2. THE “IN” CROWD
Are You a Member?

3. THE “IN” CROWD
When we speak of the “in” crowd, we usually mean “a small, fashionable, and exclusive or influential group.”
In this lesson, however, I am using “in” as a negative prefix.
The “in” crowd is composed of those who are the opposite of what they ought to be.

4. THE INDIFFERENT Indifferent to their own spiritual needs
Indifferent to the spiritual needs of others

5. Revelation 3:15-17
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.’”

6. THE INSINCERE
Judge others when they should be judging themselves

7. Matthew 7:1,2
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

8. Matthew 7:3-5
“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

9. THE INSINCERE Judge others when they should be judging themselves
Do not practice what they preach

10. Matthew 23:1-4
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you— but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 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.”

11. THE INSINCERE Judge others when they should be judging themselves
Do not practice what they preach
make long prayers for a pretense

12. Matthew 23:14
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.”

13. THE INSINCERE Judge others when they should be judging themselves
Do not practice what they preach
Make long prayers for a pretense
Emphasize minor matters while neglecting major matters

14. Matthew 23:23,24
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

15. THE INSINCERE Judge others when they should be judging themselves
Do not practice what they preach
Make long prayers for a pretense
Emphasize minor matters while neglecting major matters
Have only an outward appearance of righteousness

16. Matthew 23:25,26
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

17. Matthew 23:27,28
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

18. THE INDECISIVE
Do not stand firm in the faith

19. 1 Corinthians 16:13
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

20. THE INDECISIVE Do not stand fast in the faith
Will not put on the whole armor of God

21. Ephesians 6:10,11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

22. Ephesians 6:12,13
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

23. Ephesians 6:14,15
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

24. Ephesians 6:16,17
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God….

25. THE INDECISIVE Do not stand fast in the faith
Will not put on the whole armor of God
Do not honor Christ the Lord as holy in their hearts

26. 1 Peter 3:13-15
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;

27. 1 Peter 3:16
yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

28. THE INDECISIVE Do not stand fast in the faith
Will not put on the whole armor of God
Do not honor Christ the Lord as holy in their hearts
Do not contend for the faith

29. Jude 3
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

30. THE INDISCREET
Do not understand the will of the Lord

31. Ephesians 5:17
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

32. THE INDISCREET Do not understand the will of the Lord
Are not transformed

33. Romans 12:1,2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

34. THE INDISCREET Do not understand the will of the Lord
Are not transformed
Do not walk in wisdom

35. Colossians 4:5
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

36. THE INFLATED
Think more highly of themselves than they ought

37. Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

38. THE INFLATED Think more highly of themselves than they ought
Brag about themselves, even to God

39. Luke 18:9-12
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

40. Luke 18:13,14
“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

41. Are you a member of the “in” crowd?
“Come out from among them and be separate.”