The Hard Teachings of Jesus – Who Can Know the Heart of Man?
Pastor Tan Thai · Nov 28, 2021
This sermon expounds Matthew 7:6 on not casting pearls before swine, arguing it is not an insult to unbelievers but a teaching about humanity's natural tendency to prioritize material things over spiritual truth. The message emphasizes the necessity of spiritual rebirth to perceive the true value of the Gospel, and calls believers to share it with wisdom and gentleness.
This sermon, preached on Sunday November 28, 2021, focuses on Matthew 7:6 within the broader context of the Sermon on the Mount. The pastor raises the apparent contradiction between the command not to judge in verse 1 and Jesus' use of dogs and pigs in verse 6. He argues this is not an insult to unbelievers but rather a rebuke directed at those who fail to feed animals appropriately, making it a teaching about wisdom in sharing truth rather than a license to despise others.
The first section explores humanity's natural disposition in its unregenerate state. The pastor uses illustrations from the natural world to show that every creature responds according to its nature. Though humans are uniquely created in God's image and possess an eternal soul, in their natural state they prioritize material things and disregard spiritual realities — just as pigs cannot recognize the value of pearls. Philippians 3:18-19 is quoted to illustrate this: 'their god is their stomach.'
The second section addresses the new birth that every person needs. The pastor compares two parables involving pearls in Matthew 7:6 and Matthew 13:45-46, showing two completely opposite responses to the same pearl — the Gospel of the Kingdom. Those living according to natural instinct follow Christ only if He satisfies material needs, while the reborn person joyfully sells everything to receive it. The pastor cites theologian Dallas Willard and Colossians 2:3 to emphasize that Jesus Himself was the greatest treasure cast before humanity and trampled on the cross, fulfilling the imagery of Psalm 22.
The third section draws practical lessons about wisdom in evangelism. The pastor argues that if listeners respond negatively to the Gospel, the fault lies not with them but with the one who shared it without sensitivity. He cites 1 Peter 3:15 to call for witnessing with gentleness and respect, without pre-judging listeners, because only when grace is shown as Christ showed it can others be led to genuine faith.
The sermon concludes with a call for each person to examine whether they view the Gospel from a material or spiritual perspective. The pastor urges every listener to seek the Holy Spirit's illumination to recognize the infinite value of salvation in Jesus Christ, as Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17-18.