Dear Explorer,
We started this discussion yesterday on Jesus' complaints about the Pharisees practices and will continue with it. We are specifically trying to determine what Jesus is teaching us as followers today. Please review yesterday's lesson to refresh your mind if you don't remember it.
Read Matthew 23:23-36
What is the point found in Matthew 23:23-24? Please summarize in your own words.
#4 Point: Don't major on the minors. Very similar to #3 but involves priorities. When you begin to focus on minor things, your priorities get all messed up so that the most important things are neglected.
When I was in college, many of my friends would stay up for hours and debate whether the rapture (2nd coming of Jesus) would be before or after or in the middle of the tribulation period. Yet, many were not as diligent when it came to obedience in other areas of following Jesus.
At our last church in California, the elders were careful to keep our focus on leading men and women to follow Jesus – not getting distracted by controversial or divisive topics. We need to be careful that we don't prioritize the wrong things.
What is the point found in Matthew 23:25-26? Please summarize in your own words.
#5 Point: Sometimes we are more interested in appearances than in our obedience. If we are not being obedient – it doesn't matter how much we decorate the outside or pretend to be spiritual. God sees the core!
If you are dealing with unconfessed sin, sinful habits or addictions, you need to step down from leadership and seek help and healing from God before returning to ministry or leadership.
There are some church leaders who are dealing with huge sin burdens but continue to try to serve God in their own strength. Sin cuts off your power source so that you cannot hear the Holy Spirit guiding you. Your leadership then becomes powered only by SELF and is not only ineffective, but actually harmful!
What is the point found in Matthew 23:27-28? Please summarize in your own words.
#6 Point: I think Matthew 23:27-28 address being empty at the core and pretending or trying to appear to be filled.
What point is found in Matthew 23:29-36? Please summarize in your own words.
#7 Point: I think that Jesus is saying that you need to take the opportunities that God gives you to learn truth. Don't turn your back on this opportunity to invite Jesus into your core. You can't re-do the past, but you have today.
Matthew 23:30 has a phrase that I will warn you about. Don't ever think that you are too smart or mature to fall into sin. Satan is stronger than you are, and he will defeat you in amazing and very embarrassing ways. Our only protection is to keep our focus on Jesus and stay in a position of obedience.
Read Matthew 23:37-39
At the close of this sermon, Jesus shows his compassion and love for the Jewish people. His desire is that all would come to Him. Jesus has already predicted that Jerusalem would be destroyed and many, many of these people who were standing there rejecting Him, would die.
In Matthew 23:37, why does Jesus say that He couldn't take the people under His wings and protect them?
It's your choice. You alone must choose whether to invite Jesus into your life. Then it will be your decision whether to obey His instructions or not.
In His service, dale
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