Scripture Reading
Matthew 7: 1-7 (MSG)
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
“Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege.
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.”
Introductory Remarks:
On this 5th Sunday of Lent we intensify our journey to follow Jesus’ example to refrain from judgement of people and circumstances despite what may be appearing, but instead to see them through the eyes of our spiritual faculty, Faith.
Major Points of the Lesson:
- Follow Jesus – In order to follow Jesus we must first know:
- There is a difference between Jesus and Jesus Christ.
- Jesus gave specific instructions, “Follow Me”!
2. Have Faith.
- Everyone has Faith but not everyone is aware of it.
- Give yourself the gift of understanding Faith, not just blind Faith.
3. Judge Not
- Every judgement we make is a self judgement
- When you judge, judge righteously.
Quote:
“We cannot see faith with the physical eye. It must be discerned through spiritual perception. You must go within yourself, within to the subconscious part of your being where all things are born. You must see and shape whatever you desire with the inner spiritual eye of Abraham, the ability of the mind to make substance out of ideas.”
A Closer Walk With Jesus Pg. 135