The Outward Dress and Garb of Religion
The sermon warns against focusing too much on minor aspects of religion and neglecting the main things, which is a characteristic of hypocrites and a design of Satan.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the danger of focusing on trivial aspects of religion, as illustrated by the Pharisees who meticulously tithed their spices while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. He warns that such distractions are a tactic of Satan to keep believers from engaging in the weightier matters of faith. Brooks calls for a deeper examination of one's spiritual life, urging Christians to prioritize the essence and power of their faith over mere outward appearances and ceremonies. He highlights that true hypocrisy lies in being preoccupied with minor details while ignoring the core principles of Christianity.
Text
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you
have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice,
mercy and faithfulness." Matthew 23:23
Take heed of spending too much of your precious time about
circumstantials, about the minor things of religion, as "mint,
dill, and cummin," or in searching into the circumstances of
worship, or in standing stoutly for this or that ceremony, or
about inquiring what fruit it was which Adam ate in paradise,
or in inquiring after things which God in His infinite wisdom
has concealed.
It is one of Satan's great designs to hinder men in the great
and weighty duties of religion, by busying them most about
the lowest and least matters of religion. Satan is never better
pleased, than when he sees Christians puzzled and perplexed
about those things in religion, which are of no great consequence
or importance. Such as are more busied about ceremonies than
substances, about the form of godliness than the power. Such are
more taken up with the outward dress and garb of religion,
than they are with the spirit, power, and life of religion.
There cannot be a surer nor a greater character of a hypocrite,
than to make a great deal of stir about little things in religion, and
in the meantime neglect the great and main things in religion.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Overemphasizing Minor Aspects of Religion
- Satan's Design to Hinder Christians
- The Character of a Hypocrite
- Making a big deal about little things in religion
- Neglecting the main things in religion
Key Quotes
“It is one of Satan's great designs to hinder men in the great and weighty duties of religion, by busying them most about the lowest and least matters of religion.” — Thomas Brooks
“There cannot be a surer nor a greater character of a hypocrite, than to make a great deal of stir about little things in religion, and in the meantime neglect the great and main things in religion.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should focus on the main things in religion, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness, rather than minor aspects.
- We should be careful not to make a big deal about little things in religion, lest we neglect the great and main things.
- We should be aware of Satan's designs to hinder us in our spiritual duties and avoid getting bogged down in minor matters.