The Sermon on the Mount
Daily Bible Studies for September 15-20, 2008
Learn what we believe and how we are to behave!
This Week’s Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6 MOT & NLT
[Jesus said] “1Do not (habitually) [present imperative] judge (others), so that you will not be judged (at the last Judgment. [aorist subjunctive] 2For with the (same) judgment whereby you judge, you will (yourselves) be judged, and with the (same) measure you measure, it shall be measured to you. 3And why do you see the splinter in the eye of your brother, but you do not take notice of the beam in your own eye? 4Or how will you say to your brother, ‘Allow me to take the splinter out of your eye,’ and behold the beam that is in your eye!”? 5Hypocrite! First, take the beam out of your own eye; and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.” 6Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet and turning may tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:1-6 MOT
[Jesus said]” 1“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4How 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? 5Hypocrite! 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. 6“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. Matthew 7:1-6 NLT
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving me the opportunity for second chances. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may offer the same grace toward others! In my actions toward others today, let me show Your goodness. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
[Jesus said] “1Do not (habitually) [present imperative] judge (others), so that you will not be judged (at the last Judgment. [aorist subjunctive] MOT
[Jesus said]” 1“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. NLT
What does it mean to you not to “habitually” judge others?
What impact does it make to know that Jesus was really talking about being judged at the “Last Judgment”?
Today’s Challenge: I will live with the same grace toward others that God shows me!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that You call me to the highest standard of all as I live today—YOURS! I pray again that You will fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may live in such a way as to bring You honor, particularly when I see others who are not honoring You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
2For with the (same) judgment whereby you judge, you will (yourselves) be judged, and with the (same) measure you measure, it shall be measured to you. MOT
2For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
Does this mean that we ought never to judge others? Why or why not?
What measure do you typically use when judging others?
Today’s Challenge: I will “measure” others the way God measures me!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is so easy for me to see the flaws in others, while remaining blind to my own. Please give me clear vision to see my flaws, and Your grace to deal with them, before I look for the “splinters” in my brothers’ eyes. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
3And why do you see the splinter in the eye of your brother, but you do not take notice of the beam in your own eye? MOT
3“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? NLT
What is Jesus’ point? How does it apply in your life right now?
Think of another image you could use to bring Jesus’ point home:
Today’s Challenge: I will remove the “beams” from my own eyes, before I set about judging others today.
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, again I pray for Your Holy Spirit to fill me that I may live graciously toward others. Help me to show compassion for those with “splinters” in their eyes, but also empower me to remove the “beams” in my own. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
4Or how will you say to your brother, ‘Allow me to take the splinter out of your eye,’ and behold the beam that is in your eye!”? MOT
4How 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? NLT
What does it look like in practical terms for you to remove the “beams” from your eyes?
When was the last time you really took the time to do that? How did it feel?
Today’s Challenge: I will examine myself before offering correction to others!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I want to be a faithful child of Yours. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may deal severely with myself, and kindly with others, not letting them off the hook for sin, but bringing accountability in a loving manner. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
5Hypocrite! First, take the beam out of your own eye; and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.” MOT
5Hypocrite! 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. NLT
Why do you think Jesus brought out the “H” word in dealing with this matter?
How do we keep from becoming hypocrites as we seek to hold one another accountable?
Today’s Challenge: I will remove every beam from my eyes and then, in Jesus’ love, help my brothers and sister to do the same in their lives!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to help those who don’t know You to come to know You, yet I know Your instruction about not pushing faith on those who are unprepared to receive it. Give me discernment to operate in Your timing that when I “cast my pearls” before others that they will be received with joy. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
6Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet and turning may tear you to pieces.” MOT
6“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. NLT
What does this verse mean to you?
How do you apply it in everyday life?
Today’s Challenge: I will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading so that when the time is right I will offer Jesus to those who don’t know Him!