First Baptist Church Litchfield
chapel 2/4

      • Psalm 46:1–3ESV

  • Your Love
  • Out of the Mud

      • Matthew 7:1–6ESV

  • Cast your cares
  • Carry It On Philippians 1:8

  • When Your Eyes Trick You

    A long time ago, before we had space probes and satellites, one of the most famous astronomers in the world believed he had discovered canals on Mars. His name was Percival Lowell. He spent years staring through a powerful telescope, drawing detailed maps of what he thought were long straight lines on the surface of the planet.
    People trusted him because he was brilliant and respected. But later, when spacecraft actually went to Mars, they found something surprising. There were no canals at all.
    So what happened?
    Scientists eventually discovered that Lowell had a rare eye condition. When he looked through the telescope, he was actually seeing the blood vessels in his own eyes. The lines were not on Mars. They were coming from him.
    This problem is now called Lowell’s syndrome. His vision was distorted, not because Mars was unclear, but because his eyes were.
    That story helps us understand something Jesus teaches in Matthew 7. Sometimes when we look at other people, especially their sins and flaws, we think we see clearly. But Jesus says our vision is often distorted by something inside us. Pride. Self righteousness. Blindness to our own sin.
    This morning Jesus is going to teach us how to see clearly so we can live what he calls the good life in his kingdom. And the good life does requirer us to help each other correct sin in our lives. But how do we do that well?

    To correct sin with love, humility, and grace, you must first examine your own heart and then speak truth the way Jesus does to your neighbor.

    Why We Struggle With Judging Others

    Jesus is speaking in the Sermon on the Mount to people who thought they were spiritually mature. Many of them were like the Pharisees. They cared deeply about rules, appearances, and being seen as righteous. But their hearts were proud.
    They judged others harshly while excusing themselves.
    We do the same thing.
    We notice when someone is annoying, lazy, dishonest, inappropriate, or disrespectful. We replay their mistakes in our minds. We talk about them. We criticize them. Sometimes we do it out loud. Sometimes just in our hearts.
    And the result is broken trust. People stop opening up. They stop growing. They stop believing correction is loving. Them instead of receiving correction, they say things like “You don’t have the right to judge me!”
    That is the fallen condition of our nature. Our hearts are bent toward harsh judgment instead of humble restoration.
    So Jesus does not say stop caring about sin. He says learn how to judge rightly.

    Start With the Right View of Judgment Matthew 7:1

    “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.”
    Next to the Lord’s prayer, this might be the most poplar verse the world can recite. At first glance, this verse sounds like Jesus is saying never judge anyone. That is how our culture often uses it.
    But that cannot be what Jesus means. Just a few verses later, he tells us to watch out for false prophets. He says you will know people by their fruit of their lives. That requires judgment.
    So what kind of judging is Jesus warning against?
    He is warning against a condemning, fault finding spirit. A heart that loves pointing out what is wrong in others while ignoring what is wrong in itself.
    You and I are broken people. That means our judgment is naturally bent toward hypocrisy. We are quick to condemn others and slow to confess our own sin.
    And there is something else we need to remember.
    God is the final judge.
    One day every person will stand before Christ. He will judge not only our actions but our words, motives, and attitudes. Every careless judgment. Every proud thought. Every harsh comment.
    That reality should slow us down.
    Before you correct someone, ask yourself, Lord, help me see clearly. Help me speak with humility. Help me see my own sin and my need for restoration. Help me remember that you are the judge and I am not.
    That prepares us for what Jesus says next.

    Use the Right Measure When You Look at Others Matthew 7:2–4

    “2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 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? 4 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?”
    Jesus says the standard you use on others will be used on you.
    He then gives a ridiculous picture. You notice a tiny speck of sawdust in someone else’s eye while you have a huge plank of wood sticking out of your own.
    Everyone listening would have laughed. It is meant to be absurd.
    Jesus is saying we are experts at spotting small sins in others while being blind to big sins in ourselves.
    To explain this, Jesus wants us to imagine standing in front of a mirror. The mirror is God’s Word. It does not lie. It shows us who we really are.
    Before you confront someone else, look honestly at your own life.
    Have I confessed my sin? Am I repenting? Do I hate my sin or excuse it? Do I want restoration or just to be right?
    The apostle Paul says in Galatians 6:1-5, that when someone is caught in sin, those who are spiritual should restore them with gentleness. But he adds this warning. Watch yourself, or you may be tempted too.
    The goal is not to win an argument. The goal is to restore a brother or sister.
    That only happens when we judge ourselves first.

    Remove the Plank Before You Touch the Speck Matthew 7:5

    “5 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.”
    Jesus calls the person who skips self examination a hypocrite.
    That word is strong, but it is loving. Because hypocrisy destroys people.
    So how do we remove the plank?
    First, by humility.
    When you really look at your heart, you realize how much you need grace. Like Paul in Romans 7, you want to obey God, but you see sin still fighting inside you. That should soften you toward others.
    Second, by honest repentance.
    Paul told the Corinthian church to examine themselves before taking the Lord’s Supper. Not to shame them, but to lead them back to grace. Ask God to search your heart. Confess what he shows you. Turn from it.
    Third, by remembering how Jesus treats you.
    Think about the woman caught in adultery John 8:1-11. The crowd was ready to destroy her. Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. He did not excuse her sin, but he did not abandon her either. He spoke truth with grace.
    That is how Jesus treats you.
    He does not crush you when you fail. He draws you near, forgives you, and calls you to walk in newness of life.
    When you remember that, the plank starts to come out.

    Speak Wisely and Lovingly Matthew 7:6

    “6 “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.”
    Jesus says do not throw pearls to pigs or give holy things to dogs.
    That sounds harsh until you understand his point.
    Correction is valuable. It is a pearl.
    But not everyone wants it.
    Some people are not ready to listen. They mock correction. They get angry. They attack the person trying to help them.
    The book of Proverbs teaches that wisdom loves correction. Foolishness rejects it.
    So part of judging rightly is discerning whether someone is willing to receive help.
    That requires prayer. Patience. Wisdom.
    Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is wait. Other times it is to speak gently. And sometimes it is to step back and entrust the situation to God.

    Jesus Heals Our Vision

    Remember Percival Lowell. He thought he was seeing clearly, but the problem was in his eyes.
    Jesus says our hearts often suffer from a spiritual version of that problem. Pride distorts our vision. Sin clouds our judgment.
    But here is the good news.
    Jesus came to heal our sight.
    Through his perfect life, his death on the cross, his resurrection, and the gift of his Spirit, Jesus removes our spiritual blindness. He forgives our sin. He gives us new hearts. He teaches us to see ourselves honestly and others lovingly.
    When you repent and trust him, he gives you new eyes.
    Eyes that see your sin clearly without despair. Eyes that see others with compassion. Eyes that speak truth without cruelty.
    That is the good life in God’s kingdom.
    A life marked by humility, grace, and love.
    So before you speak, look in the mirror. Before you judge, remember the cross. And when you correct, do it the way Jesus corrects you.
    With truth. With patience. And with grace.

      • Matthew 7:1–6ESV

      • Matthew 7:2–4ESV

      • Matthew 7:5ESV

  • Empowered by the Spirit, Guided by the Word

      • Psalm 121:7–8ESV

First Baptist Church Litchfield
pastorjason.fbcl@gmail.com
217-324-4232
http://www.firstbaptistlitchfield.org/
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