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23rd Sunday after Pentecost (cycle a)
Proper 26 (31)

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| Reformation | All Saints
 

Texts & Discussion:
Joshua 3:7-17
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
or
Micah 3:5-12
Psalm 43
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12

All Saints Day:
Revelation 7:9-17
Psalm 34:1-10, 22
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12
 

Other Resources:

Commentary:

Matthew Henry,    Wesley

Word Study:
Robertson

This Week's Themes:


Courageous Faith
Leading By Example
Genuine Servanthood
 


 

 

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 Texts in Context | Commentary:    First LessonEpistleGospel | Prayer&Litanies  
Hymns & Songs
| Children's Sermons | Sermons based on Texts

 


Sermons:
  • WASHED, Revelation 7: 9-17, Rev. Rick Thompson

Reformation Day Sermons:

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Do As I Say and Not as I Do!
a sermon based on Matthew 23:1-12
by Rev. Elizabeth Ann Quick

I've not yet experienced what it is like to be a parent, but I can tell you, from a child's perspective, that there's not much greater joy than when you can catch your parent doing something they've been telling you not to do. All along, your parent tries to teach you something, like to always tell the truth, or to stay away from alcohol, or to always clean up messes, or to be a responsible driver. And then, you catch them in the act - of going 80 on the thruway (in this I speak from personal experience), or of telling a white lie. And you know, as a child, you've got them right where you want them - your parents aren't even doing themselves what they've insisted you do! From a parents' perspective of course, the situation is a nightmare, and the best a parent can usually come up with is to remind the child: Do as I say, and not as I do! After all, parents know better, and in their wisdom, may have some good reasons, though mysterious and unknown to children, for their behavior. In reality, though, parents hopefully more often choose to lead by example. The best way to teach someone and convince someone of what is right is by living these behaviors ourselves. In the church, we call this "practicing what we preach" and we call failure to practice what we teach hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy is one of the topics Jesus frequently addressed in his teachings, and he was most likely to bring up the topic when he was talking to or about the religious leaders in the community - the Pharisees. The Pharisees were scholars of the law, or the commandments. They interpreted the commandments in the scriptures to see how they should be applied in everyday life. For example, if the scriptures say we should keep the Sabbath holy, the Pharisees would debate and discuss exactly what this meant - exactly what is prohibited and what is allowable to do on the Sabbath? The Pharisees sought to follow God's commandments, just as we today seek to interpret how the Bible guides us in our daily living, and in their study of the law, counted over six hundred commandments that should be followed for faithful living.

But Jesus accused the Pharisees of missing the mark, and losing the message in their quest for obedience to the law. He warns the crowds against them - he tell them, "the scribes and Pharisees are in the line of Moses, and know the commandments, so listen to them, and follow as they teach, but don't do what they do, for they do not practice what they teach. Jesus then continues on to accuse the scribes and Pharisees of several faults in his words to the crowds. He accuses them of not practicing their own teachings. He accuses them of laying burdens onto others that are hard to bear, without offering to "lift a finger" to help ease the load. He accuses them of making a show of their faith. He says that they "make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. Phylacteries were boxes that were tied to the arm and forehead that contained words of scripture in them, and fringes were part of a garment worn by Jewish men. The long fringes and phylacteries would be worn not by common people, but by the Pharisees, as a show of their devotion. Jesus insisted that it was actually a show of pride in their own piety. And Jesus accuses the Pharisees of being obsessed with titles and positions and places of honor.

Jesus criticizes the Pharisees not for seeking to follow the commandments. Jesus himself said that he came to fulfill the law, not abolish the law, and so he urges us to follow the commandments as the Pharisees teach. But Jesus criticizes them for taking what is [continue]