Keeping the Gospel Central: Avoiding Hypocrisy and Misplaced Zeal
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound message of the gospel and its centrality in our lives. We began by acknowledging the significance of Memorial Day, expressing gratitude for those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom, and ultimately, for the greatest sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. This set the tone for our exploration of Matthew 23:13-36, where Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees with seven woes, condemning their hypocrisy and misplaced religious zeal.
We delved into the heart of the gospel, emphasizing that our condemnation stems not from God's dislike of our actions but from our rebellion against Him. In our sin, we deserve hell, but God's immense love and grace offer us a path to redemption through Jesus Christ. Jesus, who lived a perfect life and died the death we deserved, rose again, providing salvation to all who put their faith in Him. This foundational truth must remain central in our lives and our church.
We examined the dangers of religious zeal without gospel knowledge, as exemplified by the scribes and Pharisees. They were so focused on their religious routines and traditions that they missed the essence of the gospel. Jesus condemned their hypocrisy, warning that such misplaced zeal can lead us astray and mislead others. We must guard against this by keeping the gospel at the core of our faith and actions.
Next, we discussed the importance of obedience to Jesus' teachings, grounded in the gospel. Obedience should not be about outward appearances or checking religious boxes but should stem from an inward transformation of the heart. Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees for their outward show of holiness while neglecting the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. We must strive to obey all of Christ's commandments, not selectively or superficially, but with genuine love for God and others.
We also explored the concept of selective, corrective, and neglective reading of Scripture. The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of manipulating God's word to suit their purposes, neglecting its true meaning. Jesus called for integrity in our words and actions, urging us to let our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no." We must approach Scripture with humility, seeking to understand and obey it fully.
Finally, we reflected on the importance of inward transformation. True repentance and faith produce an inward change that manifests in outward obedience. Baptism symbolizes this transformation, but it is the inward change that truly matters. We must ensure that our faith is genuine and not merely a facade.
In conclusion, we are called to keep the gospel central in all we do, allowing it to shape our zeal, obedience, and understanding of Scripture. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy and lead others to the true path of salvation through Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Centrality of the Gospel: Our condemnation is not due to God's dislike of our actions but our rebellion against Him. In our sin, we deserve hell, but God's love and grace offer redemption through Jesus Christ. This foundational truth must remain central in our lives and our church to avoid the pitfalls of religious routines and traditions that miss the essence of the gospel. [06:53]
2. Religious Zeal Without Gospel Knowledge: Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees for their misplaced zeal, which led them to miss the kingdom of God and mislead others. We must guard against this by ensuring our zeal is rooted in the gospel, not in religious routines or traditions. True zeal for God comes from understanding and experiencing the gospel's transformative power. [16:50]
3. Obedience Rooted in Inward Transformation: Obedience to Jesus' teachings should not be about outward appearances but should stem from an inward transformation of the heart. Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees for their outward show of holiness while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. We must strive to obey all of Christ's commandments with genuine love for God and others. [33:48]
4. Integrity in Reading and Obeying Scripture: The scribes and Pharisees manipulated God's word to suit their purposes, neglecting its true meaning. Jesus called for integrity in our words and actions, urging us to let our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no." We must approach Scripture with humility, seeking to understand and obey it fully, without selective or corrective reading. [27:28]
5. Inward Transformation Leading to Outward Obedience: True repentance and faith produce an inward change that manifests in outward obedience. Baptism symbolizes this transformation, but it is the inward change that truly matters. We must ensure that our faith is genuine and not merely a facade, allowing the gospel to shape our lives and actions. [40:03]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Memorial Day Prayer
[02:20] - Gratitude for Freedom and Sacrifice
[03:43] - Introduction to Matthew 23:13-36
[05:12] - The Question of Condemnation
[06:16] - The Good News of the Gospel
[06:53] - The Importance of Getting the Gospel Right
[07:43] - The Seven Woes Against the Scribes and Pharisees
[08:31] - Following the King: Obedience to Jesus
[09:20] - Don Carson's Insight on Western Evangelicalism
[10:00] - The Mennonite Generational Shift
[10:43] - The Periphery vs. The Core of the Gospel
[11:27] - Reading Matthew 23:13-36
[12:29] - Jesus Condemns Religious Zeal Without Gospel Knowledge
[15:09] - The Pharisees' Hypocrisy
[16:50] - Zeal Without Knowledge
[18:26] - The Goal of the Church
[19:03] - Persecuting God's Messengers
[21:03] - The Gospel Correction to Religious Zeal
[21:38] - Keeping the Gospel Central
[22:13] - Zeal Born Out of the Gospel
[23:07] - Jesus Condemns Selective Reading of Scripture
[23:39] - Selective Hearing and Corrective Hearing
[24:58] - The Pharisees' Manipulation of Oaths
[27:28] - Integrity in Our Words
[28:43] - Neglecting the Weightier Matters of the Law
[30:51] - The Gospel Correction to Selective Obedience
[31:50] - Major in the Majors Without Neglecting the Minors
[33:22] - Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
[33:48] - Outward Presentation vs. Inward Transformation
[35:00] - The Importance of Cleanliness Inside and Out
[36:18] - Whitewashed Tombs
[37:12] - The India Mission Trip Analogy
[38:43] - True Repentance and Faithfulness
[39:18] - The Picture of Baptism
[40:03] - Inward Transformation Leading to Outward Obedience
[41:38] - Escaping Condemnation Through the Gospel
[42:47] - Surrendering to Jesus
[43:25] - Keeping the Gospel Central in Our Lives
[44:24] - Avoiding Pharisaical Mindsets
[45:03] - Experiencing God's Grace Through Repentance
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 23:13-36
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the seven woes that Jesus pronounces against the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-36?
2. According to the sermon, why does Jesus condemn the religious zeal of the scribes and Pharisees? ([15:09])
3. How does Jesus describe the outward appearance versus the inward reality of the scribes and Pharisees? ([36:18])
4. What does Jesus say about the importance of integrity in our words and actions? ([27:28])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the need for the gospel to be central in our lives and church? How does this prevent us from falling into the same traps as the scribes and Pharisees? ([06:53])
2. How can religious zeal without gospel knowledge lead to misleading others, according to the sermon? ([16:50])
3. What does it mean to have an inward transformation that leads to outward obedience? How does this differ from merely following religious routines? ([33:48])
4. How does selective, corrective, and neglective reading of Scripture affect our understanding and obedience to God's word? ([23:39])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be showing religious zeal without truly understanding the gospel? How can you ensure your zeal is rooted in the gospel? ([16:50])
2. Think about your daily actions and decisions. Are they driven by an inward transformation of the heart or by a desire to appear holy to others? How can you shift your focus to genuine inward change? ([33:48])
3. Have you ever found yourself selectively reading or obeying Scripture to suit your own purposes? How can you approach Scripture with greater humility and integrity? ([23:39])
4. In what ways can you keep the gospel central in your life and avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy? Identify specific actions you can take this week to prioritize the gospel. ([06:53])
5. Consider the concept of integrity in your words and actions. Are there areas where you struggle to let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no"? How can you work on being more truthful and consistent? ([27:28])
6. Reflect on the importance of justice, mercy, and faithfulness in your life. How can you better embody these weightier matters of the law in your interactions with others? ([28:43])
7. Baptism symbolizes an inward transformation. If you have been baptized, how does your life reflect this inward change? If you haven't, what steps can you take to understand and experience this transformation? ([39:18])
Devotional
Day 1: The Centrality of the Gospel
Description: Our condemnation is not due to God's dislike of our actions but our rebellion against Him. In our sin, we deserve hell, but God's love and grace offer redemption through Jesus Christ. This foundational truth must remain central in our lives and our church to avoid the pitfalls of religious routines and traditions that miss the essence of the gospel. The gospel is the good news that Jesus, who lived a perfect life and died the death we deserved, rose again, providing salvation to all who put their faith in Him. This truth is the cornerstone of our faith and should be the driving force behind all we do.
By keeping the gospel at the forefront, we can avoid the dangers of becoming like the scribes and Pharisees, who were so focused on their religious routines and traditions that they missed the essence of the gospel. Jesus condemned their hypocrisy, warning that such misplaced zeal can lead us astray and mislead others. We must guard against this by ensuring that our zeal is rooted in the gospel, not in religious routines or traditions. [06:53]
Bible Passage: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you have been more focused on religious routines than on the gospel. How can you re-center your focus on the gospel in that area today?
Day 2: Religious Zeal Without Gospel Knowledge
Description: Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees for their misplaced zeal, which led them to miss the kingdom of God and mislead others. They were so focused on their religious routines and traditions that they missed the essence of the gospel. True zeal for God comes from understanding and experiencing the gospel's transformative power. We must guard against this by ensuring our zeal is rooted in the gospel, not in religious routines or traditions.
Religious zeal without gospel knowledge can lead to hypocrisy and a false sense of righteousness. The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of this, and Jesus warned that such misplaced zeal can lead us astray and mislead others. We must strive to understand and experience the gospel's transformative power, allowing it to shape our zeal and actions. [16:50]
Bible Passage: "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." (Romans 10:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your zeal for religious activities overshadowed your understanding of the gospel. How can you ensure that your zeal is rooted in the gospel moving forward?
Day 3: Obedience Rooted in Inward Transformation
Description: Obedience to Jesus' teachings should not be about outward appearances but should stem from an inward transformation of the heart. Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees for their outward show of holiness while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. True obedience comes from a heart transformed by the gospel, leading to genuine love for God and others.
The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of focusing on outward appearances while neglecting the weightier matters of the law. Jesus called for a deeper, inward transformation that manifests in outward obedience. We must strive to obey all of Christ's commandments with genuine love for God and others, not selectively or superficially. [33:48]
Bible Passage: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." (Matthew 23:23, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where your obedience has been more about outward appearances than inward transformation. How can you seek a deeper, inward change in that area?
Day 4: Integrity in Reading and Obeying Scripture
Description: The scribes and Pharisees manipulated God's word to suit their purposes, neglecting its true meaning. Jesus called for integrity in our words and actions, urging us to let our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no." We must approach Scripture with humility, seeking to understand and obey it fully, without selective or corrective reading.
Selective reading of Scripture can lead to a distorted understanding of God's word. The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of this, manipulating God's word to suit their purposes. Jesus called for integrity in our words and actions, urging us to approach Scripture with humility and a desire to understand and obey it fully. [27:28]
Bible Passage: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror." (James 1:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you may have selectively read or interpreted Scripture to suit your purposes. How can you approach Scripture with greater integrity and humility?
Day 5: Inward Transformation Leading to Outward Obedience
Description: True repentance and faith produce an inward change that manifests in outward obedience. Baptism symbolizes this transformation, but it is the inward change that truly matters. We must ensure that our faith is genuine and not merely a facade, allowing the gospel to shape our lives and actions.
Inward transformation is the key to genuine faith and obedience. The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of focusing on outward appearances while neglecting the inward change that comes from true repentance and faith. Baptism symbolizes this transformation, but it is the inward change that truly matters. We must strive to ensure that our faith is genuine and not merely a facade. [40:03]
Bible Passage: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Think about an area of your life where you may be focusing more on outward appearances than inward transformation. How can you seek a deeper, inward change in that area today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We don't stand condemned because God didn't like some things we did. We stand condemned because we chose to rebel against him and his way. In our sin, we deserve hell. But the good news of the gospel is that God and his great love and his great grace came after us. To make a way for us to be restored to him. So that we didn't have to have hell, but we could have heaven. We could be in his kingdom, restored to life, restored to his glory forever. He did that through becoming flesh. And taking on our sin. All upon himself. Living a perfect life that we can never die. But then in the great substitute, dying the death we deserve to die in our place. For our sin. And then having paid the penalty for our sin in full. He rose again on the third day. So that any who would put their faith in Jesus. Surrendering their lives to him. Would be saved. Would be restored to God. Would be able to escape being condemned to hell." [06:16]
2. "How can you escape from being condemned to hell? That's the question Jesus lays on the scribes and the Pharisees in the text we're going to be in this morning. How can you escape from being condemned to hell? If you have a Bible with you, let me invite you to turn with me to Matthew chapter 23, verses 13 through 16. And as you're turning there, I'll remind you that last week we saw Jesus speaking to the crowds and also to his disciples that were in the temple complex. He's been having this back and forth conversation with the religious leaders there in the temple complex, particularly the scribes and the Pharisees. And last week he called out their hypocrisy. And he was warning the crowds that were there and his followers to not... ...to fall into the temptation of the scribes and Pharisees to not become the hypocrites that they were." [03:43]
3. "It's what baptism's about. The Apostle Paul, he talks about it in Romans. How when we've been baptized in Christ, we've been buried, we've been buried with Him in His death. We've been raised in a new way of life, spiritually. That's talking about something that's happened on the inside. That we have in faith trusted in Jesus' life, in His death, in His resurrection, so that we've died to the old self. We've died to our sin. So that we could be raised up with Him to a new life. But the water baptism, what we just did, we put somebody under and bring them back up, that doesn't save anyone. That's just meant to be an outward picture of something that's happened inwardly. An outward profession that I have died to myself and I've been raised to new life." [40:03]
4. "I was in India on a mission trip. And it was just, it was crazy when we were there. This was in February of 2020, right before the coronavirus broke out. And it just so happened that the president was coming to tour India and he was only a few days behind us, okay? And so, if you've ever been to India, it's not the cleanest of countries. And I say that with as much respect as I possibly can. But it's dirty. Just trash laying everywhere. It's not really something they focus that much on. But because the president from the United States of America was going to be coming into town the day that we were at the Taj Mahal, he was three days behind us. There were people out there, workers on their hands and knees with little brooms, like sweeping up every little thing they could find to get. Picking up every little piece of trash. They were laying bricks on the side of the road in the best way that they possibly could. Why? Because they wanted to make it look like something because there was someone coming. But the reality is, that's not how it was all the time." [37:12]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Church, I want to say this morning. For our own sake and for the sake of others all around us. We must get the gospel right. We must get the gospel right. So that we don't fall into the temptation of the scribes and the Pharisees. To think that there are. Some religious things that we can do. To make ourselves right before God. To think that if we check the right boxes. And we go through the right motions. Then God has to let us in. We have to get it right for ourselves in that regard. But we also have to get it right so that we don't lead others astray. Giving them some sort of false sense of assurance. That if they do certain things then they're okay and can go to heaven." [07:43]
2. "Jesus condemns religious zeal without gospel knowledge. Right? It starts there in verse 13. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you don't go in. And you don't allow those entering to go in. Woe to you. You travel over land and sea to make one convert. And when he becomes one you make him twice as much a child of hell as you are. Think of the image here. That Jesus is using. A door. Right? And this isn't any door. This is the door. Into the kingdom of God. And the Pharisees and the scribes. They're standing right outside of it. Really right beside of it. Because we understand Jesus is the door. He uses that of himself in John. He calls himself the gate. I am the gate. Anyone who enters by me. Enters in. Right? He is the way. The truth and the life. He talks about Jesus is the door. The scribes and the Pharisees are standing right beside the door. And yet they refuse to go in. There must be another way. And not only will they not go in themselves. When others are walking toward that door. And about to walk through it. They say no, no, no. Don't go that way. Come with us. They shut the door in people's faces. Preventing them from going in." [15:09]
3. "Jesus condemns selective, corrective, and neglective reading of and obedience to the scripture. We often pick upon people, particularly, I don't know why, it's usually us men, for having selective hearing, like wives. Any of you wives have a husband who has selective hearing? Okay, a couple of you just don't want to, you're afraid of what might happen when you get home. But yeah, a couple hands went up, right? But what do we pick? They conveniently hear the things they want to hear and they choose not to hear the things they don't want to hear. That's at least the object of selective hearing, right? But now, we can't let the women off free on that. Because I think women have a way of corrective hearing, okay? I mean, it's a nice day outside and your husband comes up to you and says, isn't the weather beautiful? Why don't we go for a walk? And all of a sudden, what have you said, man? Why do I need to go for a walk? Are you calling me fat? They correct what you're saying. They read into it and want to interpret it in a different way than the actual words that come out of your mouth. And then there's the neglective kind of hearing where, like, I mean, I've done this before, but I pick on my kids with it. You tell them to go do something, they're like, I don't want to do that. And they just neglect what you tell them to do. But do you understand, this is exactly what Jesus is condemning the scribes and the Pharisees for doing when it comes to the Word of God. They're selective in what they choose to hear and what they choose to obey. They neglect, neglect some things while they choose to really press in and be scrupulous over others." [23:39]
4. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin. You're tithing these things, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law. Justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others. Blind guys, you strain out a gnat, but gulp down a camel. They were scrupulous when it came to giving their tithe. Even down to not just the big things, but to the smallest of herbs in the garden. They made sure to get a tenth of their mint and their dill, and their cumin, and give to that. Man, they were getting it when it came to giving their tithe right. And notice here, Jesus doesn't say that's wrong, by the way. Some of us don't even qualify to be Pharisees, right? He doesn't say it's wrong that they tithe. He says, you've actually got this part right. What's the problem, though, church? While they're making sure they're doing this, they're giving their tithe, they're scrupulous in this matter, they were neglecting the weightier matters of the law. In other words, they majored in the minor things, and then they neglected the major things." [28:43]
5. "We must get the gospel right, church. We must not miss the gospel in the midst of our religion so that we don't have zeal without gospel knowledge. Next we see Jesus condemns selective, corrective, and neglective reading of and obedience to the scripture. Jesus condemns selective, corrective, and neglective reading of and obedience to the scripture. We often pick upon people, particularly, I don't know why, it's usually us men, for having selective hearing, like wives. Any of you wives have a husband who has selective hearing? Okay, a couple of you just don't want to, you're afraid of what might happen when you get home. But yeah, a couple hands went up, right? But what do we pick? They conveniently hear the things they want to hear and they choose not to hear the things they don't want to hear. That's at least the object of selective hearing, right? But now, we can't let the women off free on that. Because I think women have a way of corrective hearing, okay? I mean, it's a nice day outside and your husband comes up to you and says, isn't the weather beautiful? Why don't we go for a walk? And all of a sudden, what have you said, man? Why do I need to go for a walk? Are you calling me fat? They correct what you're saying. They read into it and want to interpret it in a different way than the actual words that come out of your mouth. And then there's the neglective kind of hearing where, like, I mean, I've done this before, but I pick on my kids with it. You tell them to go do something, they're like, I don't want to do that. And they just neglect what you tell them to do. But do you understand, this is exactly what Jesus is condemning the scribes and the Pharisees for doing when it comes to the Word of God. They're selective in what they choose to hear and what they choose to obey. They neglect, neglect some things while they choose to really press in and be scrupulous over others." [23:39]
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