#2: Peacemakers Get the Log Out of Our Own Eye
Matthew 7:1-5 – Victory Fellowship
December 7, 2025 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
Second Sunday of Advent
I. Introduction: (Review)
a. Jesus – the Prince of Peace
i. He calls us to be Peacemakers as well.
b. (Ken Sande) Peacemakers 4 points for Conflict Resolution:
i. Glorify God: How can I please and honor God in this situation?
ii. Get the Log out of Your Own Eye: How can I show Jesus’ work in me by taking responsibility for my contribution to this conflict?
iii. Gently Restore: How can I lovingly serve others by helping them take responsibility for their contribution to this conflict?
iv. Go and Be Reconciled: How can I demonstrate the forgiveness of God and encourage a reasonable solution to this conflict?
c. This 2nd Sunday of Advent we will focus on #2: Get the Log out of our Own Eye: How can I show Jesus’ work in me by taking responsibility for my contribution to this conflict?
II. RELATING THE TEXT:
a. Ken Sande talks about what he calls “the Golden Result” which is like the Golden Rule in that people will usually treat us in the same way we treat them.
i. Grumpy, kind, selfish, generous, open, forgiving, critical, encouraging, gossip about them, judgmental toward them.
b. Jesus wants believers to avoid premature and improper correction with other believers.
c. Please note – Jesus does not say to NEVER confront a believer about their sin. We just need to make sure we have addressed our own faults and sin before we approach others. Get the log out of our own eye first.
d. Christians may have conflicts over material or personal matters between each other.
e. The way we “get the log out of our own eye” is to examine what contribution we may have had in the conflict we want to address with another.
i. We may be at fault because we have an overly sensitive attitude.
ii. We may be at fault because of our own sinful behavior.
III. APPLICATION:
a. We are proactive at removing the log in our own eye when we either OVERLOOK the offense against us, and/or we CONFESS our contribution to the conflict.
b. Overlooking the Offense: Ask ourselves, “Is this really worth fighting over?”
Proverbs 19:11 A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression. 17:14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. 1st Peter 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Ephesians 4:2, 32 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
i. This is not a passive action that we just add the offense to our “toolbox” to be taken out and used against them later.
ii. It is an active process that we invoke God’s mercy and forgiveness and let it go.
iii. We willingly relinquish our “rights” for the sake of the relationship and to Glorify God.
iv. We count the cost of engaging in or continuing the conflict
c. We CONFESS our part in the problem
Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. James 4:1-3 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 1st John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
d. The Seven A’s of Confession:
i. Address everyone involved
ii. Avoid the little words that kill a confession (if, but, maybe)
iii. Admit specifically the wrong you did
iv. Acknowledge the hurt caused
v. Accept the consequences
vi. Alter your behavior
vii. Ask for forgiveness (allowing time to heal)
IV. CONCLUSION:
a. I’ve always taught my children that it’s the second harsh word that starts the fight. (Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.)
b. We can avoid a lot of conflict in our lives if we will trust God enough to overlook a lot of offences and to confess where we are wrong regardless of what the other party does.
c. We should change. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can change.
PRAYER
SONG: Manger Throne
Matthew 7:1-5 NLT “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
