02-27-2022

02-27-2022
Dr. E. Dale Locke, (LOX & Online), Rev. Jose Marrero (WPB), Rev. Efrain Silva (COH Español)
Sermon Series: How Life Works
Week 8: Judging?
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español

Read our theme verse from this series, Matthew 7:24 - Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

1. This is our final week studying Jesus’s challenging Sermon on the Mount. We’ve been learning that life works best when we subordinate every other identity in our lives to our identity as a follower of Jesus. That includes our political party, sexual orientation, the pronouns we want to be called by, our past, our present, our future, our failure, our success, everything – we lay it all down.

Read what the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:8-11 - What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

What do you notice here about how the Apostle Paul viewed his own identity? 

2. Read Matthew 7:1-6; 13-23 – “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….

     13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

     15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

     21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Don’t Judge:

3. The kind of judgment that Jesus forbids here is when we condemn someone and hold them to a standard that we ourselves are not meeting – which is hypocrisy. What are some of the negative results when religious people do that kind of hypocritical judging? 

4. Dallas Willard said, “How many people are radically and permanently repelled from The Way by Christians who are unfeeling, stiff, unapproachable, boringly lifeless, obsessive, dissatisfied and judgmental.  Yet such Christians are everywhere, and what they are missing is the wholesome liveliness springing from a balanced vitality with the freedom of God’s loving rule…. Spirituality wrongly understood or pursued is a major source of human misery and rebellion against God.”

What is he getting at?

5. If you’ve ever felt judged in the way that Jesus warned against, share about that with your group. 

6. Christians are often known for judging people outside the church, but notice what the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:12a - What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? 

This may be surprising to you. Why shouldn’t Christians judge unbelievers?  What should we do when we see ungodly behavior in an unbeliever? 

7. Brennan Manning wrote in his book The Ragamuffin Gospel, “My life is a witness to the vulgar grace of Jesus.  A grace that amazes as it offends.  A grace that pays the eager beaver who works all day long the same wages as the grinning drunk who shows up at ten till five  A grace that hikes up the robe and runs breakneck toward the prodigal reeking of sin and wraps him up and decides to throw a party – no ifs, ands, or buts.  A grace that raises bloodshot eyes to a dying thief’s request – ‘Please remember me,’ and assures him, ‘You bet!’  A grace that is the pleasure of the Father, fleshed out in the Messiah Jesus the Christ, who left His Father’s side not for heaven’s sake but for our sakes – yours and mine.  This grace is indiscriminate compassion. It works without asking anything of us. It’s not cheap, but it’s free.  And as such, will always be a banana peel for the orthodox foot and a fairy tale for the grown-up sensibility.  Grace is sufficient even though we huff and puff with all our might to try to find something or someone it cannot cover.”

What do you think about what Manning writes here?

Do Judge

8. In this same passage, Jesus actually says “Do judge!” And he says we should start by judging ourselves. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?  How do we do what Paul is asking here?  What is the danger if we don’t do this?

9.  The New Testament also clearly teaches that we are to appropriately judge people within the Body of Christ. Read Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 5:12 - What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?

Why is it important that we judge people within the church? 

10. What is the appropriate way to judge people within the Body of Christ?

11. Share about a time when someone offered constructive, discerning feedback that helped you grow to be a better person. 

12. In church, we each wrote on a 3x5 card one thing that tends to get in our way as we seek to subordinate everything under the lordship of Jesus Christ. If there’s anything – outside of your identity as a Christ-follower – that you have at times let define you, share about that with your group. 

Ready for your next step? – If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as trusting your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.

News and Announcements:

New Here?  Let us know who you are by texting “connect” to 561-264-6079.

Ash Wednesday At-Home Experience: Lent begins March 2nd, and this year COH has prepared a way for you to observe Ash Wednesday in your own home with your family or small group. Go to http://www.communityofhope.church/lent to see a brief video of Pastor Dale explaining what Ash Wednesday and Lent are about; and you’ll also find instructions on how to observe Ash Wednesday at home.  

Prayer Walk: Throughout Lent, we invite you to make use of our beautiful Prayer Walk on our Loxahatchee Campus. You can use it alone, with your family, or with your small group. Find the entrance at the edge of the woods on the west side of our parking lot, then follow the 14 crosses along the pathway through the woods. Each cross has a Scripture reminding you of Jesus’s sacrifice on your behalf.  At the end of the pathway, there’s a pavilion with picnic tables where you can meditate and pray alone, or enjoy a picnic with your family or small group as you discuss what you experienced. This is a wonderful activity for small groups and families to do together during Lent.   

Financial Peace University – Thursdays, 7-8:30pm Loxahatchee Campus starts March 3 - Dave Ramsey's 9-week class designed to help you get free from debt, save, and invest for your future. Led by John Donegan. Course fee and materials $59.99/family paid directly to Ramsey+ at the following link: fpu.com/1148071. You may attend the first session at no cost to “try before you buy.” Childcare available. Register at  https://communityofhope.church/groups/

Outdoor Worship Service next Sunday, March 6, 5pm – We’re offering a monthly outdoor service at 5pm Sunday evening on the first Sunday of each month to those who still need to be cautious about being in a room with others.  We want you to have an opportunity to experience in-person worship as well as Holy Communion. This is a family service, and there will be a special moment for the kids.  Also, remember this monthly service is weather permitting and bring your own chair or blanket. 

Connections - Connections is a 4-week class on how to live the Christian life, and it’s also the best way to get more connected at Community of Hope. You’ll learn about our church’s mission, values, and statement of faith. After the four weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to become a Community of Hope partner, if you wish, which opens more opportunities for leadership and service. Two options for taking Connections are coming soon:
(1) Our WPB Campus will have a class on Zoom only Mondays, 7-8:15pm starting March 7th. 
(2) Our Loxahatchee Campus will have a class that will be both in-person and over Zoom on Wednesdays, 7-8:15pm starting March 23rd.
Register for either class at https://communityofhope.church/connections

Thank you for your regular financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to you and to our community! If you haven’t already, consider setting up automated giving to help you be consistent even when you’re traveling. To give to Community of Hope go to https://communityofhope.church/give