Righteousness without Relationship Results in Rejection at the gate.

Jesus Said

“I am the way, the truth and the Life, no one comes to the father except through me” John 14:6

“Enter by the narrow gate, broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”Matthew 7:13

“My Shep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me”John 10:27

“Not everyone who says to me “Lord, Lord shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven…many will say, Lord, Lord have we not prophisied in your name, cast out demons in your name and done many wonders in your name?” Matthew 7:21

For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds that scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20

Therefore...

“We have been made righteous in God’s sight by faith, because of what Jesus has done for us” Romans 5:1.

Prayer

Have you ever been to the store and your credit card won’t work? (Story at Target)

...Access Denied

It’s really me, look at my drivers liscense

I pay my bill every month

Needed to talk to a Relationship Specialist at the bank to let me use it, to get in and have access...

Matthew 23:1-2

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.

False Righteousness Lacks Authority

They were not placed there by the Lord

They have seated themselves in “Moses’” seat.

NASB- The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;

The Chair of Moses: The Judgement seat....those that brought the Law/direction from the Lord.

Moses brought the original law (10 Commandments from the Lord)

The Prophets- Ezra, Isaiah, Elijah, Elisha...

Matthew 23:3

Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.

False Righteousness Lacks Integrity

What they say is good and true, but their hearts are not

Truth is Truth

Don’t Reject the message becuse of the messanger

Have you ever had someone say something to and thought, who do they think they are to say that to me

Look at their life, they don’t do that

They didn’t say it nicely …and it hurt your fealings

Matthew 23:4 (NKJV)

For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

False Righteousness Lacks care and discipleship

They put a heavy burden on you and dont help you

The Way of the Pharisee

There is a heavy burden that you alone must bare

The Way of Christ

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

Luke 4:18 ““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”

The Way for Us

1 Peter 5:2-4 “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

Not By Compulsion but Willingly

Not because you have to but want to

Not for dishonest gain but eagerly

Not what is in it for me, but what can I give and invest in others

Not dragging your feet either…but because you are excited to care for them.

Not as Lording leadings but loving leaders

They have been entrusted to you by Jesus

How do you care for the people that the Lord has put in your care?

Do they feel loved?

Do they feel like they are a project?

Do they feel like you are serving them?

Matthew 23:5-12 “But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

False Righteousness lacks humility

False Righteousness desires the praise of man

V:5- “All their works they do to be seen by men”

Jesus Rebukes the motives of the Pharisees

Matthew 6:1-4 ““Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

Giving is an act of Love through obedience to the Lord, it is not a show

The Pharisees would have trumpets blown as they were making their way to the temple to give

Example of giving at other churches/countries

Coast Hills- Boxes in the back/give online

Teaching the kids to work/save/tithe

I am proud of my kids, but...

It shouldn’t be a parade or show that we give something back to the one who gave it to us.

False Righteousness desires the honor of men

V:5- They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

Phylacteries:

It was directed by God to show that they were keeping God’s word on their mind and in their heart, but they were Createing a pretnse of obeying scripture

A wooden box that had 12 stitches representing the 12 tribes of Israel, that they would attach to their head and wrist

Within it contained peices of paper/parchment with the Shimah written out in it

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (Read for HW- The original Intent)

Enlarge the boarders of thier garments:

It was a practice to have tassels or boarder on the hem of their garment to show that they were different and set apart.

If you go to the western wall in isreal you will see people wearing a prayer scarf that has a blue border

They were making the hems of their garments big to show to everyone that they were different and set apart....

2 Timothy 3:5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

They were saying …look at me…not Look at He who’s garmet hem actually has power...

Matthew 9:20-22 “And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.”

False Righteousness demangs recongnition

They were seeking priority

Wanetd to be in the best places for feasts

The were seeking prominence-

Best seats at parties and in the synagogue

The were seeking popularity -

Needed to be called by the right titles

Rabbi

“My Great one” or Teacher

Father

they wanted to be called with a title that is to be associated with true love and care that only our heavenly father gives

They were seeking Piety

V:14- They would demonstrate their “Piety” with long winded prayers

But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Put away your desire to be “Right” or Righteous in your own strenth

This week read the Be Attitudes in Matthew 5