Continuing in our sermon series, What Disciples Do, we find ourselves in an unusual place. This week’s sermon is about something we DON’T do – Disciples Don’t Judge. Our text this week is a familiar one, a parable told by Jesus, found in Luke 18:9-14, that is often referred to as The Pharisee And The Tax Collector. In this story, Jesus points us to a man who exhibits a characteristic of unhealthy faith. What is that trait? A faith that judges others. As we approach this story, we are also reminded of Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 7:1-5:
Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement 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? Or how can you say to your neighbor, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is 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.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we explore this text together.
Pastor Jane