Hypocrisy

Matthew 23:1–13 ESV

1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.

Position Must Be Accompanied By Pursuit!

Words have meaning and so do actions.

The words of a person can display who they are and their intentions; therefore, one must be mindful of what they say and the meaning behind the words used to communicate.

Although, when determining the sincere character of another person, the actions of an individual often speak with more clarity than their words.

Pursuit is not Piety!

Maybe you have heard the term legalism or Pharisaism.

Piety or the pious minded person is nothing new.

Let’s be candid for moment...

People often find religion easier than relationship, but when we cling to religion we can quickly find the bar out of reach.

You see, in vs. 4 the scribes and Pharisees are called out over the “heavy burdens” they create for people but they do not meet the burden themselves. Or often they find areas where they are able to stand and raise the bar for everyone there.

In essence, these are the religious leaders and they don’t really wish to lead. They wish for people to fawn over them.

Pious-- making a hypocritical stand of virtue.

let’s read vs. 5-8 again...

Matthew 23:5–8 ESV

5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Matthew 23:9–10 ESV

9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.

Pursuit Bars Self Promotion!

Matthew 23:11–13 ESV

11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.

Walking Away, But In...

Be Mindful of Words.

Be Faithful in Action.

Be Humble in Heart.