Opening Prayer
God of our faith we want to thank You for Your Son Jesus, and those words which are spoken to us through His Teaching. Tonight we study about our relationships. We pray that no word be spoken here tonight that is contrary to your will. We pray these words from Jesus will bless each one here and give each of us joy and purpose that we may be useful vessels in your service. Be with those of our group who cannot be here today, we pray you will share our blessing with them. Be with those of us who are suffering illness and those who care for them. Restore their health and bring them back into our midst. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
The following verses from Proverbs might help us in our evaluation of the verse of scripture we are about to study. These words form a mental picture of one who is displeasing to God. One about whom we might consider as the object of our study tonight.
Pro 6:12 A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
Pro 6:13 who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,
Pro 6:14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart-- he always stirs up conflict.
Pro 6:15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.
Pro 6:16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
Pro 6:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
Pro 6:18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
Pro 6:19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Q.1 How is it that we have a vivid recognition of these traits ?
Q.2 What is your feeling about someone who fits this description?
Q.3 When would you make a decision concerning your relationship with such a one?
Q.4 Does it appear to you in these verses that God is issuing a warning?
Q.5 What would be a proper decision to help one avoid such a person?
Q.6 Would we on the other hand be practicing discrimination?
Q.7 I mean, just because he did it, that alone doesn’t make him guilty does it?
The Value of Our faith Pg.2
In Matthew 7 verses 1-5 our study last week was on not judging others. This week we have a difficult study because as we learned last week, we are not to sit in judgment of others, but we should first seek to manage our own faults. After that is accomplished we might then be more able to help those with whom we share our faith.
Being clear on what we believe, and who it is we worship, and making an attempt to make that a purpose for our daily lives, we then become more able to determine with whom and how to share our faith. This study will give us examples of the opposite of that. About how we are to be discerning of those with whom we choose to share our faith.
We must not be indiscriminate in determining with whom we share the Gospel.
Before we study the words and meaning of the verse for tonight, there are some questions that we should ask ourselves.
Q.1 which of these definitions more properly defines the word “unconscionable”?
extremely bad, unfair, or wrong; not guided or controlled by conscience; going far beyond what is usual or proper; shockingly unfair or unjust.
Q.2 Are there people today that one would label as unconscionable ?
Q. 3 How is it that we are given the ability to discern who they might be?
Q.4 When did we become capable of being that discerning, considering last weeks study?
Q. 5 On what basis do we make such decisions?
Q. 6 What factors does one usually consider when establishing a relationship with someone?
Q.7 Are we aware that we practice this type of evaluation as a normal thought process when we choose our friends and associates?
Q.8 Would any of the foregoing questions be considered as discrimination by today's standards?
The Value of Our faith Pg.3
Mat 7:6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
About this verse, reference is made to Dogs and swine. Dogs were not uncommon in Jesus’ day. However, the term "dog" is figuratively used here to actually refer to false teachers (Philippians 3:2) and those who shall be considered outside of heaven. Such as described in (Revelation 22:15). Those who are determined to tear at the faith by their attitude and actions such as dogs running in a pack determined to destroy a life so as to feast on it in victory. But who are already condemned by their actions and refusal to believe, and who, even tear at one another to further their own self serving greed.
This reference then as a rule to all when seeking to administer reproof, or in laying down biblical truth and condemnation of our sins as taught by Jesus, Our zeal against sin must be guided by discretion, and we must not go about to give instruction, counsel, and rebuke, much less sympathy and comfort, to hardened scorners, to whom it will certainly do no good, but who will be exasperated and enraged at us, like wolves on a hunt for something to kill and eat.
Q.1 Who are those in this study that are referenced as the dogs?
Q.2 And what is it in this study that is referred to as sacred?
Q.3 Why is Jesus telling us to guard against giving to dogs, that which is sacred?
Q.4 Have you ever encountered such a situation in your day to day experiences?
Q.5 How did Jesus warn his disciples to avoid this type of encounter?
Q.6 What purpose is served by following Jesus advice about such actions?
The Value of Our faith Pg.4
Then there is the reference to “throwing your pearls to pigs. “ In Jesus day, there were very few jewels but there were pearls. The pearl was prized for its pristine beauty, color, luster, shape and size. The pearl was the prominent jewel other than gold in Jesus ‘day. A natural pearl has a special attraction as a jewel, and by comparison Jesus is telling us that our faith is such a jewel to each one of us. It is considered of greater value than gold. (1Peter 3:3-4). Pearls as referenced here are not to mean jewelry but as good deeds, appropriate for those who profess to worship God. (1Ti 2:9-10). These words in this verse also would apply to our discipleship, Both men and women. So we learn here that being a good disciple is of great value, and that we should be careful where and to whom we dispense our efforts.
The swine is also unfavorably mentioned in the scriptures. Swine were associated with filth and were rejected as being unclean by the Jews, even so to this day. We are not to put forth the gospel of Jesus Christ in the direction of someone who has no other purpose than to trample it and return to his own evil ways. We identify such people through discernment, which is given in some measure to all Christians (Corinthians 2:14-16). Our proper discernment ( as compared to judgment) would help us in our deciding whether or not to make an effort at bringing the gospel message to someone.
This does not mean we refrain from preaching the gospel. Jesus Himself ate with and taught sinners and tax collectors (Matthew 9:10). In essence, the instruction in this one verse is the same that Jesus gave to His apostles ,(Matthew 10:14). We are not to judge others, for we are guilty of the same things they are. Reserving judgment, however, does not prevent us from discerning those who would accept, or at least respect, the gospel from those who would ridicule, mock, and trample it, and then turn on us and abuse us. Balancing judgment with discernment is the wisdom of serpents Jesus refers to in Matthew 10:16
Q.1 What are your thoughts about applying the comparison of pearls to our faith?
Q.2 Does this comparison bring to mind, new understanding of your faith ?
Q.3 Jesus is instructing us in discernment. How do we understand this seeming conflict with “Judge not lest ye be judged”?
Q.4 Define the phrase “do not throw your pearls to pigs” what does that mean?
Q.5 Is Jesus implying that some people are like pigs, who no matter how clean one would wash them, still they prefer to wallow in the mud and mire of their life without redemption . Why is that?
Q.6 What would Jesus think if he were here today interacting with our detractors, The atheists, the agnostics, the Baptists, the Methodists, the Presbyterians, The Muslims, and the many other religions and denominations of our day?
Bible verses for study Pg.5
Philippians 3:2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.
Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
1Peter 3:3-4. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
1Ti 2:9-10 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God
1Corinthians 2:14 -16 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgment. 16 for, "Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Mat 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
Mat 10:16 "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Closing Prayer:
Father God: we ask that you continue with us as we leave this place, make a blessing for each one here and deliver us safely to our homes. Be with those of us who need our prayers and Your healing touch_(prayer requests)_ And now we ask that You bless each one mentioned here tonight with Your comfort and assurance, and offer them the strength to endure so that Your name may be exalted. We pray for our loved ones and families….. may it please You to keep us from all harm and bring us together again when next we assemble in Your name.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen
