A Morning Cup of Tea: Jesus Warns of the Pharisees

Jesus spoke quite a bit about the Pharisees in chapter 23 of Matthew. Pharisees were very religious, but most of it was for show and for power. 
 1. 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; but do not ye after their works, for they say and do not.
 4. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
 5. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments.

Phylacteries are small leather boxes worn on the arm and on the forehead. To learn more, read here.    Jesus said they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments. Why would they do this? For show! The very same reason a male peacock fans out its tail feathers or a televangelist has a huge megachurch, wears expensive clothing and jewelry, and misses no opportunity to be in the spotlight. 
Please do not misunderstand me. There are preachers today who are on television, the radio, or even the internet broadcasting their services simply for another way of reaching the home bound. But there are others who only want man's glory and have forgotten what it's like to be a follower of Christ if they ever were to begin with.  There is nothing wrong in itself for having a taste for expensive clothing, if one can afford it, but when it comes from taking money from the very ones who need help... it's not good. There are good preachers out there who are just wanting to preach the gospel and reach the lost. They do not ask for money because the ministry is funded by the congregation or sister congregations. Look for those if you desire a preacher to watch on television.
  I'm going to stop here for today. There is a lot more that needs to be said, and we will pick this up tomorrow.

Jesus spoke quite a bit about the Pharisees in chapter 23 of Matthew. Pharisees were very religious, but most of it was for show and for power. 
 1. 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; but do not ye after their works, for they say and do not.
 4. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
 5. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments.

Phylacteries are small leather boxes worn on the arm and on the forehead. To learn more, read here.    Jesus said they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments. Why would they do this? For show! The very same reason a male peacock fans out its tail feathers or a televangelist has a huge megachurch, wears expensive clothing and jewelry, and misses no opportunity to be in the spotlight. 
Please do not misunderstand me. There are preachers today who are on television, the radio, or even the internet broadcasting their services simply for another way of reaching the home bound. But there are others who only want man's glory and have forgotten what it's like to be a follower of Christ if they ever were to begin with.  There is nothing wrong in itself for having a taste for expensive clothing, if one can afford it, but when it comes from taking money from the very ones who need help... it's not good. There are good preachers out there who are just wanting to preach the gospel and reach the lost. They do not ask for money because the ministry is funded by the congregation or sister congregations. Look for those if you desire a preacher to watch on television.
  I'm going to stop here for today. There is a lot more that needs to be said, and we will pick this up tomorrow.