Matthew 23-25

• Jesus says what the Pharisees say is right, but don't follow their actions, because they do not live what they teach. Jesus wants us to live God's teaching, not just speak of it. It all comes from the heart (23:2-3)
• They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, but they are not willing to take on these burdens. (v4) Consistent with the fact that Jesus wants us to carry our cross.
• They do it just for people to see them. So they can earn people's respect. (v5) not to please God.
• There is only one leader (whether it be called rabbi, teacher, father, or instructor), and he is Christ Jesus. It's wrong to have other religious leaders leading on earth. (v7-10)
• And he is there to serve (v11), for "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (v12)
• Proselytes are supposed to be very bad? (v15)
• Jesus says that the scribes and pharisees have missed the point. They go so much into the details and forget what the source of 'sacredness' comes from(v16-21)
• Jesus says they are good on the outside, but bad on the inside by comparing them with the insides of cups and plates (v25-26)
• So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hpyocrisy and lawlessness. (v28) and describes them as serpents and brood of vipers.

• Foretells the fall in the temple. (24:2)

Signs of Closing of Age

• v7: Nation will rise against nation - wars we have, Iraq, Afghanistan; Famines and Earthquakes (China)
• v9: Christian persecution
• v10: Betraying one another and hate one another - selfish society - self-centred
• v11: All the leaders of different religions ...
• v12: People leaving the Christian faith - more secular society, what do we get? Divorces, one-night stands, selfishness, irresponsible unplanned births ...
• v13: Promise that God will save us if we hold on to the end.
• v14: Gospel reaching the world before the end

• But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,but the Father only. (v36)
• Jesus' second coming is like Noah and the Flood coming when no one expected! (v37-39)
• Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (v44)

• The servant not only doubts the Master allocating money for the servants to invest according to their capabilities, accuses that he is a hard man, and reaps where he did not sow! (25:24-25), said he was "afraid", but was he? If he was, he would have listened to the Master and did as he was told.
• Master asks how could he come to such conclusion (v26)?