Title: FRAUDULENT

Matthew 23:1-7 “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: “The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them. They do everything to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.” ‭‭v.11-12 “The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” ‭‭ Fraud- To have wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. Fake, look alike, in disguise, sounds like, talks like, and tastes like

“There are a lot of FRAUDS in our churches and a lot of churches that are FRAUDS”

Point # 1: PROTECT OUR IDENTITY

V.3-5 “Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them. They do everything to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.” ‭‭

Religion gives you a new set of rules whereas a relationship with Jesus gives you a new identity.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” ‭‭ John 1:12 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” ‭‭

1 Corinthians 6:17 “But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” ‭‭

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” ‭‭

2 Corinthians 5:21 “We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.”

“Jesus is quick to remind us of our forgiveness, our deliverance, and our holiness based on our relationship with Him, not on what we can do for Him”

God’s holiness + Jesus’s sacrifice = a new identity based on grace and holiness. It’s not based on my performance or lack of, but on my forgiveness.

Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Religion- reminds us of our sins

Jesus- removes our sins

3 Practical ways to protect your identity in Christ:

A: Get serious

B: Constantly Monitor

C: Stop unsolicited offers

Point # 2. CHANGE OUR GARMENTS

V.5 ““Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;” ‭‭

The religious love to show off their religious piety, instead of their humility.

We hide behind: -our titles -our accomplishments -our spouses -our influence -our hobbies

Genesis 35:2 “And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.” ‭‭ Matthew 23:25-27 ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence! Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so the outside of it may also become clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity.” ‭‭

CHANGE YOUR GARMENTS

OFF WITH HYPOCRISY

EXCHANGE YOUR RELIGIOUS ROBE FOR A SERVANTS APRON.