This morning I had a dream that I was back in Guatemala on a missionary trip. In my dream I was on stage preaching alongside my father, Pastor Founder Bennett. Strangely enough I was not preaching or dreaming in Spanish. The entire event took place in English. Perhaps because that is the language of my birth, so that is why I was speaking in English even though I was in Guatemala. In my dream both my father and I where there together on the stage. I would speak a little bit, and then he would speak a little bit. We were kind of expanding on what the other person had just finished saying. You may have had this experience in real life when you are around other believers and you are talking about the Lord…Many times the Holy Spirit in real time will begin to bring scriptures to your mind about the topic that you both may be speaking about.
This is what was happening in my dream but all in real time. My father was speaking, then he would pause and I would continue the message. I do not remember what either of us were saying specifically but I do remember specifically that I was preaching from Matthew chapter 6. In my dream we were both expanding on the topics and then I recall so distinctly saying: “The scripture I want you all to remember, and underline in your bible is Matthew 6:36…….It was at this point that the dream ended. I was so excited when I woke up and I took my phone and begin to look up Matthew 6 and to my disappointment the big, important scripture from my dream, Matthew 6:36 does not exist…. You see there are only 34 verses in Matthew chapter 6………..
I was perplexed. How could I have been preaching such a powerful message and made the specific point in my dream to tell the people, take out your bibles, get a pen, underline this verse. It is important it is impactful….it will change your life and the verse not even exist…..or does it? It was then that I remembered man put the chapters and verses in the bible. Jesus did not pause in speaking and then say, new chapter, new verse. What if I kept reading Matthew Chapter 6 and carried the same thought for just 2 verses after verse #34…..applying this logic I flipped the page to Matthew Chapter 7 verses #1 and #2…Keeping in mind that verse #2 would have been Matthew 6:36 and that was the big point I wanted to share with the people in my dream.
Are you ready? Some of you are already there:
Matthew 7
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
***As I began to prepare this message this morning with the leading of the Holy Spirit, it became clear to me there are 3 main words that we need to learn about in order to grasp everything the Lord is trying to teach us today.
There are three Greek words I want to teach you this morning:
These are the words: “To Judge” Krino , and “ A Measure” Metron, “To Prove” dokimázō (dock-e-mod-zo)
Lets talk about Krino, to judge:
krínō, kree'-no; properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:—avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
Judge G2919 not, that ye be G2919 not judged. G2919
((Right out the Gate Jesus tells us, do not judge other people and we will revisit this))
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth G2919 his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth G2919 the law: but if thou judge G2919 the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest G2919 another?
For the Father judgeth G2919 no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
For if we would judge ourselves, we should G2919 not be judged. G2919
But when we are judged, G2919 we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged G2919 out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
This morning I took some time to read through many of the passages of scripture that use this word Krino. “To judge”, I encourage you to do the same in your own time. One of the things that became very clear to me is that God’s word instructs us to judge ourselves but not to judge other people.
Point #1 of the Message: Jesus is the Judge, you are not.
It is clear in scripture that God has exclusively given Jesus the position of Judge.
For the Father judgeth G2919 no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
**Now as I was preparing this message the Lord put in my spirit the word to “prove or try” which is similar to what you may consider to Judge. Specifically the Lord brought to my spirit the passage from 1st John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try G1381 the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
God’s word gives us the tools to Test and to Prove (dock-e-mod-zo), or rather to determine if some activity we are doing, some thought we are thinking, or some idea or concept that this being presented to us is righteous and Godly (when using the proper measurement or metron).
dokimázō, dok-im-ad'-zo; from G1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve:—allow, discern, examine, × like, (ap-)prove, try.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove G1381 what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
But let G1381 a man examine G1381 himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove G1381 your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Tools
But let G1381 every man prove G1381 his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Prove G1381 all things; hold fast that which is good.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try G1381 the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Point #1 of the Message: Jesus is the Judge, you are not.
Point #2 of the Message: We are called to judge ourselves and to “test” or “prove” what is of God.
And that brings me to the 3rd word we are talking about this morning: Measure, Metron
métron, met'-ron; an apparently primary word; a measure ("metre"), literally or figuratively; by implication, a limited portion (degree):—measure.
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, G3358 pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure G3358 that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure G3358 of faith.
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure G3358 of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Now the action verb for this Measure / Metron is Metreo (Met-tre-o)
metréō, met-reh'-o; from G3358; to measure (i.e. ascertain in size by a fixed standard); by implication, to admeasure (i.e. allot by rule):—figuratively, to estimate:—measure, mete.
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring G3354 themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
**The 3rd point of the Message: The only real, constant, proper measure to use is Jesus
Matthew 7
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
***The 4th point of the message today: God has called us to the ministry of reconciliation and not the ministry of Judgement.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
***Point #5 of the Message: We are ambassadors for Christ to share his word and show his love.
Galatians 6:1-9
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Point #1 of the Message: Jesus is the Judge, you are not.
Point #2 of the Message: We are called to judge ourselves and to “test” or “prove” what is of God.
**The 3rd point of the Message: The only real, constant, proper measure to use is Jesus
***The 4th point of the message today: God has called us to the ministry of reconciliation and not the ministry of Judgement.
***Point #5 of the Message: We are ambassadors for Christ to share his word and show his love.
*** In Closing I want you to turn with me to the beginning of the book of Colossians.
Colossae was a city in Asia minor located along the Egnatian Way, a major Roman road. The believers there were both Jews and Gentiles, but primarily Gentiles. This church was started by Epaphras. The issue the Colossian believers were facing is something that can be summed up as, “Jewish Ascetic Mysticism”. They were trying to add Jewish legal requirements as a means of sanctification. Asceticism was self-denial for the sake of religion; it was a kind of false humility. Mysticism may have had to do with worshipping angels and mystical visions—pagan spirituality. Some of the Colossians used all three of these things to try to reach a new fullness or completion. Paul says fullness is found not in these things, but in Christ alone!
https://e360bible.org/blog/colossians-overview-introduction-and-what-colossians-is-about/#:~:text=Colossae%20was%20a%20city%20in,%2C%20%E2%80%9CJewish%20Ascetic%20Mysticism%E2%80%9D.
Colossians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister