FAILING LEADERSHIP

Matt 23:1-12; 23-28

Jesus publicly condemns the Pharisees (23:1–12).

1. The wickedness of these men (23:1–7)

a. They do not practice what they preach (23:1–3).

b. They place heavy burdens upon the people (23:4).

c. They do everything for show (23:5, 7).

d. They demand to occupy the place of prominence (23:6).

2. The warning against these men (23:8–12): Jesus warns that whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted!

The idea in the text is that Goal of spiritual leadership is to not seek titles or prestige

Rabbi or Teacher

Father

Instructor/ Leader

Fourth judgment (23:23–24)

a. “You are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law—justice, mercy, and faith” (23:23).

b. Micah 6:8

“You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat; then you swallow a camel!” (23:24).

5. Fifth judgment (23:25–26): “You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!”

6. Sixth judgment (23:27–28): “You are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.”

o Leaders that look the part, but in reality, its all smoke and mirrors

§ Leaders present as if they are righteous, but really, they are twice as wicked because they condemn others for what they secretly do.

§ Leaders do this because they desire the Glory so they tear others down who are not apart of their system(s) that exalt them

§ This is why they are extremist and legalistic, it puts the focus on works not the Grace of God

· Leaders and people create one sided systems where only the owners of the systems can win

§ This is why Mercy and True Justice is difficult and dispensed inappropriately

· Hebrews 10:1-18

· The Goal of the Law was for man to recognize his sinfulness in light of a most Holy God. In return for forgiveness of Sin, Man his humbled towards God and demonstrate this towards his fellow man offering the same blessings that he himself has received.

· Romans 3:20-26

§ This is what he means we he says they don’t enter in and they don’t allow others to enter. The Mercies of God are new ever morning

§ Lamentation 3:22-23

§ Psalms 32:1