Podcasts about Pharisees

Pastor Jonathan Laurie shares lessons from the story of Jonah, a reluctant evangelist who ran from God’s calling. Notes: Focus verse - Jonah 2 Matthew 23:25–27 (NKJV)“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. “Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” Jonah 4:3 (NLT)“Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” #1 God Appoints Circumstances to Bring Us Back Sometimes we think God is punishing us. God paid Jesus back for our sin. Jonah was a historical, biblical character.2 Kings 14:25 Matthew 12:40 (NKJV)“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” God appoints circumstances and storms.Not to pay us back, but to bring us back. #2 God Still Sees in the DarkJonah 2:1 (NLT) Read: Jonah 2:1–9 (NLT) While Jonah sat in darkness inside the great fish, he prayed.God heard and delivered Jonah out of his fishy prison. Psalm 139:11–12 (NLT)I could ask the darkness to hide meand the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.To you the night shines as bright as day.Darkness and light are the same to you. Israel worshipped one God — the true Creator. Romans 12:1 (NKJV)I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Read: Jonah 2:10 –3:5 (NKJV) #3 Saved From and Saved For God rescued Jonah from darkness so Jonah could reach others in darkness. 2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (NLT) Mark 16:15–16 (NLT)And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Romans 10:14 (NLT)But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Jonathan Laurie shares lessons from the story of Jonah, a reluctant evangelist who ran from God’s calling. Notes: Focus verse - Jonah 2 Matthew 23:25–27 (NKJV)“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. “Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” Jonah 4:3 (NLT)“Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” #1 God Appoints Circumstances to Bring Us Back Sometimes we think God is punishing us. God paid Jesus back for our sin. Jonah was a historical, biblical character.2 Kings 14:25 Matthew 12:40 (NKJV)“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” God appoints circumstances and storms.Not to pay us back, but to bring us back. #2 God Still Sees in the DarkJonah 2:1 (NLT) Read: Jonah 2:1–9 (NLT) While Jonah sat in darkness inside the great fish, he prayed.God heard and delivered Jonah out of his fishy prison. Psalm 139:11–12 (NLT)I could ask the darkness to hide meand the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.To you the night shines as bright as day.Darkness and light are the same to you. Israel worshipped one God — the true Creator. Romans 12:1 (NKJV)I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Read: Jonah 2:10 –3:5 (NKJV) #3 Saved From and Saved For God rescued Jonah from darkness so Jonah could reach others in darkness. 2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (NLT) Mark 16:15–16 (NLT)And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Romans 10:14 (NLT)But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Learn more about this year's Harvest Crusade! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Complementary Old Testament Passage:Genesis 50:15-21 Sermon Outline: Jesus was a Man Displayed to the World by God Jesus was Delivered up by the Plan of God The Whole World is Confronted by the Crucifixion of Jesus Family Discussion Questions: How did God prove that Jesus was His Son? Who sold Jesus to the Pharisees? Who gave Jesus to Pilate? Who did Pilate tell to Crucify Jesus? Whose idea was it for Jesus to die? Why is good to remember that God is in control of all things? What is the difference between Christianity and other Religions in how their claims are made? Describe the ditches we can fall into when thinking about Gods control and human responsibility. How does the story of Joseph help us to understand Gods work in the world? How does it help us understand the Gospel? Our own suffering? Everyone knows there is a God, and knows His law. Not everyone knows the Gospel. How does the Gospel expose the guilt of those people as

The record of Jesus' answer to a Pharisee's question highlights Jesus' emphasis for Moral Perfection in our lives. Jesus would not have taught that we should keep the law and achieve moral perfection if He didn't believe we could do it. Jesus taught we could achieve total consecration to God.  For more study, see: “What Jesus Taught About Doing Right and Wrong,” by Trent Wilde  https://www.bdsda.com/what-jesus-taught-about-doing-right-and-wrong/ And, Jesus Taught Practical Morality - "Keep the Commandments" https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35061000 2025 Sabbath School, “Entire Consecration = Moral Perfection” A Branch Davidian Seventh-Day Adventist perspective on the Sabbath School lesson.  www.bdsda.com  Email us at SabbathSchool@bdsda.com for comments and study requests.  

We are almost halfway through the book of Luke, and Jesus and His disciples are on their way to Jerusalem and to the crucifixion of Jesus. On the way he teaches His disciples how to pray to God the Father, rebukes those who claim He uses demonic powers, chastises the generation who will put him to death, and denounces the self-righteous Pharisees as hypocrites. Finally, Jesus encourages his disciples to store up treasures in heaven, and to stop worrying about the future. Worrying doesn't add years to your life, so why not choose a better way: spend your life investing the kingdom, rather than yourself.Luke 11 - 1:11 . Luke 12 - 11:36 . Ecclesiastes 6 - 22:14 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

When you invite Jesus to your dinner, He will return the favor and invite you to His.

Hypocrisy is everywhere in our world. Jesus teaches to be watchful. Hypocrisy is everywhere in our culture, our world, and even within American evangelicalism. Jesus has a special concern to teach His disciples to be on the alert for hypocrisy. He tells His disciples to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” It is important for us to be… The post The Danger of Religious Hypocrisy, Part 2 | Tearing the Mask Off Hypocrisy appeared first on Pillar of Truth Radio.

Welcometo Pastor's Chat today. We're continuing to look at Luke 23, and today we'refocusing on verses 6-12. Jesus had three unfair trials before the Jews; beforeAnnas, the father-in-law of the high priest Caiaphas, and also Caiaphas at hishouse, and then before the Sanhedrin. Now, in the early morning hours betweensix and nine o'clock on Friday morning, Jesus is taken before Pilate. Pilatehas his first trial with Jesus and finds no fault in Him after questioning Himpersonally in the praetorium.  WhenPilate hears that Jesus is from the region of Galilee, he knows that's Herod,King Herod's jurisdiction. King Herod Antipas, who murdered John the Baptist,had longed to see Jesus because he had heard of the miracles Jesus had done andwanted to see Him perform a miracle, like a trick. When Pilate heard ofGalilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. I love the scripture here becauseit capitalizes the "M" in the Man Christ Jesus. Yes, there was no manlike this Man, the Man Christ Jesus.  Assoon as Pilate knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him toHerod, who was also in Jerusalem at the time. When Herod saw Jesus, he wasexceedingly glad, for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he hadheard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Thenhe questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.  Thechief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. You can imaginethis crowd of chief priests, scribes, and Sanhedrin following Jesus to whereHerod was in Jerusalem. I can imagine Herod waking up this morning, having hisbreakfast, and suddenly all this is going on. Here comes this crowd ofPharisees, chief priests, and Sanhedrin, bringing Jesus with them. Herod,with his men of war, treated Him with contempt, mocked Him, arrayed Him in agorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That very day, Pilate and Herodbecame friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity witheach other. Both Pilate and Herod had the opportunity to try Jesus. What'sinteresting is that Jesus was not truly on trial before Pilate and Herod;rather, Pilate and Herod were on trial before Jesus. Obviously, they failed thetest. They did not receive Jesus as the Christ. Neither did they find Himguilty, as Pilate later said that even Herod found no fault in Him (v. 15).  Eventhough Herod mistreated Jesus and had his men mock Him as a the King of the Jews,Jesus the Man did not respond to them. I believe they did this because Herodand his crowd hated the religious hypocrites, the Pharisees. Even the lostworld doesn't like religious hypocrites. They mocked Jesus because He wassupposedly the King of the Jews, putting a beautiful robe on Him to make Himlook like a king.That day two men became friends because they had a commonenemy, the Jews, and a common purpose: Jesus needed to be condemned, and theJews wanted Him condemned and it was an opportunity to show distain for thereligious hypocrites.  Today,what stands out to me the most is that Jesus is the Man, the Christ Man, theGod Man. Oh, my friend, He's the Man who took on flesh so that through death Hecould become our sin on an old rugged cross. Romans 8:3 tells us: “For whatthe law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sendingHis own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemnedsin in the flesh.” I love how Hebrews 2:14 puts it: “Inasmuch then asthe children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared inthe same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death,that is, the devil”.  Iinvite you today to trust Jesus, to put your hope in this Man. There's no manlike this Man, the Man Christ Jesus. “For there is one God and one Mediatorbetween God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all,to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Godbless!

Episode HighlightsWhat Jesus knew would get him killed;Why he was fiercest to those – the Pharisees – with whom he was most theologically aligned;The similar anger we find in ourselves toward evangelicalism going after Christian nationalism;The importance of rebuking the temptation to read these passages antisemitically;Why religious fakers pissed Jesus off so much;How truthfulness and no-bullshit vibes became central to Jesus' social vision;Why Jesus would be so irate at Christians antagonizing LGBTQ folk in his name;and more!Our guest co-host today is Jenna DeWitt (she/her pronouns). Jenna is a writer, editor, and resource curator, working primarily in queer Christian spaces and centering aromanticism and asexuality. You can find her work at InvisibleCakeSociety.com or on Substack, Threads, or BlueSky.Substack: https://invisiblecakesociety.substack.com/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@jennadewittBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:tkb2vbmnqo5wqtmnwnrsz6rm...Read LIT online: https://www.litbible.net/matthew-23More about the Liberation & Inclusion Translation: https://www.litbible.net/translation-commitmentsSupport LIT & FIT: https://donorbox.org/found-in-translation-1...Opportunity Walks by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Are you prepared for the next move of God—or could you be missing it without even realizing? In this eye-opening episode, I dive into real-world and biblical examples of people and institutions who ended up on the wrong side of history because they failed to recognize a move of God. From the Pharisees who rejected Jesus to modern churches that resist the prophetic and apostolic, the patterns are striking—and sobering. You'll learn: ✅ The key signs you may be resisting a move of God ✅ What keeps people spiritually blind or stagnant ✅ How to stay discerning, humble, and ready for divine disruption Don't let tradition, pride, or fear cause you to miss what Heaven is doing on earth right now. God is moving—are you positioned to move with Him?

In Matthew 12 we have two incidents, both deliberately performed on the Sabbath day, illustrating that Jesus was indeed the Lord of the Sabbath, in contrast to the Sabbath having authority over our Lord Jesus. The first of these confrontations between the Pharisees and Jesus' disciples was whether the disciples had the right to pluck and eat the ears of grain ( Jesus cites the precedent in David's eating of the shewbread, which our readings from two days ago highlighted). The second incident was the healing of the man with the withered hand. In all likelihood the Pharisees had planted this man at the front of the synagogue in Capernaum as a challenge to our Lord. Would he heal on the Sabbath day, or not? This healing proved that our Lord Jesus Christ was Yahweh's chosen Servant of Isaiah 42. These incidents are followed by grievous charges being leveled against Jesus of doing miracles by the power of Beelzebul - the lord of the dung heap - the prince of the demons. Jesus claims that this charge amounted to blasphemy against God's power which was being flagrantly denied despite incontestable evidence that Jesus was from God. Then follows the lesson of the fruits. Our Lord Jesus declares that the type of tree we are is shown by the fruits - ie actions of our lives - Jesus kindly words, actions and healings proved that he was the Son of God. And their hatred, words and enmity towards our Lord illustrates that they were acting from minds that were carnal in every respect. Our Lord would advance further incontestable proof of his Sonship with a prophecy of his resurrection from the dead as the sign of Jonah - the prophet from Galilee (see John 7:50-52). The chapter concludes with the parable of the unclean spirit seeking a lodging place. It leaves its abode and starts to look for another house. But finding no place it returned to its original home and found it to be swept clean. The spirit then found another 7 vile creatures to return and take possession of the original house. This spoke of John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus Christ purging the house of Israel. Only for the foul priests and Pharisees uniting to kill our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 23 verses :19-39. Lastly the chapter records that Jesus' own family sought to 'rescue' him from the trouble he had seemingly caused. His family were not impressed with his head on confrontations with the nation's religious leaders. Perhaps they believed he needed rest and time to reflect on a better course of action and not antagonise Israel's leaders. Jesus tells his family that he is doing the work of his God and that those who choose to listen to his Father's Word are his true family.

The root of Hypocrisy is the fear of man. When the way you live your life does not match what you say you believe you are being hypocritical. The Pharisee and scribes are the example Jesus uses to show us a hypocritical life. Boiled down, the root of hypocrisy is the fear of man. The Pharisee and scribes put on a show… The post The Danger of Religious Hypocrisy, Part 1| Tearing the Mask Off Hypocrisy appeared first on Pillar of Truth Radio.

Read Online“Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” Matthew 10:14–15Recall how Jesus harshly condemned the Pharisees for their hardness of heart. In Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 23, Jesus issues seven “woe to you” condemnations of these Pharisees for being hypocrites and blind guides. These condemnations were acts of love on Jesus' part, in that they had the goal of calling them to conversion. Similarly, in today's Gospel, Jesus gives instructions to His Twelve about what they are to do if they preach the Gospel in a town and are rejected. They are to “shake the dust” from their feet.This instruction was given within the context of Jesus sending the Twelve to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” with the commission of preaching the Gospel.At that time, they were to go to those who had already been entrusted with the message of the Law of Moses and the prophets but were to now proclaim that the Kingdom of God has arrived. Jesus was the promised Messiah, and He was now here. And for those of the house of Israel who reject Jesus, they were to be condemned by this prophetic act of the wiping of the dust of their town from the Apostles' feet. At first, this can seem somewhat harsh. One can think that patience, ongoing discussions, gentleness and the like would be more effective. And though that may be the case in many of our experiences today, the fact remains that Jesus gave the Twelve this command.Just like the condemnation of the Pharisees, this prophetic action of wiping the dust from their feet was an act of love. Certainly, the Apostles were not to do this out of an irrational anger. They were not to do so because their pride was wounded by rejection or because of their disdain for these people. Rather, the Apostles were to do so as a way of showing the consequences of the townspeople's actions. When these towns of the chosen people rejected the promised Messiah, they needed to understand the consequences. They needed to know that by rejecting the messengers, they were rejecting the saving grace of the Gospel.First of all, it's important to consider those about whom Jesus was speaking. He was speaking about those who “will not receive” nor even “listen” to the message of the Gospel. These are those who have fully rejected God and His saving message. They, by their free choice, have separated themselves from God and His holy Gospel. They are stubborn, obstinate and hard of heart. Thus, it is in this most extreme case, of being completely closed to the Gospel, that Jesus instructs His Apostles to leave with this prophetic act. Perhaps upon seeing this done, some people would experience a certain sense of loss. Perhaps some would realize they made a mistake. Perhaps some would experience a holy sense of guilt and would eventually soften their hearts.This teaching of Jesus should also open your eyes. How fully do you receive and listen to the message of the Gospel? How attentive are you to the saving proclamation of God's Kingdom? To the extent that you are open, the floodgates of God's mercy flows forth. But to the extent that you are not, the experience of loss is encountered.Reflect, today, upon your being present in one of these towns. Consider the many ways that you have been closed to all that God wants to speak to you. Open your heart wide, listen with the utmost attentiveness, be humble before the message of the Gospel and be ready to receive it and to change your life as you do. Commit to being a member of the Kingdom of God so that all that God speaks to you will have a transforming effect upon your life.My compassionate Lord, Your firmness and chastisements are an act of Your utmost mercy for those who are hard of heart. Please soften my heart, dear Lord, and when I am stubborn and closed, please rebuke me in Your great love so that I will always turn back to You and Your saving message with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Jesus blesses the Apostolic College by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Matthew 9:32-38 - A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.” Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, His Heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Dann Aungst, Founder and President of Road to Purity

Love People?”, we explore Jesus' powerful lesson on mercy over tradition, drawn from Matthew 12 and Mark 2. When the Pharisees condemned His disciples for eating grain on the Sabbath, Jesus reminded them that God desires mercy, not sacrifice. This message calls us to examine our own hearts: Do we love people, or are we trapped in judgment and religion? Through Scripture, we uncover how the Holy Spirit transforms our minds, fills our hearts with compassion, and helps us bear good fruit—not through performance, but through love.

Hosts Pastor Robert Baltodano and Pastor Rico Basso Question Timestamps: Sarah, SC (4:48) - What are you supposed to tithe on? What are you not able to tithe with? Are you supposed to tithe on extra income? Harold, NY (8:54) - In John 1, is "the prophet" a reference to Deuteronomy 18:15-19? Are "the Jews" the Pharisees in the book of John? James, VA (13:39) - If you take your own life will you go to hell? When you take your own life you don't have time to repent of your sin. Michael, Facebook (20:48) - How does suicide bring God glory? Ed, NJ (22:09) - What is the Mark of the Beast? Dianne, Facebook (27:06) - How do you know when you are being presumptuous versus not taking all that God has to offer? Maggie, MS (33:48) - How do we reconcile our sin nature with our desire to not sin? How do you stop feeling like you've hurt God by sinning unintentionally? Eugene, NJ (40:34) - Is euthenasia a sin or a mercy for a person with a terminal illness? Misha, NY (46:40) - I want to be a Christian. Debbie, NY (50:57) - Why would I have a disturbing dream where Satan was trying to lock me in a room? Ask Your Question: 888-712-7434 Answers@bbtlive.org

Daily Dose of Hope July 9, 2025   Scripture – Matthew 23   Prayer:  Almighty God, Thank you for a new day and a new chance to give you glory and praise.  You are an amazing God.  How incredible it is that you, who created everything, know my name.  You know every hair on my head.  While I am so grateful for your love and care, it is sometimes difficult for me to adequately wrap my brain around your expansive love and mercy.  Help me be a better reflection of you, Lord.  Help me see others through your eyes.  Help me be merciful, kind, and good.  Lord, I know I fall short.  So often.  But I want to do better.  In these next few moments of silence, Jesus, hear my prayer...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are working our way through a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are deep diving into Matthew 23.   Throughout most of this chapter, we see Jesus strongly denounce the Pharisees. Their system of rules and regulations was originally designed to help people seek godliness but their extremism only harmed people. The rules had become an end in themselves and the teachers of the law were much more concerned with following the letter of the law than they were about the people themselves. This gives the appearance of godliness but it is all a facade. The heart is still far from God.   We begin the chapter with a warning about hypocrisy.  You may remember this from Mark, but hypocrisy involves a discrepancy between one's outward actions and one's inner character, essentially acting a part rather than being genuine. The Pharisees were all about looking holy.  Jesus mentions how they don't practice what they preach.  He reminds his followers that the greatest among them will be a servant.    Let's think about this.  Think particularly about our faith community.  For most of us listening, that means New Hope Church.  Are the greatest among us serving?  Are we rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty?  My prayer is that no one thinks they are too good or too important to do the dirty work.  We are all equal at the foot of the cross and if we think otherwise, we have a big problem.    Okay, it's time to move on to the woes.  The word woe is an exclamation of grief, denunciation and means great sorrow or distress. The woes criticize the Pharisees for hypocrisy and illustrate the differences between inner and outer moral states.  The seven woes are addressed specifically to the teachers of the law and Pharisees; in one of the woes, He calls them “blind guides.” At the end of the woes, Jesus calls them “snakes” and “brood of vipers.”  He isn't kidding about hypocrisy.  What's interesting to me is that Jesus prefaced the seven woes by explaining to the disciples that they should obey the teachings of the Jewish leaders—as they taught the law of God—but not emulate their behavior because they were so far from God.    Jesus' final words in this chapter about Jerusalem are quite sad. Jesus loves Jerusalem and had longed for the people to love him back. He wanted to gather the people under his protective wings and offer them true solace and hope. Remember, this was the holy city where the temple of God resided. And yet, over and over again, the people of Jerusalem had rejected God's efforts to care for them. It was no different with Jesus. Jesus' words were also prophetic. When he says...”Look, your house is left to you desolate,” we understand from history that it isn't long before the Romans totally destroyed the city in AD 70. But besides the physical desolation of the city, there is this tone in the text that suggests God had forsaken it as well. And, of course, when Jesus states that they will not see him again, we know that he is indeed heading to the cross. His earthly ministry has come to a close until God does a new thing.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

July 9, 2025

Hypocrisy is a disease that can lead you to Hell. Hypocrisy is a disease. It's a sickness that is contagious because its influence is everywhere. In the passages we've been looking at Jesus has shown Hypocrisy in the Pharisees and the scribes. Jesus pronounced some strong condemnations on them. He wants us to learn that those who live hypocritical lives, show they… The post Deconstructing Unbelief Part 3 | Tearing the Mask Off Hypocrisy appeared first on Pillar of Truth Radio.

Gospel  Matthew 9:32-38 A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.” Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Reflection There was a tradition in the time of Jesus that those who were evil were considered to have the power to do strange things to other people. And so it seems, the Pharisees were just claiming some kind of hope that some people might believe them when they said, Jesus is the demon. That's how he can handle demons. But it makes no sense to Jesus or to the others. Why would the devil try to drive out the devil from another person? But what I love in this passage is the way in which the compassion of Jesus is so clear. Looking at his  human beings, he sees them troubled, abandoned, without direction, and he calls for a prayer of all of us, that there will be people who will guide those who are longing for the kingdom. We underestimate each of our ability to be an instrument of touching the troubled and abandoned soul, with love and with hope. Closing Prayer God, we don't always have the confidence that we should. That you can use us to give direction that you long for other people to have. You will use us, empower us, give us wisdom so that through us you will be able to touch those abandoned and those who are afraid. Bless us with this conviction. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.The crowds were amazed and said,“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”But the Pharisees said,“He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,teaching in their synagogues,proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,and curing every disease and illness.At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for thembecause they were troubled and abandoned,like sheep without a shepherd.Then he said to his disciples,“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;so ask the master of the harvestto send out laborers for his harvest.”

Sometimes, life has a way of shaking us awake from our spiritual complacency. It happened to me, Pastor Steve Gray, in my early 40s when I realized that despite following every rule and doing everything "right," I felt unfulfilled. This revelation led me to a transformative journey of studying biblical principles more deeply, and I'm excited to share these insights with you in our latest episode of the More Faith, More Life podcast. We explore the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, a story that challenges our understanding of humility and self-righteousness in faith.In this episode, we delve into the vivid dynamics of the temple atmosphere where public prayers often masked self-righteousness. We examine the stark contrast between the Pharisee, who was confident in his own piety, and the tax collector, who humbly sought God's mercy. Through their stories, we unravel the deeper message from Jesus about the essence of true righteousness. This narrative encourages us to look beyond the surface and confront tendencies within our faith that may lead to judgment rather than compassion.Key Takeaways:The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector emphasizes the importance of humility and recognition of one's need for divine mercy for true justification.Cultural context influences the understanding of biblical stories; knowing the circumstances of the time enhances comprehension of their teachings.Exalting oneself in spirituality mirrors the fall of Lucifer, making humility a godly characteristic.Self-righteousness can blind individuals from receiving God's forgiveness and grace, as illustrated by the Pharisee's attitude.God values contrition and humility, rewarding those who acknowledge their spiritual dependence on Him.

Daily Dose of Hope July 8, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 22:23-46   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, We come before you this morning, thanking you for a new day.  Lord, you are good and we rejoice in your holy and powerful name.  As we begin our day, Lord, help us focus on you.  Help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on your Word and what you want us to learn today.  We get so distracted and self-consumed.  Forgive us for that, Lord.  In these next few moments of silence, help us have laser focus on your voice... In Your Powerful Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we finish up with Matthew 22.    In this chapter, we see the Pharisees and Sadducees are trying to trick Jesus. They are desperately trying to trap him in his words so they can discredit him and/or arrest him. These teachers of the law feel like Jesus is destroying the very fabric of their religious faith. He certainly is turning everything upside down!   The first part of today's passage is addressing Levirate marriage.  The Sadducees, the intellectual aristocracy of the day, did not believe in resurrection.  They were pressing Jesus on the topic, hoping to make him look foolish.  If you will recall from Mark, levirate law was intended to protect widows without a male heir.  When a brother died, leaving his wife without children, a surviving brother marries the widow with the sole intention of producing an heir.  If a son is conceived, he is actually considered to be the deceased brother's child.  In ancient near-East culture, a widow without any connection to a male would either starve or be forced to beg or prostitute herself.    Thus, the Sadducees question makes a little more sense even though it is a bit absurd.  A woman's husband dies and she marries a brother.  That brother dies and she marries another brother and so forth until she has been married to all seven brothers.  Then she dies.  Whose wife will she be at the resurrection?  Keep in mind, they ask this question knowing that they think the resurrection is false.    Jesus basically tells them they are missing the point. In the resurrection, our bodies will be different – perfect and glorious.  There will also be a change in our spiritual nature.  Jesus is saying that in regard to marriage and sexual matters, we will be like the angels (note that he did not say we will be angels but we will be like them.)    But the Sadducees were mistaken so significantly not because of this absurd question but because they didn't believe in the resurrection.  This is a fundamental aspect of Jesus' teaching and they missed it entirely.    The next part of today's Scripture is in regard to the greatest commandment.  Keep in mind, when asking about which commandment is greatest, the expert in the law is hoping to engage in some kind of debate. But the commandment Jesus chose was not one that could be open for debate–it was a commandment recited by pious Jews each and every day, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. But then, Jesus adds something new, as he often does. He says...and the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.   A person cannot love God and treat their neighbor poorly. Love of God is not an intellectual or abstract claim. Rather, love of God is expressed in the way we love others. I John 4:20 speaks to this truth, Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. What's interesting to me here is that Jesus says that the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments. If one loves God wholeheartedly, then they will observe the law. If someone loves God wholeheartedly, they will care for others as well. The prophets often proclaimed the need to worship God sincerely (not just go through the motions) and take care of those who were oppressed. One cannot split hairs about observing the Sabbath but then cheat your neighbor in the marketplace. Love of God and neighbor are intricately connected. This was true 2000 years ago and it's true today.   Think about this past week. How have you demonstrated love of God? What about love of neighbor?   In the final portion of today's Scripture, rather than allowing the Pharisees to try to entrap him, Jesus asks the hard question.  He asks the group, “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?”  They immediately respond, “The son of David.”  How then, Jesus asked, could David call him by the Spirit ‘Lord' when he said, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”' (Psalm 110:1). “If David”, Jesus said, “Calls him ‘Lord,' how can he be his son?” The Pharisees were unable to answer and “from that day on no one dared to question him any longer”. Jesus point was missed.  Of course, Jesus had descended from David. He was the Son of God.  He was the Messiah, the one the Jews had been waiting for, for hundreds of years.  He was right before their eyes and they were missing it.  Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

The scribes, the Jewish lawyers, did not teach the truth. The scribes, who were the lawyers, were the learned men who studied God's law. Their responsibility was to teach the Pharisee's and others. Jesus had very strong words when He spoke against these would be teachers of the law. God holds those who teach His word to a higher standard. Jesus pronounces… The post Deconstructing Unbelief, Part 2 | Tearing the Mask Off Hypocrisy appeared first on Pillar of Truth Radio.

When Jesus frees a man from a demon, the crowd is amazed, but the Pharisees accuse Him of using dark powers—only to have their accusations dismantled by the One who holds true authority over all kingdoms.Amid growing tensions with the Pharisees, Jesus casts out a demon from a mute man, astonishing the crowd. As the Pharisees accuse Jesus of using demonic power, He exposes the absurdity of their claims and declares His authority, warning them that a divided kingdom cannot stand.Today's Bible verse is Matthew 12:25, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the very system you trust to bring you closer to God is actually pulling you away from His grace—and true freedom is found somewhere you might not expect? In Galatians 5, Paul reminds us that true freedom comes not from religious rule-keeping or law-based performance, but from living by the Spirit through faith in Christ alone.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Galatians 5 | True Freedom in ChristSection 1: Stand Firm in Freedom (Galatians 5:1-6)Galatians 5:1-6 (NLT)Christ has truly set us free. Paul urges us to stay free and not get tied up again in slavery—this time, not slavery to old sinful habits, but to religious legalism. Both are equally destructive.Many Mormons follow rules, believing this makes them justified before God. Paul, once a Pharisee, believed the same until he encountered Christ:Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT): Paul calls his former religious achievements "garbage" compared to knowing Christ.Relying on works, like circumcision in Paul's day or LDS temple worthiness today, cuts people off from Christ and God's grace. True righteousness comes by faith alone.Big Idea: Christ set us free—don't return to a system of religious control.Illustration: Jesus didn't come to give us a new set of religious rules. He came to set us free (Matthew 11:28-30).Section 2: The Danger of Legalism (Galatians 5:7-12)Galatians 5:7-12 (NLT)The Galatians were running well until false teachers led them astray, adding law-keeping to the gospel. Paul warns that even small false teachings spread like yeast.Who holds Mormons back today? Consider the "Four Horsemen" of LDS control:LDS LeadershipLDS ScripturesLDS Temple System (worthiness interviews, temple recommends)LDS Culture and Social PressureAll these create a performance treadmill, keeping people from the simple gospel of grace.Paul is blunt: False teachers deserve judgment.Section 3: Freedom Isn't a License to Sin (Galatians 5:13-15)Galatians 5:13-15 (NLT)Freedom from the law doesn't mean freedom to indulge the sinful nature. It leads to loving and serving others.Key Point: True freedom leads to love and service, not selfishness.LDS Misconception: Evangelicals are often accused of "cheap grace."Examples:Bruce R. McConkie (Book: Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed., 1966), p. 671) : “One of the most pernicious heresies of modern Christendom is the concept that man is saved by grace alone... This concept, as interpreted by modern Christians, removes all the restraints which encourage personal righteousness and offers salvation to the sinner merely for confessing Christ.”Spencer W. Kimbal (Book: The Miracle of Forgiveness (1969), p. 206) : “One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation.”True...

Pharisees were recognized by their phylacteries. Levites were recognized by their garments. John's disciples were recognized by their baptism. Stoics were recognized by their ascetic lifestyle. Legalists are recognized by what they do not do. What is a Christian to be recognized by? Join us for this episode of Wisdom from Above as Jesus reveals the badge of discipleship.

In tonight's Bible study, we pick up in Luke 12:22 and discuss anxiety, money, readiness for the second coming of Jesus, the errors of controlling religious leaders, the cost of following Jesus, and more. Follow our new Bible Study Channel - No Wrong Questions on YouTube!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKcJ8tSzhySkA-QndkmyFPw Support the show, access all of our episodes ad free, and get bonus OVERDOSE episodes on LOCALS - https://alternatively.locals.comMERCH - https://conspiracypilled.com/collections/all Join the DISCORD - https://discord.gg/c8Acuz7vC9 Give this podcast a 5 Star Review - https://ratethispodcast.com/conspiracypilled NORTH ARROW COFFEE - https://northarrowcoffee.co Use code CONSPIRACY10 to get 10% off your order! Abby — @abbythelibb_ on X and InstagramLiz —- @adelethelaptop on XJon —- @Kn0tfersail on XMusic by : Tyler Daniels #Luke #Prayer #Provision #Gospel #Discipleship #Jesus #PhariseesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/alternatively-formerly-conspiracy-pilled--6248227/support.

Jesus performs his first miracle at a wedding, where the party is about to stop short because there is no more wine. Jesus miraculously turns water from purification jars into wine that tasted better than all the other wines that came before it. In so doing, Jesus proclaims through the miracle that the promised Messiah has come. He is the better bridegroom and the better wine that has come at the right time, providing his people with something better than all that came before. Later, Jesus meets with a Pharisee named Nicodemus who has come to him in secret. Christ tells him he must be born again, which confuses Nicodemus, because he doesn't know how to accomplish such a feat. Jesus tells him in response that the wind blows where it pleases, and so does the Spirit. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

How do we move forward? Move on? Grow? Change? These are constant themes and questions in our real life. Often, we look to God for the strength to help us do what we need to do. But Jesus had another plan entirely.At this past Gathering, we considered the surprising story Jesus told to set us on the path to flourishing.The band performed songs by The Beatles, Tom Petty, Eminem, and more.

What if the very system you trust to bring you closer to God is actually pulling you away from His grace—and true freedom is found somewhere you might not expect? In Galatians 5, Paul reminds us that true freedom comes not from religious rule-keeping or law-based performance, but from living by the Spirit through faith in Christ alone.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Galatians 5 | True Freedom in ChristSection 1: Stand Firm in Freedom (Galatians 5:1-6)Galatians 5:1-6 (NLT)Christ has truly set us free. Paul urges us to stay free and not get tied up again in slavery—this time, not slavery to old sinful habits, but to religious legalism. Both are equally destructive.Many Mormons follow rules, believing this makes them justified before God. Paul, once a Pharisee, believed the same until he encountered Christ:Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT): Paul calls his former religious achievements "garbage" compared to knowing Christ.Relying on works, like circumcision in Paul's day or LDS temple worthiness today, cuts people off from Christ and God's grace. True righteousness comes by faith alone.Big Idea: Christ set us free—don't return to a system of religious control.Illustration: Jesus didn't come to give us a new set of religious rules. He came to set us free (Matthew 11:28-30).Section 2: The Danger of Legalism (Galatians 5:7-12)Galatians 5:7-12 (NLT)The Galatians were running well until false teachers led them astray, adding law-keeping to the gospel. Paul warns that even small false teachings spread like yeast.Who holds Mormons back today? Consider the "Four Horsemen" of LDS control:LDS LeadershipLDS ScripturesLDS Temple System (worthiness interviews, temple recommends)LDS Culture and Social PressureAll these create a performance treadmill, keeping people from the simple gospel of grace.Paul is blunt: False teachers deserve judgment.Section 3: Freedom Isn't a License to Sin (Galatians 5:13-15)Galatians 5:13-15 (NLT)Freedom from the law doesn't mean freedom to indulge the sinful nature. It leads to loving and serving others.Key Point: True freedom leads to love and service, not selfishness.LDS Misconception: Evangelicals are often accused of "cheap grace."Examples:Bruce R. McConkie (Book: Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed., 1966), p. 671) : “One of the most pernicious heresies of modern Christendom is the concept that man is saved by grace alone... This concept, as interpreted by modern Christians, removes all the restraints which encourage personal righteousness and offers salvation to the sinner merely for confessing Christ.”Spencer W. Kimbal (Book: The Miracle of Forgiveness (1969), p. 206) : “One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation.”True...

Does Prayer Work?Luke 18:1-14The Village Chapel - 07/06/2025Does God actually hear our prayers—or is prayer merely wishful thinking and positive self-talk?In a world that sometimes feels the weight of heaven's silence and is drowning in the hopelessness of skepticism, Jesus told two parables—one about a widow and a judge, the other about a Pharisee and a tax collector. These stories speak directly to our own questions about prayer. And they're more than just lessons about talking to God or at God—they're revelations about the heart of the One we pray to, and about the condition of our own hearts when we pray.Join Pastor Jim as he helps us explore what our prayer life reveals about who we really trust. Come and discover how Jesus reveals a God who is righteous, just, and welcoming—and how that changes everything about the way we approach Him in prayer.To find more resources like these, follow us:Website: https://thevillagechapel.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVTzDbaiXVUAm_mUBDCTJAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tvcnashville/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tvcnashvilleX: https://twitter.com/tvcnashvilleTo support the ongoing mission of The Village Chapel go to https://thevillagechapel.com/give/. If you are a regular giver, thank you for your continued faithfulness and generosity!

God grants us grace and the Holy Spirit to stand firm in the face of opposition to the gospel. We can face God's enemies even when they: I. Disagree with Christ's Teaching II. Designate False Witnesses III. Determine to Silence the Gospel.

Daily Dose of Hope July 7, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 22:1-22   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you this morning in awe of your blessings and love.  Thank you, Lord, for the ways you continue to guide our lives.  Lord, we want more intimacy with you.  We are desperate to know you better.  In these next few moments of silence, Jesus, please speak to us.  We need to hear your voice...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today is the first day of Vacation Bible School (VBS) at New Hope.  We are expecting close to 200 children.  Please pray for every single child and their families, may they come to know Jesus.   Today, we are starting Matthew 22.  We are starting with the parable of the wedding banquet and it's a hard one.  Let's remember that parables are not meant to be taken literally.  Parables are intended to surprise the audience to make a point.  What can we learn from the Kingdom of God from this parable?  Let's be careful not to make arbitrary links between the text and God.  For instance, the king is like God in some ways, but he is not the same as God.  Also, his son is not Jesus.    This particular parable is somewhat complex and difficult to make sense of.  Why did the king not invite everyone to his banquet from the beginning?  Why did the invited guests reject the king's invitation?  That would have been unheard of in their culture!  And then, the king's violence against the guests who didn't attend does not make a lot of sense.  What is the radical message of this parable?   One possibility is that Jesus is actually continuing the parables of the Two Sons and the Wicked Tenants by making the point that there is nothing more important than doing God's will.  Even though people are called or invited to do God's work, they may neglect or refuse it, consumed with their own needs and self-interest.  But God isn't giving up on his work of saving people and calling others to join him in that task.  The subversive message might be that the position and status of religious leaders, such as the Pharisees, will not last forever.  God is going to achieve his purposes no matter what.  It may mean breaking traditions and doing new things.    And then we have the passage about paying tax to Caesar.  The Jewish leaders are really trying to find a way to trap Jesus.  By this point, they can't stand him and they simply want him out of their way.  He threatens their authority and what they find important.  Thus, they ask him about the poll tax.  We discussed this in Mark too.  This was a flat tax that every person living in the Roman Empire was forced to pay.  To the Jews, it was a reminder that they were far from free.  If Jesus had responded with a positive remark like “yes, definitely pay it!” then he would have turned off a lot of his audience.  If he had said, “don't pay it!” then he would have been seen as turning against Rome, a dangerous thing.  The way that Jesus answered the question blew everyone away!   More tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Monday, 7 July 2025   The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children.” Matthew 11:19   “He came, the Son of Man, eating and drinking, and they say, ‘You behold! A man, a glutton, and a winebibber! A friend of taxmen and sinners!' And it is justified, the wisdom, from her children” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus noted that John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said he had a demon. He continues with, “He came, the Son of Man, eating and drinking.”   Jesus is referring to Himself in the third person, contrasting His life to that of John. As noted in the previous commentary, “eating and drinking” signifies more than just the act of eating and drinking, but doing so in a social setting. Whereas John would refrain from such things, Jesus welcomed them. For example –   “Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.' 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, ‘He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.'” Luke 19:1-7   Understanding this, Jesus continues, saying, “and they say, ‘You behold! A man, a glutton, and a winebibber! A friend of taxmen and sinners!'”   Two new words are introduced here. The first is phagos, a glutton. The second is oinopotés, a winebibber. It is derived from oinos, wine, and pinó, to drink. Both words will only be seen again in the comparable passage in Luke 7.   As in the account of Zacchaeus, Jesus went into the houses of those whom the Pharisees and Sadducees would never enter. He ate and drank what was put before Him without any objections.   Seeing this, the judgmental sort called him a glutton and a winebibber. This shows the utter folly of their thinking. John, who refrained from any such thing, was said to have a demon. Jesus, who openly associated with those shunned by the elites, is accused of inappropriate behavior.   Neither had committed any infraction of the law, and yet, they were arrogantly dismissed as being something they were not. As such, those saying such things had made themselves the standard of what is acceptable and what is not, ignoring the fact that it is the Lord, through the law, who set the standards of what was acceptable in the society.   As for the words, “they say,” it is the same thought from the previous verse –   ... and they say he has a demon! ... and they say, “You behold! A man, a glutton, and a winebibber!”   The words reveal who “this generation” in verse 16 is. It is not referring to John and Jesus, but to the Jews who stood accusing them –   Vs. 17 ...they say, “We piped to you and not you danced. We bewailed to you and not you breast-beat.” Vs. 18 ...and they say he has a demon! Vs. 19 ...and they say, “You behold! A man, a glutton, and a winebibber!”   Jesus is making a one-to-one comparison of those in His example and the Jews who stood around, finger-pointing at the lifestyles of John and Jesus. Because of this, Jesus concludes the thought with, “And it is justified, the wisdom, from her children.”   Another new word is seen here, dikaioó, to render just or innocent. It is that which is upright because of meeting a proper standard. Jesus is saying the wisdom, that which is divinely set forth by God, and which seems so arbitrary in how it is displayed, meaning in the conflicting, changeable conduct between John and Jesus, is proven upright from their actions.   Both Jesus and John were within their rights to live their lives as they desired while adhering to the Law of Moses as the guide for Israeli society. Despite one living in a certain way while the other lived in a completely different manner, they performed their roles before God in a way that He accepted and that brought Him glory.   Life application: Jesus' words show that God can and does work through different means and allowances to meet the set goals of the plan of redemption. John was used while living the life of an ascetic. Jesus lived His life associating with the outcasts, dining with them, etc. The two seemingly contrary lifestyles merged to form a part of God's unfolding redemptive narrative.   This is like the doctrine of dispensationalism. People have a problem with it because it seems fickle. In the dispensational model, God works one way with one group of people and another way with another group. As such, it seems arbitrary, and it appears that His plans are conflicting and changeable.   Such is not the case. The wisdom of God expresses itself through these various methods to form a whole. Bread doesn't just pop into existence. It first grows as wheat. The wheat is harvested and processed. It is then ground in a mill. After that, it will be mixed into dough. From there, the dough is placed in an oven. Once the bread is finished, butter is slathered all over it, and the family enjoys it as a part of dinner.   Each step of the process is different, and yet, a final anticipated result is realized. This is akin to how God's dispensational plan works from beginning to end. It is a step-by-step process, each dispensation unique and different from the others, culminating in eternal fellowship between God and His creatures. Peace and harmony are restored and realized.   Lord God, Your wisdom is on display in everything around us. The movement of the stars, pollination by the bees, males and females forming a couple... each of these and an infinite number more things reveal Your wisdom. It is also seen in Your word, which explains to us how we can be reconciled to You through Jesus. Thank You for such wonderful wisdom, leading to hope and restoration. Amen.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Monday morning, the 7th of July, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go to the Book of Exodus 6:7. The Lord says: “I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” Then we go to that very well-known scripture that I love so much found in Romans 10:13. The Lord says: For “whoever (that means you sir, that means you madam)…whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”We serve such a merciful God, such a forgiving God, it makes me weep sometimes. I read very recently the account where Abraham said to the Lord, “Lord, if there were 50 righteous men in Sodom and Gomorrah, would You save the city?” The Lord said He would and he said, “What if there were 30? What if there were 20? What about if there were 10 righteous men in that city, would You save the city for the sake of those 10?” And He said He would. I don't know who I am talking to this morning but I feel I am talking to someone who is very burdened and heavy-laden who feels not worthy to call upon the Lord because you have disappointed God, you have broken some commandment, you know it, you did it willingly and now you've realised what you have done. I want to say to you, own up, say sorry, truly repent, and God will forgive you. I don't care who you are, and then there might be some Pharisees, some self-righteous, “No, no, you can't do that.” Yes, you can. The Lord said, in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world…” Who is the world? It's you, it's me, it's the one who dropped the ball, it's the one who told that lie, it's the one who has taken something that doesn't belong to you. Take it back, say sorry, repent and get on with your life. The Lord says that He would save a whole city for the sake of 10 righteous men. There is not one person listening to this programme today who is righteous in their own strength, no, not one, but it is by grace. What is grace? Undeserved, loving kindness, unmerited favour, that is what grace means. We don't deserve it but because He loves us and He says, “I am your God and I will help you, and I will take you out of your predicament.” But we must do it God's way and then He will be free to set us alive, to give us new hope and a new beginning.Jesus bless you richly! Remember, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Just say sorry, ask God to help you, and He will see you through. Jesus bless you and goodbye.

In Jesus' parable of the two debtors, a Pharisee's skepticism and a sinful woman's devotion reveal the transformative power of grace. This narrative challenges us to confront the immeasurable debt of our own sins, recognize the boundless forgiveness offered by Christ, and reflect on how this gift inspires a life of heartfelt love and service to others. This sermon was preached by Daniel Buth, a member at Faith who is studying to be a pastor.Seminarian Daniel Buth's sermon preached at Faith on July 6, 2025.Intro/Outro Music: “Depth of Field” by David Hilowitz

Jesus pronounces woes upon the Jewish leadership and their teaching. Travis will be expounding on why the leadership in Isreal was leading the people they way they were. The Pharisees were actually doing what the lawyers, the scribes, in Jesus's day taught them to do. Jesus pronounces woes on their leadership and teaching. That brings up some critical questions that each of… The post Deconstructing Unbelief, Part 1 | Tearing the Mask Off Hypocrisy appeared first on Pillar of Truth Radio.

Are You Living For The Opinion Of Many Or The Opinion Of One Luke 11:43 43“Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.

How can our righteousness surpass that of the Pharisees? Is self-righteousness blinding us to our true selves? In this episode, we explore these questions and more as we delve into the Sermon on the Mount. Join us for a conversation that challenges our perceptions and invites us to reflect on the deeper meanings of faith and humility. #ReflectAndGrow #SermonOnTheMount

NET 9 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” 40 So Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” He replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed him 500 silver coins, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Topics: Losing Fellowship, Confess Sins for Fellowship, 1 John 1:9 Fellowship Debate, One-Time Confession of Faith, Faith Not Words, Invitation for Sin Deniers, Gnostics and Jesus' Flesh, Testing the Spirits, Admitting You Have Sin, 1 Corinthians 6:17 One Spirit with God, John Uses "We" in 1 John, John's Fellowship with God, If You Sin Really Big, No Small Sins to God, Weightier Matters of the Law, Romans 14 Anything Not of Faith is Sin, Wages of Sin is Death, Romans 6:23 and the Gift of God, Romans 6:10 Died to Sin Once, Hebrews 9:26 Sins Put Away by One Sacrifice, Confessing Sins for Forgiveness, Backsliding and Fellowship, God Slid Down to Us, Hebrews 2 Lower Than Angels, John 3:16 God Loved the World, Romans 5 Powerless, Nobody Can Snatch You Out of His Hand, Old Testament Backsliding, Hebrews 9 New Covenant Beneficiaries, Blood Ratified Covenant, Secure in Christ, Religious Effort for Fellowship, Pharisees and Lawlessness, Matthew 5:48 Perfection Required, Matthew 7 Depart From Me, John 10:14 Jesus Knows His Sheep, Colossians 3:3 Hidden in Christ, Romans 8:38-39 Nothing Separates Us from God's LoveSupport the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com    Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” 4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who [a]made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,' 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” NOW THE PHARISEES ARE DOING WHAT THE WORLD DOES RIGHT HERE… THEY WANT JESUS TO FOCUS ON TWO THOUGHTS.. ONE-DIVORCE IS ALLOWED FOR ANY REASON AND TWO DIVORCE IS ONLY ALLOWED FOR ADULTERY. **But Jesus flips the script and does not focus on Divorce but rather on marriage. He focuses on the covenant between God and Man and his wife. The term “whatsoever God has joined together” When you want to divorce your spouse for any reason you run the risk of divorcing God… when you lust you not only break a covenant with your spouse but with God, when a woman fantasizes about security in another man she breaks the covenant with God and her husband… this covenant makes marriage a whole new mindset.  7 They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” 8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” Moses allowed it due to hardness of heart. Meaning… your sin will justify your decisions. Rather then understand how marriage gives you a great grounds to practice Gods love (i.e. he loved us while we were sinners, he forgave us continually, he chose us as his bride knowing we would blow it) - we could practice this with our spouses… but we don't - we have hard hearts.  **hold the phone.. what is this saying: It is saying something profound so don't miss it. Gods permission is not his perfect will or desire. So don't confuse the two.  Just becasue God allows it, does not mean God ordains it or blesses it. Maybe thats why second marriages are higher in divorce than first marriages… just saying.  10 His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” THE DISCIPLES REALIZED HOW HARD MARRIAGE WAS… AND IF THERE IS NO REAL WAY OUT OTHER THAN ADULTERY THEY KNEW THEY WOULD BE STUCK… UNABLE TO USE ANY EXCUSE TO DIVORCE. **AND LETS BE HONEST MOST DIVORCES ARE EXCUSES BASED ON OUR NEEDS NOT GETTING MET.  Biblically We don't marry for our needs to be met - but we do… smh. This is why divorce is so high in our world today. When we feel cheated, slighted, ripped off, - when we feel like our expectations are not being met we blame the other person and choose divorce.  But if God ordained it… then it must be good right? What does it mean ordained it. Simple. He ordained for marriage to be hard. Like somone once said “you don't get married for a good time, you get married for a long time”.  Marriage is the singe best way to be placed in a position where you absolutely need God in order to make it in life.  Not health issues, not money issues, not mindset or intelligence issues… NOPE, its marriage that will drive you mad unless you have Jesus on your side to help YOU - not your spouse, but you.  Marriage is the hardest and the best thing going for you if you truly want to be more like Jesus. Rely on him, seek him and know that he will use marriage to make you Christ like. 

The Scripture very clearly tells us that one day all tribes, all nations, all people, will bend the knee to Jesus Christ as Lord. That all our confusion about earthly concerns will fade away…but the Kingdom of God remains. Eternal. Unending in every way… What is your allegiance? 13 Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and […] The post Allegiance appeared first on Rockpointe Community Church.

Sermon from 07-06-2025

Gospel Matthew 9:14-17 The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” Reflection The response that Jesus has to the disciples of John the Baptist is that things are changing, and the change is coming in the form of something new, something so new that one has to be reborn. The image of baptism, the entrance into a new kingdom is all about a birth that is created by God. We are made new. We are made capable of embracing and holding the teaching of Jesus. Closing Prayer Father, the work of grace that you promise to share with each of us, is the work of a transformation, always being remade into the newness of the kingdom of God that is coming. Bless us with patience as we work toward that goal. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Read Online“No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:16–17The parable above teaches us that even if someone were to faithfully understand and live the authentic Law that was given through Moses and the prophets, Jesus' new teaching of grace, the New Law, was so different that it was not simply an improvement of the old, it completely replaced it. Furthermore, many of the customs taught by the Pharisees were unfaithful representations of the Law of Moses. They had deviated from the Law's meaning and replaced it with their own scrupulous and erroneous multiplication of external practices. Thus, Jesus' New Law needed to break away from these deviations completely.To use a modern example, if you were to have an old phone that had become obsolete or stopped working, you wouldn't buy a new phone so as to remove various parts from it to try to add those parts to the old phone to fix it. Instead, you use the new phone as a complete replacement for the old one.A central quality of the New Law of grace is that it is entirely new and transforming. Therefore, by embracing this New Law, we become entirely new creations in Christ. Grace doesn't simply patch that which is weak and sinful in us. It transforms us, elevating our human nature to an entirely new existence.This teaching is not only directed at the misguided teachings that the Pharisees had developed over the years, it was directed at human life itself. Not only were the Jewish customs to go through a transformation, humanity itself was to go through a transformation. Everything is made new in Christ. This teaching applies just as much to us today as it did to the Jewish people of old. Today, we not only receive the new life of grace in Baptism, but we also receive it anew and share in this ongoing transforming renewal every time we allow grace to touch us more deeply and transform us more fully into the people God wants us to be. The “new patch” and the “new wine” are always transforming, and we must look forward to this newness throughout our lives. Reflect, today, upon the joyful discovery that awaits you every day. Discovering the New Law of grace, accepting it into your life, and allowing it to transform you will set you on a path of discovery that will never get old. It is an ongoing discovery that is far greater than anything this world has to offer. Nothing can ever compare to the gift of God alive in our lives. It will never get old. It will always be transforming. And it will always be new. Ponder this gift God offers you today and say “Yes” to it with all your heart. My transforming Lord, You continuously offer to renew me, transform me and elevate me to the life of grace. I thank You for this Gift and desire to accept it with all my heart. May I always be ready and willing to say “Yes” to You and the transformation that awaits me as I discover this ever new treasure of Your Grace. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Titian, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.