2. Matt. 23:1-39

3. Mountain
Temple
People

6. 1 Cor 6:19 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,”

7. The Temple goes into the community!

8. v2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat”
The answer to bad authority is not no authority

9. v3 “so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.”

10. Just because someone has authority does not make their Hypocrisy worse, it just makes it more visible.

11. v3 “they preach, but do not practice” = hypocrites
They set expectations they are not willing to meet.
They’re narcissistic and full of pride.
They love their titles and hierarchy.

12. v37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

13. God will not force you… so be willing!!

14. Amos 9:11 "In that day I will restore David's fallen shelter-- I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins-- and will rebuild it as it used to be,”

15. Isaiah 43:10 “‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.’”

16. Rom. 3:4 “…Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, ‘That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.’”

17. Maximus in the movie Gladiator “what we do in life... echoes in eternity”