Matthew 23:2, 3
"The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do."
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The sermon this past Sunday was based on the 23rd chapter of Matthew and these second and third verses really sum it up. Jesus was calling out the scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites and was saying to "do what they say but do *not* what they do".
Our pastor listed out several things that if you do them you might be a hypocrite (kind of the same vein of Jim Foxworthy's "You might be a red-neck if...") :) OK, here they are:
- you don't practice what you preach.
- you expect more of others than yourselves.
- you only do good for a pat on the back.
- you think you deserve the very best.
- you deny it because you haven't experienced it.
- you act the devil and pray like an angel.
- you win people to church instead of to Christ.
- you sweat the small stuff and miss the big stuff.
- you obsess on the outside but neglect the inside.
- you say, "it's not me!" When it is you.
- you expect more of others than yourselves.
- you only do good for a pat on the back.
- you think you deserve the very best.
- you deny it because you haven't experienced it.
- you act the devil and pray like an angel.
- you win people to church instead of to Christ.
- you sweat the small stuff and miss the big stuff.
- you obsess on the outside but neglect the inside.
- you say, "it's not me!" When it is you.
I was convicted of several of these including sometimes not practicing what I preach. We continually need to check our motives for what we say and do and be sure we are doing everything for His glory. We also need to ensure we are not doing things in our strength but putting on the righteous of Jesus and relying on him. And finally we need to simply rest in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and trust that he will work in us.
...and don't forget to love God with all your heart, love others as He does, and use every minute for His will and to His glory!
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Family Update: Kay and I finalized most of our California vacation plans this past weekend. We are really looking forward to a great family time together, including time with Scott and Gina in LA! We are also looking forward to spending a long weekend this weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Rudy when they visit us in Virginia. And I am going to the US Open on Friday so look for me in the gallery!
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