The Jesus Manifesto Week 10

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-2 NLT

 JUDGEMENT IS NOT DISCERNMENT, BUT CONDEMNATION.

But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace”… Luke 19:41-42 NLT

'Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.' I Corinthians 11:1 NKJV

“You can't love and judge at the same time. It's impossible to ascribe unsurpassable worth to others when you are using others to ascribe worth to yourself.”  -Greg Boyd

'“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.' Matthew 7:3-5 NLT 

NOTHING LOOKS MORE RIDICULOUS TO THIS WORLD THAN A HYPOCRITE

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord… Romans 7:18,24-25 NLT

HOW DO YOU MOVE FROM JUDGMENT TO INFLUENCE?

1. YOU MODEL AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NLT

'It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the Lord would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp. Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside. As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses. When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents. Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend… Exodus 33:7-11 NLT

MOSES PRAYED FOR GOD’S PRESENCE

'One day Moses said to the Lord , “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’” Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. ' Exodus 33:12,15 NLT

MOSES PRAYED FOR GOD’S DIRECTION AND PURPOSE

let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. Exodus 33:13 NLT

MOSES PRAYED FOR GOD’S GLORY

And he said, “Please, show me Your glory. Exodus 33:18 NKJV

HOW DO YOU MOVE FROM JUDGMENT TO INFLUENCE?

1. YOU MODEL AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

2. YOU BUILD TRUST

You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matthew 7:9-11 NLT

PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW YOU ARE WITH THEM AND FOR THEM 

     3. SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE

'For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart — not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you. ' 2 Corinthians 2:4 CSB

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Galatians 6:1-3 NLT

But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. Luke 19:7-9 NLT