The following are sermon notes from Romans Soli Deo Gloria. This is a study of the book of Romans. To read more about this series, including the introduction, download the study guide, resources and listen to audio content click here.

Let me preface these notes by saying that we are all, including myself, guilty what Romans speaks of in 2:1-11. During my time preaching this sermon to the people of Paradox I included my own repentance. So as you read these words of mine summarizing the sermon that was preached this past Sunday, know that they are real to me. My preaching of the Gospel is first and foremost to myself and the text not only convicts the people at Paradox, but it also cuts me deep. It is the Lord, through His Scriptures that leads me to repentance. My hope and prayer is that my sin and repentance, put on display, will encourage others to be real with their sin and repent. Here is what the Lord has taught me:

Everyone Wants to Be Judge, but No One Wants to be Judged

We all relish the opportunity and take pleasure from the self-righteous posture of judgement. We thoroughly enjoy sitting on a high throne suspended over all mankind from which we can proclaim judgement loud and clear. This is why we love TV shows where judgement takes place, such as The X-Factor, American Idol and others. The conversations while watching these shows all relates to how you judge these peoples musical ability. This is why after every preview in the movie theater, everyone in the entire theater begins to critique the preview they just witnessed. We love to judge others.

Yet in our judgement of others the Bible tells us that we are condemned for our thoughts, attitudes and deeds. Yes, we are judged by the Scriptures whether we like it or not.

“For in passing judgement on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgement of God rightly falls on those who practice such things” (Romans 2:1-2).

We are a people who indeed love to judge, but our judgement will condemn us. This should convict us all. The innocent comment to a friend to the public rant  and everything in between are all evil and wrong.

Hypocrites Judge

Perhaps the most convicting and painful aspect is that all who judge others are hypocrites.

“Do you suppose, O man – you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself – that you will escape the judgement of God?” (Romans 2:3)

We call out others sin and scream “look at your speck of sin!” while a log of sin protrudes from our own eye. Everyone else’s sin is so obvious and grotesque to us, but our own is conveniently overlooked. It’s hypocrisy.

Let me tell you about my hypocrisy. Late last week I learned disturbing news about a church that I respect from someone I trust with specific and accurate information. In response, I spoke out in a public manner in anger using inflammatory and frankly, stupid language. Later, I learned that this church had simply made a mistake and apologized for their mistake. While my anger (I believe) would have been justified if this was done intentionally, I didn’t even wait to see if it was intentional or a mistake, I lashed out. I judged too quickly and accused another ministry of division. Yet, I was causing division myself by accusing them in the public arena. This was sin. I should not have judged so quickly, nor should I have accused them publicly. I was a total hypocrite. Thankfully, I have solid leaders, who I love and trust that have the courage to tell me the truth and call for my repentance. I apologize for my judgement and by God’s grace will learn to control my tongue.

At Paradox we strive to be authentic. One of the ways this is practiced is I will stand up before my congregation and admit that I am no different than anyone else, I am a sinner. Those of you who are reading this and are attending a church where you never hear the pastor repent of sin, run. Pastors are sinners and often our sin is more damaging to others due to our public office and leadership, therefore our repentance at times needs to be public as well.

Defense of Judgement

There is a tension here, judgement, at times is a good thing.

The leaders in the church are to judge in some sense:

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17).

The Elders/Pastors need to judge doctrine and conduct within the church in order for it to proclaim the gospel effectively and make disciples. The Elders have the responsibility to judge doctrine and say, “this is not right”, or “this is acceptable” in order to help the people of the church learn Scripture and follow Jesus.

Additionally, we are to be judged by other Christians by way of accountability. We need brothers and sisters around us who can tell when we’re being a jackwagon and need to stop it. They must be allowed to judge us.

So then, the question becomes: when is judgement right and when is it wrong?

1. Judgement is always good and acceptable when it is done by God through the Holy Scriptures which are our highest court of authority. They judge our actions, thoughts and souls. If we can’t allow the Scriptures to judge us then no other righteous judgement will matter.
2. Judgement is good an acceptable when it is done by Biblically qualified Elders/Pastors who are both in and under authority. This judgement is specifically relating to doctrine and theology as well as the conduct of those they shepherd in the body of Christ. All discipline conducted by Elders is to encourage holiness of church members.
3. Judgement is good and acceptable when it is done by those we’ve given the authority to do so (such as accountability partners, missional community members and so forth). This means we need to give certain people the authority to challenge us and tell us when we’ve sinned. It is important for everyone to be under authority.

Judged by God

We are all judged by God through the Scriptures and ultimately through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross that should have bore you and me. The Bible tells us who we truly are: sinners and what we truly deserve: death. The Bible tells us what our specific sins are and tells us what we are to do with our sin: repent.

Moreover, the Scriptures tell us that we are judged by what we do. This is not to say that we are saved by what we do. What we do reveals who we are. All thoughts, attitudes and actions are birthed our our hearts. So if we do evil things it’s because our hearts are evil. So we are judged by what we do because what we do shows who we worship. Judgement of others reveals that we worship ourselves because we have made ourselves God who is the Judge. To be sure, one can fake actions or simply perform, but it is God who judges our hearts and knows what is done as truly submitted worship and what is done as detestable performance or religion. Therefore, it is God who judges our actions, because He knows our hearts. There is no need for you to judge others, because the perfect judge over all will judge everyone correctly and righteously. Something you and I could never do.

Don’t just hear, but do:

1. You are a sinner. In fact, your sins are so numerous they are impossible to count. You should be so busy attacking and repenting of your own sin that you have no time or inclination to judge others for their sin. Repent of your judgementalism and hypocrisy and get back to your own issues.
2. Trust in Christ. He will do what is best and He will judge as He see’s fit. Trust Him. Trust that His Word is true and that He will do what He says. When you judge others you are saying that you don’t trust Christ, you must do His job, because He doesn’t have it covered.
3. If you’ve been judging someone you need to go to that person and repent of your sin. Tell them what you’ve done and stop, turn, trust that Christ can change you and help you.
4. Know that when you judge others you ruin your ability to spread the gospel and make disciples. No one is attracted to a community full of people who are judgemental and quick to look down on those who are sinners. Hypocrisy destroys our witness.
5. Allow the Scriptures to judge you. When you read the Bible, do what it says. Don’t ignore it, don’t resist it, don’t think of someone else who should read that text. Let it judge you, cut you and change you.

Friends, there is so much at stake here. You are a judgemental person and you need to change. Do it, allow the Scriptures to convict and trust in the Lord of Love to make you new.

For more information about this series click here.

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