Authentic Christianity: The True Definition of Humility (Matthew 23:1-12)

Introduction

Passage: Matthew 23:1-12

Point #1 (State & Restate)

To live the authentic Christian life we must recognize the greatness of God.

To be the greatest disciple of Jesus we must recognize that God is supreme and we’re not. We follow God’s standards to please him, not ourselves

Explanation

In this passage, Jesus is talking to the crowds and his disciples and warning them about Scribes and Pharisees. In fact, it’s as if He did His best Patriots impersonation, and stole the opposing teams playbook.

Up to this point, the Scribes and Pharisees hated Jesus.

Illustrate

Point # 2 (State & Restate)

To be the greatest disciple of Jesus we must humbly serve our brothers and sisters. Regardless of our position or status, we must put other people’s needs before our own.

Explanation

Illustrate

Conclusion

What is my theological/homiletical question? What problem am I trying to solve? (What is the main issue of the text? How does this passage solve that problem or answer that question)

How do you overcome hypocrisy?

How do you become great?

How do you live as an authentic Christian?

Read Matthew 23:12

Answer why Jesus said this and to who he said it to

Jesus and the Pharisees

This passage is an explicit renunciation of their religiosity (Matt. 23:1-36)

Prior to this message, Jesus shared with the audience, including the pharisees and scribes, 3 lightly veiled parables about the scribes and pharisee’s.

The parable of the two sons (Matt. 21:28-32)

The parable of the tenants (Matt. 21:33-44)

Provide a short summary of these parables

They were lightly veiled parables about the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees. The Scribes and Pharisees understood that Jesus was condemning them. Matthew 21:45-46 says, “” [read the passage]

This was the same crowd of people that Jesus was speaking to in Matthew 23:1. [They believed He was a prophet, not necessarily the messiah].

Not that Jesus needed body guards, but they were like body guards, making sure that no one would touch Jesus.

Sidenote, this is why they had to take Jesus at night; they needed to get him away from the crowd because they feared the crowd would have protected him and turned on them.

This was not the first time that Jesus publically chastised them. In Matthew 6, the sermon on the mount, Jesus warned the crowds to be aware of the hypocrites because they practiced their righteousness to be seen and heard by others instead of seeking an audience of One; God. He said in Matt. 6:5 that they had their reward in full.

His disciples, on the other hand, were to do things to please God, whether seen by other people or not, and God would reward them at the proper time, in heaven.

Matt. 6:6, 18-21

1 Peter 5:5-6

During this passage, Jesus states a grocery list of things about the scribes and Pharisees.

They preach, but do not practice

They tie heavy burdens on people and do nothing to help them

Contrast this to Jesus in Matt. 11:28-30

They do all of their deeds to be seen by others

They broaden their phylacteries and extend their tassels (or fringes)

Interestingly enough, the phrase, “heavy burden” has the implication or meaning of oppression.

They would charge people, for example, money for sacrifices, something people needed to worship God. Jesus, in Matt. 21:12-17, responded to this perversion by flipping over the tables and proclaiming that God’s house would be a house of prayer, not a robber’s den.

Phylacteries were their scripture memory packets. It was a small box that Jews would wear on their arms and heads to remind them that God was their liberator from Egypt and they should keep the law to serve Him.

The Tassels on the fringes of their robes were to serve as a reminder of the 10 commandments.

In Matt. 22:36-40, the scribes tried to trick Jesus by asking, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus in response surprised them by giving them two, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

In summary, those tassels symbolized to love God and love others.

John 15:13 says, []

Romans 5:8 says, []

James 2:14,17-18 says,

The point is this God demonstrated His love for us. It was an act of love, an action. He demonstrated his love, we demonstrate our faith in God by our actions.

Yet, the Pharisees failed to do this. Like the prodigal sons, they wanted the blessing, not the Father.

As a result, They became an example of what not to do, and how not to live. Yes, obey them, but don’t follow them. Jesus disciples’ were not to be like this.

It would be like the modern day celebrity, like seeing Lebron James or Taylor Swift in person; you will want to stop and say hi, maybe take a picture, get a autograph, etc.

Note, that in the 1st century Jewish culture, to be called a teacher was the highest honor. It would be the modern day celebrity, like seeing Lebron James or Taylor Swift.

Jesus disciples

The 12 disciples were with Jesus prior to this. They were with him as he shared the parables testifying against the scribes and pharisees. He also withered a fig tree and told them they would be able to do more if they have faith (Matt. 21:18-22)

They were the only ones who had professed Jesus to be the messiah.

The crowd thought of him as a prophet, not the messiah

Jesus

Jesus had been teaching this same crowd for days. It all started at his triumphal entry (Matt. 21). They had laid their cloaks and cut branches for his donkey to walk over as he road on it.

The whole city was stirred up and asking, “who is this? The crowd agreed that “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matt. 21:10).

application- look at the parables. They said they would obey God’s commands, but failed to do it. They, the Scribes and Pharisees, lacked integrity; God expects that of his disciples, especially when He ask us to do something. Do not just give lip service, but do it. Do not merely preach or show an illustration, but do it with them. Share your insights; what has helped you. If you haven’t done it yourself, say so.