Hypocritical People

Finishing series RV today. These are ppl who suck life out of you. Feel drained and defeated when around. See them, run!

Yet, called to love.

Quiz: What is non-Christian biggest complaint about Christians? All Christians are Hypocrites!

Today we’re finishing our series looking at Hypocritical People. Honestly, is there a more difficult person to love than a hypocrite?

What is a hypocrite? Ancient Greek word - hypokrites - means someone who wears a mask. Referred originally to stage actors in ancient Greece. But came to be seen as people who pretend to be one thing when really they’re another. This was one of Jesus biggest charges against the religious rulers of his day - Matthew 23:28 “So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

I’ve had unfortunate pleasure of knowing several hypocrites in my life. Brother Bill and sister Bertha better-than-you. Always noticing and pointing out faults in others - while completely oblivious to their own. They remind me of an SNL character played by Dana Carvey called the Church Lady (queue video). Isn’t that special!

Lady used to come to our church. Seemed almost every week in my office pointing out where someone - usually a man - wasn’t living up to her expectations. They didn’t pray enough. They weren’t leading their family well enough. They’re not serious enough about God. And then she’d want me to do something about it! But the whole time she remained totally blind to her own judgmentalism and critical spirit. I, of course, handled her in a mature and godly way - when I saw her I just avoided her.

You’ve probably encountered some hypocrites as well...

High school - girl that sang in choir and gave testimony at FCA, but everyone knew she partied on the weekend and slept with boyfriend.

Guy at church - not THIS church - who acted holier-than-thou, but everyone knew he was verbally abusive to his wife/kids.

Boss who docked ppl’s pay for being late but would often sneak out early from work.

These kind of people are difficult. How do you respond? How do we love hypocritical people?

Pray…

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Read Matthew 7:1-5

Matthew 7:1–5 (NRSV)

“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.

Jesus is talking about person who has distinguished themselves as the chief speck inspector. They feel it’s their job to point out the specks in others eyes while remaining oblivious to the log in their own. How do we best love these kinds of people. Helpful to ask why they are acting like they are, bc answer helps determine what we do. Why are they acting like that?

They don’t know God.

Sometimes ppl can be religious but not Christian. They go to church, serve in ministry, give money. But never really surrendered their life to Jesus. They are wearing a Christian mask but their heart hasn’t been transformed by God’s Spirit.

1 John 2:4 “Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist;”

Our response to these people is prayer, bc what the really need is to have an encounter with Jesus.

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They don’t know better.

Sometimes people really are Christians, but they’re babies in the faith. Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3 are true for them. 1 Corinthians 3:1 “And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.”

George Mombaleo evangelism strategy - convert or I will beat you! He was sincere, he just didn’t know better.

These people don’t need a rebuke, they need discipleship. Someone needs to teach them a better way.

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They are weak.

Sometimes people know better but struggle with their flesh. They don’t excuse behavior - know it’s wrong - but struggle to overcome it. Anyone relate?? The truth is that becoming Christlike is a long road. Takes time.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 “And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.”

Don’t mistake hypocrisy for weakness. People struggling with their flesh need patience and encouragement.

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They are disobedient.

These are the Christians who know the right thing but just won’t do it. They rationalize and make excuses.

“I wouldn’t have to look at porn if wife met my need.”

“I’m not materialistic - I just like nice things.”

When asked about why they do something that they criticize in others - “Well, that’s different.”

These are the true hypocrites - pretending to be one thing while doing another. They wear masks. They are speck-inspectors of others. These are the ppl Jesus confronted - Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?

They’re also ones to mostly quickly quotes Jesus’ words at beginning of passage - “Judge not!” Don’t judge me. It’s none of your business. I’m not hurting anyone.

Is that true? Is it really none of our business? Romans 2:24 “For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”” How we live out our faith impacts the testimony of the church. The reason so many non-Christians say all Christians are hypocrites is bc they’ve seen a lot of Christians be hypocrites!

Is this our business? Yes! The church lady hurts the church witness.

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How do we confront hypocrites in love? We all love confrontation, right!? It’s never fun, but there are some ways to do it that helps take some of the pressure off.

1. Always confront with the goal of restoration.

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.” (Galatians 6:1, NLT)

When we have to confront someone, the best is to come alongside them as a guide, not as a judge. Your goal is not to be right; your goal is to help someone else be right with God.

Early days of preaching - wanting to be relatable meant I often crossed the line of what was appropriate. Sometimes I was crude. A couple of people that I knew loved me approached me and questioned why I said certain things in the pulpit. They felt like maybe I was crossing the line and I should pray about it. And I did. They helped me see that when I thought I wasn’t being real, I was really being carnal.

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2. Always confront biblically.

We don’t have time to read the passage, but Jesus offers some clear steps in Matthew 18 about how to confront someone in sin.

Addressed to brothers/sisters, not unbelievers. Don’t expect non-Christians to live by Christian standards.

First, go to them alone. Implies a relationship. DON’T address by talking with your friends or blasting it on FB - “Sister Joanie is a gossip. #sinner”

If listen, great. Otherwise, bring one or two others.

Still won’t listen, bring to church. Get elders involved.

Slowly escalate but always with the goal of restoration.

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3. Always look for the log in your own eye first.

Before you you go all church-lady on someone, make sure you aren’t being the hypocrite. Pull the log out of your own eye first! Then you’ll see clearly to help your brother or sister. You may discover your bro/sis don’t need help.

Whatever you are most condemning in others is often a reflection of where you are most vulnerable.

Pastor in Co Springs very outspoken against homosexuality. Later arrested in police sting for soliciting an undercover male officer.

Grandma Whitlock - married 5 or 6 times. One day bad-mouthing a woman - “she’s been married half a dozen times” implying she was immoral. But then she stopped and said “I’ve been married a few times myself”.

Be careful that you don’t become the speck-inspector when you have a log in your own eye. Before confronting someone else our prayer should always be the one found in Psalm 139 - Psalm 139:23–24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

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The image the Bible most often uses for us is sheep. We all have a tendency to wander away at times. James 5:19–20 “My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

One day it might be me that wanders off the track. I hope in that moment that one of you loves me enough to bring me back to the path of life.

This is how we love hypocritical people.

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Ministry...

Pray for those who feel like they are being called to confront a fellow believer...

Pray for those who are convicted of hypocrisy in their own life...

Pray for the lost...

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Communion

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*** Announcement reminders ***

I want us to close our worship time being reminded of God’s incredible love for us and the power we have through Jesus Christ. Let’s say together the early Christian hymn found in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

Philippians 2:5–11 (NRSV)

Let the same mind be in you

that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death—

even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Now as we prepare to take this time of worship into the week ahead, the Lord who loves you reminds you that:

Romans 8:1 NRSV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

GO BE THE CHURCH!!