First: Cleanse That Which is Within
Name of Assembly: United Apostolic Church
Type of service: Bible Study
Date: May 9th, 2022
Series: SCRIPTURAL PRIORITIES
Lesson 4: “FIRST- CLEANSE THAT WHICH IS WITHIN” - PART 1
Scripture Text: St. Matthew 23:25-28
“25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” – Matthew 23:25-28.
INTRODUCTION:
This passage of Scripture appears in one of Jesus’ sermons to His disciples and the multitude following Him. Apparently, several scribes and Pharisees were mingling in the multitude, since most of Jesus’ remarks were directed to them. Admittedly you and I are not scribes and Pharisees; however, we can apply His message to our lives in a constructive way. This is especially true if we are guilty of the evils that they committed, and that Jesus so forcefully renounced.
Another biblical priority is set forth here for those who seek to please their Lord. Inward purity lies at the heart of Matthew 23; from it we can find important guidelines for our own Christian conduct and character.
We cannot cover every evil committed by this group, but the entire chapter does deserve our personal attention and investigation. It was not the profession (being a scribe) or the religious sect (being a Pharisee) that Jesus condemned; rather, it was their conduct, attitude, and lifestyle.
Christ focused on the conduct and spirit of the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! …” - Matthew 23:13. Their teachings were not evil or bad; in fact, Jesus encouraged His listeners to observe and do as they taught. “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do…” - Matthew 23:1-3. In the same breath, however, He told His followers not to do the works of these people because they said right things but did not do them. ““…but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” - Matthew 23:3. Such conduct in them or us produces hypocrisy—something strictly forbidden by the Word of God.
One thing the scribes and Pharisees had done to perfection, and for which they were not condemned, was having their outward, physical appearance right. However, God wanted them, and us, to first cleanse that which was within. Outward appearance is important to God, but it becomes acceptable to Him only when accompanied by inward purity and holiness. Right living, holiness, godly attitudes, appearance, Christian dress, and so on, must stem from an internal experience and conviction. Otherwise, it is a mere display of discipline on the part of the individual. Such codes of conduct are not accepted as holiness unto the Lord. Holiness and godliness must emanate from within and be exhibited outwardly in dress, speech, attitude, and conduct.
“First” in our text comes from the Greek word proton (pro’-ton), meaning first in time, place, order, or importance, before, at the beginning, chief, or first of all. These people had cleansed the outside of the cup and platter (physical appearance or body) but within were full of extortion and excess. Jesus further likened their lives to whitened sepulchers that were full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. While not condemning their outward attributes, Christ established a priority for them and future followers of His— first cleanse that which is within!
Outward symbols that portray someone as a Christian are contradicted if he lacks an inward experience and conviction. By mere personal discipline or some code or regulation, anyone can adhere to certain dress codes or rules of conduct. While this is admirable and commendable in anyone, Bible holiness stems from within and manifests itself in a corresponding lifestyle. The difference is that one is motivated by human discipline and rules, the other by the Word and Spirit. God recognizes only the life ordered according to His Word and by the Holy Ghost within the believer.
Let us begin the cleansing process where God wants it to begin on the inside. Those who begin there, allowing God to control the inward person, will soon adhere outwardly to biblical teachings set forth by the church. In no way am I suggesting that we abandon rules and standards of conduct for church members. These must be! Yet the members must be motivated to abide by them because of an inward experience with God.
Not by any stretch of the imagination would I even hint for us to adopt worldly, ungodly dress and lifestyles. God forbid that we apostolic Christians would ever take on the appearance of the world that God saved us from. The church must preserve outward holiness and standards of conduct at all costs. I merely advocate what Jesus taught: cleanse the inside first, then the outside will automatically demonstrate this spiritual transformation. Both inward and outward purity, kept in balance simultaneously, must be the condition of true Christians.
Although each of us is one person, entity, or unit, God describes us as having two major parts. Both are to be pure and clean if we are to please God and go to heaven.
INWARD MAN :
Humans are composed of body, soul, and spirit, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” - 1Thessalonians 5:23. Our soul and spirit are so closely connected that only God’s Word can separate them, “ For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” - Hebrews 4:12. Therefore, throughout this lesson, we will use soul and spirit in combined form to designate the inward person.
God is far more interested in our soul than our flesh. Christ’s suffering through the stripes laid upon His back has provided healing for our bodies, yet Calvary was primarily for the salvation of the soul.
Somehow the Pharisees and scribes had confused God’s priority and placed emphasis on the outside rather than the inside. When Christ came, He set things in perspective by explaining where true cleansing originates. When we are water baptized in Jesus’ name and we are filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:28), in God’s eyes we are cleansed within. From this day forward an ongoing work of the Word and Spirit operates in the life of every believer. Remaining pure within, developing outward Christian graces, and growing into maturity becomes our goal.
“5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” - 2 Peter 1:5-9.
1. The word "Virtue" refers to "manly courage to stand for one's conviction." Where virtue is absent, faith cowers and hides. Where this faith is present, man has the courage to confess Jesus even if it costs his life. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were men who showed virtue in their lives. The apostles demonstrated their manly courage when standing before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:13-21; 5:29-39,40-41).
2. The word “Knowledge” means an awareness of facts, a comprehension of facts, and practical wisdom in applying these facts. Where there is virtue without knowledge, there is blind zeal, the courageous stand for spiritual darkness. Hence, one's faith must rest solidly on the word of God in order that a Christian may walk approvingly before God. “9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” - Col. 1:9-10.
3. The word "temperance" is translated "self-control" in more recent translations. The word refers to the subduing of one's passions to bring them into compliance with God's word. This is what Paul did when he buffeted his body to bring it into subjection to God's word (1 Cor. 9:27). Self-control needs especially to be practiced with reference to the temper, drinking, sexual appetites, etc. Where temperance (self-control) is absent, there is knowledge without practice. Each of us has witnessed the Christian who could teach the truth but did not bring his life into compliance with the truth he knew.
4. The word “patience” implies suffering, enduring or waiting, as a determination of the will. The one lacking this virtue is like the stony ground hearers who "have no root, which for a while believe, and in the time of temptation fall away" (Lk. 8:13). These hearers are like a fire burning dry grass, which blazes for a moment but quickly dies. The good ground hearers "bring forth fruit with patience" (Lk. 8:15). Where patience is absent there will be no endurance of adversity in the service of Christ.
5. The word “godliness” points to a devoutness and reverence for God, for His demands on our lives. Godliness causes us to give him the praise, honor, and glory which are due Him. There is a respect for the things of God where godliness exists. Where godliness is absent, there exists the endurance of adversity without reverence for God and perhaps with a bitterness of spirit.
6. “Brotherly kindness” is the love for one's fellow man as a brother. The expression is taken from the Greek word Philadelphia which means love of brothers, which trait distinguished the Early Christian communities. Brotherly kindness responds to the needs of one's fellow Christian. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” - Galatians 6:10. 1 Jn. 3:16 says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
7. “Charity” which is the word “agape” means “affection, good will, love, benevolence”. It is “unconditional love” toward another. Love is not confined to that small circle of Christians; it reaches out to all of mankind, even as the love of God does. It expresses itself not only to friends but also to enemies. “44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” - Matt. 5:44-46.
As Christians, we should make it our priority to cleanse and purify the inward person.
As we seek to cleanse “first” that which is within, it is important to note the things that God’s Word teaches us to put off as well as to put on. It is not enough just to do away with some things; we must establish within and appropriate unto ourselves scriptural virtues. In doing so, we become pure in the eyes of God.
THINGS TO PUT OFF:
a) Malice e) Evil Speakings i) Wrath
b) Guile f) Old Man j) Anger
c) Hypocrisy g) Lying k) Clamor
d) Envy h) Bitterness l) Blasphemy
Scripture references: 1 Peter 2:1; Colossians 3:8-9; Ephesians 4:22-31.
THINGS TO PUT ON:
a) Armor of Light b) Lord Jesus Christ c) Whole Armor of God d) Humbleness of Mind
e) Meekness f) Forbearance g) New Man h) Bowels of Mercies i) Kindness
j) Forgiveness k) Longsuffering l) Charity
Scripture references are Romans 13:12-14; Ephesians 6:11-18; Colossians 3:10-14 and Ephesians 4:22-32.
As we eliminate defiling influences in our lives, we establish the new person and effect an internal cleansing.
Only God can cleanse us within; this is accomplished through salvation from sin, at which time we are washed in His blood according to Revelation 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” And I Peter 1:18- 19, “18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
From that day forward we must put forth every effort to retain that purity, lest Satan defile us again. Let’s consider the following passages: Galatians 4:9; 5:1; 2 Peter 2:20-22.
We need to guard with care some important areas of our inward life, lest they become filthy and defiled as the scribes and Pharisees were. Below are some of the areas that Jesus instructs us to give care to first.
- Heart - The heart here is not the muscular organ pumping blood to our bodies. It is the rest of emotions, the fountainhead from which flows the issues of life. “Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life” - Proverbs 4:23 (TLB). Defilement occurs when we allow our hearts to be filled with the evils that Jesus warned against, “20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man” - Mark 7:20-23.
- Mind - Satan cannot control our minds, but he does have access to them. Through an ongoing purging of our minds, we can keep this hidden area of our lives pure before God. An old adage says, “The road your mind goes down, your feet too will soon travel.”
Consider these passages of Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:1-2.
3. Spirit - Nothing can destroy us as quickly as a bad spirit or attitude. Our human spirit is prone to what is wicked and base. Consequently, we must constantly fight spirits and attitudes of hate, bitterness, pride, lust, carnality, and so on.
Let us consider the following passages of Scripture: James 4:5; I Timothy 4:12; Galatians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 John 3:14-15, 4:20-21.
4. Conscience - None can live by conscience alone; all must be guided by the Word of God. However, this invisible part of us must first be purged and cleansed by Christ’s blood through repentance and water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. “14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” -Hebrews 9:14. Additionally scriptures are Hebrews 10:22,1 Peter 3:21.
Once our conscience is purged, we are to maintain it before God lest we be defiled within as were the scribes and Pharisees. “15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” - 1 Peter 3:15-16.
Many elements and components compose the totality of the inward person. So much demands our attention; however, it is so important for Christians to give careful attention to the hidden person of the heart. If we keep this area pure and clean, we will not encounter problems with outward holiness.
PersonalNotes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………