======================================================================== MATTHEW 7:6 by Chuck Smith ======================================================================== Summary: Jesus teaches the importance of making a distinction between holy and unholy, and the need for church discipline and guarding against heresy. Topics: "Discernment", "Grace and Holiness" Scripture References: Leviticus 10:10, Deuteronomy 23:3, Jeremiah 15:19, Ezekiel 22:26, Matthew 7:1-23, John 3:1-21, John 4:7-26, Romans 16:17 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of discernment in the Christian faith, particularly in the context of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:6. He warns against the dangers of indiscriminate acceptance that can lead to heresy and the neglect of church discipline. Smith illustrates that Jesus practiced discernment, choosing when to engage with individuals based on their openness to the truth, and highlights the necessity of distinguishing between the holy and the unholy in preaching. The sermon calls for a balance between grace and holiness in the message of the Gospel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I. THE CONTEXT. A. Immediate is "Judge not." 1. Danger of not using any discrimination. a. Accept anybody or anything. b. So fearful not to judge, don't use good sense. c. There must be church discipline. d. There must be a guard against heresy. B. The broader context. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, I came not to destroy but to fulfill." 1. Lev. 10:10, Aaron's sons were to put difference between holy and unholy, clean and unclean. 2. Deut. 23:3, Heathen excluded from worship. 3. Ez. 22:26, God complained of priest violating His law not making a difference between holy and profane. 4. Jer. was told in 15:19 to "take forth the precious from the vile." II. DID JESUS PRACTICE WHAT HE PREACHED? A. He never had a word to say to Herod. 1. To Nicodemus, to woman at well, very patient in explaining way of life. B. We never read of Him sharing the gospel of God's love with the Scribes and Pharisees. Ill. THE DISCRIMINATION NEEDED IN PREACHING. A. In declaring the grace of God. B. In declaring the holiness of God. ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/chuck-smith/matthew-76/ ========================================================================