Judgment and Discernment: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - January 18, 2015

Santosh PoonenJanuary 18, 201553mWatch on YouTube

In this collectionSantosh Poonen Sermons - 2008-2018185 messages

http://rlcfchurch.org/judgment-and-discernment River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA

Summary

The speaker emphasizes that deep intimacy within a local church community inevitably exposes our faults, which should not cause fear but rather be embraced for transformation. He draws parallels to Paul's experience with the law, noting that vulnerability in fellowship reveals unChristlike aspects that the Holy Spirit can then address. The discussion transitions to Matthew 7:1, cautioning against judging others, suggesting that while the immediate penalty may not be physical, we will ultimately have to give account before God.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Facing our faults in the local churchWhen we plant ourselves in deep community, our hidden faults and quirks become glaringly obvious, which is part of God's transforming work.

The serious command not to judgeJesus commands us not to judge so that we will not be judged, a command we must take as seriously as any moral law.

Why judging others is playing GodJudgment is reserved for God alone, and when we judge others, we wrongly put ourselves in the seat of the judge like Lucifer did.James 4:12

Jesus as our example of not judgingEven though Jesus had the right to judge as God, he emptied himself and did not judge while on earth, serving as our example.

Judgment ministers death while God ministers lifeNatural human judgment ministers death, but God's goal through Christ is to give eternal life rather than to condemn.

Why God delays His judgmentGod withholds judgment and is patient because He wants to give people more time to repent and turn to Him.

Jesus did not come to judge the worldJesus came to save the world rather than judge it, leaving His spoken words to judge people on the last day.John 12:46–47

Judging by appearance versus righteous judgmentWe are told not to judge by external appearance, but rather to exercise righteous discernment.

Testing spirits through discernmentDiscernment allows us to recognize and test the spiritual influences around us without taking the seat of a judge over people.

Not giving holy things to dogs and swineBelievers must have the discernment to recognize when sharing truth only leads to blasphemy and hostility, knowing when to withdraw.Matthew 7:6

Related messages

Back to the catalog

River of Life Christian Fellowship

Judgment and Discernment: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - January 18, 2015

Santosh Poonen · January 18, 2015 · 53m

The church Following Jesus