The Pronouncements of the King Part 1

Matthew 23:1–12 NASB95

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. 4 “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. 5 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. 8 “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

How to Respond to False Teachers:

Matthew 23:1–2 NASB95

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;

matthew 23:

seat or “chair” of Moses. [“Chair” of the philosophy department]

1. Obey What They Say (3)

Matthew 23:3 NASB95

3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

Not obey their made up rules

Obey if what they are saying is biblical

2. Don’t Do What they Do (3-7)

A. Because They Lacked Integrity (3)

Matthew 23:3 NASB95

3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

B. Because They Lacked Sympathy (4)

Matthew 23:4 NASB95

4 “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.

Like a donkey loaded down with goods.

Psalm 51:6 NASB95

6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

C. Because They Lacked Authenticity (5)

Matthew 23:5 NASB95

5 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.

D. Because They Lacked Humility (6-7)

Matthew 23:6–7 NASB95

6 “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.

Ezekiel 34:1–10 NASB95

1 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? 3 “You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. 4 “Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. 5 “They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. 6 “My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them.” ’ ” 7 Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 “As I live,” declares the Lord God, “surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I will deliver My flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.” ’ ”

3. Be Servant Leaders (8-12)

A. Christ is Our Teacher (8)

Matthew 23:8 NASB95

8 “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.

B. God is Our Father (9)

Matthew 23:9 NASB95

9 “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

Not children calling their earthly father, “father”

C. Christ is Our Leader (10)

Matthew 23:10 NASB95

10 “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.

D. We Are Servants (11)

Matthew 23:11 NASB95

11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant.

E. We Will Be Exalted (12)

Matthew 23:12 NASB95

12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.