Exposing Religious Phonies, Part 2

There's nothing attractive about pumpers behavior arrogance turns us all, makes us feel small and especially so when someone who's overtly religious looks down his nose, condescending way. Well, the first century Pharisee were notoriously proud today on Insight for living. Chuck Swindoll recounts a scene in Matthew chapter 23 in which Jesus calls their bluff. In doing so he relieves those of us who carry any measure of spiritual and adequate Jesus said those who humble themselves will be exalted to title today's message exposing religious phonies would begin our father in heaven worthy of praise.

You alone deserve the glory. But there's this there's this nature within us that wants to siphon off some of that pre-enter bask in some of that glory even before we hear what you have to say through your word today. Please accept our confession that we are prone toward pride that we do watch out for ourselves that we care too much about what other people say and we are far more important to ourselves than we should be reminders that you take care of us.

You don't need us to watch out for ourselves. You are the one who lifts up and puts down. You don't need us to do that you were the one who makes decisions regarding promotions and emotions. You don't need us to manipulate our to fight it. Jesus Lord what it means to truly rest in your good plan and to rely on your arm of mercy. Help us to become so self forgetful that we serve others, and just as quickly as we began, we we forget the serving for we have done it for you.

Help us to be keen to those random acts of kindness help us to be very discerning to those moments when a word of encouragement is in order or an opportunity to affirm another deliver us from needing it for ourselves to just in the process of our growing up what it means to be a servant heart not to talk about it to put it on display, but to live it up was to live it was to be what your son so good being that is a giver of mercy help her of those in need. Thinking of that our hearts continue to go out to those who don't know where they'll sleep tonight who have a car to drive to heaven to a job, a place who are feeling like wanderers help him Lord in their helplessness somehow send along those who have big arms and great hearts that they might be lifted up and encouraged reminders when we slip in between the sheets tonight to give you thanks for bed when we sit on the table to give you thanks for food and money put a cold drink to our lips to give you thanks for something to drink. In the process of growing up Lord we we guard against taking for granted the simple things of life that are so important. I Lord, are our gifts are really coming from you because if it weren't for you we would never job we would make our income we would be able to be a part of what's known as generous believer because you are teaching us that find favor in our gifts today. We give them with great hope that they'll be useful to others in the process will learn to be less selfish ourselves to supply our every need, and we count on that today as we give and as we pray in the name of Jesus. Everybody said amen study the book of Matthew Chuck Swindoll sure to download his searching the Scriptures by going to Insight world.org/studies another message from Chuck titled exposing religious phonies. Matthew 23. Please observe that before Jesus begins his message we read that he was in front of crowds and his disciples sit in verse one, so there's a different agenda for the two groups versus one through seven. Literally versus two through seven or for the crowds and I suggest verses eight through 12, would be for the disciples.

Let's look at them a little more carefully. First, to the surprise of many who have heard my warnings to begin with, there were some things they were to practice and obey. That came from the Pharisees look first to the scribes and the Pharisees that is the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees who by the way, don't miss it really knew there Scriptures they really knew the Old Testament they spent their lives studying the Scriptures the law of Moses. The Psalms, the prophets, so he says the teachers of religious law in the Pharisees or the official interpreters of the law of Moses everything right about that. God drilled his law with his finger in the stone and Moses took the ball and gave it to the people, the people gave it then to the prophets the prophets pass it along. Ultimately to people like scribes and Pharisees, the official religious leaders who were to take the Scriptures and declare them everything right about that.

So he says of them. It's worth your time to hear what they are telling you to understand and obey the teachings of Moses.

That's what verse verse three as it begins is all about practice. He says practice and obey whatever they tell you what, that's a big contrast. You could hear the brakes screech verbally but don't follow their example.

They may deliver the truth from their lips as Moses has stated that they live a lie. They say one thing but they live another way. In fact, if I were to divide their the reason for not following them I would find three, three of them look closely.

Verse three says they don't practice what they teach, so there was a lack of integrity. If IT is one thing and then I go out and live another way, I'm a hypocrite I'm a phony. I may speak it well, but I don't live it well and he says because they do that don't follow them. They don't practice what they teach. Teaching is good there. Living is poor don't follow their example. So they lack integrity, the consummate hypocrites as a second look at verse four and you who have lived under legalistic teaching won't have any problem understanding this, they crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden look at those words. Their words are crushing in that they add to what Moses is written, and they make the words of a burden, so they lack sympathy.

They don't help you live the life that God tells us were to live third and don't miss this verse five.

Everything they do is for show what they do they do to be seen.

So there's a lack of humility did you get the three lack of integrity they don't carry out what they teach a lack of sympathy they burden you with the requirements, the do's and don'ts, and third is a lack of humility. Whatever they do they do to be seen there, dripping with self-importance and conceit and all my they love titles they love to be called Rabbi it was time for me to give you moment catch her breath. So let me tell you a story true story many, many years ago my ass to be in over 30 more years ago we were living in California I was a friend of a man who produced television broadcasts and and excellent television shows. He wanted to do a television talk show put together by randomly by four individuals who were not related to each other. They were different walks of the Christian life, and of all things. He asked me to be one of them and he asked another friend of mine to be one yes someone we had never none of us had ever met to be one of them represented a little school that he was the president of and Billy asked 1/4 individual who was not in ministry, but was a Christian layman and was great, great guy, but anyway when we got it was to be filmed in Dallas so we all were to catch our flight get to Dulles and then there we were to attempt to meet and the night before over the plan the next day filmed the two hour show one hour than the next with film that I so the one who produced the show said to a buddy of my buddy Ami said look like you to to me so-and-so at the plane. He's the he's the one who comes from another part of the country. I will mention the country on the part of the country and I just say I when we asked because you have a picture of them probably know who he is. He said all you know well that was interesting.

This was back in the days we would go all the way to the gate to meet the person coming off the plane. Remember those days and so we went all the way the gate we waited.

We waited and virtually everybody pretty much off the plane and we kept looking for Mr. Shotton and I and he didn't show up and finally let let's call him a shot truck shows up and he walks. He walks out, looking around, like where are those people was to meet me carry two bags look like they were maybe carried to small pianos and that that Lotta stuff love it to have a hat tie dark suit when I work like I he we didn't notice it right away, wander around the loop returned because someone would write.

I walked over to see what you must be Sam Slotkin said that Dr. Salk will force so he said here and he drops his baggies is to release.

I said well you know we we had little trouble finding you because we didn't know what you look like we never met before all really walk along. Tell me what does the president look like a want to say it sure looked like look like a jerk. Sound like a jerk more room with him. He wasn't sure you know in that night, of all things. Someone the middle night in order to Budweiser's and up and a basket of principles and have them delivered to his room. Middle and I can you imagine someone doing like that on that got he was really hot to be tied.

What was he mad next morning.

Anyway, we had fun doing it. If you what I am restraining right now you would be so proud classic example but was imported to shock was shot not you never not the producer not the program was all about him and don't you forget total blind spot to not to tell you when I went to bed around three I began to think MMI anywhere near God help me if I ever get anywhere near disease is another or he does have someone during the telling wondered about his wife and would she's going to go through to put up with in his kids in the school you see when you think through this enough you realize this is in a message for someone else. This is to you and me.

Which is why he speaks to his disciples very carefully. His followers is what we are hopefully work were followers of of Jesus and he says to us, don't let anyone call you have the idea I see it like that. Is it nothing again wrong with the title or even if you earned her doctorate in your and that's what you're known for that spot. Don't don't don't expect that telling the young men and women. The seminary brought often have the privilege of speaking and I say to them. We all admire the fact that you work hard to get this degree is a tough degree and and we all admire the work you do and ultimately that that piece of paper that states your graduate. Now you you get that paper in the very next thing to begin to work on is to get over it. Get over it. No one will ever ask about your GPA. No one will ever ask about how well you did school nobody cares what you your entering into a world where you give yourself up for your really exalting someone else who wound up on the cross so don't correctly for what title they call you. Just be grateful because you what he means when he says this in in in other words, let me put this week Sean pretentious titles Sean pretentious titles. Don't let anyone do that part for you have only one teacher in your all equal as brothers and sisters all of us remember that there is no status there is no rank in the Christian life I will never forget going. It's a wonderful visit. I had with the former Hebrew professor and I said in his office because I was struggling with a particular interpretation out of Proverbs that I knew Dr. Mulkey would know and would be able to give me counsel on he could eat study Proverbs and only could read it from the original text backwards. He really knew the text and he really knew God and he really had a walk with you. So I said in his in his office after I graduate I was pastoring a church in Dallas area. It really was Irving and and I went in to see human. He said to me what's on your mind shock as it will Dr. Mulkey Iva I've come to the section Scripture not get rid teach the next several Sundays but I don't find it in any of the books that I would normally do my research and I'm a little uneasy that I may not interpreted incorrectly. Similarly hear your interpretation. So I gave it to it little bit of fear and trembling because of talkative you know Bruce walking and yet he was as gracious as he could be. He listened like this when he looked at you look like is look at the back your cranium right through your eyeballs never took his eyes all and not when I finished my exclamation and he asked a couple questions. How did you come to this.

What was it that led you to that that is unique though that is a nice word unique I and then I said well you know Dr. Mulkey are on. I know this is really different and I really respect your opinion.

He said stop right there. Shock. There are no popes in the body of Christ. Never forget that final final authority.I teach.

I mess around and in the languages and all of them love it that you would come talk with me while I would say to you if the Lords told you this, you better preach it you better teach that with the Lord showed it was said to be is one Lord, and I thanked him and put his arm around me and he said I know I thank you for coming.

Talking with that.

The following Sunday was everything I could do not to quote Bruce walking as saying you know he's approved.

That's what I didn't do that. He did give me permission and I'm not sure he would approve, but I need his approval.

What I need is the assurance of the Holy Spirit that this is what God would have me to clear, and I must be careful how I came to the conclusion in the way I work my way through the text, then I'm sure of that and the language lends itself in that direction – I should declare fully acknowledging its my interpretation gracious at what and there was no pretension whatsoever. Someone told me the other day. He saw Dr. Wolk. It's been years and years and years and years since I've seen them and I said I was a decent same guy, gracious as ever. That one after all these years. Same gracious Chuck Swindoll seminary demonstrated the meaning of this passage. There's no rank in the Christian life. No hierarchy. We are all equal, as brothers and sisters in Christ. This is insight for living and Chuck Swindoll's teaching from Matthew chapter 23 he titled today's message exposing religious phonies. It's a topic will address again on the next program and learn more about Chuck in this ministry.

Please visit us online@insightworld.org if you like to explore this subject further. Right now I remind you every sermon Chuck delivers is complemented by searching the Scriptures study notes. This resource is free and design so you can type your own notes right into the online document or feel free to download the document and email it to your friends to access the searching the Scriptures guide for checks daily teaching go to insight.org/studies during today's message Chuck talked about his careful approach to studying God's word clearly this discipline. This process isn't something that only pastors do because every one of us is invited to reflect on the beauty of God's truth in that spirit, Chuck is written the 30 day devotional for you. It's called God's word for you. The subtitle explains more. It's an invitation to find the nourishment your soul needs to purchase a copy of this devotional from Chuck to find all the details and insight.org/office and finally, as we conclude today's program I'm inviting you to become one of our monthly companions. The steady financial support of our monthly companions has accelerated our pursuit of an audacious God sized dream that is to bring insight for living to 195 countries of the world. We refer to this mission is vision 195 to become a monthly companions you can have the ministry of your own by participating in vision 195. Sign up right now, it's listening in the US dial one 800-7728 or go to insight.org/month and then I want to give a special shout out to my good friend Wayne Sheppard fill in for me while I recovered from losing my voice very good man, Wayne, thanks so much and I'm glad to be back your host everything travelers want to take a tour to Israel have lots of choices, but if you measure up to the thoughtful journey prepared by insight for living ministry with the proper mix of historical information and biblical context. We provide ample opportunities to pause and let the wonder. Our goal is to create special moment when you deepen your love for the Bible and draw closer to your ward experience an unforgettable 12 day tour to Israel with Chuck Swindoll insight for living ministry March 6-17, 2022. To help you grasp the significance of each slight you will be accompanied by handpicked Israeli guidance and we choose the best, along with seminary trained pastors and professors to enhance your spiritual journey. No organization. I know offers this level of exceptional in depth instruction and personal care for holy land travel, learn more, call 1-888-447-0444.

Just imagine walking along sacred sites and watching the Bible the line make your reservation by calling 1-888-447-0444 or go to insight.org/events insight for living ministries tour to Israel is paid for and made possible by only those who choose to attend. I'm Dave Speicher. Be sure to join us again Tuesday dear insight for living with Chuck Swindoll the preceding message exposing religious phones was copyrighted in 2017 and 2021 and the sound recording was copyrighted in 2021 by Charles R.

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