Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Text: Matthew 23

5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.

Matthew 23:5-8

THE WORKS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES

1. Do they have works to speak about?
Yes!

2. An assessment by the Lord Jesus

a) Works to be seen by men

i) External works

ii) Seeking admiration from people

iii) Works bring self-glory

iv) Not works done with God in view

b) Phylactery

i) A small leather box

ii) Worn on the head (prayer time)

iii) Bible verses in the box

iv) The scribes and Pharisees made their phylacteries large

c) Border garment

i) This was to be blue

ii) To remind a person of heaven

iii) The borders are enlarged to show that they are heavenly minded

d) Best places at feasts

i) They expect to be seated in the best of seats

ii) As near as possible to the host

iii) To show that they are very important

e) Best seats in the synagogues

i) Special seats were reserved for prominent people

ii) The scribes and Pharisees think they should be given such seats

iii) To show that they are people to be greatly esteemed

f) Greetings in the marketplace

i) The marketplace is the city square

ii) Major businesses are conducted in the marketplace

iii) To be greeted is to be recognized by people

iv) They wished to be called “Rabbi, Rabbi”

v) This is their desire to be acclaimed

THE LORD’S CHALLENGE

1. Not to follow such examples

2. These things have no merit in themselves

3. Seeking personal glory is something to be disdained

THE ONLY PERSON TO RECEIVE FULL GLORY

1. The Lord Jesus

a) He is the Christ (The Messiah)

b) He is the Supreme Master-Teacher

2. Believers

a) We are all brethren

b) There must be mutual respect/ regard for each other

VITAL LESSONS TO LEARN

1. Works

a) To be done out of faith

b) For the Lord

c) To be a blessing to people

2. No self-glory

a) To be avoided at all costs

b) To be shied away from

3. A true servant’s heart

a) The example of the Lord Jesus Phil 2:5-11

b) His mindset must be ours