‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.”

What was Moses’ seat?

Why did they want Moses’ seat?

Two Religious Mistakes

1. Burden Others

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.”

Jesus was different.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭40‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.””

Avoid the mistake of burdening others.

2. Seek Recognition

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭5‬a ‭ESV‬‬

“They do all their deeds to be seen by others.”

• phylacteries broad (Bible)

• fringes long (prayer)

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.”

They wanted the authority of Moses’ seat because of the privileges and recognition it gave them in their society.

Avoid the mistake of seeking recognition

How do we avoid these religious mistakes?

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Serve

• Inventory your skills, talents, and resources.
• Notice the needs around you.
• Identify causes or issues that resonate with you.
• Start small.

Serve Humbly

Philippians 2:3 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Why do we serve?

Because there are needs we can fill

Because Jesus served

• Inventory your skills, talents, and resources.
• Slow down enough to notice the needs around you.