Culto del 7 de Febrero de 2026

God's Sovereignty and Power in Worship

The Nature of God

• The speaker emphasizes God's omnipotence, describing Him as the creator of heaven and earth who reigns with authority.

• Highlights Jesus' role as the exalted Savior, stating that salvation is found only in Him, reinforcing His uniqueness.

• Reiterates God's power to conquer death and sin, calling Him a glorious Redeemer.

Call to Worship

• Welcomes attendees on February 8th, expressing joy in gathering for worship.

• Notes the global nature of worship occurring simultaneously across different continents, uniting believers worldwide.

• Invites everyone to stand for prayer, acknowledging God's greatness and mercy.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

• Acknowledges God’s grace and blessings through Christ, thanking Him for the Holy Spirit's presence among believers.

• Calls for collective praise based on Psalm 146:1–2; encourages continuous worship throughout life.

Expressions of Praise

Glorifying God

• Celebrates God's abundant grace and mercy shown towards humanity.

• Affirms that God receives prayers and praises from His people, creating unity and peace among them.

Assurance in God's Power

• Declares confidence in God's provision and blessings both on earth and in heaven.

• Proclaims God's might over creation; nothing is beyond His control or capability.

Hope Found in Jesus

Trusting in Christ

• Expresses reliance on Jesus’ justice and sacrifice on the cross as the foundation of hope.

• Emphasizes faithfulness to Jesus alone for strength during life's storms.

Anticipation of Christ's Return

• Looks forward to Christ’s return when believers will be justified by faith.

Prayer and Humility in Seeking Forgiveness

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

• The speaker references a parable told by Jesus about two men praying at the temple: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee boasts about his righteousness, while the tax collector humbly acknowledges his sinfulness.

• The Pharisee claims to fast twice a week and give tithes, contrasting himself with others, including the tax collector who merely asks for God's mercy.

• The key takeaway is that humility leads to justification before God; those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Acknowledging Our Sinfulness

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing our own sins rather than judging others. This self-reflection is crucial for true repentance.

• A call to come before God with sincerity, asking for cleansing and transformation to reflect His love and holiness.

Confession and Repentance

• Repeatedly expressing the need for spiritual cleansing, highlighting that coming to God requires acknowledging our need for His forgiveness.

• Encouragement to approach God despite feeling overwhelmed by sin; through Christ, there is hope for redemption.

Assurance of Forgiveness

• Emphasizes God's willingness to forgive when we repent sincerely. Citing scripture that reassures believers of God's mercy when they turn back to Him.

• Reinforces that salvation comes not from our actions but from what Jesus has done on our behalf.

Trusting in God as Our Refuge

• Invites congregants to trust in God as their refuge during times of distress. Reminds them that He provides safety amidst life's challenges.

• Calls upon individuals to seek comfort in God's presence rather than relying on worldly solutions during difficult times.

Prayer and Reflection on God's Protection

Acknowledgment of God's Refuge

• The speaker expresses gratitude to God for being a refuge, highlighting His grace even when faith is lacking.

• Emphasis is placed on the protection and care provided by God during times of distress.

Prayer for Specific Needs

• A prayer is offered for baby Mila, who underwent heart surgery, thanking God for her stable condition post-operation.

• The speaker requests strength and healing for Mila, encouraging her family to recognize God's grace amidst their struggles.

Continued Prayers for Others

• The speaker also prays for José Federico, another child who had surgery, expressing gratitude for his recovery and stability.

• There’s a call to support José's recovery with necessary medications while encouraging him and his mother to see God's grace through their experience.

Community Health Concerns

• A broader prayer is made for the health of church members and their families, acknowledging that God understands each individual's struggles better than anyone else.

• The speaker urges trust in God as a perfect refuge amid health challenges faced by the community.

National Concerns and Trust in God

• A prayer extends to the nation, asking that people turn to God rather than institutions or government as their true refuge during times of violence and need.

Offering Time: Faithful Stewardship

Call to Worship Through Giving

• The congregation is invited to worship through tithes and offerings, referencing Malachi 3:10 about bringing full tithes into the storehouse.

Prayer Over Offerings

• A prayer acknowledges God's faithfulness in provision while asking guidance in managing the received offerings effectively.

Children's Ministry Announcement

Transitioning Children to Classes

• An announcement is made regarding children leaving for classes, creating an engaging atmosphere with mentions of children dressed as superheroes.

Scripture Reading from Matthew 23

Introduction of Speaker

• Gerardo López is introduced as the seminarian sharing today’s message from Matthew chapter 23.

Key Teachings from Jesus

• Jesus addresses the crowd about the responsibilities of teachers of law and Pharisees, urging obedience but cautioning against their hypocrisy.

• He critiques them for placing heavy burdens on others without helping themselves while emphasizing humility over seeking honor.

Hypocrisy and Judgment: A Call to Authenticity

The Condemnation of the Hypocrites

• Hay de ustedes, maestros de la ley y fariseos hipócritas, que cierran el reino de los cielos a otros y no entran ustedes mismos. Esto resalta la hipocresía en su liderazgo espiritual.

• Se critica a los guías ciegos por priorizar juramentos superficiales sobre lo verdaderamente sagrado, como el templo y el altar, cuestionando sus valores espirituales.

• La importancia del altar es enfatizada; jurar por él implica un compromiso con todo lo que representa, incluyendo la divinidad misma. Esto subraya la falta de entendimiento espiritual entre los fariseos.

• Los fariseos son acusados de enfocarse en las pequeñas cosas (como dar el diezmo) mientras ignoran aspectos cruciales de la ley como justicia y misericordia, mostrando una moralidad superficial.

• Se les compara con sepulcros blanqueados: hermosos por fuera pero llenos de corrupción por dentro, simbolizando su hipocresía interna frente a una apariencia externa justa.

The Consequences of Their Actions

• Los fariseos construyen monumentos para los profetas asesinados pero se declaran descendientes de quienes cometieron esos crímenes, revelando su autoengaño e implicación histórica en la injusticia.

• Jesús advierte sobre las consecuencias graves que enfrentarán por su hipocresía y rechazo a los profetas enviados; esto incluye ser responsables por toda sangre justa derramada desde Abel hasta Zacarías.

• La lamentación sobre Jerusalén destaca el deseo genuino de Jesús de reunir a su pueblo bajo su protección, contrastado con su rechazo persistente hacia Él. Esto refleja un profundo dolor espiritual y un llamado al arrepentimiento.

Reflection on Spiritual Authenticity

• La oración final invita a una transformación personal mediante la iluminación divina para vivir auténticamente en relación con Dios y con otros, buscando mostrar Su gloria al mundo.

• El orador comparte experiencias personales sobre cómo las redes sociales pueden llevar a una vida editada externamente pero vacía internamente; esto se relaciona con la crítica hacia los fariseos que aparentan rectitud sin autenticidad interna.

• Se menciona cómo vivimos constantemente editando nuestras vidas para proyectar una imagen perfecta; esta búsqueda puede desviar nuestra atención del verdadero cambio interno que ofrece Cristo.

The Danger of Moralism Without Grace

• El mensaje central es que muchos pueden vivir moralmente correctos sin experimentar la gracia transformadora del evangelio; este es un peligro significativo dentro de la comunidad cristiana actual.

Una religión sin Cristo: ¿Por qué es peligrosa?

El peligro del legalismo

• Una religión que no incluye a Cristo se convierte en falsa y puede ser destructiva, ya que se transforma en legalismo.

• El legalismo tiene tres efectos negativos: 1) Exalta al yo, 2) Impone cargas pesadas que aplastan, y 3) Jesucristo cumple lo que nosotros no podemos hacer.

Legalismo y exaltación del yo

• El legalismo busca exaltar al individuo en lugar de a Dios. En una verdadera religión, el enfoque debe estar en glorificar a Cristo.

• Jesús critica a los maestros de la ley y fariseos por no practicar lo que predican, enfatizando la incongruencia entre sus palabras y acciones.

Contexto histórico

• Durante la última semana antes de su crucifixión, Jesús entra triunfalmente en Jerusalén mientras los fariseos intentan atraparlo con preguntas engañosas.

• A pesar de sus esfuerzos, los fariseos son avergonzados por las respuestas de Jesús y se retiran al templo.

La hipocresía de los líderes religiosos

• Los fariseos eran expertos en la ley pero utilizaban su conocimiento para sentirse superiores ante Dios y otros.

• Jesús revela cómo el legalismo les permite sentirse seguros e importantes, aunque contradicen el verdadero propósito de la relación con Dios.

Ejemplos contemporáneos del legalismo

• Se compara el comportamiento de los fariseos con personas que "maquillan" sus currículums para impresionar durante una búsqueda laboral.

• La parábola del fariseo y el recaudador de impuestos ilustra cómo algunos buscan exaltarse a sí mismos mientras otros reconocen su necesidad de perdón.

Actuaciones hipócritas

• Los fariseos buscan reconocimiento social mediante lugares honorarios en banquetes y sinagogas; esto refleja un deseo profundo por aprobación externa.

• Jesús llama a estos líderes "hipócritas", comparándolos con actores que ocultan su verdadera naturaleza tras máscaras.

Understanding the Absence of God's Love

The Nature of Hypocrisy

• Individuals often lack the love of God, leading them to believe they are acting correctly without realizing their hypocrisy. They do not consciously choose to be hypocritical; instead, they genuinely think their actions are justified.

Seeking Admiration

• Many people use good deeds, religious practices, and even God Himself as tools for building their identity and seeking acceptance from others. This reflects a deeper need for admiration rather than genuine faith.

The Story of Salieri and Mozart

• The speaker references the film "Amadeus," highlighting the contrast between composers Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salieri seeks divine talent in exchange for his devotion, while Mozart's raw talent is unearned yet celebrated by God.

Self-Justification vs. True Devotion

• Salieri’s desire for recognition leads him to question why he is not blessed despite his good works, paralleling the older brother in the Prodigal Son parable who feels entitled due to his obedience but lacks true love for the Father.

Misunderstanding Sin

• Sin is not just disobedience; it can also manifest through obedience aimed at self-salvation or self-exaltation. People may perform righteous acts with selfish motives rather than out of love for God.

The Dangers of Legalism

Building Identity Without Christ

• Engaging in religious activities or fulfilling family roles solely for personal validation leads to a legalistic mindset that distances individuals from Christ. This includes studying theology or serving in church with ulterior motives.

Legalism Exalts Self Over God

• Legalism creates an illusion of righteousness while actually promoting self-exaltation over genuine worship and relationship with God. It can lead one away from true connection with Him.

Burdening Others with Rules

• Jesus criticizes Pharisees for placing heavy burdens on others without offering help themselves. This reflects a failure to teach God's law as a means of life rather than mere rules to follow.

The Prophetic Judgment Against Israel

A Call to Repentance

• Jesus expresses sorrow over Israel's rejection of Him as their Savior, emphasizing that His harsh words stem from compassion rather than condemnation. He desires repentance from sin rather than mere adherence to laws.

Historical Context of Rejection

• Since Genesis 3:15, there has been an expectation for a Savior among God's people. However, when Jesus arrives as prophesied, He is met with rejection by those who should have welcomed Him.

Climax in Redemption History

• The rejection by religious leaders signifies a pivotal moment in redemption history where God's chosen people refuse His reign over them, illustrating profound spiritual blindness amidst devoutness.

Understanding Legalism and the Law

The Nature of Legalism

• Legalism is not merely about following God's law; it involves trying to obey Christ without grace.

• The law itself is not sinful; Paul clarifies in Romans 7:7 that the law reveals sin rather than being sin itself.

Uses of the Law

• The law serves three primary purposes:

• To reveal sin.

• To restrain evil in the world.

• To guide believers' lives in Christ.

• Pharisees misused the law by imposing burdens on others instead of leading them to Christ or alleviating their sins.

Hypocrisy of Religious Leaders

• Pharisees were not libertines but hypocrites who excused their own sins while enforcing strict adherence to minor laws, neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

• Jesus criticized them for focusing on trivial matters while ignoring significant aspects of God's law.

Representation of Human Heart

• Jesus denounced religious leaders as they represented humanity's heart condition—having knowledge of God's law without His grace leads to hypocrisy and burdening others.

Illustrations of Burden and Grace

• Martin Luther exemplified fear-driven legalism, seeking God through extreme discipline but feeling overwhelmed by guilt until he discovered justification through faith in Christ.

• In contrast, Andrew from "Whiplash" illustrates how performance pressure can lead one to become a self-imposed legalist, sacrificing personal well-being for excellence at a high cost.

Impact on Relationships and Self-worth

• Families often impose expectations based on commandments rather than love, creating burdens instead of fostering freedom through grace. This approach can damage relationships with children and within families.

• Societal norms dictate worth based on performance, leading individuals to internalize impossible standards that result in anxiety and despair when unmet.

Conclusion on Legalism's Consequences

• Legalism promises life but ultimately produces guilt, pride, anxiety, and despair due to its inability to fulfill the demands it imposes on individuals without grace or forgiveness from God.

What Does Jesus Say About Legalism and Salvation?

The Path to Condemnation

• Jesus questions the fate of those who believe they are following the right path, warning that their good deeds may lead them directly to hell. He emphasizes that only through Him can one escape condemnation.

Jesus' Lament for Jerusalem

• Despite delivering harsh truths, Jesus concludes with a lament rather than disdain, expressing deep sorrow for Jerusalem's impending destruction due to its rejection of Him.

• The repetition of "Jerusalem" signifies an intimate relationship and urgency in His plea for the city, highlighting God's desire for connection despite its failures.

Urgency and Tragedy

• Jesus laments not just over physical death but also spiritual blindness leading to condemnation. He expresses a desperate love for Jerusalem, wishing it would accept Him as its savior.

• The metaphor of God as a husband reflects His enduring commitment to Israel despite repeated betrayals. This time, however, the rejection is final and leads to dire consequences.

The Nature of Good Deeds Without Christ

• Jesus mourns over people's misguided belief that their good actions can bring them closer to God without acknowledging Him. Such actions ultimately distance them from true salvation.

• In the same week He pronounces judgment, Jesus heads toward the cross to bear all sins—both bad actions and misguided good deeds done apart from Him.

Legalism vs. True Faith

• The message extends beyond Jewish leaders; it warns everyone against living under legalism without Christ. Such a life leads to self-exaltation but ultimately results in spiritual death.

• Jesus embodies both rebellion against God’s law and perfect adherence; He takes on humanity's hypocrisy at the cross, offering redemption even for those who think they are righteous.

The Role of Obedience in Faith

• A community may perceive itself as righteous through religious practices but lacks true faith in Christ. This disconnect renders their efforts futile in achieving salvation.

• On the cross, instead of lamenting Jerusalem again, Jesus cries out in despair: “My God, why have you forsaken me?” This moment encapsulates His sacrifice for humanity's separation from God due to sin.

Living Under Grace

• Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provides believers with not only forgiveness but also a new life characterized by righteousness—fulfilling what was required by God's law on our behalf.

• Matthew 23 challenges believers about their motivations behind obedience: Is it genuine faith or merely an attempt at self-righteousness? True repentance involves recognizing one's need for Christ’s righteousness rather than relying on personal merit.

Call to Rest in Christ

Embracing Grace Over Legalism

• The message emphasizes a call to come to Christ for rest, urging individuals to release the burdens of legalism and performance-based value before God.

• It highlights that reliance should be on the Lord rather than oneself, presenting Jesus as the only true teacher and savior who offers unconditional acceptance.

• The contrast between external cleanliness (as practiced by Pharisees) and internal transformation through Christ is discussed, asserting that only Jesus can cleanse one's heart completely.

• Obedience in Christ is framed not as a burden but as a joyful expression of faith, resulting from the work of the Holy Spirit rather than human effort.

• Believers are encouraged to reflect God's love without fear of condemnation or societal judgment, trusting fully in His grace and forgiveness.

Assurance of Identity in Christ

• The speaker reassures listeners that their identity as beloved children of God is secure, emphasizing an intimate relationship with Him marked by love and acceptance.

• A prayer acknowledges human blindness to sin and affirms God's role in providing victory over both sinful actions and self-righteousness.

Closing Blessing

• The closing prayer expresses gratitude for God's blessings and encourages continual living in Christ's presence as Savior.

• An apostolic blessing from 2 Corinthians 13:14 is shared, invoking grace, love, and communion with the Holy Spirit for all believers.