Practice What You Preach! (Matthew 23:1-12)

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 23:1-12
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works 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. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

COMMENT

Problems with the scribes and Pharisees as leaders:

• They preach, but do not practice
• Not willing to bear the burdens they place on others
• Do deeds to be seen by others
• Love the attention their roles provide for them

This is not, in my opinion, a cry against the Prosperity Gospel preachers of that day or today. It is actually much worse. It is a cry against those who would misuse the teachings of the Bible to give them something they are lacking, without understanding the direct relationship such teachings have to themselves.

Preach, but do not practice: This is done by some who believe that God has called them to a superior role over others, while denying God's sovereignty over themselves. Preachers who tell others from the pulpit how to live (don't smoke, drink, watch porn, curse, etc.), but fail to live perfect lives themselves. When we make the Gospel about how to live right instead of why we love God, we shift the focus and lose the correct focus in the process. You might say, "But the Bible tells us many things we should and should not do." You would be correct, but those do's and don'ts are not an end themselves, but rather a result of showing us what it means to love and honor God. When we become a living sacrifice, we do so "in view of God's mercy." (Romans 12:1-2) So we do it because we have seen God and His mercy for us, and it draws us onto a love relationship, not an obligation to do good for the sake of salvation.

Not willing to bear the burdens they place on others: When you see yourself as God's chosen messenger, it is going to affect you. Jesus did not do this. Paul did not do this. They saw themselves as God's servant as well as the servant of those God sent them to minister to. I have dealt with pastors who did not have time to talk to me, told lies, stole from the churches funds, and worse. I once had a pastor say at the end of a weekend retreat, "I just realized that we did not spend any time in prayer this weekend, but it is okay, because we are doing God's work." Really? Is that the same message he would preach to the congregation if he were speaking on prayer? Or do different burdens go to the people in the pews?

Do deeds to be seen by others, Love the attention their roles provide for them: Some give preachers a place of reverence, just because of the title. In some faiths, they go so far as to call them "Reverend," Pastor," or "Father." They sometimes wear clothes or other additions to their wardrobe to indicate their status. And for some, that is where it ends. They talk a good talk, they preach morality, but as far as knowing Jesus, I have to have a question mark. But they do love the praise. I think of a story I read in one of Mark Batterson's books. As I recall, his father had taken him to a Super Bowl game, and he wanted to take his son. So he got on Twitter and asked if there was someone who had tickets he could obtain. God heard. He not only got tickets, but all he had to do for them was preach at a church. Not sure of all the details and not interested in rereading the book, but it just stuck me then as it does now, that this is a misuse of his place and privilege as a minister. Your thoughts?

Bear in mind, this is not just a warning against those in leadership. Anyone who pursues the things God offers over God Himself needs to repent. I will just end with with verses 11 and 12: The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.