John K. Jenkins Sr - Living by Weightier Matters

One of the ultimate goals that Christ has for every believer is to become a mature believer. Nothing is worse than being the pastor of a church filled with immature people . Amen? I didn't think the 12:00 crowd would say amen to that, but that's what God's ultimate goal is: maturity. Maturity is measured in a variety of ways. The Scriptures teach us that there are many ways to determine maturity. You know how mature you are based on how you respond to adversity . You know how mature you are by how you treat others who, you know, don't like you. You know how mature you are by how you speak to and talk with other people, what your goals and priorities are in life, how you make decisions, and how you give. All of these aspects reflect or determine the level of your maturity . This particular text speaks to mature disciples. It challenges us to make decisions in our lives that are guided by higher-level principles.

Now, follow me and walk with me for just a few moments because Jesus is speaking in this 23rd chapter, verse 1. He is dialoguing with the multitude and his disciples. Somebody say "the multitude and his disciples." This means that everybody in the multitude is not a disciple ; everybody on your row is not a disciple; everybody in your section is not a disciple. We have a lot of people in the crowd, but not everybody is a disciple. Yet, he talks to them, and as he does, he gets down to verse 13 , where he uses the word "woe." "Woe" to them! It is a warning, a sign of caution. "Woe" means look out , danger-stop and take heed, pay attention. "Woe" is akin to the words the robot said in * Lost in Space* when he warned, "Danger, danger, Will Robinson ." Okay, that may be before some of your time, but a few of you remember the robot, right? Thank you to the seven of you for that . In today's language, "woe" would mean OMG (Oh My God). It signifies that we should pause, take a moment, and listen to what I'm about to tell you. He gives us multiple warnings ; I wish I could discuss them all . He starts at verse 13, and in this one chapter, among the twelve woes in the book of Matthew, eight of them are in the 23rd chapter.

He outlines a series of warnings that he talks about . I initially planned to discuss verses 13 and 14 , specifically the two woes found there, but then verse 15 says , "I have a woe in me too," and verse 16 suggests that if you're going to address verses 13 , 14, and 15, you have to talk about me as well. So I realized I can't cover all these woes because each carries its own warning and message . However, I want to focus on verse 23, where Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees." Let me explain who the scribes and Pharisees are . They are the religious leaders of their day. The scribes were responsible for recording and writing down the laws of God; the Pharisees took pride in the fact that they walked and lived their lives according to the law . They prided themselves on dotting every 'i' and crossing every 't.' They thought they had it all figured out; they believed they were above it all.

However, Jesus calls the scribes and Pharisees a name in verse 23: he calls them "hypocrites." "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" The word "hypocrite" means to be a play actor or stage performer, to wear a mask, to play a false part, or to be something you're not . I didn't expect too many amens from this 12:00 crowd because this crowd is full of hypocrites. There are hypocrites all around you. You might as well tell the truth ; everybody in here has some level of hypocrisy in their life. Let me give you another opportunity to say amen to that very profound point: everybody in here has some portion of hypocrisy somewhere in their life. Now look at you all; you look so saved and sanctified. You look good dressed up , wanting folks to believe you aren 't poor- that's hypocrisy. That 's pretending to be something you're not . You might drive a car parked around the corner of your neighbor's house because the repo man is looking for it. Come on, if you all say amen, nobody will know I'm talking about you. A couple comes in, getting out of their car and walking into church together, holding hands and looking so happy. But when they get back home , they're sleeping in different bedrooms. Hypocrisy!

It 's tough, it's challenging in here, but that's okay; I want the hypocrites to come to church! I can't think of a better place to bring a hypocrite than the church. I don't mind you coming here as a hypocrite; I just don't want you to stay a hypocrite. We want you to stop pretending and allow God to bring you to a place where you genuinely live out what you 're creating the image of living. Yes, you come in here with your Bibles and crosses around your neck, raising your hands and worshiping the Lord , but the moment you turn on the car , you' ve got that music blasting that's not saying "Oh!"