INTRO:

It’s human nature see the problem in everyone else’s life but our own, isn’t it?

It’s human nature to pride ourselves in our accomplishments, and then curse the inadequacies of someone else under our breathe.

Human nature leads us to gossip about the shortcomings of others, to magnify their problems and to envision ourselves filling their shoes so much better.

If you’ve ever complained about the President of the United States, criticized your boss, felt superior to another worker, argued about who was right with a family member, or began to bicker about the service your received from the Taco Bell drive thru clerk, then you’ve fallen for Human Nature 101.

Because, It is Human Nature to put ourselves in the place of JUDGE!

There is not a more dangerous place for a Judgmental Spirit to exist than in a religious body. It was a judgmental spirit — The feeling of superiority over another group of people — that led Christians to slaughter Muslim men, women, & children during the Crusades. All felt they were doing God’s will as they proudly bloodied their swords in battle.

Today the roles are somewhat reversed with Islamic Terrorists committing acts of violence in the name of religion — unashamedly slaughter christians (whom they term as the infidels), — considering themselves justified by their judgmental feelings of superiority.

It was this same Judgmental Spirit that had thoroughly infected the early Jewish religion. A feeling that somehow they were superior to the rest of the gentile world.

BODY:

“17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know [His] will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.” – Rom 2:17-20 NKJV

But isn’t this list true?

1.    They were called Jews

That meant something to them — It meant that they were God’s Chosen People!

“6 “For you [are] a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” – Deu 7:6 NKJV

To be a Jew meant that you were heir to all the promises of God to Abraham, thus the Pharisees of Jesus time proudly declared:

“Abraham is our Father” — John 8:39

So to be born a Jew was to be born into a privileged position in life.

2.    Given the Law

In a special way this gave the Jews of Jesus day great pride.

Psalm 119 gives a glimpse into how the Law brings a blessing to those to whom it is given:

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!” — Psalm 119:1-2

“Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.” — Psalm 119:18

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105

They were truly privileged to be keepers of God’s Law

3.  Know His Will

How many have hungered and thirsted to just know the will of God! The Jew did not have to guess, or gamble what God might want him to do. They had the plain statements of God written in His Word — God’s Word is His Will.

The Gentiles had to deduce from nature, and from the impressions of God’s Spirit what God’s Will was — But the Jews were the most privileged race of people on earth — They had the direct commands of God spoken and written down. Every Sabbath they had God’s Word expounded to them from teachers of the law. Every Jewish boy was required to memorize the first five books called the Torah. — The Will of God through His Word was a constant part of every Jews life.

4.  They are a Guide to the Blind, and a Light to those in Darkness

“1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.” – Isa 60:1-3 NKJV

“6 Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of

Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ “” – Isa 49:6 NKJV — This is prophecy about the Messiah, but the Jews understood it to apply to them as well.

“47 “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ “” – Act 13:47 NKJV

The Jewish nation was privileged to be teachers to the rest of the world as the ones who knew the truth. They knew they had the light, they knew they had been given spiritual sight through God’s Word. They also knew that the gentiles didn’t have the light, and that they were blind as to the truth.

5.  The had the TRUTH

They were God’s Chosen People

They were People of the Book

They had the Truth & knew the Truth

All of these privileges caused the Jews to view themselves as Superior in every way to every other nation around them.

But there’s a difference between being superior and being privileged!

Just because you are privileged does not mean you are Superior, right?

Being Superior means you have qualities or characteristics that set you above everyone else. Being Privileged means that although you have the same shortcomings as everyone else, you are given an honored position.

As Christians are we Superior or privileged?

As Seventh-day Adventists are we Superior or privileged?

Romans 2:1

Do the people who are doing the Judging in this verse feel superior or privileged? — Superior!

Who do these people feel superior to? — The group mentioned in Chapter 1.

In Romans 1, Paul addresses the Gentile world & God’s Wrath displayed in them in allowing them to fall deeper and deeper into their wickedness. Paul says “They are without excuse”, because God has revealed Himself to them, and by the end of chapter 1, we have this nail in the coffin verse: “who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” — Romans 1:32

You can almost see Paul’s audience applaud, and say “That’s right Paul, you tell them just where they will burn”. These same people would hold up signs in Anti-gay movements, they would unashamedly let a brother in church know when they’ve broken God’s Law, They are the self appointed food inspectors at Potluck, and the dress code police at church. And then in a surprise move Paul addresses the Christian fold in verse 1 of chapter 2, saying “You are inexcusable… [because] you practice the same things”.

• How many Christians will criticize the violence of ISIS in beheading people in the Middle East, and the same day are willing to pay RedBox or Harkins to entertain them with violence?
• How many Seventh-day Adventists will criticize the man who eats bacon on Sunday morning and yet sit themselves down to a box of donuts, or scarf down half a cake?
• How many children of God in a fit condemn the politicians who pass laws that essentially rob the poor — While they themselves rob God in Tithes and Offerings?
• How many Christians will criticize a woman dressed immodestly at church, and yet somehow when the same image or worse is part of movie night at home, it’s labeled as ok? “You who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, Do not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?” — Romans 2: 21-23

“Therefore you are inexcusable O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things… And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgement of God!” — Romans 2:1,3

“All who are followers of Christ should deal with one another exactly as we wish the Lord to deal with us in our errors and weaknesses, for we are all erring and need His pity and forgiveness.” — Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 93

As a member of God’s Church, we are not superior we are privileged. Just because we are privileged this does not give us the right to Judge others…

Now you may say to yourself — If that’s the case then, should we just keep our mouths shut and not say anything disagreeable to anyone? When we see someone who is clearly sinning, are we judging them if we point out their sin? If I go to my brother and tell him clearly that to go to McDonalds on the Sabbath is breaking God’s Commandment, because we are not to make others work according to the Commandment — Is this Judging him? To tell someone with same sex attraction that to act out on that attraction brings the displeasure of God, is that judging them?

Have you ever heard someone say: “Don’t Judge Me”?  — How do you know if you are actually judging someone? Are we as Christians not allowed to identify sin out-loud?

“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank [is] in your own eye?” — Matthew 7:1-4

At first glance this verse seems to indicate that we aren’t supposed to point out problems in other people’s lives. It has been used by many a Christian seeking to run from their guilt, or enjoy their pleasure unhindered. — Then comes the well-worn phrase “Don’t Judge me”, but notice the last verse.

5 “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:1-5

Intoxication impairs Judgement: It’s for this reason that the law of the land says you can not get behind the wheel intoxicated because your judgement is impaired. You can not judge rightly when you are not able to see or think clearly!

In the same way, the Bible condemns hypocritical judgment — because the person judging is blinded by their own sin. Their judgement is impaired! How can I lead someone to victory if I myself have not gained the victory? Can I lead someone down a path I myself have never gone?

STORY: Several months ago I was going to the zoo with a group, and I was leading the way. There was only one problem with me being the leader, I had no idea where I was going. When we ended up close to Phoenix International Airport, it was time to pick a new leader!

“39 …”Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” — Luke 6:39

When we set ourselves as judge over others, while we ourselves are struggling with the same issues, we loose credibility as Christians.

“For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles, because of you…” — Romans 2:24

There is a wrong way to Judge according to the Bible.

WRONG WAY TO JUDGE:

1. The same sin in our own lives
2. A Hypocrisy that seeks to lift up self through putting other down
3. Seeking the doom destruction or general harm towards someone else (This is the wrong way to Judge, but there is a right way to Judge)

RIGHT WAY TO JUDGE:

1. We are not participating in the same sin
2. We are seeking to lift others up, even if we have to be put down
3. We are seeking their salvation, their health and healing, and general good towards them

It is not wrong to acknowledge that particular actions are sins. We do not need to feel like we can not identify sin. Part of knowing the truth is being given the discernment to know what is sin.

“Know the truth and the truth shall set you free” — John 8:32

“… By the Law is the knowledge of sin.” — Romans 3:20

“And when He comes, He will convict the world of sin…” — John 16:8

A Revelation of Sin in the world is a sign of the end of the world— 1. “Love of many will grow cold” — Matthew 24:12

2. “Lawlessness will increase” — Matthew 24:12
3. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than loves of God, having a

form of godliness, but denying its power.” — 2 Timothy 3:1-5  (That was a very judgmental statement Paul)

4. Romans 1 (Paul himself points out specific sins)

If there was no such thing as right Judging, if every form of judging others was wrong, then Paul is the most judgmental writer in the New Testament — he points out sin left and right. Some people in the church feel that way about Paul’s writings — We just want to read the gospels because they speak of love, we don’t want to hear what Paul has to say, he’s to judgmental… Paul wasn’t judgmental, he was clear!!! He words were not muddied by the political correctness we so often have to endure in this day and age… Paul said it just how he saw it, and friends there is beauty in Truth!

Well someone will say — Paul pointed out sins, but he never pointed out specific sinners! When we name people by name that’s when we are judging. We can talk about sin, but don’t point people out. Is that taught in scripture?

“” — Acts 8:20-24  (Peter sees bitterness is Simon the Sorcerer)

“” — Acts 5:3-5  (Ananias & Saphira)

“By their fruits you will know them” — Matthew 7:16-20

“Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath” — Matthew 3:7-8 [John denounces the Pharisees and Sadducees]

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men, men who will not be bought or sold; men who in their inmost souls are true and honest; men who do not fear to call sin by its right name; men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole; men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” — Sons and Daughters of God, p. 215

Some have said: “It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict people”, as if this truth is a rebuke to Christians who actively share the truth with others? What they are really saying is, “Don’t tell me what to do, that’s the job of the Holy Spirit.” But friends, the Bible instructs us to warn individual people of their errors or their sin, and if we don’t their sin will be counted against us.

“18 “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 “Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.“20 “Again, when a righteous [man] turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. 21 “Nevertheless if you warn the righteous [man] that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.” —Ezekiel 3:20-21 NKJV

Neither the Bible nor the Spirit of Prophecy condemn pointing out people’s errors or sins, instead they both condemn what we would call criticism of others, and hypocrisy. They condemn putting people down because of their faults. They both beg the question “What is your motive for judging?” — Do you desire the persons salvation or simply your own self-righteousness?

“Do not think yourself better than other men, and set yourself up as their judge. Since you cannot discern motive, you are incapable of judging another. In criticizing him, you are passing sentence upon yourself; for you show that you are a participant with Satan, the accuser of the brethren.” — Desire of Ages, 314.

Whenever we go to a brother or sister to disclose some error in their life, it should be done as careful as a surgeon operating on a vital organ. We are doing a more delicate deed than heart surgery, great consequences rest on how we approach those in error than if we were to be doing brain surgery. We are allowed to point out sin only with a heart full of pity and love, and the only way we can have such a heart is if we ourselves have received it from Jesus.

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” — 1 John 3:16

When we share in gossip among ourselves the faults of others, we not only destroy their reputation and future influence, but we also destroy the tenderness and pity in our own hearts. We are planting seeds of bitterness inside ourselves which will work our ruin later. Instead, we should look to Calvary and there behold the love of the Son of God for my own sins, and the sins of others. Then filled with the love of Jesus, His compassion, His tenderness, His selfsacrificing spirit inspiring my own soul — I can go to those who are erring and with tears bear the message of salvation, tell them of the Love of Jesus for sinners such as us, make them feel that I care for the well-being of their soul and their future destiny and with gentle appeals lead them to the foot of the cross where they might find the forgiveness and mercy of Jesus!

“Frequently the truth and facts are to be plainly spoken to the erring, to make them see and feel their error that they may reform. But this should ever be done with pitying tenderness, not with harshness or severity, but considering one’s own weakness, lest he also be tempted. When the one at fault sees and acknowledges his error, then, instead of grieving him, and seeking to make him feel more deeply, comfort should be given.” — Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 93

Friends, as Christians, as Seventh-day Adventists we are not superior to others, we are privileged to bear the light of truth and the love of Jesus displayed in His Gospel to those who are in darkness — encouraging them with the words “Look & Live”, calling men and women everywhere to behold the Love of God and repent for the kingdom of heaven is near!

Today Jesus calls you to abandon a hypocritical life of criticizing others, even behind their back:

1. Today He invites you to view others as equals, and yourself as privileged.
2. Today He invites you to look upon the cross of Calvary and realize that your sin caused the blood of Jesus to run — and it was with self-sacrificing love that He cured your sin problem.
3. Today He invites you to treat others with the same self-sacrificing love that Jesus Himself treated you.

Would you like this change of heart? To those who feel they need a new heart this morning, a heart that no longer condemns others but seeks to save them. If you want that heart from Jesus I want to invite you to come forward to the front, right now.