“As He taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”
(Mark 12:38-40closeMark 12:38-40 Beware of the Scribes 38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” (ESV) closeMark 12:38-40closeMark 12:38-40 Beware of the Scribes 38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” (ESV) Beware of the Scribes 38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” (ESV) ; from the Gospel reading for 11.11.12)
“Mission Keeps the Main Thing, the Main Thing”
Get To Know Your “Neighbor”
+ What person in your life has been the best example of love? _________
God’s Blueprint
+ Jesus was not big on titles. He did want Christians calling church workers, “Father” (Matthew 23:9closeMatthew 23:9 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. (ESV) closeMatthew 23:9closeMatthew 23:9 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. (ESV) 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. (ESV) ) because we have one Father; He is in Heaven; we pray to Him. Why was Jesus concerned about us giving titles to church workers? ________________________________________________
+ Jesus condemned clergy who do not pray from the heart. How does anyone in ministry make sure that what they do in God’s name; is actually for God’s name & not their own name? _____________________________
+ In Matthew 23:13closeMatthew 23:13 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. (ESV) closeMatthew 23:13closeMatthew 23:13 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. (ESV) 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. (ESV) , Jesus condemns the teachers of the law because they shut the Kingdom of Heaven in men’s faces. The picture here is literally of slamming the door in someone’s face- the tragedy of someone being that close to salvation, only to have it denied by the very person who should be making it available. As Christians, we are all Priests; so these things which Jesus is saying; apply to every Christian. If we are not sharing the Good News with others; is that really any different from slamming the door in the face of the unsaved? _____________________________________________
God’s Best
+ Luke 9:51closeLuke 9:51 A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus 51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (ESV) closeLuke 9:51closeLuke 9:51 A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus 51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (ESV) A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus 51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (ESV) tells us that when it became time for Jesus to be taken up to Heaven, He resolutely set His face towards Jerusalem. Jesus personally experienced the temptation of taking the easy path many times in ministry; He is familiar with our circumstances. The Good News is that Jesus kept the main thing, the main thing- which was dying on a cross to pay for our sins. How would you describe His love to others? _________________________
God’s Blessed
+ How does Jesus’ love change your life? _________________________
Jim Buckman
