Main Text: Matthew 23:25–28 (ESV) 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Preaching Point: God wants us to reject a cultural Christianity that leads to judgment and appeal to him for a genuine righteousness that cleanses us from the inside out.

Teaching Points:

1. See the Futility of Cultural Christianity (v. 25)
2. Appeal to God for Genuine Righteousness (v. 26)
3. Expect God to Judge Cultural Christians (vv. 27-28)

Main Text: Matthew 23:23–24 (ESV) 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

Preaching Point: Knowing what God values most should lead us to prioritize the weightier matters of Scripture without neglecting the rest.

Teaching Points:

1. Distinguish the Majors from the Minors (v. 23a)
2. Pursue Faithfulness in Everything (v. 23b)
3. Recognize the Folly of Majoring on Minors (v. 24)

Title: The Seven Woes of Summer: Combating Deception

Main Text: Matthew 23:16–22 (ESV) 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.

Preaching Point: Knowing that every word is spoken before God should remind us to reject all forms of deception and to speak with honesty, clarity, and integrity.

Teaching Points:

1. Know God Hears Every Word (vv. 21–22)
2. Refuse to Employ Deception (vv. 16–20)
3. Aim for Simple Honesty (vv. 20–22)