Date: 11-25-2020

Title: Dirty Coffee Cups

(S) cripture:
    Matthew 23:25-28 (NASB) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 “You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 “So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

(O) bservation:
    Jesus challenged the Pharisees and teachers of the law, these are the religious leaders, for their proud and arrogant lifestyles. He challenges their hypocrisy by saying that they look good on the outside but are far from God on the inside.

(A) pplication:
    Today I need to be sure what I say matches how I live. I do not want to be like the Pharisees. Too often though I find myself in their shoes, proclaiming one thing and living another. Encouraging people to this or that in their spiritual lives and not doing those things in mine. It is an easy trap to fall in. I want to be authentic in my faith and to live it out without hypocrisy.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, let me get things straight today. I want my talk and walk to match and to reflect what You want me to be and do. Make me aware when I fall short. Make it clear to me so I can confess my sin and move forward with you. Thank you for your forgiveness and love. Let me walk with you. Amen