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Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Monday,
October 30, 2023
Pumpkin
patch on a
foggy morning
in rural
Virginia.
Photo
taken by
Jocelyn, our
friend Nick's
daughter.
"Getting
The Specks Out"
Message
summary: I
can recall
occasions when
I had a
“speck” in my
life and was
blessed to
have a
spiritual
brother or
sister gently
point it out
and aid me in
the
removal.
I have also
been on the
removal side,
a valuable,
necessary part
of ministry.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, 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 brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:1-5).
Yesterday I taught a lesson to our "Crossroads" ABF class from the first several verses in Matthew 7, a portion of Scripture from the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus deals with judging and hypocrisy. Josh McDowell asserts the most quoted Scripture by non-believers, who otherwise have little regard for the Bible, is “Do not judge”. They like to hit Christians over the head, especially those who speak forth God’s commands for living, with this abbreviated command taken out of context.
Of course we all make judgments every day and, later in this same chapter, Jesus cautioned, “Beware of the false prophets” (v.15) which surely involves making a judgment as to which prophets are true and which are false! You’ll surely be in trouble if you don't make judgments and fall for everything coming down the pike.
To
illustrate I
used a brief
monologue in
an attempt to
recreate a
similar
monologue from
over 40 years
ago when I
preached from
this passage.
People who
were
there will
still remember
the visual
lesson to this
today.While
a class member
read Matthew
7:1-5
yesterday I
put on some
customized
glasses
Brooksyne made
for me with
protruding
balsa wood
beams extended
from the lens
some 8 inches.
As you would
imagine the
class took a
second look
wondering what
I was up to,
though it
didn't take
long to
connect the
visual with
the words of
the text. I
pointed out
while wearing
the spectacles
the absurdity
of removing a
speck while
having beams
in my own
eyes!
Following
the lesson
Brooksyne and
I had some fun
(and I
probably made
a fool of
myself).
Brooksyne took
my hand as we
walked through
the large
foyer. I
spontaneously
approached
individuals
and
volunteered,
"I'm in the
speck removal
ministry,
would you like
me to take the
speck out of
your eye?"
There were no
takers, only
chuckles
although some
just didn't
get it.
Forty years ago I preached from this text. A church member, Tom Neizmik stood and read Matthew 7:1-5 aloud. Then to the congregation’s surprise he was interrupted as Dave Woods, a high school teacher, stood up wearing a pair of glasses with 12" beams made from balsa wood extended from the lenses making it impossible for him to see. It was an absolutely hilarious sight.
As we watched him with the huge beams protruding from each eye he commenced to pass petty judgments on various people sitting in the church service, an edgy approach that only works in a young church! In a snarky, judgmental way he looked around the room (though he couldn’t see through the beams) and said things like, “Martha’s dresses are just way too short.” “Last week I saw Deacon Sam leave church and smoke a cigarette in the back alley”. “When I drove by the Carbon City tavern I saw Joe’s truck parked in front” and so forth. Though he made things up as he spoke, it still made people slouch down in their seats for fear that their name might come up next!
I doubt if anyone remembers what I said in the sermon that day but they sure do remember Dave’s illustration!
Forty years ago I preached from this text. A church member, Tom Neizmik stood and read Matthew 7:1-5 aloud. Then to the congregation’s surprise he was interrupted as Dave Woods, a high school teacher, stood up wearing a pair of glasses with 12" beams made from balsa wood extended from the lenses making it impossible for him to see. It was an absolutely hilarious sight.
As we watched him with the huge beams protruding from each eye he commenced to pass petty judgments on various people sitting in the church service, an edgy approach that only works in a young church! In a snarky, judgmental way he looked around the room (though he couldn’t see through the beams) and said things like, “Martha’s dresses are just way too short.” “Last week I saw Deacon Sam leave church and smoke a cigarette in the back alley”. “When I drove by the Carbon City tavern I saw Joe’s truck parked in front” and so forth. Though he made things up as he spoke, it still made people slouch down in their seats for fear that their name might come up next!
I doubt if anyone remembers what I said in the sermon that day but they sure do remember Dave’s illustration!
My
main point
yesterday for
this part of
the lesson is
that we must
always get the
beams out of
our own eyes
before we can
see clearly to
get a speck
out of
another's eye,
"first
take the log
out of your
own eye, and
then you will
see clearly to
take the speck
out of your
brother’s
eye".
Theologian Dwight Pentecost shares what he believes is the heart of the message, “Do not criticize, do not sit as a judge upon another man’s motives, do not attempt to interpret the desires of his heart.” The Holman New Testament Commentary says, “Do not judge others until you are prepared to be judged by the same standard. And then, when you exercise judgment toward others, do it with humility.”
The contrast between ‘speck’ and ‘log’ is a hyperbole or intentional exaggeration used for illustrative purposes. Can you picture a person with a beam (log, tree trunk, railroad tie or a timber) protruding from his eye while trying to help someone else get a tiny speck of dust out of his eye? What a ludicrous scene which is exactly the picture Jesus sought to portray in a less than orthodox illustration.
The
“log” judge
would end up
poking out the
eye of the
“speck”
victim. The
implication is
that the “log”
judge often
has in his
life a much
bigger
problem, and
rather than
dealing with
his own sin
first, he
instead finds
it more
appealing to
expose the
“speck” victim
to get the
attention off
himself.
“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
However we do get literal specks in our eyes and appreciate people that can get them out. On occasion I’ve had a speck in my eye and Brooksyne has taken a dab of tissue and very carefully removed the foreign debris. I want to make sure her vision is sharp when she does that!
All of us have specks or even larger obstacles in our lives from time to time and we are enriched by those who, out of genuine concern, lovingly call it to our attention. In some instances they can even help us in the process of removing it.
“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
However we do get literal specks in our eyes and appreciate people that can get them out. On occasion I’ve had a speck in my eye and Brooksyne has taken a dab of tissue and very carefully removed the foreign debris. I want to make sure her vision is sharp when she does that!
All of us have specks or even larger obstacles in our lives from time to time and we are enriched by those who, out of genuine concern, lovingly call it to our attention. In some instances they can even help us in the process of removing it.
A
healthy sense
of this
“speck”
removal is
found in
Galatians 6:1,
“Brothers,
if anyone is
caught in any
transgression,
you who are
spiritual
should restore
him in a
spirit of
gentleness.
Keep watch on
yourself, lest
you too be
tempted.”
I can recall occasions when I had a “speck” in my life and was blessed to have a spiritual brother or sister gently point it out and aid me in the removal. I have also been on the removal side, a valuable, necessary part of ministry.
I can recall occasions when I had a “speck” in my life and was blessed to have a spiritual brother or sister gently point it out and aid me in the removal. I have also been on the removal side, a valuable, necessary part of ministry.
Be
encouraged
today,
(Hebrews
3:13)
Daily prayer:
Father, while
people have a
tendency to
judge others
by their words
and actions,
You judge us
by our
motives. You
know the inner
thoughts of
our hearts as
evidenced when
You spoke to
Samuel about
his unexpected
choice in
selecting
young David to
be the next
king rather
than his
older, taller
and stronger
brothers. You
don’t see
things the way
others see
them, for
people judge
by outward
appearance,
but You see
thoughts
stored up in
our heart.
Help us to
deal first
with our own
sin, so that
when You lay
upon our heart
one who is
caught up in
sin, we can
prayerfully
and gently
seek to
restore them
to a godly
attitude or
conduct that
is pleasing to
You. In the
name of Jesus
we pray. Amen.
For further study:
Bible teacher David Guzik has an excellent exposition of this command writing that... “This is the Bible verse that seems to be most popular in our present day. But most of the people who quote this verse don’t understand what Jesus said. They seem to think Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching. If we see what Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-16, He commands us to know people by the fruit of their life, and some sort of assessment is necessary for that. The Christian is called to unconditionally love. But the Christian is not called to unconditional approval. We really can love people who do things that should not be approved of. Instead, Jesus is speaking against being judgmental, that is, judging motives and the inner man, which only God can know. We can judge the fruit of a man, but we can rarely judge their motives with accuracy.
Jesus does not prohibit judgment of others. He only requires that our judgment be completely fair, and that we only judge others by a standard we would also like to be judged by. Most of our judgment in regard to others is wrong, not because we judge according to a standard, but because we are hypocritical in the application of that standard – we ignore the standard in our own life.
We judge others by one standard, and ourselves by another standard – being far more generous to ourselves than others. With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you:
Oswald Chambers writes that Jesus is charging His disciples to “Stop having a measuring rod for other people. There is always one fact more in every man’s case about which we know nothing. The first thing God does is to give us a spiritual spring-cleaning; there is no possibility of pride left in a man after that. I have never met the man I could despair of after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.
Ray Stedman observes that, “All of us know someone whom we consider a little bit lower on the ethical scale than we are, and what a comfort they are to our hearts! Every time our conscience gives us a little stab, we immediately remember these people, and we take courage, and feel a lot better. If we analyze our thoughts, we find that we secretly feel God has no right to bother us while these people are around. Let him concentrate on them! They are the ones who need it!...We all want a lightning rod that will divert the stroke of divine wrath from us, and channel it off to someone we consider a little more worthy of it.” (Romans 2:1-16: The Secrets of Men)
One
of the film
crew members
had an
interesting
experience
with a barn
pigeon coming
after him when
he was
filming! Video
(4 seconds)
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, while
people have a
tendency to
judge others
by their words
and actions,
You judge us
by our
motives. You
know the inner
thoughts of
our hearts as
evidenced when
You spoke to
Samuel about
his unexpected
choice in
selecting
young David to
be the next
king rather
than his
older, taller
and stronger
brothers. You
don’t see
things the way
others see
them, for
people judge
by outward
appearance,
but You see
thoughts
stored up in
our heart.
Help us to
deal first
with our own
sin, so that
when You lay
upon our heart
one who is
caught up in
sin, we can
prayerfully
and gently
seek to
restore them
to a godly
attitude or
conduct that
is pleasing to
You. In the
name of Jesus
we pray. Amen.For further study:
Bible teacher David Guzik has an excellent exposition of this command writing that... “This is the Bible verse that seems to be most popular in our present day. But most of the people who quote this verse don’t understand what Jesus said. They seem to think Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching. If we see what Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-16, He commands us to know people by the fruit of their life, and some sort of assessment is necessary for that. The Christian is called to unconditionally love. But the Christian is not called to unconditional approval. We really can love people who do things that should not be approved of. Instead, Jesus is speaking against being judgmental, that is, judging motives and the inner man, which only God can know. We can judge the fruit of a man, but we can rarely judge their motives with accuracy.
Jesus does not prohibit judgment of others. He only requires that our judgment be completely fair, and that we only judge others by a standard we would also like to be judged by. Most of our judgment in regard to others is wrong, not because we judge according to a standard, but because we are hypocritical in the application of that standard – we ignore the standard in our own life.
We judge others by one standard, and ourselves by another standard – being far more generous to ourselves than others. With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you:
Oswald Chambers writes that Jesus is charging His disciples to “Stop having a measuring rod for other people. There is always one fact more in every man’s case about which we know nothing. The first thing God does is to give us a spiritual spring-cleaning; there is no possibility of pride left in a man after that. I have never met the man I could despair of after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.
Ray Stedman observes that, “All of us know someone whom we consider a little bit lower on the ethical scale than we are, and what a comfort they are to our hearts! Every time our conscience gives us a little stab, we immediately remember these people, and we take courage, and feel a lot better. If we analyze our thoughts, we find that we secretly feel God has no right to bother us while these people are around. Let him concentrate on them! They are the ones who need it!...We all want a lightning rod that will divert the stroke of divine wrath from us, and channel it off to someone we consider a little more worthy of it.” (Romans 2:1-16: The Secrets of Men)
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"Come
And See"
Watch
on Youtube
Jeremy
Rosado
JR, a friend I
see in the
course of
chaplaincy
suggested this
song. JR has
been free from
alcohol for
over two
years. He
writes, "I
never looked
at recovery as
it being a
miracle, but
in reality it
really is a
miracle."
Yesterday
Dennis, a
fellow teacher
in our ABF
class,
suggested this
brief video
explaining, I
believe very
helpfully, the
crisis in the
Middle East.
"The
Middle East
conflict is
framed as one
of the most
complex
problems in
the world.
But, in
reality, it's
very simple.
Israelis want
to live in
peace and are
willing to
accept a
neighboring
Palestinian
state. And
most
Palestinians
do not want
Israel to
exist. As
Dennis Prager
explains, this
is really all
you need to
know. In 5
minutes,
understand how
Israel was
founded, and
how, since
that
auspicious day
in 1948, its
neighbors have
tried to
destroy it,
again and
again."
Last
Thursday
Brooksyne and
Ester were
invited over
to the Old
Windmill Farm
to participate
in a Fall
Amish
Farmhouse
Experience
tour.
It began
outside with
making apple
cider and
butter.
Farmhouse
Experience
participants
then moved
into the
farmhouse
basement where
guests enjoyed
the cider,
home-made
bread and
butter, along
with various
jams.
While
they were
there a film
crew from
WETA, a PBS
station in
Washington DC,
was present to
feature the
farm as part
of their "Get
Out of Town"
series with an
episode
featuring
things to do
and places to
see in
Lancaster
County. It
will run next
spring. Here's
a sample
of the quality
of this
programming.
One
of the film
crew members
had an
interesting
experience
with a barn
pigeon coming
after him when
he was
filming! Video
(4 seconds)
Ester
put her fears
aside and fed
apple scraps
from the cider
press to this
horse who was
eagerly
waiting for
his turn to
enjoy the
fruit.
Lauren,
along with her
mother
Laurita, are
the hosts of
the "Get
Out of Town"
series.
Brooksyne and
Lauren were in
a little
competition to
see who could
churn the
butter the
fastest.
Since
Jesse is doing
the masonry
work on the
addition to
our home we
transported
him several
times back and
forth from his
home in
Strasburg last
week. Usually
Brooksyne gets
out and pets
the animals.
While doing so
young Stephen
handed her a
chicken to
hold! Looks
like a Rhode
Island Red
chicken but
someone will
correct me if
I'm wrong.
It
was a
beautiful
autumn day to
be on the farm
with this
maple tree
peeking in
crimson
beauty.
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WEBER -
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CHAPLAINCY)
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Weber". We
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donations.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering
to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
If
you desire you
can also
donate
directly
through PayPal
using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber". We
keep this
option
available due
to the
familiarity,
convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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