Semon text Matt. 22:15ff, IN our discussion we restled with how we could be like the Herodians who were mainly concerned about their temporal position in the world rather than the Kingdom of God. We can get all worked up about social issues and the new legislation coming out of Washington and forget that our first priority as Christians is to preach the gospel.
Anither question that we did not discuss is can we also be like the Pharisees who were overly concerned about fine points of doctrine but did not do well on putting it all into practice. Its fine to consider what is the greatest commandment but actually living it out is so much more important.
Your comments are welcome as well as your questions.
Yes, how can we live our doctrine to its fullest extent without becoming moralists. That is a thought to ponder. I'm thinking that we could all pray for more and more humility and realization of how fragile, uncomprehending, and depraved we really are in our sinfulness. If we realized this more, we wouldn't be prone to take an aloof attitude of being "holier than thou."
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree. It's easy for me to get so consumed in a doctrinal point that i am trying to convince the other person of, that I forget that God desires "mercy above sacrifice." In other words, if I am more focused on factual accuracy and i fail to exhibit love, I am guilty of being that odious clanging cymbal. I think a balance of improving "life and doctrine" is essential, and to accentuate one and forget the other simply does not work. Our salvation is not contingent upon affirming a particular creed - although creeds are important so that we show our value for Gods truth - but I think its easy for the reformed camp especially to act that way. Perhaps the articles of our creeds need more practical points along with the doctrinal affirmations.
ReplyDeletewhay is my name hoselton?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this discussion last Sunday. For those of you in the Crown financial class or who were unable to make it to sunday school, we reflected over the sermon on Matthew 23. 1-15. The conversation began with thinking over the fact that Jesus spoke his diatribe against the godless religious leaders to the crowds and his disciples. Why? I'm glad you asked... He was making it clear that they need to be concerned about the character of their religious leaders, and we today are no exception to this duty. The blind lead the blind into the pit, and although the leaders lead them there, those who follow them are still punished. Thus we need to be those who scrutinize the religious leaders of today with a deep concern and with the unfailing truth of God's Word.
ReplyDeleteI was encouraged by the devotional nature of the class, and I was especially grateful for the several positive words of thankfulness to our elders for feeding us God's Word. This is a blessing that came at a price by many faithful men in history who died to put that Bible in our languages, in our hands, and in our pulpits. So take advantage of that blessing and use the Word to discern error.
Another point brought up but not discussed in depth, is that the elders are not the only ones who will be held accountable to God for their leadership position. Husbands for wives, parents for children, bosses for workers, friends for friends etc., the call to be leaders who purify those under us extends beyond the pastor, thus this passage is entirely relevant to everyone.
Lastly (although this doesn't cover the entire discussion), I felt a joyful and warm unification of our hearts as we all pondered the glorious Chief Shepherd (Ex. 34. 20-24) who will guide, comfort, and feed us perfectly. What a standard for the under-shepherd! How can he attain to that?! He can't! Which is the greatest part, because God blesses the humble who say I cannot do this! He says, "That's right, that means you must lead those under you to the one who can, my Son." What a passage, and what a God, that he would care for us to warn and protect us from wolves in sheep clothing, and then give us himself as a perfect shepherd.