The Sermon on the Mount #10 – Weekly Study Questions
The Antidote for Hypocrisy
Sermon on the Mount (CGS#10) – Matt. 7:1-14
INTRODUCTION: When we think of the Christian life, we can think of it existing in two directions. The first, vertically, that is, our relationship with God. And second, horizontally, that is our relationship with others. The Sermon on the Mount has much to say about both of these realities. We have already heard about our Father in Heaven and his nature and character. Jesus has told us that our Father knows what we need before we ask, but he wants us to ask because he loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. And that he is our Father. This truth seems simple to us, but it was profound to them. The God of the universe relates to us as a loving father and not just some distant cosmic power. That is life-changing news! We have also heard much about how we are to relate to one another. We are to love our enemies, take seriously the welfare of others by not sinning against them, and give to those in need as we are able. In fact, because of our relationship with God, we are to live as salt and light, that is, in a distinctively different way that demonstrates to our neighbors the good nature and character of the God we love.
As we turn into chapter seven, we will continue to hear from Jesus in these two directions: vertical and horizontal. When it comes to our relationship with God, Jesus will reiterate that our Father in Heaven is a good father. He will ask us a question, “If we who are evil know how to give good gifts, how much better are the gifts that come from God?” To make his point here, Jesus uses two illustrations that would have landed with exponential clarity for those listening to him. First, he talks about bread. If a child asks for bread, would you give them a stone? Absolutely not! A small round loaf of bread could easily have been “replaced” or mistaken for a round stone in that part of the world. Or second, if a child asks for a fish, would you give them a serpent? Again, no way! Jesus is likely referring to the eel-like catfish that lives in the Sea of Galilee and would have been forbidden for Jewish people to eat by Kosher laws. The point here is that no father (even a sinful one) would give a harmful gift to his children. And our Father in heaven is perfect, and his gifts are always for our good. Why does this truth matter? Simply, if we can trust God’s goodness, then we can be completely dependent on him. What do we need to be dependent on God for? Daily provision certainly, but also the weightier commands of loving our neighbors and taking sin seriously. Those things are hard, and we need God’s help.
As Jesus reminds us of our relationship with God, he comes back to our relationship with others. He tells us that we are to take sin and righteousness seriously. So much so that we are to examine ourselves more rigorously than we do with others. And when we do see sin in another person’s life, we are to evaluate on the grounds of the Bible, and we are to never forget the grace of the gospel in our concern for corporate righteousness. Jesus does not, in this section, tell us to never judge, nor does he allow us to grow complacent with sin. In this way, he calls us out of legalism and away from enablement. This is not an easy call in our lives. And frankly, it goes against our nature as sinful people. So, that is why we need God’s help all the more. But, to step into this call of truth and grace with our neighbors is the call of truth, faith, and away from being hypocrites. Jesus continues to use that word to drive home the point of being kingdom people. We are to follow Jesus in a life-defining and authentic way. We can’t do that on our own, so we must be dependent on God to help us. Dependency fosters humility, and humility leads to genuine concern and care for our neighbors. This, according to Jesus, is the antidote for hypocrisy.
GETTING STARTED – As a group, take time to answer this question. What has been a good gift that God has given to you that continues to be a reminder that you can trust God?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage(s). It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions.
- What did you hear God’s Spirit say to you through the passage this week? How does it encourage you? How does it sharpen you?
- How have you seen God at work in your life this week? Have you enjoyed him? Have you heard his voice and the leading of his Spirit? Big ways or small ways.
- When it comes to humility, how can you be confident in your talents and strengths without overdoing them and becoming arrogant? How does an others-focused life naturally help resolve this tension?
- When you consider Jesus’ statement, “judge according to the measure that you will be judged by,” what measure are you judged by? – Consider both the grace of the gospel and the truth of Scripture. How do those two things help to give clarity to Jesus’ statement on judging others?
- We have often said that the Bible is a mirror for self-examination. What rhythms or practices can you intentionally engage to help you not forget to examine the plank in your eye when seeing a speck in someone else’s? – Remember, Jesus is not saying for us to minimize sin in other’s lives. He is cautioning us against hypocrisy.