Matthew 7:1

Where did we get the Bible?

The New Testament is composed of 27 books.

The Old Testament is made up of 39 books.

These books are recognized as the New Testament and Old Testament Canon.

Criteria for New Testament Canonization:

• The authors had a direct connection to the Apostles.
• The books had to align with the teaching of Jesus and salvation.
• The books had to have wide acceptance in the early church.
• The early church leaders had to believe the books were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
• The books had to demonstrate spiritual guidance.
• The books had to be recognized as being accurately attributed to the authors they claimed.
• The books had to contain historical events and context consistent with known events in the early church.

Chapter divisions were introduced around 1227.

The verses were added 300 years later.

We must be careful standing on a verse or claiming a verse in faith.

Some of the key verses areJohn 3:16 and2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Matthew 7:1

Matthew 7:1-6

The Warning –Matthew 7:2

• What is the measure of our words?
• What is the intent of our words?
• The goal of the Kingdom is restoration first of all.

Self-Examination –Matthew 7:3-4

• Jesus calls anyone tempted to judge another to start with self-examination.

Should we condemn all judgment?

The Helpfulness of Judgment –Matthew 7:4-5

• Jesus tells us to get the log out of our eye; then we can help others.
• The Bible condemns gossip, slander, backbiting, divisiveness, unkindness, selfishness, harshness, meanness, and hatefulness.

Jesus gives us a process for talking to someone who is causing offense.

• Get the log out
• Go to them personally in love
• Go with someone else
• Go to the church

Judgment is included as shown in1 Corinthians 5:9-13

Matthew 7:6 is a tough statement.

We are called to be evangelists.