WALK THE PLANK

John 1:14 NIV

14  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matthew 7:1

JESUS SAY… “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

Matthew 7:5 NIV

He says: “First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Matthew 7:1-5 NIV

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  2  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3  “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  5  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

I. JESUS IS NOT CANCELLING DISCERNMENT; HE IS CONFRONTING

HYPOCRISY

Matthew 7:3 NIV

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

16  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  17  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Galatians 6:1 ESV

6 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Proverbs 12:1 NIV

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 9:8 NIV

8  Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.

There are 4 Key Types of Biblical Rebuke…

a. Human to Human:

Believers are commanded to lovingly but clearly confront fellow believers who are sinning.

2 Samuel 12:1-14

b. God to Human:

God rebukes those He loves through Scripture, trials, or prophets to guide them back to righteousness.

Matthew 16:23 NIV

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

c. Human to Spiritual Forces: 

Believers command evil forces or habits to cease operating, using the authority of God's name.

Matthew 10:7-8 NKJV

And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

d. God to Nature/Spiritual Forces: 

Jesus directly commanded elements of nature (like storms) or demons to stop and submit

Mark 4:39

"Peace, be still," & and the weather immediately calmed.

Luke 9:42 NIV

Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.

II. BUT IS JUDGMENT SOMETHING CHRISTIANS CAN DO?

John 7:24 ESV

24  Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

1 Corinthians 5:12–13 NIV

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.”

MATHEW 7:15-16 NKJV

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  16 “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

III. HOW DO WE PROPERLY CARRY OUT JUDGMENT?

Galatians 6:1

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

Matthew 18:15-17 NIV

gives us the process: 15  “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.  16  But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’  17  And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

2 Timothy 4:2 NIV

“Correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

James 5:19–20 NIV

“Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

Matthew 23

“they looked righteous outwardly but were full of hypocrisy and wickedness inwardly”. 

Matthew 23:33 NIV

  “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?”

Matthew 21:13 NKJV

13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

VI. THREE WAYS WE JUDGE BIBLICALLY

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 NKJV

12  For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?  13  But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

V. SO HOW DO WE RECEIVE A FRESH MOVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Matthew 5:6 NIV

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Ephesians 4:30 (NIV)

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…”