Video from sermon central: Shoes and Judging
Theme: Let’s Talk
Series 3: Straight Talk
What is it?
Straight talk from a redneck:
1. Darlin. You’re hotter than donut grease at a fat man convention.
2. Duct tape is like "The Force." It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
3. I think that boy’s about two sandwiches shy of a picnic.
4. I think he’s one fry short of a Happy Meal.
5. She's wound up tighter than the girdle of a baptist minister's wife at an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast.
6. You got to be 10% smarter than the equipment you're runnin'.
7. She's purtier than a mess of fried catfish.
Straight talk is defined by The Free Dictionary as a direct and honest talk from one person to another. So in our case it would be a direct and honest talk Jesus would have with another person.
Scripture text for series “Straight Talk”:
Hebrews 4:12-13:
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Straight talk insights from Hebrews:
Our passage here reminds us that God’s Word and words are living and active. God’s words are never dead but alive, they cut they penetrate into your heart – your soul – your spirit and even your mind. They slice open the truth about situations in your life. They judge you – did you hear that? They judge your decisions – but with truth – with insight that only God has about you and your attitude. God knows everything about you – more than you think He knows. He sees everything in your life – everything – He knows what you place above Him as an idol, He knows if you steal from Him, He knows if you sin secretly, and He knows if you love Him. He knows – this is why Jesus has straight talks with us because He knows all about us inside and out. He has straight talks with us to hold us accountable – so that in the end we will be found blameless by His grace. So in this journey of life He will re-direct us so as to keep us on the narrow road to eternal life through straight talks.
Straight talk is available anywhere you are – it’s a call away – it’s direct – no fluff - only direct honest talk with Jesus. Have you ever had a straight talk with Jesus? How about with another person? How did it go? Did you enjoy it? Did it reset your life’s compass? Did it tell you that you had taken a wrong turn? Did it highlight how you needed an attitude adjustment?
Straight talks are not like pep talks but I also think they are not as hard as a hard talks. So they are in between a hard talk and a pep talk. Straight talks seek to warn us and lead us into the right paths of life. The key is whether we will listen to them or not!
Sermon 2: Jesus and the Pharisee’s - religious leaders
The big question: Do you want to be a Pharisee? Do you want to be a religious leader in the church caught up in religious legalism?
Thesis: Jesus confronted the Pharisee’s with straight talk to get them to change their ways. He wanted them to see the error in their thinking, behavior and change. He wanted them to see their legalistic – non grace attitude which was driving them away from Heaven and not toward Heaven.
Texts:
Matthew 5:20: 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 23:1-38: 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5“Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ 8“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. 15“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. 16“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’
17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’
19You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it. 23“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. 25“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. 27“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. 29“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!
33“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.
37“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
38Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’£”
Introduction:
Jesus reveals to us in chapter 23 that the leaders of the church of Israel where suffering from the common head trip called “The top down attitude!” The result of this mindset has caused them to miss the mark of righteousness. Hans Finzel addresses this mindset in his book “The Top ten Mistakes Leaders Make.”
The top down attitude is revealed in our text as:
Abusive authority
Deplorable Delegation
Lack of listening
Dictatorship in decision making
Lack of letting go
Egocentric manners
T.S. - The Pharisee’s followed these same actions. Jesus addresses these distorted mindsets with a Leadership 101 lesson from above in Matthew 23:1-38.
I. The top down legalistic leadership catastrophe in Israel’s leaders was exposed by Jesus.
a. Jesus told the crowd and his disciples that this leadership style is not of God. Straight talk!
i. The leaders of Israel did sit in a divinely appointed position created by God. Therefore the people needed to listen to what they said.
1. Apparently they said the right things but did the opposite of what they taught and knew to be true.
2. It tells us to make sure that we obey the teachings of God whether the person who is teaching them is living them out or not.
3. The Teachers and Pharisee’s were good about telling and teaching people how to be holy and the importance of living holy lives.
a. But they did add to the God’s truth 1,000 of man-made rules and regulations. Which Jesus opposed in his ministry when they conflicted with Scripture.
b. The people of Israel learned the importance of how to live for the Lord from these religious leaders. This was good but Jesus stressed where they failed completely in the next few verses. He uses that life changing word “but”.
ii. BUT – now rings out in our straight talk message- It still rings all across the nation of Israel, across the world and through out time for all to pay attention to.
1. “Don’t do what they do!” – The direction from God is that we are to obey what they say because they are teaching the truth but don’t act like they do.
a. Don’t follow their example because they do not practice what they preach. They where hypocrites:
b. 21 Characteristics of hypocrites by Curtis Kittrell:
Twenty-one Characteristics of Hypocrites and what we should never do:
1. They demand respect as teachers (Matthew 23:2).
2. They teach, but do not practice what they teach (Matthew 23:3).
3. They demand service; but do not give it (Matthew 23:4).
4. They seek the praise of men/women for their own glory (Matthew 23:5).
5. They parade their religion in front of others as “I am better than you are!” (Matthew 23:5).
6. They seek chief banquet places where they sit in honor for all to bow to them (Matthew 23:6).
7. They seek chief places in church to draw all the attention one themselves (Matthew 23:6).
8. They glory in personal attention which is pride (Matthew 23:7).
9. They glory in titles (Matthew 23:7).
10. They rob men of truth and life (Matthew 23:13).
11. They reject truth and life (Matthew 23:13).
12. They take advantage of widows (Matthew 23:14).
13. They exhibit long prayers which mean nothing (Matthew 23:14).
14. They are zealous to win men to their sect, but not to God (Matthew 23:15).
15. They root and ground converts in hypocrisy, but not to God’s Word (Matthew 23:15).
16. They profess to be the only guide in religion, but are blind to truth and practical Christianity (Matthew 23:16-22).
17. They propagate those parts of religion from which they receive most personal gain and honor (Matthew 23:16-22).
18. They strain at gnats and swallow camels; stress minor details and omit the fundamentals of Jesus and God the Father (Matthew 23:23-24).
19. They glory in physical cleanliness, but live in moral filth (Mt. v23:25-26).
20. They exhibit outward religion and self-righteousness and ignore inward holiness in life and conduct (Matthew 23:2,7-28).
21. They pretend to be more righteous than their forefathers (Matthew 23:29-33).
c. Have you ever met someone like this?
i. They say the right things but do not do them.
ii. These types of leaders are the most commonly used excuse of that which drives people out of the church.
1. They preach Christ but they do not live or act like Him.
2. They raise up false facades in public but in the secret they ignore what they know to be the truth.
2. BUT - “They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders.”
a. Illustration – Overloading back pack!
i. Titus 1:10-16
1. 10For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. 11They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. 15To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
2. In other words they give them so many rules and regulations that it’s impossible to carry them all and live the Spirit filled life of joy.
3. “But they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.”
a. They had a lack of compassion or empathy for their sheep.
b. They were on a power trip to keep them weighed down and feeling inadequate. It was a control tactic so they maintained their base of power.
c. They constantly beat the people up. They brow beat them and told them how deplorable they were. Then they would use themselves as comparisons saying look how good we are. They would boast of how they followed all the rules and regulations.
i. This is called the blame game. This scenario puts one down and lifts another above. It points the finger and says,” It’s your fault that you are going to Hell. You worthless piece of unrighteousness. If you were like me you would be going to Heaven.”
1. Look I follow all the rules and regulations when in reality they do not!
ii. They would set the others up to fail then point the finger at them and blame them for their failures.
4. But - “Everything they do is for men to see.”
a. They were actor’s people pleasers. Show boaters.
i. Listen to what the Scripture text tells us on being man and women pleasers.
ii. We are to be God pleasers 2 Timothy 4:1-8: 1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
5. Review verses 5-11 again But they wanted all the glory!
a. They wanted and relished the lime light.
b. They liked the titles and the prestige with those titles.
c. Terms: Rabbi, Father, Teacher the term implies a person of leadership who feels he is better or more spiritual than another person.
i. I Peter 5:1-9: 1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
d. I find it amazing that Jesus told us and them not to call anyone the Rabbi, the Teacher, or Father.
i. So why do churches do it?
ii. I had one minister from a certain church sign his name the Very ,Very Reverend Father ________.
1. I have been convicted for the term Rev. no one is Reverend but God.
2. No one is greater than God
3. He is the Holy Father!
4. NO one deserves the title but God! He owns the titles –He deserves the title not us. We assign them to ourselves or others assign them to us.
5. But the truth is God is the only one who is Reverend!
6. But - They love “The most important seats”; “Honor at banquets.”
a. They relished the special privileges of their position but did not model what Jesus taught.
b. They had the puffy egocentric heads that go poof!
c. Kapteyn helps us see what happens when pride invades a mind (I have added some of my thoughts to hers):
i. Pride is what hurts us in our relationships - in church, in families, (at work, at school), with friends. Pride makes us stubborn - I'm right, she's wrong - (I know more about this than they do-they need to listen to me!). Pride stops us from forgiving "I was right she needs to apologize to me not visa versa! Pride makes us put up false fronts "I'm not letting anyone else know my sins and weaknesses" ("I don't have any problems only those kind of people do! My life is perfect! I don't make mistakes! ) It creates walls of pretension. Pride makes us think we are better or know more than the other. We become proud of what we do, read (or achieve).I am so smart! Nobody could do my job! Look at their picture and mine -no comparison!
ii. I have education, therefore, I am smarter than you! You cannot speak into my life you don't have a BS degree. I have more money than most others! I can preach better than he can! I can teach better than he can! I do not need leadership classes "I'm a self made leader!" Look at my success!
7. But - “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
a. The promise from Jesus here is that the top down attitude will be toppled. Servant leaders instead will be lifted up.
b. There is a big difference between these two leadership styles and Jesus will bless the one and bring the other one down.
i. Isaiah 2:11,12 "The eyes of the arrogant man will be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. The Lord almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled).
ii. Daniel 4:37 "Now I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
Panel Discussion: Beth, Moy and I
Questions to ask:
• How has religious legalism hurt church people and non church people?
• How did it impact you personally growing up in this type of church environment?
• What have you learned from this experience?
• What advice would you give others?
T.S. - You might be thinking, “Why do people fall prey to this religious head trip disease”?
II. Why do people fall prey to the top down legalistic disease? Good question let’s find out!
a. Hans Finzel gives us great insight into the why from his book The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make. The following ideas have been drawn from his book.
i. It’s traditional – most people have learned through example how to lead this way. In their lives it’s always been done this way. So the disease is spread to the next generation of leaders.
ii. It’s the most common form of leadership modeled in the world today.
1. Ties in with the above statement.
2. Most nations rule by this mentality and mindset, yet Jesus never did and never will.
iii. It’s the easiest leadership style to do.
1. It takes less effort to bark orders at others than it does to work with them.
iv. It comes natural to most people.
1. Most people like to just dominate another because it’s the survival of the fittest. The stronger order the weaker and the weaker either obey or get bit.
v. It reflects the depravity of man.
1. Man’s fallen condition breads this type of leadership.
T.S. - It’s important to understand where this model of leadership originated so it can be changed in our lives. We must become the servant leaders Christ requires.
III. Why is it important to be a servant leader?
a. It creates Jesus like leaders and follows the teachings of Jesus.
b. It creates more leaders who make a positive impact in this world.
c. It empowers people to do the work of the ministry.
i. It does not keep people from ministering it encourages them to be leaders.
d. It touches people lives.
i. Servant leaders affect more lives than the dictator leader in a positive Christ like way.
e. It does not place over bearing loads on it’s people.
i. It does not create bondages.
f. It creates an atmosphere of joy and freedom.
i. Example 2 Cor. 3:17 “Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.”
g. Because Jesus said to do it this way!
Conclusion:
Straight Talk:
• Religious legalism toward others is rooted in pride and self-righteousness not grace and mercy.
• It seeks to demean others personal worth and value.
• It seeks to elevate the judger’s spiritual status.
What should we do?
• We should seek to be servant leaders – who show grace and mercy!
• We should be willing to love others like Jesus did!
• We should be focused on reaching out with truth to others but not condemning others with our own manmade rules and regulations.
Why should we do this?
• So we can help bring in the Great Harvest into God’s Kingdom!
• Could you imagine what would happen if we did this with one another?
• 2 Cor. 3:17 “Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.”
Really the choice to die daily to the Top Down Attitude and religious legalism disease relies on you making the decision to let it die. Then you need to make the choice to pick up the servant leadership model demonstrated by Jesus in Scripture. It will take time for you to change this learned behavior but it is possible.
Pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you his desire for your life and your model of leadership!
