The Blood in the Foundation What happens when religion honors the prophets—while plotting to kill the One they foretold? In Matthew 23:29–39, Jesus exposes the final layer of religious hypocrisy. The Pharisees build tombs for the prophets—while their hearts echo the hatred that killed them. “You build the tombs of the prophets… and say, ‘If […]
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Clean Cups, Corrupt Hearts What happens when the outside is beautiful… but the inside is rotten? In Matthew 23:23–28, Jesus delivers two blistering woes to the Pharisees. They majored in religious detail—and completely missed the heart of God. “You clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed
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Blind Confidence, Broken Paths In Matthew 23:16–22, Jesus confronts leaders who have sight, but no vision—teachers who speak for God but don’t know Him. “Woe to you, blind guides…” This is not a case of ignorance—it’s willful blindness mixed with spiritual arrogance. Their misplaced priorities lead others into ruin. I. Blind Guides on a Cracking
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Gatekeepers of Grace? There are few things more devastating than someone hungry for God, only to be turned away by someone claiming to represent Him. Jesus thunders: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.” — Matthew 23:13 This isn’t a mild rebuke. It’s a righteous
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Zeal Without Truth Passion is not always purity. Effort is not always evangelism. In Matthew 23:15, Jesus exposes the dark side of religious ambition: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a
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The Most Pious Pretender Religion can be a cover for robbery. In Matthew 23:14, Jesus exposes one of the ugliest abuses of religious influence: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses and for a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.” This isn’t just hypocrisy—it’s
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The Most Dangerous Religion It looks righteous… but it’s rotten.In Matthew 23:1–12, Jesus doesn’t rebuke the immoral or irreligious. He exposes the hyper-religious—those who knew Scripture, wore the robes, and held power. These leaders didn’t lack religion—they lacked relationship with God. Jesus warns: “Practice what you preach… or beware.” I. The Pharisee’s Platform: Preaching Without
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