Unjust
Leaders
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 23:1-8,23-26
By the end of this lesson, we will
♦Know the difference between just and unjust
actions.
♦Understand that God’s attitude toward hypocritical
religion has not changed and never will.
♦Resolve never to enter into the sins of selfishness or
hypocrisy.
Background: The time is A.D. 30 and the place is
Jerusalem. The “seat of Moses” represented religious
authority and was historically known as a place where
Pharisees and Scribes sat upon when they gathered
together. In the sermon of the lesson, Jesus called the
Pharisees hypocrites six times. His anger is revealed in
the language He used. “Woe to you” precedes each ref
erence as hypocrite. Jesus chided the Pharisees in each
instance for saying one thing and doing another.
Lesson: Jesus starts out saying that because the
scribes and Pharisees are the religious authorities, their
instructions regarding the Jewish traditions and laws
should be obeyed, but their actions should not be fol
lowed because they are hypocrites, in every sense of the
word (verses 1-3). Jesus condemns their hypocrisy in the
following verses. He says they put on a religious show,
dressing themselves to look spiritually superior (look up
phylacteries - two black leather boxes containing parch
ment Scriptures, and the tassels they made long to gain
attentionXverses 4-6). They were also guilty of self
exaltation (verse 7). These inconsistencies are pointed
out as an indictment against them. Verse 8 is a warning
to Christian leaders to shun titles which may be inconsis
tent with Christ teachings of humility and equality. They
are to remember they are all brothers, who are all subject
to the authority of Christ. Jesus condemns the Pharisees
in verses 23-24 for their lack of justice, mercy and faith.
Their close attention to tithing is useful and needful, but
they let it overshadow the greater need for compassion.
One should not replace the other (verse 23). To drive the
point home, Jesus says they pay attention to the smallest
things that defile and overlook the large things that defile
(verse 24). The lesson concludes by saying the Pharisees
do the less important thing to the neglect of the more
important. They appear to be righteous, but inside they
are full of extortion and intemperance. They are clean on
the outside, but impure on the inside. Work on the inside
first (verses 27-28). (The Mac Arthur Study Bible, NIV
Leadership Bible, UMI, UGP, and the Oxford Bible
Commentary.)
For Your Consideration: We don’t wear little
leather boxes on our foreheads or arms and neither do we
parade in blue and white tasseled shawls. So what exter
nal symbolisms do we focus on that may separate us
from God?
Life’s Application: This week’s lesson deals with
ethics, morality and integrity. When we claim to be
Christians, we make an ethical statement, which says we
live by Biblical standards. We commit to a certain
See Lesson on B5
Photos by Andrea Tate
Margaret Johnson, news
anchor and reporter for
WX1I News 12, was the
featured speaker for
Pivot Ministry's gradua
tion ceremony.
Left to right, Pivot Ministry class participants are Teresa Coble, Kathryn
Walden, Diamond Murphy, Ann (Marcum) Russell, Lisa Carr, and Sheri
Waters. Executive Director Carol Polk is in the red jacket.
Pivot Ministry celebrates
1st graduating class
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
A new ministry has sprouted in
Winston-Salem.
Six women in Pivot Ministry’s
first graduating class received their
achievement certificates on Saturday,
June 23, at Ardmore Baptist Church,
501 Miller St. in Winston-Salem.
Margaret Johnson, news anchor and
reporter for WXII News 12, was the
featured speaker, and Eddie Bines
was the featured singer.
Envisioned in 2015 and initially
funded by Ardmore Baptist Church,
Pivot Ministry is a new organization
in Forsyth County that is based on the
successful 20-year-old model of
Christian Women’s/Men’s Job Corps.
Pivot’s objective is to empower low
income women for better life and
income-producing opportunities
through classes in life and job skills
and Bible study, supported and spon
sored by local community resources.
The ministry launched its first
class with seven women on March 1,
2018. They met as a small group one
day each week for classes and a
shared meal for the 16-week semes
ter. Each of the 16 program days was
broken up into three to five sessions
that varied from week to week.
See Class on B5
Photo y Timothy Ramsey
Winston-Salem Police Chief Catrina Thompson gave
the young people an inspiring message about never
forgetting where you come from and to always give
back.
“I believe the young
people of our
community are truly
our future.”
Ministers'
Conference
awards 11
scholarships
BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY
THE CHRONICLE __
For years the Ministers’ Conference of Winston
Salem and Vicinity (MCWSV) has been sowing into the
lives of the young people of Forsyth County. On June
28, the organization held its annual Martin Luther King
Jr. Scholarship awards banquet at Morning Star
Missionary Baptist Church, awarding 11 young people
scholarships to further their education.
To date the conference has donated well over
$200,000 in scholarships throughout the years.
The Chrpnicle has donated funds from its Martin
Luther King Jr. Day breakfast for the scholarships at
least the last three years.
Bishop Todd Fulton, chairman of the MLK Jr.
Scholarship board, says it is inspiring to see all of the
young people going on to bigger and better things.
The 11 scholarship award winners are: Alvin Eugene
Carlise, Nyhanna Elaine Covington, Darren Sanchez
Crump, Maya Jamil Futrell, Tiara Mone't Jarrett, Caniah
D'avion Lentz, Rodaysha Leunna McCallum, Jewel.
Emmanuel Moser, Autumn Denise Peppers, Venay
Essense Wilkins and Gretia Jamilah Yancey.
The speaker for the evening was Catrina Thompson,
chief of police of Winston-Salem, who spoke to the
young people about her humble beginnings along with
the “village” of people to helped her along the way.
Tears began to roll for Thompson as she touched on all
of the people that helped her along the way.
“I believe the young people of our community are
truly our future,” said Thompson. “My inspiration
comes from my background because I had a praying
grandmother and an uneducated grandfather who under
stood the value of education.”
See Scholarships on B5
July 6-7
Woman’s Conference
Rev. Dr. James L.E. Hunt, the Women of New
Birth Worship Center (NBWQ, 1033 Newbirth Dr.
East Bend, N.C. invites every woman to a Two-Day
Women’s Conference July 6-7. The speaker on both
dates will be Annette Kelly, co-pastor of Central Triad
Church, Winston-Salem. On Friday, July 6, praise
and worship will be led by NBWC praise and worship
leaders; service begins at 7 pjn. On Saturday, July 7,
from 10 a.m. until 2 pjn. come for a spirit-filled mes
sage, liturgical dance, and more. (Lunch will be
served.) The theme is “God’s Word vs. Our Works."
This is a free event. Bring a non-perishable food item
to support the Food Pantry.
; Calendar
July 8
Worship Services
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Winston
Salem, 4055 Robinhood Road, will have services on
July 8. At the 10:30 a.m. traditional worship, the
Rev. Lisa Schwartz will speak about the recent UUA
General Assembly in a sermon titled “Gather the
Spirit, Harvest the Power.” At the Forum, 9:15 a.m.,
Elisabeth Motsinger will speak on “The Political
Long Game.” At Explorations, 9:15 ajn.. Dr. Gloria
Fitzgibbon will speak on “Jung’s Phenomenology of
the Self.” For more information, visit UUFWS.org.
July 8 t
86th Choir Anniversary
The Rev. Dr. Dennis Leach Sr., pastor of Morning
Star Missionary Baptist Church, 1400 Fitch St., invite
the community to attend the Spiritual Choir’s 86th
Anniversary on Sunday, July 8 at 4 pjn. Pastor
Ronald E. Speas and the members of New Jerusalem
Missionary Baptist Church in Winston Salem will
serve as the honored guests. For more information,
call the church office at (336) 418-2003.
July 8
Prayer Circle
There will be a prayer circle for police and first
responders on July 8 from 3-4 pm. The event will be
held rain or shine and located at 725 N. Cherry St.
July 8,15 & 29
13th Church and Pastoral Anniversary
» See Rek Cal. on BS