Judging and Pearls Before Swine

We have been conducting a series of sermons about the Sermon on the Mount, and we've seen the theme of Christ's Sermon on the Mount is one about the righteousness of God's Kingdom. We went through the first few chapters, looking at the Godly attitude and the Godly attitudes. And then we saw how it is more than the letter of the law. We also heard it in our sermonette today, how Christ came to expand the law. Then we looked at God's way versus man's way, the hypocritical way of the people of that age, which is typically what mankind is.

Usually people are critical, they tell people what to do, but they don't do it themselves. And then the section on the Sermon on the Mount concludes in the third chapter, which is chapter 7, which is what we're going to cover today, a section thereof.

Jesus Christ concludes his teaching regarding the righteousness of God's Kingdom with seven basic teachings for instructions for those seeking the Kingdom of God. And basically those seven basic teachings are first dealing with brethren, in other words, being careful not to judge or how to discern. Second, dealing with the unconverted.

Thirdly, dealing with the father, in other words, how to petition correctly to the father. And then dealing with every other one. And then talking about the right way, that the way is narrow, letting us discern between false teachers and true teachers. And concludes with the seventh, about our faithfulness to Jesus Christ and his teaching. And today, brethren, we plan to cover the first two, that is, dealing with the brethren, and it was judging, and dealing with the unconverted, in other words, being careful of the pearls to the swine. So let's start by reading in Matthew 7, verses 1 and 2. And just read those two verses initially.

You see, what happens is, as human beings, we're too quick to pass judgments. Too quick to identify faults in others. We're definitely not quick in identifying our own faults, but too quick in identifying others' faults. So Christ is showing that we need to address this. He's showing that we are imperfect, and we need to address this. We quite often expect others to be perfect, but we need to understand that God is the only one that is qualified to judge, and in fact, is delegated that to Jesus Christ.

Let's start by comparing that with Matthew 18, and keep a marker there on Matthew 7, because you're going to come back to it. But Matthew 18, and we're just going to read verses 6 and 7. Matthew 18. He says, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin. Now, it is important at this moment to understand the word that is used for sin in this specific instance.

Because the Greek wordia, it says, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, the word in Greek is scandalizo. When we get words like scandal, but quite often that word is translated offend, or create, or cause offense. So really what he's talking about is, if you cause other brethren in the church, because we're talking about dealing with brethren, and you cause other brethren to become offended, be careful. It would be better for him if a most down were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

It's quite a powerful statement, because if we are going to cause offense to other brethren, we really be careful, because it says it will be better to have a most down around your neck. Quite a strong statement from Christ. Verse 7, Woe to the world because of offenses. Same word, scandalizo.

Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses, scandalizo must come. But woe to that man by whom the offense, scandalizo, comes. In fact, just to complete that, read the first part of the verse, it says, If your hand or your foot causes you to scandalizo, the same word, cut it off and cast it off from you. So be careful that you don't cause offense.

Now, obviously, when Christ is talking here in Matthew 7 about Judge Knott, we've got to be careful about what he's saying. Because if we go back to Judge Knott, it does not mean you don't do any judging because in the next verse there's, for with what judgment you judge, you'll be judged. So there is a requirement there to make some judgment. But what he's saying is it's going to be right, correct. It's not greater or smaller, but it must be correct. So it does not mean that we stop discerning or we turn a blind eye to what is right and what's wrong. We must discern what is right and what is wrong. And then what is wrong? We could say, oh well, no one is perfect, correct? No one is perfect. But we have to discern what is right and wrong. And so the word judge can mean discern, evaluate, make a separation. The word judge can mean that of a judge, somebody that sits in court and has a responsibility judge. For instance, let's look at Deuteronomy chapter 1 verse 13 and 14. Deuteronomy chapter 1.

Deuteronomy chapter 1 verse 13 and 14. This is when Moses came out of which these are lights, out of Egypt. He was overloaded with different situations that people were bringing to him. And then he was given advice by his father-in-law to appoint people that he could delegate some of those decision-making responsibilities. And look at verse 13, he says, choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable man from among your tribes. And I'll make them heads over you. And you answered me and said, the thing which you told us to do is good. So, yeah, we have an advice to set up judges, in a sense, they're God's judges. They are to administer God's judgment. In fact, the Hebrew word of Elohim as a connotation of being judges. So, when we're talking about judging, it could be discerning, it could be this responsibility of being judges. But it also, it could be one, as we can see, and we're going to look at James 4, verse 11 and 12, could be one related to condemning, providing a final judgment, a decision, condemning somebody. And so, look at James chapter 4, verse 11 and 12.

James chapter 4, verse 11 and 12. Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother. So, speaking evil is actually condemning and making a decision about that person and judge his brother. Speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you're not a doer of the law, but a judge. What law? The royal law. I mean, he's talking there, in that context, a couple of chapters earlier. He's talking about the royal law, God's law, which, as we heard in the sermon, yes, it is love, others are yourself. But it includes, obviously, sections such as keeping the Sabbath.

So, continue reading. There is one lawgiver who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge another one? There was this one lawgiver that is able to decide what is the final judgment. In other words, what is the final condemnation or blessing, the final decision-making. So, judgment, yes, it's concerning. Judging is the actual judges, but judging is also giving that final decision, conclusion. Come now, verse 13, you say, today or tomorrow, we'll do such and such, and such a city, spend a year there, buy a cell, and make profit. And I say to you, don't you know what will happen? For what's your life? It is a viper that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, it's God's world. We will live and do this and that. But you now boast in your arrogance for all such boasting and evil. Therefore, to Him who knows to do good and does it not, to Him it's a sin. So, we need to make discernments. And those discernments mean that we need to decide what is right and what is wrong and do it. Because the judge stands at the door, as it says elsewhere. But it does not mean that we must condemn other people.

We must discern who we're talking to. We must act accordingly in the right way. For instance, we've got people in the church. Some are deeply converted and some are not. Just because somebody's in the church does not mean they're deeply converted.

Some might not be converted at all. Maybe God is still working with them. So, we've got to be careful not to be critical, not to condemn, not to find fault, or to concentrate on other people's weaknesses. And we must not assume the authority and confidence to know the heart of those people and make a judgment. And that's what it says. Don't take the position of a Lord ever, because you don't know the heart. God will deal with people in their own time. And as we read in Matthew 7, it's going to be a fair, fair retribution, a fair judgment, a fair decision-making. Not a condemnation. Discern. Identify what's right and wrong. Don't follow the wrong. Do what's right.

But don't do the wrong.

You know, Paul in Romans says something very interesting, that sometimes we don't think about it. And so turn with me to Romans 2, verse 1. Because after he talks about Jews and he talks about the Gentiles, he says to people in Romans 2, verse 1, he says, Therefore you are inexcusable a man, whoever you are, who judge.

It was you that don't have an excuse when you're pointing a finger and you're passing condemnation. For, he says, for you, whatever you judge another, you condemn yourself. Why? Because quite often we have the same very faults.

See, when we judge, we point a finger. For you, who practice, the same things. We point a finger. Quite often it becomes suspicious. Let's say we become suspicious, always suspicious. Do you know that is the first step in an accusation, when it becomes suspicious? For instance, if you say something, some people get really hot. Why? Well, that's a carnal behavior, because you're touching a hot spot.

Some people may say, well, those people are judgmental. What are they doing? Aren't they being judgmental? Some people may say, well, they're not loving. What are you doing? Aren't you being not loving?

So, we've got to be careful when we point a finger, as I say, there are three pointing backwards, and another one pointing to God. So, be careful!

Turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 1 Romans chapter 4. Let a man, so, consider us a servant of Christ and servants of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one become faithful. As servants, we have to be faithful. You and I are servants of God. In whatever responsibility you have, to be a servant of God does not mean that the only opportunity to be a servant of God is to preach. You can serve by being... Look, do things for church, like somebody did this pogym. Brand-new pogym today. Thank you. Beautiful! Then ask them to do it, but they did it. That's serving the church. Somebody serves by playing the piano. Somebody serves by doing special music. Come for word and offer that service. But as servants, we have to be faithful. We have to be faithful to God. If, for instance, we say, I'm going to do this, we've got to be careful that we do do. But our word, yes, must be yes. But look, our Paul continues here in verse 3. But with me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. In other words, he did not pass that final beseechion, condemnation of judgment even about himself. Yes, did it discern? Did he make a choice? Yes. Did he discern between right and wrong? Yes. He made sure he did not do what was wrong. Yes. But he did not condemn himself. He left that to God. Not even himself. So why are we doing it to others? He says, oh, well, that's judgmental, or those people not loving, or whatever it may be, or I'm suspicious of those people. We've got to be careful, because that is getting into an accusatory type attitude, a judging type attitude. Verse 4, For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this, that he who judges me is the Lord. Who is going to judge me? That's Paul. That's going to be Jesus Christ. He's going to judge me. Judgment has been delegated to Christ by the Father. So Christ knows my heart, and he'll make a decision. Christ knows your heart, and he'll make that decision. Therefore, judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes. Judge nothing. Does not mean discern right from wrong. Don't be like an apple going into a basket of dirty apples, because it's going to affect you. So discern. But don't judge. Don't condemn the others. Until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the heathen things of darkness and reveal the castles of the hearts? So when the Lord comes, he will make those intents really known, and he'll judge correctly. Then each one's praise will come from God. Therefore, that judgment says, well done, good and faithful servant comes from God, not from man. Because it's God that judges through Christ. He's delegated it to Christ. Let's look at 2 Timothy chapter 4. 2 Timothy chapter 4.

Now we have a situation in which Paul is being judged by Nero, translating literally into modern language. He'll be translated by Mr. Black. So he was being judged by Nero, and he's in this tough spot. But look what he says in verse 6. 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 6. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I've kept the fight. Finally, there is laid out for me the crown of righteousness. I know I've done what it needs to be done, but the judgment is to come from the Lord, which the Lord, the righteous judge, the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

To ultimate judge, the righteous judge is the Lord at his appearing, which is Christ. Let's look at Romans, and just look at the context in Romans about who is the Lord. In Romans chapter 1, just look at the context of a few scriptures. Romans chapter 1 verse 3. It says, and it's talking about, and concerning his son Jesus Christ, our Lord. So Paul is talking, for instance, in Romans about our Lord, and he identifies that as Jesus Christ. Look at it in chapter 5 verse 1. Chapter 5 verse 1. Therefore, having been justified by 5, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He's identifying who is the Lord, Jesus Christ. Look at verse 11. And not only that, but we also rejoicing God through our Lord Jesus Christ. So it's very clear, saying, who is our Lord? And he's identifying that as Jesus Christ. Look at chapter 6 verse 11. Likewise, you also reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ, our Lord. So he's talking about clearly that our Lord is Christ. Look at verse 23. Romans 6 verse 23. For the wages of sin is dead, but the gift of God is eternal life. In Christ Jesus, our Lord. So it's very clear who our Lord is. Look at 7 verse 25. I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So then, with myself, I serve the Lord God, but with the flesh, the Lord's sin. So he's identifying very clearly who is our Lord. Look at 8 verse 39. Nor height, nor death, or any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. So we can see who is our Lord. Very clearly it's Jesus Christ. And look at Revelation. I'm thinking about Romans 12 verse 19. Romans 12 verse 19.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.

Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. So he is very clear about who is going to judge us, who is going to fix things up. That is a quote from Deuteronomy 32 verse 39 to 43. So let's go back there. Deuteronomy 32 verse 39 to 43. The fact is, he says the Lord will charge his people and have compassionate servants. When he sees that their power is gone and there is no other remaining born unfree, you will say, where are they God's? The rock in which they sought refuge. And then you continue reading them. And then look at in verse 43, he says, Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants and rent a vengeance to his averses. You will provide a tournament for his land and his people. So we can see, and also in verse 35, he says, Vangency is mine and recompense. So he says the Lord will judge. So we can see that Jesus Christ is the Lord, he will judge, and he will judge us. So then let's look at Romans chapter 14. Romans chapter 14.

Verse 10 and 11.

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. I know some Bibles put there the judgment seat of God, but the Greek is Christos. The Greek is Christos. For it is written, As I loaves this Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So for every knee all we have, and that comes out of Isaiah 45. All will bow down to me. It's Christ, he is saying, he is the Lord, he will judge. And it's referring to Christ, to Christ in the judgment seat of Christ. Look at John chapter 5. John chapter 5. John chapter 5 verse 22. Verse 22 and 23. For the Father judges no one. John chapter 5 verse 22. The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son. In other words, the Father is dedicated all judgment to Christ. That all should honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son, does not honor the Father who sent him. It's not a question of putting the Father in a corner. He's dedicated it to the Son.

There's no competition between the Father and Son. It's like for instance, if my Son has done something good and people praise my Son, I feel honored as a dad.

Because it's my Son, and I trained him, and he represents me in a sense. So the Son, when we give honor to the Son, we in fact give honoring to the Father.

Look at John chapter 14. John chapter 14 verse 6.

John chapter 14 verse 6. And Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. So we've got to go through Christ.

It's not that we're putting the Father aside on a corner by no means. But the Father is dead, and we've got to come through the Son. Let's continue reading in verse 13. Whatever you ask in my name, that's in Christ's name, I will do. That the Father may be glorified in the Son. So when we ask something in Christ's name, and we do the things according to His law and the things that are pleasingly sight, 1 John 3.22, if I remember correctly, if we do that, and we ask in Christ's name, Christ will do it for the glory of the Father through the Son.

Look at verse 23 of the same chapter, John 14 verse 23. And Jesus in all sin said to him, if anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him. So if we are following the Son, and obeying the Son, and giving honor to the Son, the Father is pleased with us. And we, not just Jesus Christ, we, Jesus Christ and the Father, will come to him and make our house with him. Through God's Holy Spirit, Christ is in us, and the Father is in us, through Christ. It's so encouraging, brethren. It's so encouraging. Look at Romans 14, verse 12 and 13. Romans 14. Romans 14. We read this a little earlier, this section, so let's go back to it. Romans 14.

12 and 13. We finished reading a little earlier, verse 10. All stand before the judgment seat of Christ, for it is written as, I love, says the Lord, every knee shall bow down to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then, each of us, verse 12, shall give account of himself to God. Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block.

It was not to create offense, or cause, or a cause to fall in our brother's way. So let's make sure we don't cause offenses.

Don't offend one another. We all stand before the righteous throne of God, which has been delegated to Jesus Christ, our righteous judge. And so continue in Matthew, chapter 7.

In verse 3. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but to not consider the plank in your own eye?

Or how do you say, to your brother, let me remove the speck in your eye, and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First, remove the plank from your own eye, and then you'll see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

You see, the problem with us is we are, we naturally maximize other people's thoughts. We make them bigger than what they are, but we're blind to our own. That's what he's saying. And that's why he's saying we're a bunch of Democrats. If we do that, in other words, what he's saying is, your problem is actually bigger than the one you're trying to fix. And that, as we read in Matthew 18.6, that is like putting a milestone around our neck. You've got to be careful that we don't do that.

Look at 18, look 18 verse 9. Look 18 verse 9. Look 18 verse 9. And he spoke this parable to some, who trusted in themselves, that they were righteous and despised others. You see, they were better than others. All the others, oh, they had big faults, but not me. They trusted themselves and despised others. They trusted themselves that they were righteous. In other words, they didn't have a problem in the eye. In fact, they had a plank.

You know, if you have a little speck in your eye, you don't want a doctor with a plank in his eye to actually come and take it out of your eye. You don't want that. So continue. And so we talk about this parable verse 10. We talk to the temple to pray. One a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. So one, which by his position should be practicing a better, godly way of life. And the other one, a tax collector, which is by his profession, was perceived to be one with a less of a godly life. And the Pharisee stood and prayed that with himself. That's interesting. He prayed it with himself, which kind of says God was not listening. He prayed it with himself. God was not listening. All right. And God, thank you! Then I'm not like yet a man. Extortions, adjustments, adulterous. Or even a nurse tax collector. See, I'm better.

You see, I fast twice a week. I give tithes of everything I possess. And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breath, saying, God, be merciful to me as sin. He was honest. He admitted his mistakes and said, God, please help me. Verse 14, I tell you, this man went down to this house justified rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humble. Reverend, if we talk about prophecy, this is a prophecy. Think about it. This is a statement of prophecy. Everyone who exalts himself will be humble. And he who humbles himself will be exalted. This is prophetic.

You see, the Pharisee had a plank in his eye. He was a hypocrite. The tax collector's problem was a speck of dust. Even though he may have been a robber and a thief, but he admitted he was repenting and was trying to change. In God's eyes, that's a speck of dust because it's a right attitude.

Look at Galatians chapter 1. Galatians chapter 1.

Be apart. Galatians chapter 6 verse 1. Galatians chapter 6 verse 1.

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, now this, brethren, is not just an offense. This is actually a sin. This is a trespass. It's a sin. You who are spiritual... Oh, wait, wait. I didn't know you were spiritual. I didn't know you were spiritual.

But anyway, you're not there with an attitude of saying, this guy is terrible. You see, when we have that attitude of saying, this person is terrible, this person's got this horrible sin, but if we have an attitude of saying, I want to help him in a loving, kind, merciful way, now that is spiritual. This is restore. Gently, patiently. Restore. Such a one in the spirit of gentleness, in the spirit of meekness and teachability. That is the opposite of self-righteous arrogance.

In other words, that is the opposite of having a plank in your eye.

Because you're not superior. Your brother trying to help in loving, compassionate care. Restoring to the path of life, to the right way.

So, brethren, when we read in Matthew chapter 7, where he says, judge not, that you not be judged. Basically saying, don't condemn others. But it doesn't say, don't discern right and wrong. He says, don't condemn others. Because if you're going to condemn others, the other way you're going to condemn it, it's going to be turned back to you. So make sure you do it. You help them. Make sure you don't offend. Make sure you don't cause offense unto them. Make sure you don't cause them to trip. Do it lovingly. Do it compassionately. Help them restore them to the right way. And that is the first point I wanted to mention in this instructional teaching of Jesus Christ about the way of God's righteousness. He is dealing with other brethren, in fact dealing with other people, but specifically with brethren, make sure you don't offend. And make sure you don't condemn. Deal with them in a loving way and compassion. The second point of Christ's teaching in this section of chapter 7 is in verse 6. And in this, he's talking about his teaching or instruction about dealing with the unconverted. So the first section was dealing with people that are converted, that are in the church, particularly that way, but it applies to everybody, of course. So be careful you don't offend your brethren. But now in verse 6 says, do not give what is holy to the dogs. No cost your pearls before swine. Let's take trample them under defeat and turn and tear you in pieces. Now there's a little bit of Jewish poetry, right, because dogs tear. Peeps trample under defeat. So it's a little bit of poetry, because it's got...

Don't give something to the dogs. And then it says, don't cost your pearls before swine. So it's dogs and peeps. And then it says, for they trample, that's the swine, and tear you in pieces, that's the dogs. So you kind of crisscross a little bit, but it's part of Jewish poetry, you know, it's A-B-B-A type of thing, you know, so... But that's just a little bit of an interesting point. But the point is, as soon as you come into the church and you know the truth, I've got to go and convert everybody!

You know what they do? They tear you apart, or they stomp it all over the floor. I've got to tell them it's my friend! I've got this truth, it's so clear, it's so beautiful, I'm so excited, I'm going to tell my friends. And we all do it, brethren, that's why we're laughing, because we all have done it.

And so he says, you know God's truth, be careful while you share it with others.

Because look at what I've learned. We've got the Sabbath, we've got the Holy Dimes, we've got His plan, we're going to be God's holy people! And they tear you apart, they think you're mad! You see, your pearls, which is the invaluable truths that God has given you and I, are trampled on the feet.

Some people may just, oh well, not interested, and walk away from you, and they kind of cease to be your friends. Others may react and may cause real trouble to you.

So the pearls of the Kingdom of God, of the Gospel of the Good News of the Kingdom of God, they are pearls to individuals that respect the truth.

But to others, they'll try and harm you. So therefore, don't think that you can share God's truth with everyone. What we really need to share is the Gospel.

There's good news coming, and leave it there. And then if they ask more, as we heard in Su meinet, then give them the reason of your home that is in you. But don't ram it down their throat, because they're going to turn it against you.

So for instance, we could say, look, why things are going? We can see things are really accelerating. I mean, ten years ago, we could say, well, things are getting worse, but ever so slowly. I think that in the last few months, you can say things are getting worse, but they're getting faster, worse. They're accelerating. And you know what? It's an exponential thing. The worse it gets, the worse it gets even faster and starts accelerating. So it's going to blow up probably sooner than what you think. Probably sooner than what we think.

So it's time to be awake. So yeah, we share the gospel. There is good news of the wonderful world tomorrow coming when Christ will come and save this world. Oh, okay. And if they want to know more, then you tell them all.

You see, we don't understand John 6, 44. Turn with me to John 6, verse 44.

I mean, we read this, but it doesn't go inside. John 6, 44 says, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I'll raise him up at the last day. All you understand is that they do not.

They say, or they think they understand, but they don't really understand. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 2. And here is the reason why they don't understand. 1 Corinthians 2.

1 Corinthians 2. It was not really... 1 Corinthians 2. I was wondering if they looked right. I was looking 2 Corinthians 2. 1 Corinthians 2. I was going to start reading, and I said, no, that wasn't right. 1 Corinthians 2, start reading in verse 6. However, we speak wisdom amongst those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew, for had they known, they would have not crucified the Lord of glory. I think this is a real powerful scripture. I'm deviating a little bit from the topic, but had they known, they would have not killed Christ. That's why things had to be kept as a mystery, because had they not killed Christ, that's what Satan wanted, because we would not have a Savior. That's why at that last moment, the lost bird, Christ had to shut up, because then he opened the mouth and defended himself, that would have killed him. That's what Satan wanted! So he had to keep quiet. Verse 9, But as it is written, I have not seen nor you heard, nor have entered in the heart of men the things which God has prepared for those who love him.

You know, brethren, I sometimes hear people, I mean, we get some funny things coming into the home office. We got this one the other day, to come. Now look at this human reason. Look at this human reason. I'm maybe acting a little bit forgiving, but it's kind of humorous. This person says, I don't know in your church if you believe that the people should believe the Bible. Because you want them to just not study the Bible, or you want them to know the Bible. Now, if you want them to know the Bible, you should listen to what I said, because I had a vision and I worked it out when Christ's coming. What do you mean? Therefore, you should now get the people to listen to what I'm going to say, because I'm getting it from the Bible, I don't know exactly the date of Christ's coming.

It's just the argument, I'm sorry, I'm deviating, but it just shows the things which God has prepared for those who love him. Christ said, no man knows the date of the hour, just as well. Just as well, because how do we know the date of the hour 2,000 years ago? Everybody says, oh well, I've got to do nothing, I've got 2,000 years to go. I'm okay, Jack. And therefore, nobody's developing Godly character, because he says, oh well, we've got all the time in the world. So, there's God's wisdom in there, of course.

And you've got other people who say, well, I know how the new heavens and the new earth are going to be like. But you don't know, because he says, the things which God has prepared for those who love him has not entered our minds! What better than you can even begin to think or imagine?

Alright, but let us go on. Verse 10.

Certain things, not everything, certain things God has revealed to us through his Spirit.

So, God has shown us certain things that in his wisdom we as his people should understand today. So that we can be prepared for salvation. Because of things that will help us for salvation. Things that don't help for salvation, we just might not know. And you know, you get these people that work out dates and genealogies and this and that, and ooh, they just go on and on and on. And they may be right, they might not be right. Does it matter for your salvation? No, but you've got to be careful. Because our is our attitude of loving, where's our love? So we've got to be careful. These things are becoming divisive because people are very clever and things like that. But now it goes on. For what man knows the things of man except the Spirit of man, which is in him? You and I know the things of man because of the things of the Spirit of man in us. In other words, you can appreciate good music, like special music.

Maybe you enjoy Mozart, maybe you don't, but some people do. Some people enjoy other special music, or whatever. But you could play Mozart to a cow and she'll kick chew you. Because it does not have the Spirit of man in man.

You see, you understand those things because you have the Spirit of man in man. Likewise, it says, even so, no one knows the things of God except if you have the Spirit of God. It just is an ingredient in the human mind that is added when we receive God's only Spirit. That just causes us to spark and to understand certain things.

You see, people out in the world don't get it. And so when we go back to John 644, John 644, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws in, it requires that extra ingredient that God, through His Spirit, is working with that person, putting the Spirit around that person, and helping that person to see and say, Ha ha! Ha ha! But if somebody does not have that, don't throw the pearls to swine. Because they don't get it. They won't get it.

There's only one exception if the Father draws it. Only one exception, otherwise He doesn't get it.

Verse 45, It is written in a prophets, And they shall all be taught by God. Therefore, everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me to get Christ's teachings, being taught by the Son of God Himself.

And those people that God is calling will come willingly and will search the truth. You don't have to push it down their mouth, because they'll come.

Look at John 8, verse 45. John 8, verse 45. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Now, Christ was talking to some smart people these days. Pharisees that knew the law. And He says, Which would you convict me of sin? And if I tell you the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears God's words. Therefore, you do not hear because you're not of God.

Because God has not opened your mind yet. And because they didn't get it, they wanted to kill Christ, and they turned against Christ.

A little bit further in John 16. John 16, verse 1-4. These things have spoken to you that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God a service. And these things they will do to you because they have known. They have not known the Father nor me. But these things I've told you that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning because I was with you. Brethren, we are living in a lawless age. People are now rioting streets and causing problems. People are lawless, and they don't like commandment keepers. When it says, be wise as serpents, ominous as doves, it basically saying, persecution will come. But don't bring it upon yourself and ourselves.

So, let's go back to Matthew, chapter 7.

Do not give what is holy, in verse 6, to the dogs, nor cost your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under feet and turn and tear you in pieces. So, brethren, today we've looked at two principles from Christ's teachings about how to become more like Him in practicing applying the principles of being wise stewards and being wise people reaching for the kingdom of God. The next time I'll cover this, I'll go on to the next principles about dealing with God and with others.