Saturday 4 May 2013

Read: Matthew 7:1-6, Romans 2:17-24

There are few things which seem to raise as much media attention as the moral failure of a church leader. Just think of paedophilia cases in the Roman Catholic Church or the recent story on Today Tonight about alleged financial deception in the Hillsong churches. The media loves to turn on religious people like vicious dogs and tear them to pieces.

 

We see this sort of reaction in Matthew 7:6. Jesus has just outlined the process by which His people can confront others about their sin. Jesus' followers are to first examine themselves and, once they have worked on their own sin, can confront others about their sin. Jesus is not only talking about confronting other believers about their sin, He is talking more broadly. Before we can confront those in the world with their sin and point them to faith in Jesus Christ we must be working on our own lives. The consequence for failing to do so is that those with whom we share may trample our message and turn on us, tearing us to pieces in the process.

 

Paul describes a similar situation in Romans 2. Whilst describing the utter inability of the law to justify people before God Paul points out that those who are preaching against stealing are stealing and those who are preaching against adultery are committing adultery. Whilst God's people are preaching about God's law they are in fact breaking God's law. What is the result of this sort of behaviour? Look at vs 24: "God's name is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you." The consequence of their sin is clear; the power of their message is lost and the gentiles respond not by praising God's name, but by blaspheming it.

 

Think about your own life. Do you lack power in sharing the gospel with others? Do people laugh at you or even mock you if you try to tell them about what Christ has done in your life? Is your life telling a different story to your words? Jesus' commands are clear. Examine your own life, pray that God would reveal to you sin in your life and strive to live a holy life before God. Then and only then will you be able to effectively point out sin in the world and share Christ with others.

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Pray that the witness of God's people would be powerful and effective as they seek to live Holy lives before Him. Pray that God would reveal to you many opportunities to share Him with others and give you the wisdom and the courage to take them.

¥ Pray that more and more people in your church would stand up to use their spiritual gifts to bless and edify the body and to glorify God. Pray that God would give you wisdom regarding your gifts and help you to use them for the sake of His church.

My Additional Prayer Points.

1/.

 

2/.

 

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Can you think of some examples where the Christian church has sought to confront sin in society without dealing with their own sin first? How did this go for the church?

2. How holy do you think we should be before we confront others about their sin? Explain your answer.