Truth Over Traditions

Jesus is invited to a Pharisee’s house for dinner. While there, a disreputable woman washes his feet with her tears and anoints them with fragrance. The Pharisee is incensed. Pastor Hollandsworth applies Christ’s lesson, that those who are forgiven much, love Him much. Those who perceive they have been forgiven little, love Him only a little.

Jesus blasts the cities of northern Galilee for refusing to repent, though they had been given so much more truth than any other region of the nation. He said it would be more tolerable for Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom in the day of judgment than for them. Pastor Hollandsworth explains this unusual statement and shows the application for modern day believers.

Satan manipulated the religious leadership of Israel to hijack Christ’s offer of kingdom inheritance by teaching the Jews were automatic inheritors by way of their heritage in Abraham. They literally kept multitudes out of the kingdom. Pastor Hollandsworth shows how the same is happening today throughout evangelical Christianity. 

Jesus uses the incredible faith of a Roman centurion to teach about the kingdom of heaven and who will be there, in contrast to those who will be relegated to outer darkness. Pastor Hollandsworth demonstrates from the Scriptures that outer darkness is not Hell and the kingdom of heaven is not Heaven. 

Matthew quotes Isa. 42, which refers prophetically to Jesus, the obedient Servant of God who came to replace Israel, the disobedient servant. Pastor Hollandsworth points out that He did not merely come to bring salvation to the Gentiles but also the hope of kingdom inheritance and glorification for those Gentiles who take up His offer.

Jesus is blasted by the Pharisees for picking grain and eating it on the Sabbath and for healing a man with a withered hand, but Luke says these events happened on “the second Sabbath after the first.” Pastor Hollandsworth explains three layers of symbolism in that statement, which lead to glorious eschatological applications.

After the Promised Land had been subdued, Caleb asked Joshua for the inheritance that Moses had promised for wholly following the Lord forty-five years earlier, at Kadesh-Barnea. Pastor Hollandsworth compares Caleb’s perseverance in faithfulness with the Christian’s call to persevere in hope, while anticipating reward. 

After healing a man on the Sabbath, the Pharisees are furious. Jesus takes the opportunity to give a lengthy discourse on eternal life. Pastor Hollandsworth shares the correct translation of the Greek word translated eternal and answers critical questions: Is eternal life an end itself, or the means to an end? What is the difference between the gift of eternal life and the reward of eternal life? 

On the Sabbath Jesus healed a man at the Pool of Bethesda who had an infirmity for 38 years. Pastor Hollandsworth demonstrates that the religious leadership of Israel missed the critical importance of this sign, and that multitudes of church-age believers are missing it as well. 

While dining at a feast with tax collectors and sinners, who were repenting in Israel, Jesus blasts the Pharisees for their pride, legalism, and unwillingness to repent. He announces that He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Pastor Hollandsworth makes application to twenty-first century believers and churches. 

Are we to inspect the “fruit” of professing believers to determine if they are truly saved? Pastor Hollandsworth discusses this frequently misunderstood concept, reveals the identity of wolves in sheep’s clothing, and describes who will hear the awful verdict, “Depart from Me!”

Does the narrow way lead to Heaven and the broad way lead to Hell? Most seem to think so. Pastor Hollandsworth shows that this cannot be, given the context of the Sermon on the Mount. Rather, this is a sanctification text that poses a challenge for believers. 

Few believers live by the Golden Rule, yet it is one of the qualifications for kingdom inheritance. Pastor Hollandsworth gives the meaning of the rule and four ways we can keep it. 

Sarah and Lot’s wife were related and lived in the same geographic region, yet their lifestyles were worlds apart. Pastor Hollandsworth contrasts their life choices, demonstrating the glorious result of reward for embracing God’s promises vs. the devastating consequence of disinheritance for worldliness.

Jesus admonishes disciples not to worry, for worry is unbelief and never changes anything. Pastor Hollandsworth gives a biblical definition of worry, describes its negative physical effects on the body, and explains the importance of seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness as the biblical alternative. 

No one can serve two masters. Jesus wants our undivided loyalty. Pastor Hollandsworth equates laying up heavenly treasures with earning age-lasting rewards, the means by which we glorify Jesus, making Him our number one priority in life.

What is your motivation for doing good deeds? Is it to be recognized by others? If so, then you have already received your reward. Pastor Hollandsworth reveals what Jesus said about doing things privately, so that you can be rewarded by Him publicly, in the age to come.  

When teaching His disciples, Jesus emphasized the importance of internally obeying the spirit of the law rather than merely externally obeying the letter of the law. Pastor Hollandsworth explains the six examples given by Jesus of the righteousness that is necessary for inheriting the kingdom of the heavens. 

Skeptics in both Christ’s day and in the present day deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pastor Hollandsworth gives a biblical defense of the resurrection and shares why it is so critical to the Christian life.