Central Truth

The gospel tells us we don't need to spend our lives earning the approval of others because Jesus has already earned God's approval for us.

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Reflections

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (Matthew 23:23) A hypocrite is an actor, pretender, or role-player. The Pharisees and religious leaders set themselves apart from the rest of the people by strictly following rules. Following the rules, rituals, and religion of their day made them feel important and significant. The problem wasn't that they desired to obey, but that they desired the glory. They were living for show. By externally following the rules and comparing themselves to others, they felt that they were righteous and worthy of honor, glory, and praise from man and God.

What about us? Do we ever think that if we go to church, sing praise and worship songs, pray, and give tithes and offerings, then we are worthy of God's acceptance and others' approval? Do these actions make us feel significant? Woe to the Pharisees and woe to us! Our motives and actions matter to God. If we do anything for the approval and praise of others, then we are no different from the Pharisees. If we trust our religion or rituals to earn the approval and praise of God, then we are no better off than the Pharisees. We are living for show, not for service. Jesus said, "But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:11-12) We shouldn't serve to be noticed, recognized, or approved by others.

Woe to us when we think our actions are deserving of God's approval. Judgment will fall on all of us who reject the judgment that fell on Jesus, our Substitute. Jesus vindicated God's righteousness by dying on the cross for our sins and being raised back to life. We are imperfect, but we can trust the perfect Savior. Let's trust His work, not our own. His grace motivates us to live to serve the only One who is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Jesus is the answer to fully satisfying our Father in Heaven. Trust Him continually, and live for service, not for show.

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Discussion Questions

1. Read Psalm 115:1. Do you perform for the glory at work, at home, or at church?

2. Read Galatians 1:10. Whom are you trying to please or win approval from? Why?

3. Read John 6:28-29. Do you believe? The gospel never starts with what we need to do; it always begins with what God has already done. To get it backwards is to miss the gospel truth.

4. Read Romans 8:1-2. Are you trusting Christ for forgiveness and freedom? Because of Christ's satisfactory work on our behalf, we no longer need prosperity, position, promotions, praise, or popularity. The gospel tells us our identity and security is in Christ. This frees us to give everything we have, because in Christ we have everything we need.

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

MATTHEW 21-25 (JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 3)

Read Matthew 25:14-30.

* What did the master give to each of the servants?

* What did each of them do with the money they were given?

* How did the master respond to each of the servants and how they handled the money?

* What gifts and talents have you been entrusted with? (If someone in your family doesn't mention something that you think is a gift or talent they have, encourage them by telling them what you see.)

* How are you using these gifts and talents to bring glory to your master (God)?

Activity: Have each person cut out five coins from a piece of yellow or white paper. On each coin, write one talent or gift that you have. Each morning during the week, draw out a coin, and use that gift or talent during the day to glorify God. At dinner each night, take time for everyone to share how they used their gift/talent that day.

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