马太福音［第二十三章］
Book of Matthew 23
【离开宗教自义之山】
GK611 晨祷生命读经
主讲: 陈惠菁传道
09/01/2025
主教导门徒和那些渴慕祂的众人，要离开文士和法利赛人所设立的宗教律法山头。
耶稣提醒我们不要专注于人。牧者、传道、教师、小组长，生命可能还是有软弱，但只要他们教导的是神的话语，听的人仍要切实地去行。
-作教导的要看重生命、身教比言教更有影响力
-信仰不仅在于知识和言语，更在于行动和实践
听到的真理都是先要对付自己的生命。对于别人，要以爱来劝勉，不是批判或定罪。更不要叫别人担重担，反之，要互相担当彼此的重担。
耶稣指出法利赛人和文士的另一个生命问题，就是他们故意把将佩戴的经文的盒子做宽了，衣裳的繸子做长了，目的就是要引人注目。喜欢在公众面前被人称呼他拉比。他们是追求人的奉承、尊重。
宗教的灵使人喜欢显扬自己。求神保守我们的心，不管奉献、作见证、服事、讲道、著书等，让我们的动机不是为着贪图虚浮的荣耀，想要得到别人的奉承或称赞。
当时拉比是教师的尊称，代表着权威和教导圣经律法的能力。很多宗教领袖热衷于追求这样的头衔，以显示自己的地位，是很受百姓尊重。
耶稣提醒门徒，信仰的核心不是外在的称号或权威。所以，不要贪爱高位与尊称，而是以谦卑的心追随基督，甘心作众人的仆人。以舍己的心态来服事，不是Self-seeking（自我炫耀），而是self-giving（舍己）！属灵父母是给予还是操控、辖制孩子呢？做教师的教导真理，是把人带到神面前还是自己面前？按神心意牧养，不误导人。
因v12“凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高”。让我们的事奉和服事，不是Self-seeking，而是self-giving！
耶稣接着严厉斥责文士和法利赛人，以此提醒门徒要远离这些虚伪宗教的祸害：
例子：一次得救永远得救的恩典神学、赞同并为同性恋征婚、妥协、认同多元家庭的牧者，自以为能进天国，但却领着一大批人沿着宽敞的大路走向地狱。
假冒为善的宗教领袖利用他们的地位牟取私利，剥削如寡妇这样的弱势群体。他们假装敬虔，却心怀贪婪，注定要受更重的审判。
基督徒不但不可以利用信仰之名谋取利益，更要奉献并关怀和帮助有需要的人。
文士和法利赛人热心传教，错误的教导却使人远离神。使人作地狱之子。
摩门教、耶和华见证人、律法主义或人本主义等，不属神的教导，成了使人跌倒的绊脚石。
法利赛人和文士的心灵眼睛都瞎了，毫无分辨能力。金子和圣殿、祭物和祭坛，那样比较重要，他们的选择是本末倒置。根源问题是贪婪。
领袖要常常检视自己的生命，要紧紧跟随耶稣，使那些被我们带领的人也能够做对事，走对路。而不是瞎子领瞎子，都掉入坑里。
文士和法利赛人注重行为规条的细节，却忽略了公义、怜悯、信实的信仰核心。我们是否过于也会过于强调规条，而忘记信仰的核心是爱？例如，为琐事争辩，却缺少彼此接纳。
耶稣责备他们清洁杯盘的外表，内心却盛满了勒索和放荡。他们像粉饰的坟墓外面美观，里面却满是腐朽的尸臭味。耶稣指出，心灵的洁净才是真正的圣洁。
法利赛人表面尊崇先知，实则继承祖宗的恶行，杀害神所差来的使者。甚至把耶稣钉在十字架上。因此主以蛇类、毒蛇来形容他们，并宣告他们难逃地狱的刑罚。
我们是否拒绝听从神藉人所传的话？如果我们抗拒圣灵的责备，就如同那些杀害先知的恶人。神的儿女应当乐意领受神的话语，无论多么不容易，只要是从神儿来的，也要顺服调整并对齐神。
神以母鸡看到小鸡有危险时，奋不顾身的把所有孩子聚集在翅膀底下保护他们，来形容祂对百姓的爱，但这爱却一再地杯拒绝。因为百姓的硬颈不会改，神悲痛的表达，审判必来到。主后70年第二圣殿真的被罗马帝国彻底毁掉。
刚硬不悔改的心，使人仍然停留在宗教之山，无法明白神的爱，进入与神真实的生命关系。愿今天每个听见主声音的人，愿意离开宗教之山，领受基督的爱和救赎。
离开宗教之山意味着抛弃表面的敬虔、地位的荣耀和刚硬的心，转向耶稣基督活出的真信仰。祂呼召我们活在谦卑、怜悯与真实的爱中。这是信仰的核心，也是对祂爱的真实回应。愿我们在每一件小事上都能以基督为中心，活出舍己爱人的生命，使我们的信仰不只是言辞，而是行在世人面前的光。
Matthew Chapter 23:
Departing from the Mountain of Religious Self-Righteousness
GK611 Morning Devotion
08/01/2025
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deboarh
Jesus taught His disciples and those who desired Him to leave the religious mountain of laws established by the scribes and Pharisees.
Jesus instructed the crowd and His disciples that while the scribes and Pharisees could accurately teach the Law, they failed to live it out. Their teachings were valid and should be obeyed, but their hypocritical lives should not be imitated.
Jesus warned against focusing on people. Even pastors, preachers, teachers, or leaders might have personal weaknesses, but as long as they faithfully teach God’s Word, listeners are called to obey.
Teachers must value their own spiritual lives because actions speak louder than words.
Faith is not merely about knowledge and speech but about action and practice.
The truths we hear must first transform our lives. When addressing others, we should exhort them in love, not judgment. Furthermore, we must avoid placing undue burdens on others but instead bear each other’s burdens.
Jesus highlighted another issue with the scribes and Pharisees: their desire for attention. They broadened their phylacteries and enlarged the borders of their garments to show off, loving to be addressed as “Rabbi” in public. They pursued human flattery and recognition.
A religious spirit often leads to self-promotion. We must pray for God to guard our hearts so that our motives—whether in giving, testifying, serving, preaching, or writing—are not for vain glory or human approval.
The title “Rabbi” symbolized authority and the ability to teach biblical law. Many religious leaders pursued such titles to elevate their status and gain people’s respect.
Jesus reminded His disciples that true faith is not about external titles or authority but a humble heart following Christ. They were to serve others selflessly, not out of self-seeking but out of self-giving.
Spiritual parents should give rather than control their spiritual children.
Teachers should guide people to God, not to themselves.
Pastors should shepherd with God’s heart, leading people rightly.
（V12): “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Our service should focus on self-giving, not self-seeking.
Jesus severely rebuked the scribes and Pharisees, warning His disciples to stay away from the harm caused by hypocritical religion:
The scribes and Pharisees, self-righteous in their outward observance of the law, refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. Not only did they reject salvation for themselves, but their false teachings also hindered others from entering the Kingdom.
Example: Theologies that distort grace with the idea of once saved always saved, support homosexuality, or compromise with worldly values may lead others away from the truth, causing them to walk the broad road to destruction.
Hypocritical religious leaders exploited their positions for personal gain, preying on the vulnerable, like widows. Though appearing devout, their greed condemned them to greater judgment. Christians should not exploit the faith for personal gains but instead offer support to those in need.
The scribes and Pharisees zealously converted others to their false teachings, leading them further away from God. False religions or doctrines like Mormons or legalism remain stumbling blocks.
The Pharisees were spiritually blind, unable to discern what truly mattered. Their focus on minor details, like gold versus the temple or offerings versus the altar, reflected their greed and misguided priorities.
Leaders must regularly examine themselves, ensuring their actions align with Christ’s example so that those they lead walk on the right path.
The scribes and Pharisees emphasized rituals but neglected justice, mercy, and faith. Do we also overemphasize the rituals and practices, and forget the core of our faith is “Love”. For example, focusing on the things instead of the love and acceptance of the person.
Their outward piety masked their inward corruption, which Jesus compared to unclean cups and whitewashed tombs. True holiness begins with a cleansed heart, not external appearances.
Though outwardly honoring the prophets, the Pharisees perpetuated their ancestors’ evil by rejecting God’s messengers, even crucifying Jesus. They brought judgment upon themselves. We must be open to God’s word, even when it convicts or challenges us, aligning our lives with His truth.
Jesus expressed His sorrow over the people’s rejection of God’s love, comparing Himself to a hen gathering her chicks for protection. However, their hardened hearts led them to reject Him, resulting in judgment. In A.D. 70, the Roman Empire destroyed the Second Temple as Jesus foretold.
A hardened, unrepentant heart keeps people on the mountain of religion, preventing them from experiencing God’s love and entering a true relationship with Him. May all who hear God’s voice to leave the mountain of religion and receive the true love and salvation from Christ.
Departing from the mountain of religion means abandoning superficial piety, seeking human approval, and stubborn hearts to embrace true faith in Jesus Christ. He calls us to humility, mercy, and genuine love. Let us live out our faith with Christ at the center, reflecting His selfless love in all we do, making our faith visible not just in words but in deeds.
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