Sermon Notes 3.16.2025
March 13, 2025

“Kingdom Judgement”

Kingdom Life Series Lesson 8

Sermon Notes

March 16, 2025

I. Reflections On Being Judgy: What Did Jesus Really Say About Judging Others?

A. Jesus judged all the time and He encouraged His disciples to do the same! So, what is Jesus saying in Matthew 7:1-12? Is Jesus making a blanket statement to stop judging completely or is Jesus showing the way to start judging correctly?

B. There is such a thing as right and

!

1. Jesus consistently called people out for bad theology, poor attitudes, unkind behaviors, selfish agendas, and for immoral behavior. (Matthew 5-7)

C. It is never right to ignore

!

1. According to Jesus,

is a spiritual cancer that needs to be addressed, not ignored. (Luke 17:3; Matthew 18:15)

2. When moral discernment is prohibited, only pseudo-community is practiced! That is because nothing gets healed when it stays in the

! (Galatians 6:1; James 5:20)

D. There is a

way to confront wrong!

1. In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders were judging not in order to correct and restore, but in order to

! (Luke 18:11)

2. Because Jesus is going to judge how we “judge,” we need to judge like

! (John 8:7-11)

E. Discussion Questions for Life Groups & Families: Consider the following questions as you reflect on the differences between our culture’s view of judging and Jesus’ view of judging: a) If someone were to “judge” another person’s behavior to be wrong, our culture would… b) What impact has our culture’s view of “judging” and absolute “rights and wrongs” had on Christians and the church? c) What is your reaction to this statement: “When moral discernment is prohibited, only pseudo-community is practiced.” What is that statement implying? d) Can you think of times in your life when another believer lovingly confronted you about a behavior in your life? How did you respond? And how did these experiences impact your life?

II. Judging The Way Jesus Judged…

A. Judge

more than anyone else! (Matthew 7:3-5)

  1. It is our “log problem” that causes the non-Christian world to think the church has a

    problem!

  2. Our hearts need to break over our own

    !

  3. Ask yourself: Can I receive the loving correction of other Christians?

  4. Discussion Questions for Life Groups & Families: Reflecting on your own life, consider these questions: a) I have a difficult time receiving loving correction when it comes to… b) Share about a time when another believer lovingly challenged you to rethink or change something in your life in order to live worthy of your calling. What did the person do that was helpful to you? What did you learn from that person and situation?

B. Go to

before you go anywhere else!

1. Jesus says some people are not ready to receive a word of truth! (Matthew 7:6)

2. Don’t just barge in with a word of truth before you have

! (Matthew 7:12)

3. Discussion Questions for Life Groups & Families: In what ways might prayer prepare you to have a sensitive and important conversation with another believer?

C. Extend

more than anything else!

1. Jesus is not forbidding the use of “judging” in the “Kingdom Life,” but He is urging us to extend mercy! (James 2:13)

2. You treat your brother or sister with the same

you need! (Romans 3:22-23)

3. The Judge took our judgement upon Himself so that we might receive His mercy!

4. Discussion Questions for Life Groups & Families: Consider these questions as you reflect on the tension between judgement and mercy: a) How can followers of Jesus balance the tension between judgement and mercy? b) If we emphasize judgement and leave out mercy, what can happen? If we emphasize mercy and leave out moral discernment of right and wrong, what can happen?