Friday, February 8, 2008

How Will They Know Series

 

Matthew 7:5 “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers.”  

 

We Are Not Perfect People

 

The religious authorities of Jesus’ day - the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the scribes -always gave the impression that they were perfect people.   They wore what was considered in that day holy attire and pretended to be something different than what they really were.   The people of that day were in awe of them because they saw the religious authorities as perfect people.  Jesus instructed his followers to be different from them in many ways.    

 

Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount asked his followers to be real in the faith.   As he taught his disciples he taught them to simply be honorable and not to be religious hypocrites. 

 

Matthew 6:2

            “So when you give to the needy do not announce it with trumpets, as the

hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets to be honored by people.  I tell you the truth they have received their reward in full.”

 

Matthew 6:5

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people.  I tell you the truth they have received their reward in full.” 

 

Matthew 6:16

“When you fast do not look somber as the hypocrites do for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” 

 

These were simple examples of what they were to be.  They stand as examples for us too.   We need to love God and not feel as though we must have a plaque or accolades for all that we are.   God honors a simple, behind-the-scenes love of him and servant of humanity.  

 

Prayer:

Dear God, bless me as I try to serve you.  Amen.    

 

I hope to see you in church on Sunday!