GROUP FELLOWSHIP

SPRING 2002

APRIL 16/18

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT’

‘WALKING THE WALK’ – and not merely talking the talk

• MATTHEW 7.1-12: WALKING WITH A RIGHT SPIRIT

WHAT SORT OF ‘SPIRIT’ DO WE HAVE?

We are all affected from time to time by passing ‘moods’. But above and  beyond these, there is usually a certain type of ‘spirit’ that is characteristic  of us. Test this out as you think of your friends. Someone is characterised by  being ‘cheerful’ and ‘optimistic’; another person by being ’pessimistic’ and  ‘gloomy’! Someone is ‘warm, open’; someone else more ‘reserve and closed’.

In today’s passage Jesus contrasts two alternative ‘spirit’s. The first we must reject; the second we must embrace. The first, 7.1-6, is '‘THE SPIRIT THAT PICKS'’. The second, 7.7-12, is ‘THE SPIRIT THAT PRAYS’. It is so vital to have  the right spirit.

1. 7.1-6: THE SPIRIT THAT ‘PICKS’ - NEVER BE JUDGMENTAL

Everyone faces the temptation to be critical from time to time. For some of  us it is hard battle to avoid being judgmental, for there is within us a spirit that ‘picks’. (Is this your weakness? Is it in your spirit?)

• 7.1-2: ENDING CENSORIOUS CRITICISM. ‘Judge not that you be not judged.’ These are 7 vital, much needed, but much misunderstood words.
• What does Jesus mean?
• Is he advocating the suspension of all our higher faculties of assessing and discerning right or wrong in life and others around?….. that we should care about this?? (Read John 7.24)
• What is he urging?
• Why is setting ourselves up as the judge of others
• so very difficult and dangerous?
• so very wrong (See Romans 14.4, 10-13)
• 7.3-5: ENGAGING IN SELF-CRITICISM
• We have been given faculties of discernment. Where should be the first place we use them?
• What does Jesus have to say about the importance of  self-criticism?
• How difficult a thing is it? And why?
• Is it so vital?
• 7.3-5: EXERCISING BROTHERLY CONCERN
• Carefully read these 2 verses again. Is Jesus advocating an involvement  in our brother or sister’s life in this area of helping them with what is wrong in them?

What do you think Jesus implies here?

• Why is the prior exercise of honest self-criticism so vital if I am to help my fellow Christian get his life right?
• 7.6: EMPLOYING ASTUTE CAUTION
• What do you make of Jesus’ words in this verse? What is he getting at?

(Can you think of any situation in life that illustrates and makes clear the principle he’s setting out?)

7. 7-12: THE SPIRIT THAT PRAYS - ALWAYS BE PRAYERFUL

Prayer protects us from a great many errors! It will protect us in this area of censoriousness too. If we are rightly prayerful we won’t become wrongly critical.

• How do these words of Jesus urge us to approach prayer with  SIMPLICITY?
• How do they urge us to exercise PERSISTENCY?
• How are we urged to come TRUSTINGLY?
• How are we encouraged to come EXPECTANTLY?

• Talk together about prayer: its problems and joys; its secrets and frustrations. What is your experience? Be open and honest.

HOW CAN WE HELP ONE ANOTHER? Are you part of a ‘prayer triplet’? Could triplets be formed out of your Fellowship Group members? Would this help you in  this vital area of Christian life?

THOUGHT:

The spirit that prays: will be helped back from the bad

will be helped on to the good

will be helped up to the best.