Woe to a Wow #1

Introduction: (Me)

Recap “The introduction to the Woe’s”

In order to understand the “Woe” we first need to understand the “Why.”

This leads us into the first Woe - (Vs 13)

PLEDGE

PASSAGE -

English Standard Version Chapter 23

23:1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,

2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,

3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,

6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues

7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.

9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.

11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.

PRAYER

13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.

Segway: (We)

I think I was about 15-16 years old. (Remember I told you I was not raised in the church.)

We went to church during a short period of time in my life. (It was a baptist church)

I have to admit I liked going to church at the time.

I remember one evening at the church a bunch of adults .... including my Step dad … was there and they were talking about the choir.

Someone made the recommendation that I sing in the choir.

I guess you had to join the choir!

Another person piped in and said, “Well he has not been baptised so he can’t sing in the choir.”

I was always taught that as a kid, when adults were talking you didn’t pipe in unless you were asked.

I wanted to say, “Hey I’m still in the room.”

This offended my dad and I to the point that I don’t remember us going back to that church.

I felt like I didn’t belong!

It wasn’t that I was not talented enough. (Trust me. I had heard some of them sing)

I didn’t meet up to their standard!

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong?

As a Christian we should make every attempt possible to make people feel like they belong.

There is a difference between making someone feel welcome and making them feel like they belong.

There is a difference between making someone feel welcome and making them feel like they belong.

What if when you see a new person come in to our church you go ask them to sit with you.

You personally take them out for lunch and you pay.

You give them your cell number.

You invite them to your small group.

You find out information about them so it could be given to the office so we can reach out to them.

Making someone feel welcome and making someone feel like the belong is totally different.

As a Christian we should make every attempt possible to make people feel like they belong.

Body: (God)

This is the very opposite of what the Pharisees and the scribes were doing.

This passage of scripture shows how the Pharisees and the scribes were conducting themselves.

First thing we need to notice is that Jesus is talking to the crowd.

His last question was to the Pharisees and Scribes but now he turns to the crowd to talk about the Pharisees and scribes.

He not talking to them, but about them! (Humor)

(Vs 2-3) Jesus acknowledges their position (their Job) but he states something very interesting .....

Do what they say but not what they do. Because they are not even living up to what they say.

Do you know people like this? (They talk a good talk but their walk doesn’t line up).

Are you like that!

If we say we are a church who wants to connect with Christ, grow closer to Him, and serve His Kingdom and our community.

...... OUR actions better emulate that. (No lip service)!

Jesus speaks about the Pharisees and scribes and calls them “Hypocrites.”

The definition of a Hypocrites is .....

Webster - 1: a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion 2: a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. (When you say your NOT mad but your actions say differently)

Cambridge - someone who says they have particular moral beliefs but behaves in way that shows these are not sincere.

Vs 4-12 Jesus point out the conduct of the Pharisees as being hypocritical. (Causing people to feel like the didn’t belong)

Jesus points out 3 area’s they were doing this ....

In Verse 4 we read, “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.”

4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

Causing people to feel like they will never measure up but at the same time not doing what they were requiring others to do. (Turn to your neighbor and say “I would call this Hypocritical”)!

What they had and what they desired was control. I would classify them as “Control Seekers.”

In verses 5-7 we see where they could also be classified as “Attention Seekers.”

(Vs 5) “They do all their deeds to be seen by others.”

Dress -

Phylacteries: The tefillin (Greek phylakteria, “phylacteries”) were small prayer boxes containing tiny copies of the texts of ; ; and 11:13–21, which pious men wore on one arm and as a headband. It was used as a reminder to prayer and piety.

The tefillin (Greek phylakteria, “phylacteries”) were small prayer boxes containing tiny copies of the texts of ; ; and 11:13–21, which pious men wore on one arm and as a headband. The wearing of these boxes probably developed as an overly literal application of and 11:18 and was used as a reminder to prayer and piety.

The zizith, or fringes on the prayer shawls, were used somewhat like later Catholic rosary beads, fingered and counted in order to keep track of various prayers recited. But for many scribes and Pharisees the phylacteries and fringes had become badges of status and opportunities.

The zizith, or fringes on the prayer shawls, were used somewhat like later Catholic rosary beads, fingered and counted in order to keep track of various prayers recited. Jesus himself apparently wore the prayer shawl (recall 9:21), but for many scribes and Pharisees the phylacteries and fringes had become badges of status and opportunities

This is what Jesus was making reference to.

They liked the nice tables at the fancy restaurants. The liked acknowledgement out in public of their position.

This leads us to the final classification for these Pharisees and scribes: they were “Title Seekers.”

Look at verses 8-10. They demanded to be called “Rabbi” “Father” or “Instructor”

All of this was done by the Pharisees and scribes to elevate themselves and causing others to never feel like they would live up to the standards.

The standard that not even the Pharisees could live up too.

Let me point out to you this morning.

The actions that Jesus shares with this crowd concerning the Pharisees is not of God.

Control Seekers

Attention Seekers

Title Seekers

So If jesus called them hypocrites it would be fair to say this .....

Hypocrite being the opposite of who you say you are, then .....

The Pharisees claiming to know God, work for God, speak on behalf of God.

Being a hypocrite means they are Godless.

Climax: (You)

Vs 13 means ....

You godless individuals!

You are causing people to feel like they will never measure up. And the fact of the matter is you are not living up to it either.

Pause

How can we make sure we never cause someone to feel like they don’t belong at Journey Church?

There at lease three things that this passage points out to us ...

Instead of being legalistic about things ..... Lets extend Love, mercy and grace.

Instead of saying, “THATS MY SEAT!” we would say, “Do you mind if I sit with you?”

Instead of saying, “Have a good lunch.” we would say, “would you like to go out for lunch sometime?”

Instead of saying, “look forward to seeing you next week. hope you come back!” we would say, “Here is my phone number. Would love to get together with you and your family sometime, Call me!”

Instead of waving goodbye, you invited them to your small group the following week.

How can we make sure we never cause someone to feel like they don’t belong at Journey Church?

there at lease three things that this passage points out to us ...

Let all the attention be on Christ and not us.

Let us always be Humble Servants.

Not seeking titles but seeking lost souls.

(PRAISE TEAM WILL MAKE THEIR WAY UP)

Conclusion: (We)

What if you became a person who’s goal in life was to make everyone you came in contact with feel like they were the most important person in the world (at that moment).

Better yet, what if we became a church who’s goal during the journey was to make everyone who comes through those doors feel like they are the most important people in the world to us?

Doesn’t that sound like Jesus?

This is how you change a woe to a wow!

Don’t be hypocritical ..... Be Jesus!

Don’t be Legalistic ...... be loving!

Don’t be seeking attention … be seeking someone to give attention to!

Don’t be title seeking … be seeking to help someone receive their title, “A Child of God!”

PAUSE:

If you are here this morning and feel a need to come and spend some time with the Lord I invite you to come.

I don’t know what the Lord is dealing with you about .....

It might be this message!

It might be a life situation!

What ever it is, I am asking the Praise team to come and lead us in a song while we take some time to pray.

AFTER TIME IN PRAYER!

Let’s not allow ourselves to ever become a church that Jesus would call Hypocrites.

Lets us become a church Jesus would be able to say, “These are my humble servants!”

Close with an upbeat song!