The Way of the Throne or the Way of the Cross | Luke 11 43-44 - Clint Leavitt

*Apologies for the poor audio quality this week!* Jesus had a beef with the many of Jewish religious leaders of His time. In some cases these leaders were doing things or teaching things that were unnecessarily burdensome; in other cases they lacked integrity; in other cases they were violently opposed to everything God was doing in Jesus. In talking to his disciples about these leaders, he often used a unique word: “Woe!” “Woe to you when all speak well of you …!” (Luke 6:26) “Woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds; and neglect justice and the love of God…” (Luke 11:42) “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry….” (Luke 6:25). These “Woes” are teaching words for us today, pointing us to the way that Jesus calls us to love God and love others. During the season of Lent, we will be taking a step back and trying to hear whatever Jesus might have for us in these “Woes” by imagining them as “Whoas!” We are going to take the time to listen to Jesus, who says in each of these statements, “Whoa! Stop where you are! Remember the things and the people that I value, and come back! Embrace those things that I value!” Watch as Pastor Clint explores Jesus' exposing of the pride of the Pharisees in His day, who were seeking power and prestige through outer praise and respect from their peers. It turns out that, while their pursuits may have earned them praise, the results were really death and destruction. Sermon Resources: 1. “When ministry becomes performance, then the sanctuary becomes a theater, the congregation becomes an audience, worship becomes entertainment, and man’s applause and approval become the measure of success.” -Warren Wiersbie 2. “The God of Christianity isn’t the violent God of archaic religion, but the non-violent God who willingly becomes a victim in order to free us from our violence.” -Rene Girard 3. “If you are uncertain of which of two paths to take, choose the one on which the shadow of the cross falls.” -Bishop George Walpole Join or follow us below: Facebook: www.facebook.com/thespringmid...​ Instagram: www.instagram.com/midtown.pres/ Website: www.midtownpres.org/ Community Groups: www.midtownpres.org/community-groups Sunday Services: www.midtownpres.org/