matthew-23:13-25

"Woe to you, Pharisees, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves" (Matthew 23:15). Pharisees may be missionary-minded, but their so-called "converts" go to hell, because they do not bring their co... Read More

Jesus said, "The Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them" (Matthew 23:2, 3). In Matthew 23, Jesus exposes more characteristics of the Pharisees than we fin... Read More

"You Pharisees have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done.... (Matthew 23:23). The Pharisees were unjust and unfair in their dealings with people. They had no mercy towards those who had failed and they were n... Read More

"Woe to you, Pharisees, because for a pretence you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation" (Matthew 23:14). I have observed through the years, that those who pray the longest in public are those who are prayerless in private. They are all Pharisees. Next time you hear a m... Read More

"You Pharisees, hypocrites and blind guides - who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" (Matthew 23:24). Pharisees are very careful in small unimportant matters (straining out dead mosquitoes). But they neglect to obey the commands in Scripture (swallowing dead camels). Jesus was not thereby telli... Read More

"Woe to you, Pharisees, because you devour widows' houses" (Matthew 23:14). We don't know how exactly the Pharisees "devoured" the houses of these widows. They may have urged those poor widows to give their property for "the work of the Lord", telling them that God would bless them for it - and then... Read More

Christians are generally speaking, categorized into two groups as follows: (1) "Roman Catholics" and "Protestants" - depending on birth. (2) "Episcopal"(conformist) and "Free church" (non-conformist) - depending on church-pattern. (3) "Born again Christians" and "Nominal Christians" - depending on a... Read More

A PARTIAL REJECTION OF PENTECOST There is a class of religious teachers who champion Pentecost, but belittle the experience. They commend the baptism with the Holy Ghost, but deny its efficacy to cleanse the heart from inbred sin. By thus subtracting from the Holy Spirit's work they equally diminish... Read More

2 Cor 9:6-15 2 Kings 4:42-44 AN ANONYMOUS BENEFACTOR In the nineteenth century, Dr Barnardo conceived the idea of putting London's homeless waifs and stray children into the safety and security of small cottages where they could be loved and cared for. Close friends tried to dissuade Barnardo on the... Read More

Grace Gems for OCTOBER 2004 A cup of love! (John MacDuff, "Gleams from the Sick Chamber" 1882) "But what could I say? For He Himself had sent this sickness. Now I will walk humbly throughout my years because of this anguish I have felt." Isaiah 38:15 God Himself has mixed your bitter cup, and led yo... Read More