Judge Not, Part 3

Mat. 7:1-5 Sermon on the Mount

Pastor Albert N. Martin continues his exposition of Matthew 7:1-5, focusing on the prohibition against sinful criticism. He argues that such judgment incurs God's judgment, sets the standard for one's own judgment, and reveals the critic's unfitness and hypocrisy. Martin calls believers to deal brutally with their own sin first, then tenderly and discerningly help others, emphasizing that mercy shown to others will be shown to us by God. He concludes with a stark warning to unbelievers about facing God's pure justice without mercy.

3 illustrations in this sermon

Illustration: General Oglethorpe and John Wesley

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General Oglethorpe and John Wesley

Driving home: Mr. Wesley turned to General Oglethorpe, and he said, Sir, I hope you never sin. Mr. Oglethorpe got the message.

John Wesley confronts General Oglethorpe, who is punishing his servant without mercy for drinking wine, by saying, 'Sir, I hope you never sin.' This illustrates the need for mercy in judgment, as we ourselves are sinners.

I told this story one time before, but it bears repetition along this line. John Wesley was coming over to the States to preach, and on the ship with him was General Oglethorpe, who was governor of Georgia at the time.

20:37 - 20:51 Read in full sermon

Illustration: National Good Eyesight Week

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National Good Eyesight Week

In this part of the sermon: A humorous illustration about someone with a 'two-by-four' in their eye trying to remove a 'speck' from another's eye demonstrates the absurdity and hypocrisy of judging others…

A humorous scenario where a person with a 'two-by-four' in their eye tries to help others with 'specks' during 'National Good Eyesight Week,' highlighting the absurdity and hypocrisy of judging others while ignoring one's own greater faults.

There is obviously no concern for righteousness and holiness. If there were, you'd deal with your own beam first. Let me illustrate in a very silly way. We have National Everything Week.

26:38 - 26:53 Read in full sermon

Illustration: The Unfit Surgeon

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The Unfit Surgeon

In this part of the sermon: An analogy of an unfit, drunk surgeon highlights that true concern for a brother requires personal fitness and preparation for the delicate task of helping them with their sin.

A doctor showing up unshaven, bleary-eyed, and smelling of liquor to perform a delicate operation illustrates that one must be fit and genuinely concerned to help a brother with their sin.

The two requirements, if you're going to help the brother, there must be a concern for righteousness, and you must be personally fit. There can't be any concern for righteousness when we allow beams in our own eyes and go plucking motes in others, nor can we really love our brother, for if we did love him, we'd do everything possible to put ourselves in the best shape possible to perform this delicate operation. Again, let me use a silly illustration. Here's a doctor who says he's really concerned about you, and he schedules you to go up into community hospital to be operated on 8 o'clock Tues...

30:29 - 31:07 Read in full sermon

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