Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

THE MOTE AND THE BEAM

1. Our Saviour was a Realist:
   1. In His life,
   2. In His teaching,
   3. And in His ability to read character.
2. Our opening text proves my point:
   1. His standard is lofty and He admits no compromise.
   2. Yet He deals gently with the erring.
   3. And He urges a similar line of conduct upon the disciples.
3. He came not to judge the world, but to save it:
   1. He bids us not to judge one another.
   2. While we are to be severe with our own selves.

1. To pass judgment upon others is, saying the least, very dangerous:
   1. We are not capable to judge right,
   2. Because we cannot read the heart or mind and are most apt to fail in our judgment.
2. But, perhaps, the deeper reason for our inability, lies in the fact that when we pass sentence upon others we may be the ones deserving it:
   1. We, ourselves, are encumbered with many infirmities at best - Jas. 3:1-9
   2. If we are guilty of the same failing, we have no right to be severe with those who may fail also - Rom. 2:1-23!
   3. Think of the judgment that overtook David - 2 Sam. 12:1-7
   4. Or consider the judgment that overtook Felix the Judge - Acts 24:25
3. The Mote and the Beam:
   1. The Mote is a very tiny speck, hardly noticeable.
   2. The Beam is a great plank by comparison.
4. The simile teaches this striking lesson:
   1. The fellow that has a Beam, or plank, in his eye is totally incapable to see sufficiently to pass a correct judgment.
   2. His vision is blurred.
   3. That was the difficulty of the Pharisees -- they were blind to their own sinful conditions - EXAMPLES -
      1. Look at the scene as recorded in John 8:1-9. Those hypocritical Pharisees were guilty of the same sin they charged the woman with.
      2. Think of their condition morally - Matt. 23:1- 33
      3. Even Peter fell short of the glory of God at certain times - Gal. 2:11, 12

1. Our mission is not to judge the world, but rather to do our best to save it:
   1. Our own faults are apt to blind us to judge the shortcomings of others.
   2. We will do much better if we look into our own life and discover our own needs.
2. The words of our opening text are to the point and should be heeded by all:
   1. Because it is possible that Satan will keep us busy to discover the specks in others and he will let us forget the beams in our own lives.
   2. Let judgment be to Him, who knows the intents of the heart and who will judge with equity and truth.