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"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
Learning From Hypocrites (Mt 23:1-39)
INTRODUCTION
1. What is a hypocrite?
a. Some are accused of hypocrisy when their walk does not measure up
to their talk
b. But that may be an indication of weakness, not hypocrisy per se
c. "Hypocrite" comes from the Greek "hupokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace'),
meaning an actor under an assumed character; e.g., stage-player
(Strong's)
d. A true hypocrite is one who pretends to be something he or she is
not, and really has no intention of becoming
2. Jesus addressed hypocrites in His day, in particular some scribes
and Pharisees...
a. They were among the more religiously conservative of that time
b. Yet some of the harshest words Jesus ever spoke were directed
toward them
c. In just one speech, he called them...
1) Hypocrites (seven times) - Mt 23:13-15; V23; V25; V27; V29
2) Fools (twice) and blind guides (five times) -
Mt 23:16-17; V19; V24; V26
3) Serpents, brood of vipers (once) - Mt 23:33
3. Despite such strong condemnation, one can learn from hypocrites...
a. You can heed their teaching, when it comes from God's word -
cf. Mt 23:1-3
1) Don't automatically disregard the message if the messenger is
a hypocrite
2) Look beyond the messenger to the original source of the
message
b. You can also learn how not to act...
1) Especially when you take note of how Jesus rebuked them
2) Which we shall do in this lesson
[What valuable lessons can we learn from hypocrites? The first are
lessons gleaned ...]
I. FROM THEIR ABUSE OF AUTHORITY
A. BINDING ON OTHERS WHAT ONE IS UNWILLING TO DO...
1. When speaking from Moses' seat in the synagogues, they were
speaking with authority
2. Unfortunately, they were binding things on others they
themselves were unwilling to observe - Mt 23:1-4
3. This breeds disrespect for all authority, including the Word
of God
-- If we desire the highest regard for God's word, then practice
what we preach!
B. DOING WORKS TO BE SEEN OF MEN...
1. When they did their works, they did them to be seen by others
- Mt 23:5a
2. They loved to wear religious clothing that gave appearance of
devotion - Mt 23:5b
3. With time, such hypocrisy will become evident to those who
know us
-- If we desire God's approval, we need to do things to glorify
God, and at times seen only by Him - Mt 5:16; Mt 6:1-18
C. SEEKING ATTENTION AND SPECIAL TREATMENT...
1. The Pharisees loved special treatment received from others
2. Such as the best seats and honorary titles - Mt 23:6-7
3. Jesus expected His disciples to be different - Mt 23:8-12
a. He forbade the use of religious titles
b. He enjoined humility as the road to greatness
-- If we desire to honor Christ, we will respect His teaching and
not use religious titles or expect special treatment, but
serve others with humility
[As Jesus continues with a diatribe against the hypocrisy of the
scribes and Pharisees, we glean several lessons...]
II. FROM THEIR FAILURE IN TEACHING
A. FAILING TO SAVE OTHERS...
1. They failed to truly show others the way to the kingdom of
heaven, and to go in themselves - Mt 23:13
2. Through their doctrines they had rendered the commandments of
God of no effect - cf. Mt 15:3-6
3. Their teaching came from hearts far removed from God -
cf. Mt 15:7-9
-- We need to make sure our teaching saves both ourselves and
others - cf. 1 Ti 4:16
B. MISUSING RELIGION FOR MONEY AND PRESTIGE...
1. They used religion to take advantage of widows, and impress
others - Mt 23:14
2. Paul warned Timothy and Titus about such teachers -
2 Ti 3:4-6; Ti 1:10-11
3. Instead, we should view godliness with contentment as true
gain - cf. 1 Ti 6:3-8
-- It is imperative that we do things honorable in the sight of
all - cf. 2 Co 8:21
C. MAKING PEOPLE WORSE THAN OURSELVES...
1. The Pharisees did not make people better, they made them
worse! - Mt 23:15
2. Perhaps by their emphasis on the traditions of men, rather
than upon the word of God
a. The Pharisees themselves may have known the word of God to
some degree
b. But in neglecting God's word, they starved those who
received their teaching!
-- We must be careful not to put ourselves or traditions between
God's word and those we teach, but let them know "the whole
counsel of God"! - cf. Ac 20:27
D. MAKING DISTINCTIONS WHERE GOD HAS NOT...
1. The scribes and Pharisees made fine distinctions between the
types of oaths one could swear - Mt 23:16-22
2. We can easily do similar things today
a. Saying some commands of God are essential to salvation,
while others are not
b. Teaching our "think so's" and "it seems to me" instead of
telling people what the Bible says
-- To safely guard against this, "let us speak where the Bible
speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent", proclaiming
the oracles of God - cf. 1 Pe 4:11
[As Jesus increases the level of His righteous indignation against the
hypocritical scribes and Pharisees of that day, we are able to learn
three final lessons...]
III. FROM THEIR INCONSISTENCY OF PRACTICE
A. LEAVING COMMANDS OF GOD UNDONE...
1. They left undone the "weightier" matters of God's law - Mt 23:23-24
a. They stressed tithing, but neglected justice, mercy, faith
b. Thus they would strain out a gnat, but swallow a camel
2. We can be guilty of the same thing
a. By stressing "lighter" matters, and leave "weightier"
matters undone
b. Also by stressing "weightier" matters, and leave "lighter"
things undone
-- Jesus said we should do both, leaving neither undone, for all
of God's commandments are important! - cf. Mt 5:19
B. FOCUSING ONLY ON THE OUTER MAN...
1. The "blind" scribes and Pharisees focused only on the outside
- Mt 23:25-28
a. Concerned with keeping the traditions of ritual cleansing
b. Willing to put up with extortion, self-indulgence,
hypocrisy and lawlessness
2. We can be guilty of having the wrong focus
a. Stressing big buildings, large crowds
b. Accepting people into the church without challenging them
to true repentance
-- If we are to avoid creating a church of hypocrites, then we
need to emphasize true repentance, a conversion of the inner
man - cf. Ro 12:2
C. HONORING THE PAST, BUT UNWILLING TO LIVE IT...
1. They honored the ancient men of God, but were more like their
ancestors who murdered the prophets - Mt 23:29-31
a. Indeed, they would do even more harm than their fathers
- Mt 23:32-34
b. Upon that generation would come the judgment for the murder
of all God's prophets (cf. the destruction of Jerusalem in
70 A.D.) - Mt 23:35-39
2. We honor men like Jesus and Peter, but are we willing to live
what they preached?
a. Are we willing to obey their commands? - cf. Mt 28:18-20;
Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38
b. Or are we like many back then who refused to heed their
word?
CONCLUSION
1. What can we learn from hypocrites? A lot! Provided we...
a. Take to heart Jesus' denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees!
b. Do not imitate their abuse of authority, failure in teaching, and
inconsistency of practice!
2. Speaking of hypocrites, some people avoid church because "there are
too many hypocrites there." There may be hypocrites in the church,
but that is no reason not to follow Jesus...
a. Did the hypocrisy of Judas Iscariot permit the rest of the
apostles to leave Jesus?
b. Do you allow the presence of hypocrites keep you from enjoying
other activities (such as sports events, vacations, etc.)?
Besides...which is better, to spend a short time with hypocrites in the
church, or to spend eternity with hypocrites in hell? Remember what
Jesus said of the hypocrites:
"How can you escape the condemnation of hell?" (Mt 23:33b)
Only through the redemption God offers through His Son can any of us
escape the condemnation of hell. Don't let the hypocrisy of some keep
you from the blessings of salvation in Christ Jesus!
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