I. Introduction and Welcome

• Brother Alan introduced the speaker, Stephen Middleton, a respected and active member of the congregation who studied at Heritage Christian University.

II. Sermon: The Danger of Judging Others

Introduction

The sermon focuses on the often misunderstood and misapplied passage from the Sermon on the Mount, “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged” (Matthew 7:1). This verse is frequently taken out of context and used as a “cop-out” to avoid correction or to suggest that Christians should not speak out against sin. The true context is Jesus teaching his disciples—and the listening crowds—the principles of His kingdom.

Illustration:

A young American at a banquet, seeing a diplomat of Asian descent, condescendingly asks, “Likee soupy?” The diplomat, who later delivers a powerful keynote speech in perfect English, returns to his seat, leans over to the young man, and asks, “Likee speechy?” This story serves as a warning against making judgments based on external appearances before getting to know a person.

Key Scripture: Matthew 7:1-12

“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make, you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice 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 neighbor’s eye.”

Main Points

1. The Gospel is for Everyone, Without Prejudice

• Jesus’ command to “not judge” was primarily directed at His disciples, whom He was training to be gospel preachers.
• The instruction means they (and we) do not have the option to withhold the gospel from anyone based on prejudice or a personal assessment of their worthiness.
• We cannot discriminate, because we never know all the facts or the whole person. We are called to “preach the gospel to every creature” and let God handle the results.

Illustration:

Two British pilots in civilian clothes during WWII were given a white feather—a symbol of cowardice—by a woman who assumed they were shirking their duty. She did not know they had just been decorated by the Queen for their heroism. She judged without knowing “the rest of the story.”

2. It is Impossible for Humans to be Totally Impartial

• People are naturally swayed by instinct and unreasoning reactions. We tend to gravitate toward those who are like us and fear differences.
• Jesus provides the perfect example of overcoming this. He spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:9), breaking significant cultural and religious taboos.
• Even though she was living in sin, He did not prejudge her as unworthy of the truth. Instead, He used the opportunity to teach her about her spiritual condition and offer her “living water.”
• The prophet Jonah is a negative example. He prejudged the people of Nineveh and did not want to preach to them. When he finally delivered a one-sentence sermon, the entire city repented, showing that we can never know how a heart will respond to God’s word.

3. Only the Faultless Has the Right to Judge

• The central message of the cross is that no one is good enough to judge another, because “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23). We are all in need of redemption.
• Jesus’s illustration of the person with a log in his own eye trying to remove a speck from another’s eye highlights the sin of self-righteousness.
• When Jesus ate with “sinners and tax collectors,” He was criticized by the self-righteous Pharisees. He used these moments to teach that His mission was “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), not to condemn them.
• A quote from philosopher Richard Needham was shared: “Many are those who cry so loudly for justice, would soon beg for mercy if justice were done to them.”

III. Conclusion and Take-Home Points

• There is a clear distinction between making a critical judgment of a person’s worth (which is forbidden) and making a discerning call based on God’s word (which is required).
• Our role is not to judge who is a “good prospect” for the gospel; everyone is a prospect. Our duty is to preach, warn, and help others.
• The ultimate judgment belongs to God, who is the only righteous judge and knows every thought and deed.
• Apart from the blood of Christ, no one would be pardoned. Salvation comes through His redeeming work on the cross, not our own goodness.

IV. Action Items / Invitation

• Reflect on yourself: The most important judgment is how you judge your own response to the commandments of the Lord. Are you obeying Him?
• Extend grace to others: Rather than judging others, offer them the same grace and opportunity for repentance that Christ offers you.
• Respond to the Gospel: If your life is not right with God, do not let fear of judgment from others stop you. The church is here to help you get out of judgment, not to condemn you. All were encouraged to respond to the invitation to be baptized or to ask for prayers to overcome sin.