1
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
♪ theme music ♪

2
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School,

3
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
an in-depth, interactive study

4
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of the Word of God.

5
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I'm glad you joined us today

6
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as we continue a life-changing series

7
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of studies on the Gospel of Matthew.

8
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Today we're going to talk

9
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about "The Teachings of Jesus

10
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about the Last Days."

11
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
A relevant topic,

12
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I know you'll be blessed.

13
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So welcome to Hope Sabbath School

14
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and welcome to our team.

15
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What a great series of studies.

16
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I'm so thankful that the Spirit of God

17
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
inspired a former tax collector,

18
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Levi Matthew, to write this account,

19
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I'm excited today because

20
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
one of our team, T ricia Lee,

21
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is going to be leading in our study.

22
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Tricia Lee, thanks for your commitment

23
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to the Word of God,

24
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I know God is going to bless us

25
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in wonderful ways.

26
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're just so glad

27
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that you're part of Hope Sabbath School,

28
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and when you write to us it brings joy

29
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to our hearts to hear
how God is blessing you.

30
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You can write to sshope@hopetv.org.

31
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You can also write a note

32
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
on our Facebook page;

33
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we've got more than 150,000 followers

34
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
on Facebook now, and it's wonderful.

35
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Sometimes we'll put a picture of you,

36
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
if you send one.

37
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're just part of a global family

38
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
seeking God and wanting to be used

39
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to bless others with His Word.

40
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So thanks for writing.

41
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Ely writes from California.

42
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Anybody from California?

43
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Some of you have lived
in California, right?

44
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Okay.

45
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"Greetings to every Hope
Sabbath School member."

46
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Several of you look happy.

47
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"I watch your program every day.

48
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I learn a lot from the discussion.

49
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I also downloaded the app,

50
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I love to watch the archives.

51
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I feast on the Word of God every day."

52
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Well, Ely, thanks for letting other

53
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Hope Sabbath School members know

54
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that if you go to our website,

55
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
hopetv.org/hopess,

56
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you can not only watch programs

57
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in this series on the Gospel of Matthew

58
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that you might have missed,

59
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but you can watch a
multitude of past programs

60
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
with wonderful topics

61
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that will be a blessing.

62
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If you have the app on your iPhone

63
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
or your smartphone, you can access

64
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the archives there; you can watch

65
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
all kinds of wonderful Bible studies.

66
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So thanks for putting in a little promo,

67
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Ely, for the app, and that's

68
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a wonderful blessing to many people.

69
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
James writes from Ghana.

70
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Anyone with Ghanaian roots?

71
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We do have some occasionally on our team,

72
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
don't we?

73
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"I enjoy your class and the contributions

74
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you make.

75
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I pick your contributions,

76
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I replicate them in my class

77
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when I teach in my church."

78
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Is that good?

79
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Team) Yes.

80
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) That's exactly
what we're hoping for.

81
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"Oh, how I wish I could contribute live,"

82
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
says James.

83
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"Send my greetings to the
Hope Sabbath School team."

84
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Well, James, if you come over

85
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when we're filming, we'd love to have you

86
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as part of the program,

87
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but, you know, we're equally excited

88
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to know that you're leading a Bible study

89
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
program there in your homeland of Ghana,

90
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and, along with tens of thousands

91
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who are downloading that outline,

92
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we're glad you're teaching
the Word to others.

93
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Benson writes from Kenya,

94
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I know we've got one Kenyan.

95
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Eric, wave to your brother from Kenya.

96
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
All right, a big smile for Benson

97
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
writing from Kenya, "I
follow your programs.

98
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I am a Sunday School teacher."

99
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So Benson's teaching the Word

100
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in his church.

101
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"Please don't give up because your work

102
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is not in vain."

103
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Team) Amen.

104
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) Ah, that's awesome!

105
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"God bless you all, amen."

106
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Well Benson, to know that you're a witness

107
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
there in your church in Kenya

108
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
brings great joy to our hearts.

109
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You encourage

110
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
your other Sunday School members

111
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to watch Hope Sabbath School,

112
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and they'll learn much more about

113
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the Word of God, too.

114
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Here's one last note, actually, I've got

115
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a couple here; lots of people writing.

116
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I want to thank Jean

117
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
for writing from Russia.

118
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You say, "Jean doesn't sound Russian."

119
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Well, Jean is from Rwanda,

120
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
studying in Russia.

121
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"I greet you in the might name of
our soon-coming Savior Jesus Christ."

122
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Team) Amen.

123
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) "Peace be with you.

124
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I am Rwandese, currently living

125
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and studying in Russia."

126
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Now I want you to listen
to Jean's testimony.

127
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"I discovered Hope Sabbath School

128
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in late 2014 shortly
after I came to Russia.

129
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I used to go through the
Sabbath School study by myself

130
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because I didn't have
anyone to study with me.

131
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Even after I discovered
a church in the city,

132
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it was still difficult because all
of the services were held in"...?

133
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Team) Russian.

134
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) "...Russian, and I just
was learning the language.

135
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
As a response to my longings,..."

136
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Somebody is going to say "amen" here,

137
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"As a response to my longings,

138
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God revealed Hope Sabbath School to me,"

139
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Team) Amen.

140
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) "...and I was able to be part

141
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of the in-depth study of
the Word of God in English.

142
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It blessed me so much that even though

143
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I've now acquired enough language skills

144
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to discuss the lesson in Russian,

145
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I still watch Hope Sabbath School,

146
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I'm blessed by that.

147
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I pray that you keep serving,
letting people know

148
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about the Word of God and that you

149
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
might even broadcast
in different languages

150
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to reach many unreached
places for Christ."

151
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Well, Jean, I want to ask you to pray

152
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because we are moving forward 
with closed captioning,

153
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we are looking for the opportunity

154
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
for volunteer translators in a multitude

155
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of different languages so that people

156
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who don't have English as their language,

157
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
even a major second language,

158
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
will be able to watch and
read the closed captioning

159
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because, you know this
Gospel of the KIngdom

160
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is going to go the whole World,

161
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and then Jesus will come back,

162
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
isn't that right?

163
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Team) Amen.

164
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) So thank you for
being a witness there

165
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
while you're studying in Russia.

166
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
One last note from Alexander in Zimbabwe.

167
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Anyone from Zimbabwe?

168
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Simiso, hold your hand up
and wave to your brother,

169
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we'll get that on the screen,

170
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
all the way from Zimbabwe.

171
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"Greetings, Hope Sabbath School team."

172
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Team) Greetings!

173
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) "I'm blessed to be watching

174
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Hope Sabbath School in Harare,

175
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
capital of Zimbabwe.

176
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I really enjoy the discussions;

177
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they're so interactive and informative.

178
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
May God bless you, the entire
Hope Sabbath School team,

179
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
for spreading the Word of God."

180
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Well, you say that's a lot of emails

181
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
coming from around the world,

182
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and, you know, we are just so glad

183
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that we can be part of a global family.

184
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And we're going to sing together now

185
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as a global family,

186
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and then Tricia Lee's going to lead us

187
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in a powerful study of the Word of God,

188
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"The Teachings of Jesus
about the Last Days,"

189
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but were singing now, Psalm 148.

190
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I hope you've learned it for this series,

191
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"Praise Him in the Heights."

192
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
♪ music ♪

193
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) You know, I've got a feeling

194
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when we're done with this series,

195
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we're going to be singing
this in our sleep,

196
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but what a great Psalm to sing,

197
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"Praise Him in the Heights,"

198
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and, Tricia Lee, as you lead our
study today, I know we'll have a lot

199
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to praise Jesus for as He gives
us hope for the last days.

200
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

201
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let us pray.

202
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Dear Lord, we need your Holy Spirit

203
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to help us to understand the times

204
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that we're living in.

205
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We need your Holy Spirit to help
us understand Your Word to us

206
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about the Last Days.

207
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Please bless this study,

208
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in Christ's name we pray, amen.

209
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek, Team) Amen.

210
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) I am so excited that God

211
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
has not left us in the dark about
what to expect will happen

212
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in the Last Days.

213
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Some people are very anxious
or nervous about the things

214
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that happen at the end of time.

215
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Some people have heard rumors or
strange stories of the apocalypse

216
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
or even science fiction zombies,

217
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but God's Word reveals
to us what to expect.

218
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So as we study together, let's just
thank God that He has not left us

219
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in darkness about what
will come in the Last Days.

220
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek, Team) Amen.

221
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Let us turn our study

222
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to the Book of Matthew chapter 23.

223
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Before we hear what Jesus
teaches about the Last Days,

224
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
first we find our study right
after the Triumphal Entry.

225
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jesus has entered Jerusalem, and
He has met the religious leaders,

226
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and unfortunately they are filled
with envy and anger towards Him,

227
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and with a sorrowful heart He beings
to pronounce series of woes to them.

228
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Woe means misery or trouble to come,

229
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
bad things that are happening, so 
He's arning them about the condition

230
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of their hard hearts and what that means.

231
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So let's see first, before
we talk about the Last Days,

232
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
what Christ says to the religious
leaders and to the people at the time

233
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about these woes, this miserable
condition that they are unfortunately now

234
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
finding themselves in
because they've rejected Him.

235
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's start in Matthew chapter 23.

236
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I'll ask Gary if he would
please read for us

237
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Matthew chapter 23, verses 1 through 12.

238
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Gary) Okay, I'll be reading
from the New King James Version:

239
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen.

240
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So before addressing the
Scribes and Pharisees,

241
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Christ first addresses the people,

242
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and He actually gives them some warnings.

243
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Nicole, would you summarize for us

244
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
what has Christ warned the people
about in the verses we just read.

245
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nicole) Sure, I'm thinking back
to humility again and not being

246
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
caught up in names and being
in certain places in society,

247
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and so I think He is warning
against being kind of hypocrites,

248
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you know, saying one thing out of
your mouth, but acting and living

249
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a way that's not reflecting
what you're saying.

250
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So I think this whole kind of 12 verses
talks about hypocrisy and warning

251
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
against living a life that
you're not actually living.

252
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) That's correct.

253
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's keep reading now 
n verses 13 through 15,

254
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
where now Jesus is speaking directly

255
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to the religious leaders and
pronounces these woes upon them.

256
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Olric will you please read
Matthew chapter 23:13-15?

257
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) Yes, I'll be reading
from the King James Version:

258
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Wow, wow, strong words

259
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
from Jesus here.

260
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jonathan,would you summarize for us

261
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
what is the rebuke that Jesus is giving
to the Scribes and Pharisees here?

262
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Jonathan) It seems like
He is just underpinning

263
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
their whole approach to the religion.

264
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They had set up all these rules and
set up all these different things,

265
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and He's calling their bluff.

266
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's like, "You talk about My Kingdom,

267
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but you don't actually want people in;

268
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you don't invite people to
really live these things out.

269
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's more this external thing for you."

270
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Strong
rebukes, but there is more.

271
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Juliana, will you continue reading for
us Matthew 23, verses 16 through 24?

272
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Juliana) Sure, and I will be reading
from the New King James Version:

273
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Wow, wow.

274
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Simiso, summarize for what is Jesus
rebuking the religious leaders.

275
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Simiso) I think Jesus is rebuking

276
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the religious leaders to
be genuine and authentic

277
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and be ____16:30 rounded in terms of what

278
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Scripture requires of them.

279
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) That's correct.

280
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When we look at verses 21 and
22, it seems as though they have

281
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a lack of reverence for
the things that are holy.

282
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They're not really reverencing
what God is saying.

283
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What do we see in verse 24

284
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
about the tithing of mint and anise?

285
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Olric, what is Christ telling them or
for what is Christ rebuking them?

286
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Olric) They had this teaching
back then that they were not

287
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to eat anything unclean, and the
gnat would be an unclean animal.

288
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So they will take time to make sure

289
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that the water does not contain any

290
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of these little bugs, but, you know,

291
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He is saying, "Your hypocrisy

292
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is so evident; you take time to pay tithe

293
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and cummin and this stuff.

294
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You're being outwardly religious,

295
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but inwardly you're not there because

296
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
things like faith and mercy, love,

297
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that you don't have.

298
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You take time to look
at these little things,

299
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but there are bigger things
that you're not doing."

300
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Have you
ever heard the phrase,

301
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"the letter of the law but
not the spirit of the law,"

302
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
being able to keep
certain requirements

303
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but not really having and
living the love to motivate it?

304
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's keep reading.

305
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
There's some more rebukes
that Jesus gives them.

306
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jason, would you read for us
Matthew 23, verses 25 through 36.

307
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Jason) I'll be reading from
the New King James Version.

308
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Matthew chapter 23, verses
25 through 36, says:

309
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Wow, these
are some strong words.

310
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I can't even imagine calling
someone a viper or a snake.

311
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's hard to even picture Jesus doing it.

312
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You can imagine Him with tears in His eyes

313
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
telling those people that he loved

314
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
those scathing rebukes.

315
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why do you think the rebukes of Jesus

316
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
were so harsh?

317
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why was He speaking to them so severely?

318
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Nathan.

319
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Nathan) I think we can read this in two
different ways, but we should read it

320
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
thinking of Jesus with tears
in His eyes and in His voice.

321
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When you look at the next verse that
follows, verse 37 in Matthew 23.

322
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Can I read it from the New King
James Version, where He says:

323
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I mean, the pain in His voice; He's
longing for them to be saved, and He says,

324
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"You're not willing to come to it."

325
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It reminds me of, I think in Isaiah, God
speaking through the prophet says,

326
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"All day long I stood with My
arms open wide to a stiff-necked

327
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and rebellious people," -- Here
He is calling you to salvation,

328
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and you're turning away, not just
turning away but rebelling against Him.

329
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) And it's sad; it's sad.

330
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
In a previous study, we've talked about
the choices that we all have to make,

331
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and that God wants us to choose Him,

332
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but we do have the free
will to choose otherwise.

333
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) You know, I'm thinking,

334
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Tricia Lee, I really appreciate what
Nathan said about the love of Jesus.

335
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And there were some Pharisees,

336
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Nicodemus was a Pharisee

337
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and also a member of the Sanhedrin,

338
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who did repent.

339
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Yes, praise God.

340
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Derek) So you know, if Jesus was

341
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
just kind of harsh and kind of fighting

342
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
with the weapons of this world

343
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
or acting like they acted,

344
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they'd have an excuse,

345
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but I think He is speaking
with love in His heart.

346
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And, praise God, some of
the Scribes and Pharisees

347
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
said, "We need to repent;

348
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we need to turn our lives around."

349
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Tricia Lee) Amen, amen.

350
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Reading through this passage,

351
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
something was very interesting,

352
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I'd like to ask the
class this question:

353
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
How could He say that the guilt of all
the righteous blood, all the martyrs

354
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
would fall on this generation?

355
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What does that mean?

356
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
How are they guilty of all these things?

357
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They're just living their little lives;

358
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
how is it that He can say that the
blood of all the righteous from Abel

359
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to Zechariah would fall
on this generation?

360
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Any idea what was the significance
of that statement, Missy?

361
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Missy)