Matthew 7:1-6 (The Sermon on the Mount, Part XIII)

Judging Others
This section of the sermon, Jesus addresses our attitude towards others' sin. Of course, as Christians we should be sensitive to how others are acting and behaving, especially if they are fellow believers. Encouragement and rebuke are fine things that we can do for each other to stay on track with God. However, we should never put ourselves on the judgment tone of God and declare who is condemned and who isn't. Only the Lord knows the heart and when and how he might send the Holy Spirit to them. Christ looks down on those who play God and says to them that they will be judged as harshly as they judged others (verse 2). Before we go about even rebuking others or helping fellow believers on their walk, we must make sure that we aren't in worse shape ourselves. Our words might fall short to someone about a particular sin if we are in far worse shape. It would be as if someone got drunk one night and was rebuked by a brother who was an alcoholic. We must tend to our own affairs first, then assist others (verse 5).

Tied into this is also the tendency to give our time and energy to situations where the Lord hasn't called us. To people and places that just absorb all that we have and never sees fruit. This would be as throwing something valuable into the pen of pigs to trample. We should serve the Lord, but he will direct our steps to those he entrusts to us and places where we are needed most. If you find yourself being unproductive with certain people or in a certain place, perhaps you too are throwing your pearls to the pigs (verse 6).

Matthew 6:25-34 (The Sermon on the Mount, Part XII)

Do Not Worry
This passage is one of my favorites in the New Testament. It is full of reassurance for us in our Earthly life. I'll admit I've had to come back to it time and time again when under stress over the little things in life. Here, Jesus tells us not to worry for life is more important than what we eat or wear. He is control, he loves us and considers us very valuable to him (verse 26). He also points how the utter futility of worry, and now it is not productive and does little to help us in this life. Christ points to nature and how God provides for all his creation, so why shouldn't he provide even more for his dear children? At the end of verse 30, Christ points to what the real issue is here. Worry is a direct result of a lack of faith. You cannot completely trust Christ and worry! You either believe that he loves you and will care for you, or you worry that everything rests on your shoulders alone. Should we be responsible for our lives? Should we make plans and act on them? But of course! But to lose hours of sleep, have declining health and being generally unruly over things that we don't control shows us that our hearts are not trusting God to provide. He knows what we need (verse 32) so all we need to do is focus our energy in serving him and his kingdom and God will provide all our necessities in many ways. Finally, Jesus closes this topic by again commanding us not to worry, because by worrying we might miss out on things that we need to work on today. Each day has its challenges and we need not add more to it by needlessly worrying over the future.

Matthew 6:19-24 (The Sermon on the Mount, Part XI)

Treasures in Heaven
The Lord says in verse 19 what we all know, things don't last. Fashion changes, fads come ago, things break, wear down, or even are stolen from us. There is little in this world that lasts the test of time. But in verse 20 we are told what does last... heavenly treasures! Now heaven isn't exactly a place where you can Fed-Ex your favorite gadget or pair of shoes. What we can "send ahead" is faithful, loving service to our Lord. Not service to serve ourselves, or service to show off how good we are. It's those secret deeds, those done in private, only for the Lord to know, and only for him. These are things that go before us and join in the glory of God. We do them in celebration of our salvation and the victory that is ours through Christ. Not for our gain, but for our love of God. This is what is mentioned in verse 21, that our hearts will be there as well if our focus lies in God. If this world gets us confused and tempts us with it's shiny trinkets, then our hearts turn toward the worldly, the temporary and corruptible. These will never fulfill and never last. This is what the Lord refers to in 22 and 23, that if your eyes are fixed on the light of God and truth, then everything you are will be in that light. But if you are fixed on the darkness of this world and it's lies, then all you are will be in that darkness. What is worse are those who trust in the darkness of this world and think it is light... how much worse will it be for them in the end? Finally, Jesus puts it bluntly to us, there are no two ways about it. You can either serve God or serve Money. Money capitalized is the constant worry, striving and service to have money and things. God blesses us richly with so much comfort and provisions far beyond our basic needs. God blesses some even more so that they might contribute to ministry and education. He is the one that decides these things... and we must be content with his choice. Let our eyes and our hearts be set upon seeking his kingdom and he will generously provide for all our needs.

Matthew 6:16-18 (The Sermon on the Mount, Part X)

Fasting
Again, the Lord talks about hypocrisy in our worship and actions for God. Here he focuses on fasting. There are those who make a large, showy production in their "hardship" for God. They do not seek God's approval, but the sympathy and honor of others. Jesus says that "they have received their reward in full" meaning that they get the attention they seek but none of the blessings of honest fasting. Doing the work of the Lord can be difficult, and us weak minded humans want someone to notice when we work hard and give us praise. But we should put this idea away, and focus on how we get closer to the Lord and how our obedience shows our Love for him.

The next section, Christ talks about how our heartfelt service to him stores up the greatest riches in Heaven.