Christian Relationships: Matthew 7:1-12

Jesus declares “blessed” those who live by the beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12

John RW Stott says, “The Christian Counter-Culture is not an individualistic, but a community
affair.”

Matthew 7:1-13 (NIV)

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"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For 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? 4How 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? 5You 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.

6
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them
under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

7
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For
everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a
snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you
would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

13
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and
many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The Christian is not to be a Judge, Matthew 7:1-2

Romans 14:1-4
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
 “Judge not” is not a command to suspend our critical faculties or ability to make value
judgments.
o Sermon on the Mount is a call to be different
o Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes & Pharisees (Matthew 5:20)
o Repay evil with good (summation of Matthew 5:44)
 What does Jesus mean by “Judge not”?
o Do not claim to have the competence or authority to judge your fellow man.
o Do not usurp the prerogative of God…do not play God.
o How is “Judge not” a plea to be generous?

The Christian is not to be a hypocrite, Matthew 7:3-4

Romans 2:1-4
Luke 18:9-14
1 Corinthians 11:27-32
 Why does Jesus use hyperbole, speck…plank?
 Are you honest in your self-examination?
 How you discern your actions and underlying motives?

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The Christian is to be a brother, Matthew 7:5
Matthew 18:15-17
James 5:19-20
 We are called to edify one another, speaking the truth in love. Are you more prone to
over-emphasize truth (too critical) or love (too tolerant)?
 What are the steps in correcting a brother or sister?

What about “dogs” and “pigs”, Matthew 7:6

2 Peter 2:22
Matthew 13:44-46
Matthew 15:21-28
Proverbs 9
 What is holy and what are the pearls?
 Who are the dogs and pigs?
o John Chrysostom considered them people living in incurable ungodliness.
o John Calvin considered them people who by clear evidences have manifested a
hardened contempt of God.

The Christian relies upon our Heavenly Father, Matthew 7:7-11

Matthew 6:32-33
Romans 3:9-12
Romans 10:20
James 4:3
 How are earthly parents and our Heavenly Father contrasted?
 Is asking, seeking and knocking conditional or unconditional? If conditional, how?

The Christian treats everyone as he or she wants to be treated, Matthew 7:12

Exodus 20:1-17
Romans 13:8-10
Galatians 5:14
 How and/or why is the “Golden Rule” synonymous with the Law and the Prophets?

Remember, John RW Stott says, “The Christian Counter-Culture is not an individualistic, but a
community affair.”

www.churchplantingbfc.org
Handouts available on Facebook, Milford Community Church
Ron Smith, 302-545-9049
Ray Bertolet, 302-245-0148

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Cited Source: John R. W. Stott, “The Message of the Sermon on the Mount” Inter-Varsity
Press, 1978
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