Beware: Danger Ahead
Series: Seek & Save
October 20, 2019
Frank Foreman
What did Jesus Christ have against the scribes and Pharisees? There are many passages in the Gospels where Jesus Christ speaks out against the doctrine and the practices of the scribes and Pharisees. One of the harshest passages is in Luke 20:45-47, which reads: “Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” What does this passage mean for us? It is a short passage, but packed within its short length is a fair amount of insight about why Jesus Christ wanted his believers to be careful for the scribes. Is there an attitude within the portrayal of the scribes here that we ought to be careful of? If so, what kind of warnings are being given here?
Episode Notes
Luke 20:45-47, And in the hearing of all the people He said to His disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Big Idea: There have always been false religious leaders… Beware!
1. A Caution.
Psalm 1:1-2, Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.
2. A Characterization.
James 1:27, Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
3. A Condemnation.
Hebrews 10:29, How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
Next Step: Be warned.
Be compassionate.
Share the gospel.
Pray for their salvation.
Have a sad heart.
But in the end… See them as dangerous, destructive, and deadly.
Stay away.
Content Copyright Belongs to New Horizons Christian Church
6607