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Matthew 23:30 – Are We Better Than They?
Almost every prophet in the OT pointed out the errors of God’s people. If you don’t believe me, believe Jesus, Stephen (Acts 7), and even the Pharisees who claimed, “If we have lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have taken part with them in shedding the prophets’ blood” (Matthew 23:30). A week or so later they crucified “The Prophet”.
Jesus says the same thing about errors among the churches in Asia (Revelation 2-3). Only two didn’t have anything negative said about them. The same pattern is seen in almost every NT writer wherein only three letters addressed to churches don’t show congregational problems (Ephesians, Philippians, and 1 Thessalonians). What’s the point?
If we expect positive sermons only about ourselves, and negative sermons about others, how in line are we with the 1st century reality? We often speak of “restoration”, which is biblical, as seen in Paul restoring the original purpose of the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11). Did you know this inspired text is the oldest NT writing on this memorial mean (cir. 56 AD); even older than the synoptic gospel accounts? Plus it was written only around 5-6 years after the Corinth’s beginning in Christ. And yet they had messed it up already!
This brings us to some self-examination, both individually and congregationally. While we are not as bad as the OT people who stoned the prophets, are we better than the 1st century congregations? Or are we too in self-denial like the Pharisees?
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