Pharisees Concentrate on Having a Good Testimony Externally Only
The sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing internal purity and seeking God's approval over external appearances and man's approval.
Zac Poonen delivers a powerful message on the importance of cleaning the inside of our hearts rather than just focusing on outward appearances, drawing from the example of the Pharisees who were consumed by self-indulgence and greed. He emphasizes the need for genuine purity and seeking God's approval above man's, highlighting that God examines our hearts while people see only the external. A godly individual is characterized by a desire to maintain a clean and pure heart before God, reflecting true devotion and reverence for Him.
Text
"You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also" (Matthew 23:25, 26).
Pharisees clean the outside of their lives, but do not bother about the state of their hearts, which are full of self-indulgence and greed. They live with selfish motives, thinking only of getting more and more money and honour and comfort for themselves and their families. But outwardly they are pious and religious and even active in all sorts of "ministries" that other Christians can see. Thus they get a good reputation before people.
God tests us to see whether we seek His approval or man's. One who is careless about impurity in his heart but only concerned to have a good testimony before people proves thereby that he has no fear of God at all. He is a Pharisee. People look at us on the outside, but God looks at our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). The primary mark of a godly man is that he seeks to keep his heart clean and pure before God.
Sermon Outline
- Pharisees' External Focus
- God's Focus
- Consequences of Prioritizing External Reputation
- Lack of fear of God
- Proof that we seek man's approval over God's
Key Quotes
“You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.” — Zac Poonen
“People look at us on the outside, but God looks at our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7).” — Zac Poonen
“The primary mark of a godly man is that he seeks to keep his heart clean and pure before God.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- We should prioritize keeping our hearts clean and pure before God, rather than just focusing on external appearances.
- Seeking God's approval over man's approval is crucial for spiritual growth and transformation.
- A godly man is characterized by his desire to keep his heart clean and pure before God.