CLEANING THE

INSIDELuke 11:37-41

Jesus visits the house of a Pharisee. Luke 11:37

People are concerned about appearanceMoral character is perceived as important!BUT, is our outer appearance consistent with our inner character?

Is Outer Appearance Important?When it is NOT important

• Superficial looks•Prov. 31:30•1 Pet. 3:3-5•Many deceived by outward appearances

Is Outer Appearance Important?When it IS important

• Considering our example•Matt. 5:16, Phil. 2:15•1 Pet. 2:12•How do others perceive you? Religious, godly, guided by His word? Or hypocrisy?

Deceit of Outward Appearance

Appearance can be deceitful• Luke 11:37, 41; Matt. 23:25-28

Deceit of Outward Appearance

Hypocrisy strongly condemned•One who acts pretentiously•Rom. 12:9, Jas. 3:17 1 Pet. 2:1-3•One whose outward appearance is inconsistent with inward character is a hypocrite

Deceit of Outward AppearanceGod knows your inward heart•Heb. 4:13•1 Sam. 16:7• Psalm 51:6• Prov. 21:2•Are we living consistently? God knows and you know!

How Do We Clean the Inside?

• What is inside is most important

• NOT a two way street (Godly character = godly action,

but ungodly character can be deceitful, i.e. hypocrisy)

How Do We Clean the Inside?

•Matthew 7:15-20•Matthew 12:33-37• We must be careful that we

do not merely look at outward appearance (Jn. 7:24)

How Do We Clean the Inside?

Be converted• Acts 3:19•Converted – “to turn around” (Vine’s) To be totally convinced which leads to change inwardly

How Do We Clean the Inside?

Be converted•Accept God’s terms of pardon•Obey the gospel – Jn. 3:3-8. Found in His word – Jas. 1:18, 21; 1 Pet. 1:22-24•Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, be Baptized

How Do We Clean the Inside?

Be converted•Accept God’s terms of pardon•As a child of God, repent and pray – cf. Jas. 5:19-20; 1 John 1:8-10, Acts 8:22

How Do We Clean the Inside?

Be sanctified•To set apart. We must sanctify ourselves to Him•1 Pet . 3:15•MAKE UP YOUR MIND! Rom. 12:1-2

How Do We Clean the Inside?

Be sanctified•Put off the old manCol. 3:5-11, Eph. 4:20-24•Put on the new man – Col. 3:10-11, Eph. 4:23-24, cf. Rom. 6:3-4, 14.

Are you Clean

INSIDE