Matthew Heavy Loads

 

Matthew

Heavy Loads

Forgiveness gives a fresh start and right standing with God

But the forgiven still are under the load of wrong choices

Jesus says don’t just condemn sinners by attitudes and saying things

That distance you from them

Jesus says lift a finger to help

We all have a tendency to condemn sinners and make them an outcast

But remember Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save

Are we willing to lift a finger to help those who want to be saved?

We all need a helping hand to walk in the Kingdom of Heaven

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heavy Loads

 

There is no return now…

 

Jesus was announced as the Son of David.

 

The crowds ushered Him into Jerusalem.

 

The crowds that went ahead of him

and those that followed shouted,

"Hosanna to the Son of David!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Hosanna in the highest!"

Matthew 21:9

 

Jesus in Matthew 23

gave a very strong rebuke to the religious leaders.

 

Jesus had spoken to the teachers of the law,

the Pharisees, and Sadducees

as they confronted Him.

 

Now, Jesus laid out to the crowds and disciples

a strong warning concerning Kingdom Leadership.

 

The first abuse of leadership

Jesus addressed was…

 

 Heavy Burdens

 

They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders,

but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Matthew 22:44

 

It can become so easy to condemn others.

 

So easy to point out the wrong of others

and lay upon them harsh judgment.

 

The wages of sin is death

and it is so much easier

to condemn than it is to help.

 

Jesus condemns leadership

that does not lift a finger to help.

 

Jesus did not come into the world

to condemn it, but to save it.

 

Sinners came to Jesus…

 

 The prostitute,

The dishonest tax collector,

The thief.

 

Jesus even ate with sinners.

 

Famous words of Jesus

that got Him into a lot of trouble were…

 

 “Thy sins are forgiven.”

 

Jesus did not make sin a light matter.

 

 He strongly charged…

 

 “Go and sin no more.”

 

But for those who wanted to get out

from under the burden of their sin…

 

 He revealed a way of escape…

 

 FORGIVENESS

 

When Jesus forgave,

He expected change.

 

The sinner was not to be like the dog

that return to his own vomit.

 

Let’s be honest…

 

 Sin brings about hard burdens and forgiveness.

 

 It does not take away the effects of sin…

 

The person in debt because of wrong spending choices,

or the child born out of wedlock,

the reputation from unfaithful commitments.

 

Forgiveness gives a fresh start

and right standing with God.

 

 But the forgiven still are under

the load of wrong choices.

 

Jesus says don’t just condemn sinners

by attitudes and saying things

that distance you from them…

 

Jesus says lift a finger to help.

 

We all have a tendency to condemn sinners

and make them an outcast.

 

But remember…

 

 Jesus did not come to condemn…

 

 But to save.

 

Are we willing to lift a finger to help

those who want to be saved?

 

We all need a helping hand

to walk in the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

 

 

Scripture Reading

 

Matthew 23:1-4 NIV 

 

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.