Message by Josh Mutter – March 16, 2025
BIG IDEA: Jesus calls us to integrity over self-interest.
Matthew 23:16-22 (NIV) Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.
1. Spiritual blindness is a result of pride.
Mark 3:28-29 (NLT) “…all sin…can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”
2. Genuine faith is not found in technicalities.
3. Integrity results in freedom and peace.
Matthew 5:34-37 (NIV) But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:
1. Evaluate how we justify our actions.
2. Say “yes” or “no” without ambiguity.
3. Ask God to reveal how our pride is getting in the way.
You can listen to the sermon on YouTube here.
You can download discussions resources here: Lent #3
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