Not only were the Pharisees hypocrites, blind guides, snakes and vipers, they also practiced "one-upmanship" (the technique or practice of gaining a feeling of superiority over another person). Today we call that "talking trash." Jesus calls them out again and challenges their "holier than thou" self-righteousness. Might Jesus have similar words for us?

(Curtis Roth - Youth Pastor Intern) When I think of whitewash, I think of Tom Sawyer whitewashing a picket fence. The new coat of white paint covered up old damaged wood and made it look like new. Key word: LOOK like new. Jesus does not want us to cover our sins so we look good; Jesus is ready to forgive our sins entirely and purify us so we are white as snow.

Football season is fast approaching. Most smart Minnesotans are Vikings fans. However, some people like the Packers, Patriots, Seahawks, or Broncos. Many youngsters like a number of teams at the same time. As adults we often demand, "Choose a team! You can't like more than one!" In our text today, we see a tension that exists between holiness and love. The Pharisees picked holiness over love, but Jesus encourages us not to choose, but embrace both! Is it possible to be a Vikings and a Packers fan at the same time?

In Proverbs 6:16, Solomon lists 7 things the Lord hates. Two of the seven have to do with lying. A recent survey found that 91% of us lie often. I believe the other 9% is lying! In our text today Jesus calls the Pharisees "blind guides" because they prided themselves in developing a system of evading the truth. Jesus again confronts their error.

The Pharisees were men who had dedicated their lives to studying the Scriptures. Ironically, their vow never moved from their head to their heart. Their external righteousness was not authentic and that is why Jesus gave His scathing rebuke! Authentic Christianity must be external and internal.

As we begin our series on the Seven Woes, understand that these incredibly harsh, blistering, condemning words of Jesus, said in both intense anger and sorrow were being directed at the Pharisees, the righteous leaders of His day who had lost their way (Matthew 23:1-12). The scary question that is on my heart is: would Jesus walk into our church and speaks these woes to us? Are we like the hypocritical Pharisees of Jesus' day? How have we "shut the kingdom of Heaven in men's faces"? (Matt 23:14 NIV).

It is said, "Look at a person's checkbook and calendar and you will discover their passions." What are you passionate about? What might a passionate Christian look like? How does your passion meter read?

As we conclude our study of one of the greatest chapters in Scripture, we can be assured that God's plan for our lives (foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified) is secure. Nothing can "separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).

While we were sinners, while we were enemies, while we were helpless . . . God gave us the best, the greatest, the dearest, the most precious gift He has, His one and only Son. God gave Jesus over to be lied about, betrayed, abandoned, denied, mocked, flogged, spit upon and nailed to a cross . . . therefore, we are forever secured!

This message is going to be over our heads. It will be impossible to totally get our minds around these Biblical doctrines. Our puny brains are not able to understand the mind of our infinite God. So why not skip over Romans 8:29-30? Because it is in the Bible and God intended for us to study His Word!