Shane Idleman addresses the common phrase 'Who are you to judge me?' in his sermon, emphasizing the importance of understanding biblical judgment in context. He highlights the issue of biblical illiteracy, where many Christians misinterpret scripture to justify their actions, particularly the 'judge not' verse. Idleman argues that while we are not to judge hypocritically, we are called to discern and speak truth into our culture, especially regarding moral issues. He encourages believers to examine their own hearts before critiquing others and to engage with scripture deeply to understand God's will. Ultimately, he reminds the congregation that true judgment should come from a place of humility and love, not arrogance.

We are starting a new series this morning. Most of you who have been reading the bulletin, you know what that series is. And it is entitled, The Bible Doesn't Say That. The Bible Doesn't Say That. And I don't know if you've came across over the years that you've been a Christian or the months maybe where you wonder, is that really in the Bible? Does God help those who help themselves? Were there really three wise men in the Bible? Did you know there weren't? What? We don't know how many wise men there were. But I'm not against three wise men. There's Frankincense and myrrh and gold and the gifts. I'm assuming you know he wasn't born on December 25th. Christmas, okay. So there's a lot of things that aren't necessarily in the Bible, but I'm not going to talk about those issues. The title this morning is, Who Are You to Judge Me? Who Are You to Judge Me? Now, unless you've lived on another planet for the last few years, you realize that this is the popular statement these days. This is how Hollywood and Washington get out of a conviction. Who are you to judge me? I remember a famous athlete, pro basketball player who's considering running for public office. And they mentioned, you know, the big issues of the day and whatever abortion, gay marriage and different things. And he said, doesn't the Bible say judge not? Who are you to tell people what they can and cannot do? Isn't that a good point? Because the Bible says judge not. Who are you to judge? So we're going to talk about a lot of those issues in this series. Does the Bible really say this? And here is the problem up front. I'll tell you, biblical illiteracy. Biblical illiteracy. Most Americans, even those claiming to be Christians, really don't know what the Bible says. They might have glanced through it. They might hear a sermon now and then they might have a little daily devotional that has one little scripture and Proverbs. And if you're not careful, you can take things out of context. And even the best of us are guilty of picking and choosing certain scriptures like, oh, I like this, like a menu. You're going through a buffet. Remember those? They still have those around? You know, I'll take this. I'll take this. I don't like this. And when if we're not careful, we can go through the Bible like that. I don't like this and I but I'd really like this and abusive husbands will say, well, I like this scripture submitting to your wives. Well, that's out of context. And then others will use it for this. And biblical illiteracy is pretty rampant right now, especially in the church. I remember I just heard a story about a pastor who went to a couple's house for dinner. And she set out the nice silverware, the expensive silverware, actually real silver in the spoon. And after he left, she noticed that the spoon was gone. He took the spoon. And just this really bothered her. So for many months, many months, he was praying and Lord, I don't know what to do. Months went by, I think almost a year went by. And she finally had the courage to say, did you take my spoon? And he said, I did. I put it in your Bible. Funny, but not funny. And one of the difficulties with pastoring is you tell people, you know, you got to read the Bible got to read the Bible. We all know that. But you need to actually do go a little deeper, make it a spiritual discipline. We'll go to the gym. We'll do things we don't, you know, feel like sometimes the flesh, but you have to make it a daily discipline. So it actually becomes part of your life. It becomes part of your morning or evening, it becomes part of something you look forward to. You start to spend time with God. Maybe you have a journal. I'm not I've tried to journal a lot of times, I'm not real effective at it. But you'll write down thoughts, you know, God, what about this and prayers and have it be a part of your life. And as you go through the Scriptures, write down questions you have get to know the Bible and then let the Bible know you. Let it cut you deep, let it let it begin to build as well. So it has to become a daily discipline, especially now in our culture, to know what the Bible really says. Do you know it has something to say about a nation protecting borders? Following law? It speaks into all these issues. That's why everybody is saying that is against conservatives and biblical principles will say you're not to judge. The Bible just says love your neighbor. In context, so what does it say? And often the Bible will put the responsibility back on us to respond. That's where the word responsibility comes from. We have a we have the ability and the responsibility to respond. And Tony Evans said truth takes the guesswork out of life. I love that statement. Knowing the truth takes the guesswork out of life. You don't have to I wonder about this. I wonder about this. Should we be doing this? Should I be dating that person? Should we be marrying this and marrying this person? Should I be? Truth takes all the guesswork out of life. You know how God wants you to live. So where do we find this famous, famous, famous scripture? Judge not. Matthew seven, verse one. I'll put it up on the screen for you so you can see it. Jesus is talking obviously and he says judge not that you may that you be not judged. So don't judge people unless you're going to be judged according to that same same judgment. For with what judgment you judge you will be judged and with what measure you use we measure back to you. So just in that one verse you could see where people maybe come up with this. Hey don't judge. Don't judge me. I won't judge you because however you judge me it's going to come right back on you. But here's the irony. Very few people reference the context. They don't look at the context and they forget about other scriptures such as John 7 24 where Jesus says judge with righteous judgment. Wait a minute. Isn't that a contradiction? Judge not. But then he says judge with righteous judgment. Well again look at the context and we're going to do that in a minute. But in first Corinthians 2 15 the apostle Paul said that those who are spiritual should judge and discern all things. So here's the biblical mandate. Those who are mature. Those who are spiritual. Those who are seeking God. They should be the ones judging what's going on in our culture. That's why the pulpit should speak about issues in our culture and not be silenced. That's why you'll hear separation of church and state. What does that mean basically? Church be quiet. Keep your faith to yourself. Keep it within your four walls. Don't talk about these issues. But God has given us a biblical mandate to discern all things. To say it's not okay to murder a child in the womb or outside the womb now. To say this is what God says about marriage. To say this is what our policy should look like. We're actually called to do that. It shouldn't take up all of our time. The priority of the pulpit is to preach the gospel. But also to discern what is going on in our culture. Here's what John Calvin said about these words of Christ. These words of Christ do not contain an absolute prohibition from judging but they are intended to cure a disease. That disease is criticism. See the context is Jesus is going after a critical heart. Sin sniffers. Do you know those people? Maybe you're that person. You can sit and point out the sin in everybody out there and you don't look in the mirror. You don't look in your own heart. So whatever you're using to judge that's going to be thrown back on you. That same judgment. It's a call against a critical spirit. I like what Martin Luther King Jr. said. The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state. We are the conscience of the state. The church is to be the conscience of the state. That light on a hill. So how can you remove the church from politics or remove the church from Hollywood? We should be making a difference in media. We should be making a difference in all areas of life. Unless you read the scripture differently you shall be a light upon a hill. Go and be the salt of the world but don't affect these areas. Stay out of those areas. See the truth is to permeate, saturate all areas of our culture. From the sex slave trade we should be vocal. From what they're trying to do and the big thing let's look at if you think the church shouldn't be involved in some of these things look at governmental spending. Look at what we're leaving for the next generation. We've got this Hezekiah attitude where at least it's not going to affect me. I'm out of here before God judges. So the church should be able to speak into all these issues. Think about this. Moses spoke to Pharaoh. Nathan spoke to David. Samuel spoke to Saul. Prophets throughout the Old Testament and even into the New Testament. Paul went to King Agrippa. You would speak into the culture. So regarding moral issues that destroy lives and dishonor God we are called to judge. Which is basically to call into question behaviors, choices, and lifestyles that lead people in a dangerous direction. Especially if these issues are to become social policy and legally sanctioned. So when they say judge not we have to remind them no we're actually called the judge. However we have to keep reading. It gets pretty important here. Here's the context. Picking back up and why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye? We have some speck hunters maybe here. Is that what is that in your eye? Well what's that in your eye? Huge plank. So Jesus said why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye? Basically going around. Do you know those people? But boy they can find fault in anything. Any public speaker. Any this thing. Wow. They just find anything. I've told you before if you ever want criticism start a church. If you ever want criticism start a radio station. As you know we just launched the Westside Christian Fellowship radio network. And I'm getting emails from people how can you have Greg Laurie and Alistair Begg and David Jeremiah. They're part of the one world religion and they're false teachers. What in the world are you smoking? What are you drinking? What bible are you reading? See little things. I think they had lunch with a catholic priest two years ago. Oh boy I guess they're leading people. See pick that little speck. That little speck. That's all they do. And it drives me crazy. These armchair quarterbacks heresy hunters with these negative websites just like to go and and point a point pull down everybody because they don't measure their standard. And often if you follow that person around you'll see a lot of sin in their life. They're a pharisee. So Jesus said how do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but you do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother let me remove the speck from your eye and look a plank is in your own eye. You hypocrite. First first here's the key. You want to judge others or speak into their lives. You want to maybe have a ministry or some of you listening out there I know a lot of pastors listen in and and and this as well. If you want to speak into this area of judging you want to make spiritual judgments. Here's the key. First remove the plank from your own eye. What's he talking about? It's it's you have to be completely broken. Humble before God. We shouldn't be excited about pointing out sin. We should be broken about the sin. First remove the plank from your own eye then you'll be able to see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give what is holy to the dogs nor cast your pearls before swine lest they trample them under their feet and tear you in pieces. Now we'll get to that in a minute but I don't want to leave this one. First remove the plank from your own eye and then you'll be able to see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eyes or eye. Now I'll just tell you up front admittedly I failed in this area because I did not exercise grace at opportune times. I just told my wife this morning it is so hard to go from like a John the Baptist right you hear calling the nation to repentance calling the the political system out calling that being that voice in the wilderness calling people back to God and then when I step down from here I have to become Mr. Rogers. Nice, gentle, meek, understanding, compassionate, listening not overbearing. So you go from this type A preaching to that's the balance that's the struggle. So in order to do that he says here remove that speck from your eye humble yourself. We should not excuse sin in exchange for tolerance. Extending grace does not mean we approve of sinful behavior but it does mean extending compassion. Not looking at the plank in your own eye. I'm sorry removing the plank first from your own eye. Romans 14 4 who are you to judge another servant? Who are you to judge another servant? A judge hears the evidence and pronounces judgment we are in no position to do this we do not have all the facts. So you have to look up this word judgment that Paul's talking about in Romans but it's a different type of judgment. It's a judgment like saying you're going to hell you don't deserve God you've always drifted you're a false this you're and you're judging the person we're in no position to do that but we are called to make righteous judgment types of decisions. For example I have told people based on the fruit I see in your life I would be very concerned. Do you truly know Christ? Do you have a relationship with him? See I'm not judging them and coming down hard on them I'm bringing a reality to them that there's no fruit there's no fruit in your life and it's interesting one of the sure signs of someone who's been filled mightily with the Spirit of God is they're anxious to get that plank out. They're humble they're broken they're often just weeping in their own sins and looking in their own hearts and then when they go to someone it's coming out of a spirit of love not this not the finger pointing and what we sow we do reap what we sow we reap a judgmental attitude is often judge I've seen this many times before these people maybe they even their ministry gets big or they're they're heresy hunters or they're in the church and they're very critical they're a critical type of person always judging always putting down be careful your day's coming sir you will fall because pride comes before a fall those people often just just fall flat on their face and I can't tell you how many times how many heresy hunters how many arrogant critical armchair quarterbacks and mean-spirited websites there are under the banner banner of defending the truth that's how they hide I'm just defending the truth no you're arrogant you're mean-spirited and it has to be called out we call out sin in carnal Christians we have to call sin out in Pharisees as well those who have not been humbled by God but let me give you a test are you excited about critiquing others don't raise your hand because but you see I'm going after an attitude there there's a there's an excitement about critiquing others are you argumentative and very opinionated that's not that's not always a good thing actually the bible talks about even leaders in the church should not be quarrelsome should not be argumentative there's there's you gotta you gotta stand for the essentials for sure but when it comes to non-essentials you have to allow people the freedom to believe what they want to believe because if if you're always critiquing others you're argumentative and you're very opinionated also do you leave churches because you disagree with someone on things that aren't important see it's showing the heart it's revealing what's in the heart and are you excited about telling others that someone fell or someone's in sin I can't believe it and you're excited so see it's you see what I'm getting at here it's a spirit of of of I I'm just so glad they fell I can't wait to tell others I'm pointing out that sin in their own life and then if they disagree with me if they challenge me god forbid I'm opinionated I'm the final authority no that's arrogance that's that's spiritual arrogance we forget that Jesus rebuked spiritual arrogance just as just as much as unbelievers can you imagine a row of nicely dressed pharisees dressed in their whatever they were dressed in and their you know their their necklaces or whatever they wore their factories and things and he said you whitewash tombs you whitewash tombs you're gonna be example this morning gay you whitewash tombs you are full of death inside you look nice on the outside but you're full of dead men's tombs well well with dead men's bones well did our fathers who prophesied about you you are dead and decaying you draw nigh to me with your lips but your hearts are far from me and he just rebukes these religious leaders hypocrisy spiritual pride because spiritual pride says right now that sermon's not for me let me get this cd for bill and we try to defend and it's ironic and sometimes I'll go to people and say listen don't you see this in your own life no but but I'm defending the truth no you're arrogant defenders of the truth are broken and humble not perfect but they don't want to point out the sin in others are your words seasoned with grace are your words seasoned the bible says seasoned you you put seizing on anything so the words now I'm telling you I could sit right there because I'm preaching myself this morning this is my constant challenge right I've got to be bold against sin but I've got to be passionate with others I've got to be convicting and insured and then when I and then graceful and gentle with others it's that and then when you speak to others great seasoning your words with grace if you're going to go after someone don't go after them season your words with grace and be gentle now I'm not talking about sweeping corruption under the rug and hiding it no we are to confront we are to confront if you know me I confront that's why it's hard to find that balance and people are surprised I mean they'll tell they'll they'll sometimes come to my life and go how do you live with that he must be wow just no no who you are up here is not necessarily who you are at home laughing and joking and leading and loving and being compassionate understanding I don't go and talk to the single mom like this how could you repent and believe in the gospel you sinner but see you can talk a lot different to the masses than you do individuals that's what preaching really is I don't know where the holy spirit's arrows are going but he does and boy does it go and this might be a good time to remind you of a time I had let me ask one more question proud are you proud about your knowledge and eager to put others down oh it's quiet pin drop or is it a little pin I think they're talking about but this we have to be careful and here's I kind of like draw back a little bit when I see zealous young Christians I love zealous young Christians praise God for it but when they start saying you know I'm reading the bible I'm also reading this book I'm reading this book I'm reading this book and and they start to this knowledge starts to do something interesting it called it's it puffs them up they memorize the five points of calvinism now they think they're a scholar they quote john owen the puritan calvinist a famous puritan and calvinist and now they think they know it all and and they begin to but have you read this but have you done this and there's this there's this there's this uh building up of self there's this knowledge and and so they can start to put other people down they look forward to debating the mormon before they cry for them see they come with the the wrong heart and so I I notice these people often I was one and I can slip back back into that very easily if we don't stay broke I would encourage you to come to the morning worship that's really where you get broken at those time those types of things are where you're going to see the most transformation in your own heart so anyway proud about your knowledge and eager to put others down so 2005 I think I've shared this before my mom came to me and she goes Shane your family doesn't want to be around you anymore and and I thought I was spiritual no I was critical I could put down everybody yeah I know this you need to be very very very careful where you're information from because there's a lot of negative heresy hunter websites out there who are not filled with love and compassion and broken they want to pull everybody down there are groups out there that will go after anybody who's charismatic and I tell them often if this church keeps growing watch out I'm next on their hit list hour and a half of worship you guys are brainwashed on the altar weeping oh my lord you're emotional no that's God breaking a heart that's biblical fasting fasting oh what's wrong with this group fasting emotional worship the holy spirit might be moving and convicting and drawing and see they'll just start nailing you with all that because you're not conservative like they are and you begin you be going begin to be one of their targets so anyway 2005 I could put down everybody uh Beth Moore uh I mean you name it I had something critical to say why because I was listening to the wrong voices the to be honest with you the bible says go directly to the source and hear what they have to say we have to allow people we have to give them the same grace that we would like the same grace that we would like we need to show to others so ask yourself those questions are you excited about critiquing others do you have a negative judgmental heart are you argumentative are you very opinionated are you excited about your education and what you've learned and you're excited to tell someone off and excited to win an argument we never should be excited about winning an argument and have that argumentative spirit and I can see them coming from a mile away they'll start to ask what's your view on this they're not concerned about my view what are they looking to do argument they want to they want to argue my position that that's they're not even listening to what we have to say they're they're just to show their pride and show their arrogance so be careful God does not approve of that so that's what he's saying here if you go back to the scripture we saw up there remove the speck from your your own eye remove I'm sorry remove the speck or the blank from your eye humble yourself so basically before critiquing others you really need to spend time in the prayer closet so if you want to go and critique others spend time broken before God and saying God I humble myself before you I don't want to do that so do not give what is holy to the dogs nor cast your pearls before swine lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you in pieces what is he talking about well I like what got questions org said so I'm just going to read read what they said in his sermon Jesus uses dogs and pigs as representatives of those who would ridicule reject and blasphemy the gospel is that not true most of you know that we are not we are not to expose the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have no other purpose than to trample it and return the to their own evil ways think about that so there are groups out there I'll tell you groups I'm not going to name names or get too specific here but there are people that I'm not even going to talk to locally right over that hill certain groups I'm not even they know where I stand they know the gospel what's my what am I going to do I'm going to back away and pray that rhymes you can remember it easy I'm just going to back away and pray I'm not going to keep throwing the gospel to those who trample it under feet and that's actually he says something entry lest they lest they trample it under their feet and then they turn and they tear you in pieces so it's this image here of being a doormat of being too like come on guys come on guys come on guys and you and you keep you keep bringing the gospel to these people you keep trying to be that light he says stop it at some point you need to say like Paul I turn you over to Satan bye-bye I'm not gonna I can't keep doing this now maybe many of you haven't encountered this but the longer you become a Christian the more you stand up for Jesus you will encounter people where you need just just stop because it's not productive anymore he said they said repeatedly sharing the gospel with someone who continually scoffs and ridicules Christ is like casting pearls before swine we can identify such people through discernment which is given through to some measure to all Christians so be careful who you involve yourself with now I'm not telling you not to witness or spread the gospel that's what we're called to do but there are some people where you've tried they know where you stand should I say family members sometimes might fall in this camp you've shared it they know where you stand and you just keep bringing it to them it's not productive anymore it's almost like you're arguing you're coming with argument of spirit it's unproductive you just need to let that go and then he said in verse 7 here keep asking seeking and knocking so the context is being judgmental judgmental humbling yourself not throwing the gospel out to those who who will keep demeaning it and then I don't know if he's talking about praying possibly or asking for discernment in this area but it seems to flow together ask and it will be given to you some of you need to hear that this morning ask and it will be given to you but also seek and you will find knock and it will be open to you sometimes we make these separate things okay let me ask that's separate let me seek that's something different let me continue in this that's something different it's all together what are you asking God for in your life God remove this from my life God bring this into my life God open this door whether it's marriage or work or whatever it's what are you asking God for it says here to keep seeking that now this isn't just seeking with our heart this is also lining up our life with what you believe God is doing if you're job opportunity God I need some employment well don't sit at home and watch Netflix go fill out applications go be available seek and whatever you're praying for God restore my marriage husband say all the time God restore my marriage and I say stop being a jerk can you say that from the pulpit no good stop being a jerk you see it seek you have to line up with scripture as well so asking seeking knocking it says knock and it will be open to you for everyone who asks receives and who seeks finds into him who knocks will be opened now this could be a whole new sermon on what's not in the Bible because whatever I ask I receive that's where the name and claimant movement came from you know what that is name it the new s-class mercedes is there an s-class I don't know we're saying then whatever that new mercedes and I've got that eighty five thousand dollar luxury vehicle right there on my refrigerator I'm gonna put my Tony Robbins Anthony Robbins cds right next to it and I'm just gonna just that I'm naming it and I'm claiming it God your word says if if I ask if I seek I'm gonna work hard Lord that's my that's my goal name it and claim it and while I'm at it I'm gonna get this nice new house I just saw in the MLS that's the multiple listing service for the real estate agent I've got this nice big that's 12 bedroom up there on the mountain see how that pool that pool kind of I like those pools I've never had one but where they drop over the valley I've got that and I've got that right there I'm naming it and claiming it that's where it comes from this ministry someday someday someway somehow is going to have its own private personal jet Gulfstream I'm naming it I'm claiming it it's only 68 million so on your way out on your way out we have an envelope here no Phil don't leave it's I'm not sure if we can if we can start now that'll become a reality I don't have to fly coach anymore and we can spread the gospel all around the world with this new Gulfstream all three of those examples are examples of what is happening in the Christian community I mean if anybody needed a Gulfstream Billy Graham needed a Gulfstream and he didn't do that so you don't take this maybe I should do a whole sermon on this you can't just say by it says ask and receive your word says it right but if you look again if you're reading the whole Bible it says whatever you ask according to my will whatever you ask according to my will what is God's not gonna hear that so whatever a person asks they say Lord according to your will I don't need that car Lord how about just a car that runs and then God might answer that and give you a car according to my will Lord I need that to get to church I need that to get home and a house I'd love to provide for my family but let's downscale that let's just get a basic living God would you provide these living conditions and as you as you commit your ways to the Lord your thoughts become established according to Proverbs so your thinking actually changes if you're open for it the Gulfstream I don't know about that could still be you know but that you won't even that won't even be on the radar so see your prayer life starts to change it starts to line up so when God puts something on your heart for example and I've talked about this before when he put the radio stations on our heart in the heart of the elders we begin to ask and seek and continue Lord is this what you want to do Lord you show me and I've saved this off and I'll tell you I'll publicly admit this you ready I don't trust my feelings but I trust him and I said Lord I fully trust you if you're doing this we'll just step out of the way but if you're not please close the door I don't trust my feelings and one of the things I have to work on this is confession morning is and I know you can relate to this is sometimes we don't forget we forget how big God is because when he started I started really praying fast for the radio stations for those of you who don't know we just purchased four radio stations and it's you can actually listen live now online and hear it all over the world so there's people turning in from all over listening to it online but I thought there's no way this can happen there's no way this can happen he's and but then your mind's I know God can but I don't think he's going to do you ever fall into that I mean you know he can but I just I tell Morgan I catch myself you know that's impossible they're not going to drop their price in half they're not going to do that I don't know anything about running a race this is not God can't handle this one this is way too this is too much but God often likes to show who he is and I'm learning to believe God for big things big things something else I'll tell you about on this topic I've probably heard this a lot over the last couple years that people really see how Westside Christian Fellowship could really grow and be in a church where there is a thousand people worshiping what do I say I don't think there's no way God's not going to open that door I don't I don't that's too big that's God's not going to give us a campus somewhere else and have a couple campuses and have enough people to oversee two three campuses that's impossible that's not going to happen but people say no I can see God doing that no no I can't why where's my where's my thinking limited it's it can be limited because the flesh comes in and it really limits can God give your kids a dream and turn their hearts right back to Christ just ask Jim Zimbala it's exactly what happened no he that's too big that's I don't think God can do that and we start to really limit our prayer life now on the flip side you don't just start believing God for the Mercedes and for the this and and and have to get outside of his will but when God gives you a glimpse gives you a picture I begin to even doubt what we're doing right now when he showed me glimpses 15-20 years ago of what we would be doing and I was not speaking to anybody there's nothing on the radio we'd have anything my I'd say no that's impossible don't they know I didn't go to seminary I can't speak as well as I'd love to preach like Billy Graham and be articulate like Alistair Begg and you hear these guys you're like I could never I mean that's incredible that's impossible and then God begins to slowly see sometimes we just we dumbed down what God wants to do and what God can do it doesn't give us free license to believe all these crazy things because there's a fine line between faith and presumption you know presumption is I presume and I've seen people fall flat on their face by presuming God is in something when he's not but they cloak it they hide it with faith I'm just having faith brother I don't know have you sifted that through the filter of God's word have you spent a lot of time in prayer and fasting is it really faith because when it is you grab hold of it and I've seen this I think happen more often than any other time in the area of finances and ministry churches people go out man I think God is doing this and we're just going to step out in faith well you better make sure you have something in the bank account now there is a time to step out in faith I don't want to minimize that but I've the many failures I've seen over the years is because people got too presumptuous and I've given advice even this week I told one guy no don't go into that business deal I think God will provide but you have nothing right now you have nothing God will show you God also gives us wisdom why have we forgotten about that above all else get wisdom and in all you're getting get understanding she will exalt you she will promote you so what we try to do is we make wise decisions wise decisions for example let's just say it's not happening so this is not a good example but there's 150 acres across the street for sale only 1.5 million hey elders let's do it we don't have 1.5 million well who cares let's just do it let's trust in faith let's believe what will they take will they carry the note we can make a 40,000 payment every month and really just squeeze it out of the people waiting at 1.4 million is probably eight eight eight thousand dollar payment depending on interest what they charge if it's a hard money loan and all stuff you don't need to know so but see that wouldn't be a good idea but Shane you're you're you're limiting God no that's not wise that will hurt the church financially what I would do is take it to prayer and the owner would call and say we're donating the land that's that's how God often works I've seen him I've seen him work that way a lot of you don't know it I've never talked about it but there have been some places in Lancaster that have approached me and have wanted us back before we were even here and they'd say hey it's you know three million we'll carry the note and you guys and every time it never worked on the books and never like this is not going to work we're going to be we're going to be strapped financially this is not going to work because see the devil opened doors too a business investor wanting to make money will open doors too so in the area of finances be careful we usually step out when it makes sense when God provides the new roof we're putting on right asking people if they like to donate to that make sure we have the resources and and step out so God often uses wisdom with his will I've seen so many people fall flat on their face because they don't use wisdom and God says I will not be mocked here's the thing we have to remember about God if you step out and do something God doesn't have to do anything he doesn't have to go oh darn it I was hoping they wouldn't do that now I've got to bless them now I have to do no he'll say no come back come back fish really back in you come back here so that was a big big rabbit trail on prayer and using wisdom and asking and seeking because that verse is taken out of context quite a bit hey whatever you ask man you'll receive whatever you ask no it's according to God's will maybe I should just do a sermon on then the prayer that God answers I did that before but more specific on this verse but then verse 9 or what man is there among you who if a son asked for bread will give him a stone or if he asked for fish will give him a serpent if you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him therefore whatever you want men to do to you do also to them for this is the law and the prophets that's another sermon whatever you want men to do to you do to them as well it's a golden rule that we know but look at this here this is a good God for what what man is there among you who will give his son a stone for bread or would give him a serpent if if we being who we are know how to give good gifts to our kids how much more a good God a perfect God see I trust in his sovereignty trust in who he is stop being bitter and angry at God trust in his sovereignty he knows what is best there's a song out there one of the lyrics they say this when I only see in part I will prophesy your promises when I only see a part Lord I don't know what you're doing we see through a glass dimly there's things in my way I don't know what you're doing but I'm still going to prophesy which is proclaim proclaim when I say prophecy charismatic say amen conservatives say don't use that word that word just means proclaim prophesy proclaim what God's word has said God's word says I will never leave you I will never forsake you I will never fail you I'm there you can call on me I might even set a table before you in the presence of your enemies say Lord I'm going to eat right here all these people are against me says no one can touch the head that the the the head of you if I'm am not for you no one can touch you if I'm not going to allow them to do that I'm sovereign I'm in control not one hair of your head that's what I mean to say should not fall to the ground without his notice just like a sparrow this is the God we serve because God finishes what he starts and that goes into a very difficult passage for many people enter by the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and there are many who go by it remember that broad is the way to hell broad is the way to hell just look look at our culture who's on the broad road it's huge it's this big road that everybody's walking by they're walking down so he said there are many who go by it because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to eternal life and there are few who find it so he says choose the narrow gate and then we skip to verse 21 not everyone who says to me Lord Lord Christian listen here not everyone who says to me Lord Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven so not everybody says but I'm a Christian enters the kingdom of heaven isn't that a wake-up call for many people but he who does the will of my father in heaven and I do ruffle feathers sometimes I'll tell people listen I don't see you doing God's will I don't see any fruit in your life are you sure you're on the narrow road because one thing that is it is guaranteed in the Bible is that a genuine believer will have genuine fruit it's not perfect fruit it might be fruit that's missing here and there but there will be there will be something in them that is genuine it's it's a genuine relationship they can't fake that and many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in your name in other words have we not spoke in your name did we not say things in your name and cast out demons in your name and done many wonders in your name so this is just this is just mind-boggling and a lot of this I think of a lot of guys on tv when I read this that are acting flamboyant and charismatic and crazy and cuckoo doing all these things in the name of the Lord and Jesus someday will say I don't even know you depart from me sure you say all these things but do you truly know me and Jesus said I will declare them that to them I never knew you depart from me you who practice lawlessness so he's saying here there are people who spoke thus sayeth the Lord not everybody who says God said or God this is of the flock they said thus sayeth the Lord they did spiritual things did they not they did spiritual things and apparently they did wonders if you do all these things in my name cast out name demons in my name and you do many wonders many wonders in my name so that's one of the things that they believe of the false prophets and and false and uh antichrist and coming later and all these things that they're going to be do some type of wonders that can deceive people and I read on the news that Tom Brady says his wife is a good witch shares rituals that helped him win the super bowl be careful what team you root for anyway I thought of wonders you know like she she's in I don't think it has anything to do with them winning but there's there's there's this there's this sense sometimes in the Christian community of people doing things of that are but how could they be a false prophet or how could they be look at what they do look at their ministry look at their outreach that person in Brazil John of God I don't know if you followed that in their sexual abuse case against him and just a false prophet from the moment I saw him I could tell but many people were he's on Oprah and Brazilian faith healer and all that just you could tell from the get-go just scream false prophet but many people are left asking what happened we're so hurt he said he was of God do all these things in my name who practice lawlessness now I'm going to close with this practice lawlessness what does practice means practice mean it's the customary habitual way of doing something so be very encouraged if you don't practice sin meaning it's not your habit it's not what you're comfortable with it's not what you want to do you struggle with it but the difference between the sinner and the person who is saved is the person who is saved hates the sin they hate their miserable condition they want God to help them they cry out for help and they're fighting against this the unbeliever says I enjoy it I practice it I practice it that's why Paul said do you not know that those who practice adultery homosexuality fornication drunkenness all these things thief thief and stealing things it's their practice it's their lifestyle it's who they are they don't have you ever meet people like where's the conviction in them they're not even convicted they don't even know what they're doing wrong they could care less they're hurting people see they're practicing lawlessness but there will be those people in the church a Christian say but Jesus I went to church I went to a Christian school I thought I did did things for you and I spoke about God and and I gave this wonderful example of how I thought God moved in my life but they're practicing lawlessness they never repented and believed in the gospel so back to the question who are you to judge me well let God's word judge you let God's word judge you have you truly repented and believed because the reality is there is a judgment coming there is a judgment coming where God will look at the heart of all men and will ask the hard questions do you truly know him and as a believer what would be our practical application well is sin trying to take us in the wrong direction is sin trying to take us down I have an article that I'm actually releasing tomorrow in response to what recently happened to James McDonald somebody I've looked up to and read his material and the title is the struggle is real passive and pushy pastors so it's primarily to pastors but I also want to encourage you with this if you are on a cliff and you're about ready to fall into sin take time now and repent it will hurt but the fruit of repentance far outweighs the fruit of exposure God's grace will see you through a penitent person a person who's truly sorry about sin they accept full responsibility for their actions they don't they don't blame others they don't resent others they there's not bitterness they seek forgiveness so what we need to do is begin to repair the cracks in the armor by making God not the ministry the priority deep healing needs to take place weep and worship while God breaks and heals and restores let the Bible study you let it cut deep and remove the cancer of pride pride is deadly and damning ask God to heal and help you it does beg the question you call yourself spirit-filled but are you because many people can use that theology but not be truly spirit-filled that's the key to be broken and humble before God exposing sin as soon as it begins and staying vigilant and remembering that your enemy goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour all of us have to be on guard the pulpit and the pew all of us have to take a real short account of sin like John Owen said be killing sin or sin be killing you so that would be the practical application this morning you're on the narrow road but that broad road looks enticing and even though we I don't think a person can switch to the broad road I think they can put one foot on and play in that area be in the enemy's camp and walk willingly to the enemy's camp and it's good for us to get back on track and give our lives back to the Lord