Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 42 : THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Text: Matthew 7
23 October 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. The Lord Jesus dealt with:

a) Errors in Doctrine
b) Errors in spiritual practices like prayer

2. He went on to teach the Disciples about Life

a) They were not to end up worrying about things in life
b) Instead, they were encouraged to seek the Kingdom of God

THE PROBLEM OF BEING JUDGMENTAL

1“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?
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.
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Matthew 7:1-6

1. A common problem in the days of the Lord Jesus

a) Being judgmental
b) Too many are quick to make comments
c) This leads to great tension and awkwardness

2. This was a common problem with the scribes and Pharisees

a) They judged people by the standards they set up
b) They ended up despising people:
i) Tax collectors
ii) Gentiles
iii) People who were not in their social circles

THE LORD’S TEACHING

1. A word of warning about judging others

The yardstick by which we measure others would be used to judge us

2. A criticism of the people who are judgmental

a) They see a speck in the eye of a brother
b) But they do not see “a plank” in their own eyes
c) Many are blind to their own faults

3. The problem is plain in the eyes of the Lord Jesus

a) It is the same sin He highlighted earlier
b) It is the sin of Hypocrisy Matthew 6:5, 16

COLLQUIAL SAYINGS CITED

1. One does not give holy things to dogs

They cannot appreciate things

2. One also does not cast pearls before swine

They will trample them under their feet. They may even attack you!

THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD JESUS

1. They were holy and precious things

2. But would they actually be appreciated?

a) Not by dogs
b) Nor by swine
c) Nor by hypocrites!

CONCLUSION

1. Take heed of not being caught up with the world

a) Fans can become trolls
b) Likes can become hate

2. “Do not judge” is to be practised

a) Don’t pass comments easily
b) Don’t become shallow or superficial

3. Following the Lord Jesus

a) This is best
b) This is the wisest thing to do
c) The Disciples benefitted immensely
d) They went on to become Apostles of the Lord