The third message in a series called “Not a Fan” was presented yesterday at the church I attend. This week’s message is titled “Following Jesus or Following the Rules” and can be watched at this link. All sermons are available by clicking on Pastor’s Podcast at this link: First United Methodist Church Waco.
Following Jesus is what changes the world. The Pharisees thought they had what was needed but everything they did was for show. They were not real but just pretenders. On the other hand, Jesus is real. He is God with us and our hearts can be transformed so we are committed followers. The rules of the Pharisees didn’t change the world but knowing God does and accepting His grace makes our burdens light.
Woe unto You, Scribes and Pharisees (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Below is an outline of the message. The words in black were prepared by the church staff and the words in blue are notes I included as I listened. Check out the Podcast and keep this question in mind as you watch: Am I just a fan or a completely committed follower of Christ?
1. FOLLOWERS CHOOSE THE HEART.
“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples, ‘The teachers of
religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the
Scriptures. So practice and obey whatever they say to you, but don’t
follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.’ ” – Matthew 23:1-3 (NLT)
Everything the Pharisees do is for show.
“You try to look like upright people outwardly, but inside your hearts
are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.” – Matthew 23:28 (NLT)
2. FOLLOWERS CHOOSE THE RELATIONSHIP.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You
travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he
becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.” – Matthew 23:15
The laws don’t change hearts but a relationship does.
3. FOLLOWERS CHOOSE LOVE OVER LAW.
“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple
it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he
is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or
the temple that makes the gold sacred?” – Matthew 23:16-17 (NIV)
The Pharisees kept the law but they forgot the law of love.
4. FOLLOWERS CHOOSE GRACE OVER GUILT.
“They crush you with impossible religious demands and never lift a
finger to help ease the burden.” – Matthew 23:4 (NLT)
What drives us is grace. The Pharisees crushed the people with impossible rules to follow. Jesus told them they were missing the key which is being real. It’s about a relationship with Christ and following so our burdens are light.
5. FOLLOWERS CHOOSE WHAT REALLY MATTERS.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You
give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cummin. But you have
neglected the more important matter of the law – justice, mercy and
faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting
the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a
camel.” – Matthew 23:23-24 (NIV)
God wants our heart.
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