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When you have done the hard work to get an honest assessment of yourself and your own need for spectacular mercy, you may be in a better position to lovingly support others on their journey toward the healing and transformative love of God.
It’s “Jesus and Judging Others” this week, discussing Matthew 7:1–6 from the Sermon on the Mount. We’re continuing in our ongoing Matthew series and this will be week 10 of Part Two.
As a reminder, the season of Advent is fast approaching. In preparation, we have a collection of worship resources for the season at The Christian Year. While it’s definitely too early to break out the Christmas decor (sorry to some of you…) it’s definitely not too early to be leaning into the longing for Jesus that Advent is all about.
On to this Sunday though—here’s how you can prepare!
1. Read our text, Matthew 7:1–6.
See passage
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”
“Don’t judge people.” This powerful and direct command of Jesus is as relevant today as it has ever been, but it’s easy to misunderstand. At the heart of this command is a call to turn away from the dehumanizing and degrading culture of moral superiority that has corrupted religious communities. Jesus says that those who insist on judging the actions of others will themselves be judged accordingly. Jesus teaches that the core problem comes from our reluctance to see the depth of our own brokenness and how that brokenness distorts our ability to relate to other people in ways that are actually loving and healing. Jesus calls His people to pay attention first to their own faults and failures. When you have done the hard work to get an honest assessment of yourself and your own need for spectacular mercy, you may be in a better position to lovingly support others on their journey toward the healing and transformative love of God.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
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CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 18:1–2
See passage
I love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
In Christ Alone (Keith Getty, Stuart Townend) / Promises (Alvarado, Barnes, Bowe, Gaines, Marin, Moses)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook:
Father, You bless those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
But we have often presided as harsh judges over the lives of others.
We have been quick to place blame
on anything or anyone but ourselves.
We have avoided obligations to care for
or to help people in need.
Lord, have mercy upon us
in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Ephesians 2:4–7
See passage
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Jesus What A Savior (Kirby Kaple)
PASSING THE PEACE
What is Passing the Peace?
(Click to Read)
(Click to Read)
When we’ve met as a large group on Sundays, we’ve always had a time of greeting one another after singing. Many churches call this time “passing the peace.” In some church traditions, one person will say to another, “The peace of Christ be with you” to which the other person responds, “And also with you.”
While potentially unfamiliar for some, we felt that “passing the peace” during greeting times at home could be a powerful act in this age marked by very little external peace. In Isaiah 9, Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace. He wants His kingdom to be marked by this very peace! We want to “pass” to one another this peace that only Jesus can give, especially at a time like this.
It might feel a bit cheesy, but we encourage you to actually pray the peace of God over each other during our times. We encourage you to look into each other’s eyes as you say, “The peace of Christ be with you!” and have others respond with, “And also with you.” Be open-hearted to Jesus, asking Him to fill you with His peace.
SERMON & COMMUNION
Before The Throne Of God (Charitie Lees Bancroft arr. Shane & Shane)
BENEDICTION
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Last week we considered Jesus’ teaching on anxiety. In the context, Jesus is teaching that faith in God’s Eternal Kingdom and His Fatherly care sets us free from the anxiety that comes from living for material things. The truth is easy to understand, but it can be challenging and complicated to apply.