading from John 15:26 to help with context, in case you want to have your Bible ready. Other references are Genesis 2, 2 Corinthians 7:6-11, Revelation 20, Ephesians 6:12, and Matthew 28:18-20.

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John 16:5-15 (15:26-16:15): The Great War and the Counselor, Comforter, and Helper

World War 2:
Propaganda: “All Germans are evil!”
Truth: “Many Germans helped in secret to undermine the Nazis.”
Reality: Many Germans were shunned, despised, mistreated, and distrusted after the war for “wanting to kill all non-Germans, especially Jews!”

Read 15:26-16:6

        John 13:36-14:7 – Peter & Thomas asked
        For Peter: Going to cross, “You will follow me”
        For Thomas: “We don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” They did not understand He was leaving this world behind. They essentially were asking “What place on Earth are you going to prepare to kick out Rome?” Not “You are leaving? What do you mean? What place is it that we are unable to follow you to?”
The disciples were confused, scared, and worried. “He seems to be speaking nonsense. Is He leaving us? He keeps talking about dying and leaving us!”
After Thomas’ question, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will come, which leads to …

Read 16:7

        The Holy Spirit –the Counselor, the Comforter, the Helper – would not be sent permanently until the Son and Father sent Him from Heaven.

Now think back to the first time a helper was given to Man: Genesis 2:20-25. No good helper was found, so God put the man into a deep sleep and created a woman from his rib. Then we have verses 24 and 25. [Read] We have the establishment of marriage (v. 24), and it says they were without shame (v. 25).
What does this have to do with our new Helper?

Read 16:8-14

        The Holy Spirit has three major jobs:

  1. Convict the world of sin
  2. Point to Jesus
  3. Reveal the true World War raging since Creation (Genesis 3)

Let us look at these:

  1. Convict the world of sin:
    1. Romans 3:23 reminds us that we are all guilty of sin.
    2. The Counselor tells us we are messed up beyond hope: We all have essentially punched God in the face and claimed innocence.
      1. 10 Commandments: How we have all have fallen short
    3. 2 Corinthians 7:6-11: Godly grief (of sin) leads to repentance
  2. Point to Jesus:
    1. How then can we be saved? The work of Jesus!
    2. The Comforter shows that we are made righteous through the only True Way to Life (14:6): Believing in the vicarious work of Christ’s death on the cross for the forgiveness of all of our sins!
    3. If teachings about the Holy Spirit do not glorify Jesus Christ, is it really from Him?
  3. Reveal the true War:
    1. This war started in the Garden, with “that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan” (Revelation 20:2), and that will only end upon Christ’s return, thus fulfilling v. 13.
    2. This war is spiritual in nature: Ephesians 6:12.
      1. Do not retaliate against fellow image-bearers!
    3. So how do we fight this war?

Read 16:14-15

        The Spirit of Truth, the Helper, reminds us of Matthew 28:18-20 (Great Commission)

        We fight this war (that was won at the cross!) through the power of the Helper, in a world that says Christians and God are bad and evil.

2019
07/02
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VerseD: Job 19:25

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
Job 19:25, ESV

God is not dead.

Jesus was killed, yet He lives.

He is coming back to this world one day in judgment.

Follow Christ, and stand with Him!

2019
06/07
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