November 17, 2024

                                                                                             FROM THE INSIDE OUT                                                                                                                            November 17, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Do you desire with all your heart to follow God? To love God, as the first commandment states, is the only path by which you find true peace and joy. So why do most people try to live their life separate from God? Because they wish to be their own god, making choices that will not restrict their own agenda. The Pharisees and Sadducees loved the adulation they received from the people, and did not want to share any of it with Jesus. Yet He was the creator, the sustainer of the world, the Messiah who was prophesied. He fed about twenty thousand with five loaves and two fish; He calmed the sea; stilled the storm—and quiets the storm inside of us. Join us as we strive to know Him better and serve Him fully.

Focal Passages: Matthew 15:1-20; Exodus 20:1-6.

Tradition or commitment:

  • Read Matt. 15:1-6. Where had the Pharisees traveled from when Jesus was teaching the people in this passage? Why had they traveled such a long distance? Who had prompted their presence? For what reason?
  • What did they mean when they accused the disciples of breaking a tradition? Were they concerned about hygiene? What was their motivation?
  • In verse 3, how did Jesus undermine their attack? What two groups of laws did He pit against each other? Which one mattered? What commandment was Jesus using? Read Eph. 6:2. How had “Tradition” rewritten this law? Why was it re-written with a “loophole” in it? What were those who used “Tradition” trying to do with God’s laws? What is the difference between a commitment to God and living by traditions?
  • How are the laws of God in Exodus, and later in the Torah by man opposed to each other? What does God desire from His people? Read Deut. 4:2-5, 12:32, Rev. 22:18. Why would these religious leaders not have understood Moses’ teaching?
  • Can we follow “rules” but not have a change of heart? If we have a commitment to rules, but our heart does not seek God, what will happen with our life? Can we obey the first commandment if we are focused on rules, rather than on pleasing God? Read Exo 20:1-6. If we genuinely love God, how will this be reflected in our actions?

 Truth or show:

  • Read Mt. 15:7-9. What was Jesus saying about the Pharisees when He called them “hypocrites”? What else did He call them at various times? What do we mean when we say you can choose to do things that make you look good on the outside, or you can do things that reflect Truth?
  • What did Jesus mean when He said the Pharisees worshiped with their lips but not their hearts? What will your end be if your heart’s attitude is for yourself, and not to glorify God? How can we in the church ‘worship in vain’?
  • Why would someone want to make a pretense of looking like a Christian but not desire to enjoy the relationship with God?
  • Why is it so much easier to ‘talk the talk’ but not ‘walk the walk’?

In the world or the world in you:

  • Read Matt. 15:10-20. Do you think the Pharisees understood why Jesus was rebuking them? Was He going to change their minds concerning the Traditional Laws? Why not? What did He do next?
  • Who is He talking to in verse 10? Does it feel as though He is speaking to us? Why does something you eat not defile (stain, make dirty) you? Read James 1:27b.
  • What comes out of our mouths? Where do words come from? How can our words defile us? What harm can they do to other people? Read James 3:4-12. What does this passage teach us about the words we speak? Are we going to be held responsible for those words? Read Eph. 5:6 Col. 2:4, 1 Thes. 2:5. What can we learn from these verses?
  • Which would you rather have, the praise from the world, or the praise from God? Why are some people satisfied with the world’s praise?

Close:  

As Pastor Jonathan said this morning, everyone either knows someone who is a Christian in name only or has them in their family. We see these people daily. We know their actions, their ill manners, filthy mouth, addictions, or habits that sickens us—and wonder how God stands their lifestyle. But our eyes do not see as God does, and while we look with disdain on the ungodly, sometimes even wishing He would ‘take care of them,’ He is looking at them as a sinner in desperate need of salvation and grace. Just as we once were. Why is it so hard to love the unlovely? Those who hate everything we stand for? Those who want to destroy our church, our community, our nation? Yet somehow we have to get beyond seeing them as objects not deserving of our time or love and see them as souls who will suffer eternal damnation for scorning the Savior. Give us eyes to see, and a heart to feel the beat of Yours, Lord, as we are called to interact with the world. Help us love the unlovely, Lord. Increase our faith! Help our unbelief, please Lord. Amen.

By Sandy Day
November 17, 2024

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