Learning from Hypocrites
There are many great lessons we
can learn from the righteous in the Bible and they are certainly worth
following after but we can also learn many valuable lesson from the sinners of
the Bible as well and that is exactly what we are going to be do be doing this
morning as look at look at Hypocrites.
Hypocrite is defined this way: strictly actor, stage player;
figuratively in the NT, as a moral or religious counterfeit hypocrite, pretender, dissembler
A Hypocrite is someone who pretends
to be something that they are not and they have no intentions of becoming that
which they pretend to be. We certainly have many examples of people like this
in the Bible. But for our lesson this morning I want to focus primarily on
Jesus speech to the rebellious Jews in Mat. 23. This was one the strongest
rebukes that he spoke against them as he called them hypocrites 7 times, blind
guides 5 times, fools 2 times and Serpents brood of vipers once.
Even though this chapter consist of Jesus condemning these men’s
hypocrisy we can learn from where they failed and we can examine ourselves to
see if we are playing the hypocrite. Let begin by looking at,
Matthew 23:1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and
to His disciples, 2 saying: "The scribes and the
Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 "Therefore whatever they tell you
to observe, thatobserve
and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 "For they bind heavy burdens,
hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of
their fingers.
The first thing we learn about
these Jews is that they sit in Moses seat and they know what the law says and
they have no problem teaching what is supposed to be done that is why Jesus
tells them to observe what they teach. However since these Jews were
hypocrites, they didn’t practice what they preached. That is why Jesus tells
them not to follow their works. This is exactly how a hypocrite works and
unfortunately there are those who teach the Bible today who are exactly this
same way because they will teach the truth and speak badly about those who do
not keep it but they themselves will not follow their own teachings. I want you
to notice the point that Paul makes to some Jews in,
Romans 2:17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest
on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that
are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself
are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a
teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do
you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you
steal? 22 You who say, "Do not commit
adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob
temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do
you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For "the name of God is
blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written.
You see Paul didn’t let these Jews
get away with their hypocrisy because he was letting them know that they can’t
just preach that which is right they must also live that which is right and so
if find yourself in this situation of where you proclaim righteous to others
but you yourself do not live the righteous life then you are guilty of playing
the hypocrite and a change needs to be made with in your life.
Another Characteristic of a
hypocrite found in verse,
Matthew 23:5 "But all their works they do to
be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of
their garments. 6 "They love the best places at
feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 "greetings in the marketplaces,
and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'
Those who play the hypocrite are
those who are self-centered and they think more about themselves and their own
glory than they than do about others or God. You see it all about appearances
because they want to appear one way to others but secretively they are rotten to
the core. Notice how the things they do are pointed toward their own selfish
desires as they always want the best for themselves. They wanted to the best
seats in the synagogue which were reserved for the older men. They want to be
called by special titles so that they can feed their ego.
You see the same characteristics
in some Christians today because when they do something for Lord, they can’t
wait to tell everyone about it or they make sure their work can be seen by
everyone. This is all done so they can receive the praise of others or get lots
attention for themselves. We also see preachers in the denominations that call
themselves by special titles like Reverend, Dr. or father such and such. All
these things are condemned by Jesus because he wants his followers to be
different as we see in,
Matthew 23:8 "But you, do not be called
'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 "Do not call anyone on earth your
father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 "And do not be called teachers;
for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 "But he who is greatest among you
shall be your servant. 12 "And whoever exalts himself will
be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
This is what Christianity is all
about, being humble servants and esteeming others better than yourself as Paul
says in,
Philippians
2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any
comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and
mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded,
having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or
conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for
his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also
in Christ Jesus,
Now if we truly love God and we
want to follow in Jesus’ footsteps then we must learn to do what Paul had told
us here because it is the only to keep ourselves from become a self-centered
hypocrite. So, if we desire to honor Christ, we will respect his teaching and
not use religious titles or expect special treatment but instead we will serve
God and others with humility. I want to finish this point with what taught his
disciples in,
Matthew 6:1"Take
heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.
Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "Therefore, when you do a
charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I
say to you, they have their reward. 3 "But when you do a charitable
deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 "that your charitable deed may be
in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you
openly. 5 " And when you pray, you shall
not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I
say to you, they have their reward. 6 "But you, when you pray, go into
your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret
will reward you openly. 7 "And when you pray, do not use
vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be
heard for their many words. 8 "Therefore do not be like them.
For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Now Jesus is going to point out
several more errors of these scribes and Pharisees.
Matthew
23:13 "But woe to you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven
against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are
entering to go in.
The Pharisees should have accepted
Christ and been examples but they were not. Instead, they wanted to hold fast
to their hypocritical ways and allow their traditions to override the word of
God. In Mat 15 Jesus told these men that they had allowed their traditions to
override the word of God and that their teachings came from a heart that was
far removed from God. So we learn from this not to be hypocritical in our
teachings of God or to stand in the way of those who are trying to find the
truth. Its important that we teach God’s truth in such a way that it will save
us and those around us as
1 Timothy
4:16 Take heed to yourself
and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both
yourself and those who hear you.
Matthew
23:14 "Woe to you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a
pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
These men were using their
hypocrisy to take advantage of widows and to impress others. It has been said
that these men would pretend pray for up to 3 hours so they could convince
people like these widows to support them. Jesus says they will be condemned.
Paul also warned Titus about such people in,
Titus 1:10 For there are many insubordinate, both
idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who
subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of
dishonest gain.
There are certainly many in the
religious world like this today. All you have to do is turn you TV on and watch
TBN and other channel like it and you will see preacher after preacher talk
about how you need to give them lots of money so that you will get back 10 fold
or more. These men and women are great examples of what Jesus and Paul are
talking about. But as Christians we should never get to the point where we
think that being a Christian is something that is going cause us to become rich
worldly instead we need to realize that being a Christian makes us rich
spiritually. Again, notice what Paul tells Timothy about this kind of
hypocrite,
1 Timothy
6:3 If anyone teaches otherwise
and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is
obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling,
evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt
minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw
yourself. 6 Now godliness with contentment is
great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world,and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with
these we shall be content.
So don’t allow anyone try to
convince you that you must be rich to be considered a blessed Christian because
this simply is not true instead we must learn to be content with our situation
whether we are rich or poor physically and its important that we remember that
no matter what our finical status is if we are faithfully serving the Lord then
we are all rich spiritually which is far better than any physical wealth we may
obtain.
Matthew
23:15 "Woe to you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one
proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as
yourselves.
Here these men are condemned for
converting others to the particular group and teaching them to keep their man
made traditions. Since God rejects man made ways and considers them as a sin
these men they were converting would end up following the same wrong path as
them.
We to must be careful today that
we don’t try and lead people astray by man made traditions but instead we must
be diligent in teaching people the whole council of God so that they will be
able to find that narrow road that leads to life. Also we can see that these
men were wanting to grow their group as big as they could and as much as I
would like to see the church here at Antioch increase in number we can never
play the hypocrite to gain those numbers by only standing on part of God’s
truth but that is exactly what many congregation are starting to do. They are
not satisfied with they number so they start trying ways to entertain their
people and they start removing restrictions such using musical instruments or
having women preachers and the list can go on and on. I hope that we never get
caught up in the number game here at
Matthew
23:16 "Woe to you, blind
guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever
swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.' 17 "Fools and blind! For which is
greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18 "And, 'Whoever swears by the
altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is
obliged to perform it.' 19 "Fools and blind! For which is
greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 "Therefore he who swears by the
altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 "He who swears by the temple,
swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. 22 "And he who swears by heaven,
swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.
In these verses we see that
these men were trying to say that their truth was greater than any other truth
including the word of God which simply is not true. That is why Peter teaches
us in,
1 Peter
4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.
Just as these Pharisees had their
own agenda on what they thought was important the
same thing has been done in many congregations in the past. One person or a
group of people have split congregation because they were wanted assign greater
importance to trivial matters. For instance I have heard of congregation
dividing because they didn’t like the color of the new carpet or they didn’t
agree on new structure that was built because they didn’t personally like it.
We have to be careful as individual that we don’t try to put great emphasis on
matters of opinions or try to bind things on people where the Bible does not
bind.
Matthew
23:23 "Woe to you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and
cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and
faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 "Blind guides, who strain out a
gnat and swallow a camel!
Now Jesus continues on and points
out that these hypocrites are only keeping part of the law instead of keeping
all of it. This is what hypocrites do they will keep some of God’s commands and
stress those they like but they refuse to keep all of his commands. Again Jesus
points out these men would cause great problems over the smallest things by
saying they strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.
This teaches us that that the sum
of God’s word is important and not just some of God Word. As David said in,
Psalm 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to
me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
Matthew 23: 25 "Woe to you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but
inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 "Blind Pharisee, first cleanse
the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean
also. 27 "Woe to you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear
beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 "Even so you also outwardly
appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
In these 2 woes Jesus appeals to
the rituals that the Pharisees did. They were always washing their cups and
dishes and they used white washed tombs so they could clearly be seen so they
wouldn’t accidentally step on a person grave. With these 2 examples Jesus was
once again showing them how they were being hypocrites by appearing one way on
the outside but how they were completely different on the inside.
Today we may be able to fool our
brother and sister in Christ as we play the hypocrite around them but God knows
our heart and we cannot fool him so if this applies to you I strongly recommend
that you start making changes in your life today because God will not be
pleased with you if you are playing the hypocrite.
Matthew
23:29 "Woe to you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets
and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 "and say, 'If we had lived in the
days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of
the prophets.' 31 "Therefore you are witnesses
against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
These men recognized that their
forefathers had killed many of God’s prophets and they proclaim that they
wouldn’t had done such things yet they would and they would do much worse as
they were plotting and planning away to kill the very son of God. Now Jesus is
going to point out how they are no different than their forefathers.
Matthew
23:32 "Fill up, then,
the measure of your fathers' guilt. 33 "Serpents, brood of vipers! How
can you escape the condemnation of hell? 34 "Therefore, indeed, I send you
prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify,
and some of them you will scourge in your
synagogues and persecute from city to city,
Jesus knew that these hypocritical
Jews would end up killing many of Jesus followers even though they claimed they
would not do such evil things as their forefathers because of their hypocrisy
Jesus pronounces their doom they would face in 70 AD from the Roman armies as
we continue in,
Matthew
23:35 "that on you may
come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous
Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the
temple and the altar. 36 "Assuredly, I say to you, all
these things will come upon this generation. 37 " O
We have learned many valuable
lessons from the hypocrite today that we must learn to avoid.
We
must avoid:
• Not
practicing what we preach
• Doing
works for God just for show or just to receive praise from others
• Man-made
traditions
• Thinking
that Christianity is some kind of get rich quick scheme
• Using
Christianity to take advantage of others
• Neglecting
parts of God’s Word to increase our numbers
• Making
mountains out mole hills over trivial matters
One last point I want to make
before we close our lesson out this morning is there are many who will not come
to church because they say there are too many hypocrites there. Even if it is
true that there are hypocrites in a church is this any reason to keep you from
following God’s Word on assembling with the saints for the purpose of
worshiping God?
Did the hypocrisy of Judas make it
ok for the rest of the apostles to leave Jesus’ side?
Do those who refuse to come to
church because of hypocrites allow hypocrites to keep them from enjoying other
activities such as sports events, vacations or any other event?
Of course it doesn’t and besides
which is better, spending a short time with hypocrites in church or spending
eternity with hypocrites in hell? Remember what Jesus said about the
hypocrites.
How can you escape
the condemnation of hell?
So don’t ever let the hypocrisy of
some to keep you from enjoying the blessing of salvation that only comes
through Jesus Christ.