As we find ourselves amidst a cancel culture that feeds on divisiveness, hatred, and unforgiveness, Christ call us to something entirely and refreshingly different. This week our sermon series The Gospel of Luke, Part II: A Journey through Galilee speaks out against judgmental attitudes and hypocrisy within the Church. As recipients of God’s mercy, we are not to only receive His love, but reciprocate it to those around us. 

Drew’s Main Points

• There should not be any judgmental attitudes amongst God’s people.

• Love without hypocrisy.

Key Takeaways

• As Jesus warns, don’t follow blind guides or they will lead you into a pit. You will become self-righteous, judgmental, and spiritually blind just like them.

• Refusing to make moral judgments doesn’t actually make you less judgmental. Jesus is not ruling out discrimination against legitimate sinful behavior, but warning against being hypercritical, judgmental, and condemning towards others.

• You know you have fallen into a judgmental attitude when you no longer have the ability to show empathy towards others.

• Oftentimes, we turn people into caricatures of themselves— defining them by the features and actions that we despise the most.

• If you are refusing to extend mercy to others, you have not truly received it in your own heart. We should be generous to show mercy to others because God has been so gracious towards us.

• Christians are called to be consistent in practicing what they preach.

• Too often, we point out the flaws of others while turning a blind eye to our own flaws.

• We become hypocrites when we try to fix people rather than loving them.

• As commended by Drew, we need to live authentically in front of others, show and model grace, and display to others our need for Jesus our Savior.

• We can oftentimes be critical of others who struggle in the same areas that we do because we haven’t received forgiveness and mercy for that specific struggle. 

• When we see others caught in sin, we must be full of compassion, grace, and mercy, in light of what God has shown us.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• Would those closest to you describe you as hypercritical and judgmental or compassionate, gracious, and merciful? Confess to God the specific attitudes and relationships that do not reflect His mercy and love and pray for His help and healing.

• How will you live authentically, model grace, and display your need for a Savior to those around you this week?

Discuss with your community group:

• Who are you most prone to treat with a judgmental attitude and lack of compassion?

• Is your group marked by authenticity? What would growth look like in this area? How does the Gospel free us to live authentically?

Passages Referenced

Luke 6:37-42; Matthew 7:15-16; James 2:13

Worship Set List

There is a Savior, Firm Foundation (He Won’t), How Deep the Father’s Love For Us, His Mercy is More, Lord I Need You