““Wrapped Up In Jesus”Wrapped Up In Jesus”Matthew 23:1-12Matthew 23:1-12

Series: Keys to Christ-like Series: Keys to Christ-like TransformationTransformation

Sunday, August 29, 2004Larry Cantrell

Devotion to God’s Word

Psalm 73:23-25 (NIV)Psalm 73:23-25 (NIV)23 Yet I am always with you; 23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into and afterward you will take me into glory. glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire And earth has nothing I desire besides you. besides you.

“Wrapped Up In Jesus”

The seat of Moses …The seat of Moses …• An Alert: The Teacher of the Law and An Alert: The Teacher of the Law and

Pharisees were in position to lead (obey Pharisees were in position to lead (obey spiritual authority).spiritual authority).

• Watch: Do not follow behavior that Watch: Do not follow behavior that contradicts truth (their practice is not what contradicts truth (their practice is not what they preach).they preach).

• Warning: Their teachings bind and trap Warning: Their teachings bind and trap (their discipline did not transform the (their discipline did not transform the spirit).spirit).

“Wrapped Up In Jesus”

Position before ServicePosition before Service

The religious leaders wanted others The religious leaders wanted others to see the following:to see the following:1.1.PhylacteriesPhylacteries

2.2.SeatsSeats

3.3.TitlesTitles

The purest form of spiritual leadership The purest form of spiritual leadership is when others see God in you.is when others see God in you.

“Wrapped Up In Jesus”

Be careful of “leadership religion”Be careful of “leadership religion”

• RabbiRabbi

• Father Father

• TeacherTeacher

“Wrapped Up In Jesus”

Key principle of Christ-like Key principle of Christ-like transformation:transformation:

Christ does the Transformation in YouChrist does the Transformation in You1.1. The load of Christ is light.The load of Christ is light.

2.2. Christ laid down his life for you to Christ laid down his life for you to achieve transformation.achieve transformation.

3.3. God has given Christians His spirit God has given Christians His spirit as a transformation agent.as a transformation agent.

“Wrapped Up In Jesus”

Commands of God and Standards of MenCommands of God and Standards of Men• We are to have a relationship with God. We are to have a relationship with God.

It is impossible to have a relationship with It is impossible to have a relationship with rules.rules.

• A relationship with God creates intimacy.A relationship with God creates intimacy. Rules measure performance.Rules measure performance.

• A relationship with God demands your A relationship with God demands your best. best. Rules demand a standard.Rules demand a standard.

Lord’s Invitation

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (NIV)2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (NIV)

5 For we do not preach ourselves, 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. in the face of Christ.