Wesley's 10th Discourse
- Pastor Gary
- Mar 18
- 14 min read
Updated: Mar 27
We are beginning a new sermon series based on the Sermon on the Mount. As part of this we will also be studying Wesley's original sermons. These sermons are a part of the rich history and doctrinal teachings of Methodism.
Below you will find a study guide our small groups and Bible study groups will be using during this series. Also there is an Ai translated version of Wesley's original sermon to aid in your reading (Wesley's Quotes and key ideas are in bold). Also there is a preached sermon video from youtube if you are like me and find listening as a better avenue for the content.
Keep growing!
SERMON 30*
UPON OUR LORD’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT
DISCOURSE 10
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine; lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will give him a serpent? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good gifts to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” Matt. 7:1–12.
1. Our Lord has now finished the main point He set out to make. He has first laid out what true religion really is, and then carefully guarded it from the ways people twist it and empty it of its power. After that, He showed us how important it is to have the right intention behind everything we do outwardly. And now He moves on to something just as important—He begins to point out the main things that get in the way of this kind of life, and He ends with a strong and fitting call for us to respond.
2. In chapter five, our great Teacher fully described what inward religion looks like in all its parts. He showed us the kind of heart and character that make up real Christianity—the attitudes and inner life that form the holiness no one can live without if they want to see the Lord. These are the kinds of affections that grow out of a living faith in God through Jesus Christ. They are not just good in appearance—they are truly good in themselves and pleasing to God. Then in chapter six, He showed us how even our outward actions—things that may seem neutral on their own—can become holy and pleasing to God when they are done with a right and pure intention. Without that, He makes it clear, our actions have no value before God. But when they are done for Him, they become deeply meaningful and precious in His sight.
3. In the first part of this chapter, Jesus points out the most common and most dangerous obstacles to this kind of holiness. And then, in the latter part, He urges us—through several strong reasons—to push past those obstacles and to press on toward the life God has called us to live.
4. The first obstacle He warns us about is judging others. “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.” In other words, don’t take on a posture of judging others, because in doing so you invite judgment upon yourself. You bring condemnation on your own head. “For with the judgment you use, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” It’s a clear and fair principle—one that shows God, in a sense, allows us to set the standard by which we ourselves will be judged.
5. There is no season of life, and no stage in our walk with God—from the moment we first turn to Him until the day we are made perfect in love—when we don’t need this warning. Opportunities to judge others are everywhere, and the temptations come in countless forms. Many of them are so subtle and well-disguised that we fall into judgment before we even realize what we’re doing. And the damage it causes is hard to overstate. It always harms the one doing the judging, wounding their own soul and putting them under God’s righteous judgment. And often it harms others too—discouraging them, slowing their growth, or even leading them away from the path altogether. In fact, how often does this root of bitterness spread and affect many people, causing even the truth of the gospel to be spoken against, and the name of Christ to be dishonored?
6. And it doesn’t seem that Jesus is speaking only—or even mainly—to believers here. He is also addressing those who don’t yet know God. These people see others who are living out this kind of faith—people who are humble, serious, gentle, merciful, and pure in heart—people who are growing and pressing on toward deeper holiness. These lives are visible; they cannot be hidden. So why don’t those who see them respond by glorifying God and following their example? Why don’t they walk the same path? Instead, they often choose to criticize. They look for faults in others instead of dealing with their own. They stay so focused on where others are going wrong that they never step into the right path themselves—or if they do, they never move beyond a shallow, powerless form of religion.
7. That’s why Jesus says, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the beam in your own?” You notice the small flaws, mistakes, and weaknesses in others, but you ignore your own deeper condition—your lack of repentance, your pride, your self-will, your attachment to the world—things that shape your whole life. And beyond that, you move through life with a kind of careless indifference, as if you’re not standing near the edge of eternity. So how can you possibly say, “Let me help fix you,” when your own heart hasn’t been dealt with? Jesus calls this what it is—hypocrisy. You act like you care about others, but you’re neglecting your own soul. The answer is not to ignore others, but to start with yourself. Let God deal with your heart first. Turn from your sin. Humble yourself. Learn to seek God’s will instead of your own. Let go of your attachment to the world and find your joy in Him. Wake up to your true condition—that you are fragile, dependent, and in need of grace. And when that happens, you will finally be able to see clearly enough to help someone else.
8. But what exactly does Jesus mean when He says, “Do not judge”? What kind of judging is He talking about? It’s not exactly the same as speaking evil of someone, even though the two often go together. Speaking evil is talking badly about someone who isn’t present. Judging, on the other hand, can happen whether the person is present or not. In fact, it doesn’t even require words—it can happen entirely in our thoughts. But even then, not every negative thought about someone is sinful judgment. If I see someone commit a serious sin—like stealing or harming another person—or hear them speak openly against God, I can’t help but recognize that something is wrong. But simply recognizing sin is not what Jesus is condemning here.
9. The kind of judging Jesus warns us about is thinking about others in a way that goes against love. And this can show up in several ways. First, we may assume someone is guilty when they are not—we may assign motives, words, or actions to them that simply aren’t true. Or we may judge their actions as wrong when they are not actually wrong. Even when nothing in their behavior deserves criticism, we may still question their motives and assume the worst, condemning them in our hearts—while God, who sees everything, knows their sincerity.
10. But we don’t just fall into wrong judgment by accusing innocent people. We can also judge people who are actually in the wrong—but go further than we should. We exaggerate their fault. We lose both justice and mercy in how we see them. And this happens more easily than we realize, especially when our hearts are not shaped by deep, tender love. Without that kind of love, we tend to assume the worst. We magnify their failures, minimize any good in them, and begin to think that because we’ve seen something wrong in them, there must not be much right at all.
11. All of this reveals something important—it shows a lack of real love. Because true love “thinks no evil.” It doesn’t jump to harsh conclusions. It doesn’t build a whole story around one failure. Love doesn’t assume that one sin means a pattern of sin. And even if someone once lived a certain way, love doesn’t assume they still do. It certainly doesn’t start connecting dots that aren’t there, assuming other sins just because one has been seen. All of that kind of thinking belongs to the kind of judging Jesus is warning us about. And if we care about loving God—or even about the health of our own soul—we need to take this seriously and guard against it.
12. But even if we avoid those two extremes—condemning the innocent or exaggerating the guilt of the guilty—we still may not be free from this trap. There is a third way we fall into sinful judgment: when we form conclusions without enough evidence. Even if what we suspect turns out to be true, that doesn’t justify how we got there. We were never meant to assume—we were meant to know. And until something is clearly established, we shouldn’t pass judgment at all. Even when there is strong evidence, we are still not in the clear unless we’ve carefully considered it, weighed both sides, and allowed the person to speak for themselves. Even basic human justice teaches this—no one should be judged without being heard.
13. The truth is, we would fall into this kind of judgment far less often if we simply followed a wise principle that even people outside the faith have recognized. One man said, “I’m so cautious about believing what is said against someone else that I don’t even quickly believe what a person says against himself. I give space. I allow time. I encourage reflection.” That kind of posture slows judgment down. And honestly, it’s a challenge to us—because if those outside the faith can live that way, how much more should we as followers of Christ?
14. In fact, how different things would be if we simply followed the clear instruction Jesus already gave us: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” That’s step one—private, direct, and personal. If that doesn’t resolve it, then bring one or two others along—that’s step two—so that the situation is handled with clarity and accountability. And if that still doesn’t resolve it, then bring it to the church. At that point, you’ve done what you were called to do. The outcome is no longer yours to carry—leave it in God’s hands.
15. Now, let’s say you have done the hard work. By God’s grace, you’ve dealt with your own heart. The “beam” has been removed from your eye. You can now see clearly enough to help someone else. Even then, Jesus gives another warning—be careful how you go about it. Don’t harm yourself in the process of trying to help someone else. That’s what He means when He says, “Do not give what is holy to dogs,” and “Do not cast your pearls before swine.” Don’t rush to label people this way—but if it becomes clear that someone is not receptive, you need to use wisdom. Not every moment is the right moment. Not every person is ready for every truth. And if we ignore that, we can do more harm than good—both to them and to ourselves.
16. So when Jesus says, “Do not give what is holy to dogs,” He’s not telling us to write people off quickly. In fact, we should be very slow to make that kind of judgment. But when it becomes undeniably clear that someone is openly resistant—someone who has no desire for God and is actively opposed to what is good and true—then we need to use discernment. This is especially true when it comes to the deeper truths of the gospel. We are always called to share truth publicly, but in personal conversations, wisdom matters. Instead of forcing deep spiritual truths on someone who isn’t ready, we may need to meet them where they are—talking about things they can understand, like righteousness, self-control, and accountability before God. That is often the path God uses to awaken someone’s heart.
17. In the same way, when Jesus says, “Do not cast your pearls before swine,” He is again calling for discernment. Be very cautious about labeling someone this way—but if it becomes unmistakably clear that a person has no interest in truth, no desire to change, and even takes pride in their sin, then sharing the deeper realities of God’s kingdom may not only be ineffective—it may lead to them rejecting and mocking what they don’t understand. And sometimes, that rejection can turn hostile. This is not about withholding truth—it’s about recognizing when someone is not yet able or willing to receive it.
18. But even when people seem closed off—even when they resist, reject, or even push back against you—Jesus says there is still something you can do: pray. When every other effort fails, prayer remains. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.” One of the reasons we don’t grow as we should is simply because we don’t ask. Think about what could have been different in our lives if we had been more consistent in prayer—more humble, more patient, more loving. So start now. Ask God to do in you and through you what you cannot do on your own. Seek Him through His Word, through worship, through spiritual practices. Keep knocking—don’t give up, don’t settle, don’t grow weary. And the door will open.
19. Jesus repeats this promise to make sure we don’t miss it. “Everyone who asks receives… everyone who seeks finds… everyone who knocks will have the door opened.” This is not uncertain. This is not wishful thinking. This is a promise that stands firm. So don’t hold back. Don’t assume it won’t work. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. God is not ignoring you.
20. Then Jesus brings it even closer to home. He says, think about your own relationships. If your child asked for bread, you wouldn’t give them something harmful. If they asked for food, you wouldn’t trick them or hurt them. Even with our flaws, we still know how to care for the people we love. So how much more will your heavenly Father—who is perfectly good—give good things to those who ask Him? And ultimately, the greatest gift He gives is His Spirit—everything we truly need for life, growth, peace, and joy is found there.
21. But there is something important we cannot ignore—if we want our prayers to be effective, we must be living in love toward others. If we are holding onto bitterness, judgment, or lack of love, it blocks what God wants to do in us. So remove that barrier quickly. Strengthen your love for people—not just in words, but in action. And then Jesus gives us one of the clearest and most powerful summaries of how to live: “Do for others what you would want them to do for you.” This is the heart of it all.
22. This is what’s often called the Golden Rule. It’s a principle so clear that even those outside the faith recognize its wisdom. It speaks directly to the conscience. No one can knowingly break it without feeling that inner conviction.
23. And Jesus says this one principle sums up everything—“the law and the prophets.” Everything God has commanded can be traced back to this. If you truly understand and live this out, you are living the life God intended.
24. You can think of this rule in two ways. Negatively: don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to you. That alone would change so much—your thoughts, your words, your actions. Positively: actively do for others what you would hope someone would do for you if you were in their place. Put yourself in their shoes—and then respond accordingly.
25. For example, none of us want to be judged unfairly. We don’t want people assuming things about us or talking about our faults behind our backs. So don’t do that to others. Even when something is true, don’t bring it up unless it’s truly necessary for good. Let that guide how you think and speak about people.
26. On the positive side, we all want to be treated with kindness, fairness, and respect. We want people to help us when we’re in need. So live that way toward others. Let love, justice, mercy, and truth shape everything you do. Use what you have to meet the needs of others—even if it costs you something.
27. This is what real, practical holiness looks like. Live this way—and you will truly live. But we also have to remember something important: no one can live this way apart from God. No one can love others well without first loving God. And no one can truly love God without faith in Jesus Christ. Everything starts there. Faith is the root. So the invitation remains the same: believe in Jesus. Receive His grace. And as you do, that faith will begin to shape your life—it will grow into love for God and love for others. And from there, your life will increasingly reflect the kind of love you yourself have received.
Week 10 - Clearing the Beam
Walking in Mercy, Wisdom, and Trust
Scripture: Matthew 7:1–12
Wesley Text: Sermon on the Mount, Discourse 10
Introduction
By the time Jesus reaches this point in the Sermon on the Mount, He has already described what true holiness looks like on the inside (our hearts and motives) and on the outside (our actions and practices). Now, He turns to some of the greatest obstacles that keep us from actually living this way.
John Wesley reminds us that these are not small issues. Judging others, misdirected zeal, and prayerlessness quietly derail genuine faith. Jesus does not lower the standard—but He does show us a better way forward: humility before God, wisdom with others, persistence in prayer, and love that treats people the way we ourselves hope to be treated.
This week invites us to slow down, look honestly at our own hearts, and relearn how to live in grace with both God and neighbor.
GATHER
Purpose
To become aware of how easily judgment creeps into everyday life—and how it affects our relationships.
Personal Discovery
When you hear the phrase “Judge not,” what situations or people immediately come to mind?
Where do you notice yourself being most critical—family, church, work, social media, or community life?
How do you usually feel after judging someone—closer to God, or more distant?
Group Discussion
Why do you think judging others feels so natural, even for sincere Christians?
Wesley says judging harms both the one who judges and the one being judged. How have you seen this play out?
How does judgment differ from discernment or accountability?
GROW
Purpose
To understand what Jesus actually forbids, what He permits, and how prayer reshapes our hearts.
Summary
Wesley carefully explains that Jesus is not forbidding all moral discernment. We must recognize right from wrong. What Jesus condemns is unloving judgment—thinking the worst of others, assigning motives we cannot know, exaggerating faults, or condemning without evidence.
Jesus’ image of the beam and the mote confronts our tendency to fix others while ignoring our own spiritual condition. Real clarity comes only after humility. Only those who have faced their own sin honestly can help others gently.
Jesus also warns against misdirected zeal—offering deep spiritual truths to those who are clearly hostile or unready. Wisdom matters. Finally, He reminds us that prayer is not optional. Growth in holiness depends on asking, seeking, and knocking—trusting God’s goodness like a child trusts a loving parent.
All of this leads to the Golden Rule: treating others not as they deserve, but as we ourselves hope to be treated—an ethic rooted in grace, not self-righteousness.
Personal Discovery
Which type of judging described by Wesley do you most struggle with:
Condemning the innocent
Exaggerating the guilty
Judging without enough evidence
What “beam” might God be inviting you to deal with first in your own life?
How consistent is your prayer life when it comes to asking God to shape your heart—not just fix your circumstances?
Group Discussion
Why is humility a prerequisite for helping others spiritually?
How do we balance bold faith with wisdom when sharing spiritual truths?
What keeps people from asking God persistently for growth in holiness?
GO
Purpose
To practice holiness through mercy, prayer, and intentional love.
Take It Home – Mark of Holiness
This week’s mark of holiness is Merciful Wisdom—a life that refuses harsh judgment, seeks God earnestly, and treats others with grace.
Ask yourself daily:
Would I want to be treated the way I’m treating this person?
Scripture Readings for the Week
Monday: Matthew 7:1–5
Tuesday: Romans 2:1–4
Wednesday: James 1:5
Thursday: Luke 11:9–13
Friday: Micah 6:8
Saturday: 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Sunday: Matthew 7:12
Memory Verse
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” — Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
Prayer Prompt
Lord, show me where I have been quick to judge and slow to love.Remove the beam from my own eye.Teach me when to speak, when to wait, and when to pray.Make my life a reflection of Your mercy, wisdom, and grace.Amen.
