Post by Les Brewer on May 19, 2014 13:53:10 GMT
Grace Ministries Bible Study
Discipleship the Way Jesus Did It
Matthew 3 (part4)
John’s work for the Lord not only drew those who believed and adhered to his message, but he also attracted the attention of the religious leaders of that day. Why where the Pharisees and Sadducees amongst the crowd that went out to John from Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan? As mentioned before, John had renounced his position in the Levitical Priesthood where the Pharisees and Sadducees would have been his colleagues. Although these two sects differed in the doctrinal believes, they where the dominant religious groups of that era. They also seemed to be able to put aside their differences and unite when someone threaten their position in the community, therefore, because John was drawing large crowds the Pharisees and Sadducees perceived him as a threat to their control over the people. John was a courageous man and confronted them openly.
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
John boldly addresses the Pharisees and Sadducees. His description of them was not unfound. He had grown up around these religious leaders. He had observed firsthand their practices. He was being groomed to take his place among them. These religious leaders put the people in bondage under their corrupt interruption of the Mosaic Law. They were thieves draining the people of their livelihood and themselves living lavishly. Does this seem familiar? This pharisaical attitude has seep into the church and many are being trained to continue the corrupt practices. The prophet Jeremiah prophesied saying, “Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.” As in John’s today, God is sending leaders warning. His wrath upon their wicked way is going to come, but opportunity exist right now “to flee from the wrath to come”
“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”
The pompous, prideful, arrogant and greedy attitudes that had and have permeated the hearts of leaders needed and needs to be acknowledged. John tells them “Bring forth therefore fruits.” The fruits that were required of them and is require of us is the knowledge and acknowledgment of corrupt ways, coming with a desire to be changed, coming with a heart humbled before God. This was the attitudes/fruits the Pharisees and Sadducees needed for repentance. These are the attitudes/fruits the church leaders of today need for repentance.
My brothers and sisters, servants of the true and living God it is time, it time to stop closing our eyes to the ungodliness in our churches. It is time to boldly take a stand as John did against the pharisaical attitudes and corrupt practices in the church. We have been given the responsibility of protecting new believers and delivering believers from corrupt doctrine and to nurture all believers in the truths of God word. We have work to do saints. Let’s be about our Father’s business.
Discipleship the Way Jesus Did It
Matthew 3 (part4)
John’s work for the Lord not only drew those who believed and adhered to his message, but he also attracted the attention of the religious leaders of that day. Why where the Pharisees and Sadducees amongst the crowd that went out to John from Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan? As mentioned before, John had renounced his position in the Levitical Priesthood where the Pharisees and Sadducees would have been his colleagues. Although these two sects differed in the doctrinal believes, they where the dominant religious groups of that era. They also seemed to be able to put aside their differences and unite when someone threaten their position in the community, therefore, because John was drawing large crowds the Pharisees and Sadducees perceived him as a threat to their control over the people. John was a courageous man and confronted them openly.
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
John boldly addresses the Pharisees and Sadducees. His description of them was not unfound. He had grown up around these religious leaders. He had observed firsthand their practices. He was being groomed to take his place among them. These religious leaders put the people in bondage under their corrupt interruption of the Mosaic Law. They were thieves draining the people of their livelihood and themselves living lavishly. Does this seem familiar? This pharisaical attitude has seep into the church and many are being trained to continue the corrupt practices. The prophet Jeremiah prophesied saying, “Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.” As in John’s today, God is sending leaders warning. His wrath upon their wicked way is going to come, but opportunity exist right now “to flee from the wrath to come”
“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”
The pompous, prideful, arrogant and greedy attitudes that had and have permeated the hearts of leaders needed and needs to be acknowledged. John tells them “Bring forth therefore fruits.” The fruits that were required of them and is require of us is the knowledge and acknowledgment of corrupt ways, coming with a desire to be changed, coming with a heart humbled before God. This was the attitudes/fruits the Pharisees and Sadducees needed for repentance. These are the attitudes/fruits the church leaders of today need for repentance.
My brothers and sisters, servants of the true and living God it is time, it time to stop closing our eyes to the ungodliness in our churches. It is time to boldly take a stand as John did against the pharisaical attitudes and corrupt practices in the church. We have been given the responsibility of protecting new believers and delivering believers from corrupt doctrine and to nurture all believers in the truths of God word. We have work to do saints. Let’s be about our Father’s business.