A. JESUS EXPECTS MORE OF CHRISTIANS.
1. Scribes and Pharisees were experts in the law.
2. They didn’t have what it takes.
B. WHAT DO WE HAVE THAT THEY DON’T?
A. WHAT WAS THE PHARISEE LIKE?
1. Tradition exalted above the law( Matt. 15:1-6 ).
2. Worship emphasized form( vs. 7-9 ).
3. They enslave others to their will( Matt. 23:1-4 ).
4. They seek glory and respect of men( vs. 5-9 ).
5. The denunciation of Jesus( vs. 13-36 ).
6. The result of rejecting Jesus( vs. 37-38 ).
7. Two things we notice about the Pharisee:
a. He was not indifferent.
b. He did something.
C. WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN TO BE LIKE?
1. The contrast easily seen in the Sermon on the Mount( Matt.5 – 7 ).
2. The proper attitude rests behind each action( Luke 6:43-45 ).
3. God wants more than our bodies in worship( John 4:24 ).
4. If we go through the motions, how are we better than they?( Matt. 15:7-8 ).
A. BEING SAVED ISN’T JUST A CHANGE OF STATUS( Rom. 6:4; 2 Cor. 5:17 ).
B. A PLUS IS ADDED TO OUR LIVES WHEN JESUS IS( Gal. 2:20; 3:27 ).
1. This means imitating Jesus( 1 Pet. 2:21; Phil. 2:5 ).
2. This means submitting to him in all things( Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17 ).
3. Our motive is to be a pure and genuine love for God( Matt. 22:37 ).
A. HAS BECOMING A CHRISTIAN CHANGED YOU?
B. HAS IT AND DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
C. IS IT A CHORE TO COME TO CHURCH OTHER THAN SUNDAY AM.
D. WHEN WE STAY LATE FOR A BAPTISM, DO WONDER ABOUT THE TIME?
E. DO YOU ENJOY BIBLE STUDY? DO YOU STUDY AT HOME?
F. DO YOU SEEK OUT FRIENDS WITH COMMON SPIRITUAL INTERESTS?
G. DO YOU PRAY AS YOU SHOULD?
H. DO YOU RESENT BEING ASKED TO DO SOMETHING EXTRA?
I. DO YOU ALWAYS FEEL THE SERMON IS DIRECTED AT YOU?
