Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Jesus teaches us to be consistent in judging ourselves, our fellow Christians, and unbelievers. He also teaches us to steward the precious pearls of our faith, not giving scoffers the opportunity to blaspheme the name of the Lord.

This sermon deconstructs the common misinterpretation of "Judge not, that you be not judged," showing that Jesus wasn't forbidding all forms of judgment. When read in its proper biblical context, Matthew 7:1 prohibits hypocritical and self-righteous judgment, but not righteous assessments. Church elders righteously judge the members of their congregation in matters of life, faith, and doctrine. This is how Jesus watches over the souls of His people.

Jesus knows that we have a strong desire for praise and approval from our fellow man, so He commands us to watch out that we don't do public religious acts to be seen by men. Jesus teaches that to act pious to be seen my men is the sin of hypocrisy.

A healthy and robust theology of God's character and sovereignty helps us embrace the unexpected circumstances that develop in our lives.