Matthew chap. 23
I remember as a small child staying with my great Aunt Leat. As children we naturally told little white lies in effort to escape punishment for wrongdoing. Aunt Leat had a way of knowing every time we were trying to pull the wool over her eyes. She would say to us; “there want be any liars in heaven”, followed by the old symbol for shame, shame, shame.
Our attempt was one begging for approval in the midst of our wrongdoing, better known as sin. Churches are full of people living such childish lives making attempts to be accepted among society as righteous without following the only path to righteousness.
This is the place where things get down and dirty. Many still teach the way of righteousness comes from living right and doing well. Let me take a few words and try to get your attention, and maybe even upset your theology for a moment. Living right and doing well is not the way of righteousness… (Pause while folks catch their breath)… There is only one way to righteousness. Matthew 7:14 says, “straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life and few there be that find it”. Jesus said He is the way, truth and life and no one comes to the father but by him. The way to righteousness is through the only righteous to ever live. Jesus Christ.
Many are living today believing they are righteous. They believe the lie they tell themselves and they convince others of the same fallacy. These people are so good they will miss the place called Heaven. Let me finish introducing today’s message by stirring your soul with a disturbing statement. “Only bad people will go to Heaven”. These will be the ones who realize even in their most righteous state as a person they are filthy before a Holy God.
The issues of Pharisaic actions are not bound to any denomination. They cross every ethnic, gender and age boundary. Let us not think we are exempt from this possible way of thinking and living.
Let us now lay out the differences between good and bad people according to Matthew chapter 23.
I. GOOD PEOPLE
a. Tell others how good they are
i. They also tell others how bad they are
ii. They are always watching and waiting for you to mess up to point it out
b. Prey on vulnerable people
i. They use sad times of widows to gain stature
ii. They use the poverty of others to enlarge their own bank account
iii. They will do nothing for anyone if they can’t get gain
c. Attracted others to so called Religious stature
i. Religion was popular to the Pharisees
1. Today certain religious sects are popular
d. Swear by the gold and goods in the temple
i. Churches success is too often judged by its bank account or appearance
e. Put traditions above the truth of God’s word
f. Seen paying tithes
i. Overlook important things like mercy and faith
!!! Appearance is everything to Pharisees. They are seeking the approval and status among men. They will therefore have their reward among men and not in Heaven. (Matthew 6:5 and 16).
Those who always view themselves as good people have not been broken by the conviction brought by the Holy Spirit of God. If you don’t know you are bad you are not good. If you know you are bad you are good.
Broken by the Spirit of God = realizing your sinful state
By faith accepting Gods free gift of grace = knowing we can do nothing to save ourselves.
Being transformed = made into a new creature in Christ
He is Holy and we are not
He is worthy of praise and we are not
He is righteous and we are not
He is sinless and we are not
Unless you know you are bad you will not accept Gods grace by faith and escape the wrath to come. Therefore you will not be in Heaven. Only bad people go to Heaven!!
