HEAVY BURDENS Matthew 23: 1-4

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat, so you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” Matthew 23:1-4 NIV

Moses Who’s seat?!

“The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people and they stood around him from morning till evening. When his Father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said ‘What is this you are doing for the people ?’ Exodus 18:13-14 NIV

“Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws. ” Exodus 18:15-16 NIV

Moses seat = leadership role

Which means...

“You must be the people’s representative before God... Teach them the decrees and laws and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.” Exodus 18:19-20 NIV Which means...

How were they doing?

“He replied, ‘ Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites ; as it is written: ‘These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” Mark 7:6-8 NIV How were they doing?

“They act like they’re worshipping me but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for whatever suits their fancy !” Matthew 15:8 The Msg How were they doing?

“ They love the place of honour at banquets... They love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi’” Matthew 23:4 NIV How were they doing?

“These people make a show of saying the right thing, but their hearts aren’t in it. Because they act like they’re worshipping me but don’t mean it, I’m going to step in and shock them awake, astonish them... The wise ones who had it all figured out will be exposed as fools. The smart people who thought they knew everything will turn out to know nothing.” Isaiah 29:13-14 The Msg

What were they doing wrong?

“Do not add to what I command you, and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. ” Deut 4:2 NIV

What were they doing wrong? “ They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders” Matthew 23:4 ASB

What were they doing wrong? “ They crush people with unbearable religious demands.” Matthew 23:4 NLT

What were they doing wrong? “ They make strict rules that are hard for people to obey. They try to force other people to obey all those rules. ” Matthew 23:4 ERV

How NOT to use the Bible!

How NOT to use the Bible!...

(1) To fit your own ideas “They just use me as a cover for whatever suits their fancy... ” Matthew 15:8 The Msg

How NOT to use the Bible!... (2) To make yourself look important/clever “...for you have one Teacher, the Christ.” Matthew 23:10 NIV

How NOT to use the Bible!... (3) To limit who can come to God “You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.” Matthew 23:13

How NOT to use the Bible!... (4) To cover up injustice “You give a tenth of your spices... But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness.” Matthew 23:23

How NOT to use the Bible!... (5) To paper over the cracks “You look like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones.” Matthew 23:27

Hidden Pharisees?

Leaders?

Parents?

Ourselves?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light ” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV