THE “IN” CROWD

1. When we speak of the “in” crowd, we usually mean “a small, fashionable, and exclusive or influential group.” THE “IN” CROWD Are You a Member?

2. In this lesson, however, I am using “in” as a negative prefix. • The “in” crowd is composed of those who are the opposite of what they ought to be. THE “IN” CROWD Are You a Member?

3. The In-Different THE “IN” CROWD • Indifferent to their own spiritual needs • Indifferent to the spiritual needs of others

4. Revelation 3:15-17 ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

5. Revelation 3:18-19 ‘I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.’

6. The In-Sincere THE “IN” CROWD • Judge others when they should be judging themselves

7. Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

8. John 7:24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

9. The In-Sincere THE “IN” CROWD • Judge others when they should be judging themselves • Do not practice what they preach

10. Matthew 23:1-4 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you— but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.”

11. The In-Sincere THE “IN” CROWD • Judge others when they should be judging themselves • Do not practice what they preach • Make long prayers for a pretense

12. Matthew 23:14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.”

13. The In-Sincere THE “IN” CROWD • Emphasize minor matters while neglecting major matters

14. Matthew 23:23-24 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

15. The In-Sincere THE “IN” CROWD • Emphasize minor matters while neglecting major matters • Have only an outward appearance of righteousness

16. Matthew 23:25-26 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

17. Matthew 23:27,28 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”