Truth, Hypocrisy, and the Kingdom of God

Opening Comments:

Please meet me in your copy of God’s word in Luke 16:14-18. Pg.# 822-823 in our Church provided Bibles. This is God’s Holy Word.

Luke 16:14–18 ESV

14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 16 “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void. 18 “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

Introduction:

We live in a world captivated by filters, a social media landscape where life is presented through a polished, aesthetic lens. Carefully cropped pictures accompanied by witty or profound captions, and posts timed for maximum impact, are all meticulously curated to project the best possible version of ourselves to the world.

We broadcast the smiling family photo, but conveniently omit the argument that unfolded in the car just moments before.

We post a clip desperately trying to be viral on TikTok but leave out the 50 takes and all the curated staging to get it just right.

We have become masters of appearance, adept at projecting an image all while struggling with the raw, unfiltered reality of what's truly taking place in our hearts.

The pressure to always look right, sound right, and appear successful isn't a recent social media influenced phenomenon. It's a deeply human struggle of the heart that goes all the way back to the fall.

In our text Jesus confronts a group of Pharisees who as a group were respected, wealthy, and outwardly, impeccably religious —they were, masters of managing appearances. But, their hearts were far from God.

In Luke 16:13 Jesus made a statement that cut to their core

Luke 16:13 ESV

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

This statement detonated like a bomb.

v.14 tells us that these Pharisees who were “lovers of money” responded with absolute scorn. But, that didn’t phase Jesus who proceeds to expose the true condition of their hearts, confront their deeply entrenched hypocrisy, and remind them that God's truth is immutable (unchanging), even when we desperately try to bend or ignore it to accommodate our own desires.

So, let’s dive into this confrontation and apply it to our lives today.

1.) Jesus Exposes the True Condition of the Heart. (v.14-15)

Luke 16:14 ESV

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.

The Pharisees were the superstars of first century Jewish religion. They presented a very polished image to the world full of loud public prayers, lavish visible giving, and meticulous adherence to the laws and traditions as they interpreted them.

But, notice what Luke says about them, they were “lovers of money”.

“Lovers of money”- The word translated here derives from two greek words . phileō, “to love,” and arguros, “silver.” So literally “lovers of silver”

Their love for riches profoundly shaped their identity, theology, and their entire worldview.

To them, wealth wasn’t just a resource—it was a sign of God’s approval, a badge of spiritual legitimacy.

This philosophy is still present today in 'prosperity gospel' teachings, where outward financial success, luxurious possessions, or even flawless health are presented as signs of God’s special approval because of your strong faith. The more visibly 'blessed' someone is with material things, the more it's treated as tangible proof of their right standing with God and His endorsement of their life or ministry.

Creflo Dollar’s Jet

Jesse Duplantis who bragged two years ago that his watch cost more than his second house. Also, regularly brags abut having the biggest house in his state.

Kenneth Copeland who says God told him he’d live to be 100 because of his great ministry.

When Jesus said, "you cannot serve God and money" it cut like a knife to the heart of the pharisees self-worth and religious teaching.

Notice their response, "they ridiculed him.”

“Who is this country bumpkin to challenge us, he doesn't know what he’s talking about.”

They were defensive because Jesus was systematically dismantling their carefully constructed façade and exposing their hypocrisy. They were far more concerned with appearing righteous to others than with being righteous before God.

Jesus knew this, its why he said:

Luke 16:15 ESV

And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Justify- To declare righteous, to present oneself as right or approved in the eyes of others.

The Pharisees had turned this into an art form. But God knew their hearts.

Application: We can fool people by curating a persona. But God isn't fooled. He sees past our filters and self justifications to what really lies beneath.

Do you ever go to the dentist for a check up? Right before you go brush your teeth, gargle mouthwash, and you floss for the first time since your last appointment. Then the hygienist looks at you and says "have you been flossing regularly?" and you say yes, while your gums are bleeding like a crime scene. You can't fool her. She knows the truth.

It's the same way with God. You can't mask the true condition of your heart by dressing up and coming to church on Sunday and dropping a little money in the offering. God sees right through your façade.

Hebrews 4:13 ESV

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Look at the last part of v.15 again

Abomination- Utterly detestable, loath some or morally revolting. Something that provokes a visceral reaction of disgust and revulsion.

Biblically it's a word only used when referring to things that are profoundly immoral (like certain sexual sins) and spiritually offensive to God (like idolatry).

But, it's not always used for outward extreme sin or overtly pagan rituals. Often, what God calls an abomination is rooted in the heart—pride, injustice, and counterfeit religiosity that is used to mask over sinful rebellion against God.

Application: Many of the very things our world celebrates, pursues, and elevates don't impress God. In fact, they disgust Him.

Social media has trained us to seek validation and affirmation from others.

But it even happens in the there can be a temptation to measure spiritual health and vitality by external polish, visibility and popularity.

God isn't looking for a curated image or a flawless performance. He’s looking for a clean heart. He's not impressed by our social media metrics or outward religious displays. He desires genuine repentance and humility, and faith that is living in active.

When we find ourselves loving what the world loves and exulting what the world exults, we are in grave danger of cherishing what God finds revolting.

Wealth, influence, and ambition are not inherently evil. But, they become spiritually perilous when they displace God in our hearts, when they are the objects of our ultimate trust, or used as instruments of self justification in pride.

2.) Jesus Declares the Unshakable Authority of God's word. (v.16-17)

In verses 16 and 17, Jesus zooms out to address the deeper issue behind the Pharisees’ attitude.

Their ridicule wasn’t just about money—it revealed a rejection of the message Jesus preached and the authority backing it.

In v 16, He gives a snapshot of Biblical history:

Luke 16:16 ESV

“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.

“The Law and the Prophets” refers to the Old Testament—the scripture that shaped Israel’s identity and pointed forward to the coming Messiah.

Jesus is saying that the Old Testament era reached its climax with John the Baptist, he was the final prophet of the old covenant, who announced that the King had arrived.

John 1:29 (ESV)

…“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

With Jesus came the preaching of the gospel—that the only way to gain access to God’s kingdom was through the Son.

But not everyone welcomed Jesus or his message.

Jesus says, “everyone forces his way into it.”

That phrase is tricky, some interpret this as eager striving to enter—but in context, Jesus is confronting rejection, not commending zeal. So He’s likely highlighting the Pharisees were trying to enter the kingdom on their own terms without submitting to its King.

The Pharisees wanted a version of God’s kingdom that didn’t confront their sin or threaten their status.

In verse 17, He says:

Luke 16:17 ESV

But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.

“dot” (Greek: keraia) is the tiniest stroke of a Hebrew letter—that is easily overlooked.

Jesus says not even that will fade away. God’s Word is more durable than the heavens and the earth.You can argue with it, ignore it, reframe it, or try to soften its edges—but it won’t change.

You can deny the law of gravity, but the moment you step off a rooftop, you’ll remember it’s still in effect.

God’s truth is the same way.

Understand Jesus didn’t throw out the Old Testament; He’s fulfilled it.

Matthew 5:17–18 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

The Pharisees thought they could bend Scripture to fit their agenda. Jesus says, “No—you have to bend your life to fit My Word.”

We have the same danger. We live in a culture that treats truth as personal, flexible, and optional. We hear phrases like, “live your truth” or “you do you.” But Jesus says: God’s truth is fixed. Eternal. Non-negotiable.

God’s truth is that there is only way way to enter the kingdom of God and that through the Lord Jesus.

3.) Jesus illustrates Hypocrisy and Calls for Kingdom Living. (v.18)

In verse 18 Jesus provides a very specific and practical example of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

The Pharisees weren't just misunderstanding the overarching message of the kingdom; they were actively distorting God's word to justify their personal choices and to maintain their standing in society.

Jesus calls attention to this by bringing up the highly controversial subject of divorce and remarriage.

Luke 16:18 ESV

“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

This verse seems abrupt and disconnected from the preceding discussion about money and the law. But we have to remember the context.

Jesus has just established the principle that God's Word is immutable (unchanging). Now he's applying the principle to a real world issue where the Pharisees were notoriously compromising: the covenant of marriage.

The Pharisees were playing fast and loose with God's law on this issue just as they did with their pursuit of wealth and our displays of religion.

Many of the Pharisees, had adopted a view of divorce far removed from God's original intent.

Some were teaching that a man could divorce his wife for almost any reason, even for something as trivial as burning a meal or finding another woman more attractive than her.

They had effectively twisted a provision from Deuteronomy 24 that was meant as a protective element for women into a convenient loophole for satisfying their sinful desire and evading their responsibility of obedience to God Word.

Jesus rejects their distortion by pointing back to God's original design for marriage in the book of Genesis.

Genesis 2:24 ESV

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Jesus is saying that in God's eyes marriage is to be a lifelong, unbreakable covenant between one man and one woman. When that sacred one-flesh bond is broken for reasons outside of Gods explicit permission, any remarriage that follows amounts to adultery.

We need to understand that Jesus isn't issuing a blanket condemnation that divorce is always wrong or that it is an unforgivable sin.

Matthew 19:9- Jesus gives the exemption of sexual immorality. (Porneia- Adultery, fornication, lewdness. sexual sin)

1 Corinthians 7:15- The apostle Paul addresses the issue of abandonment by unbelieving spouse.

He isn't giving a comprehensive theology of divorce and remarriage here. He's exposing the Pharisees hypocrisy and their selective approach to scripture.

They were treating God's law like a buffet line—Picking and choosing the commands they found palatable and convenient while disregarding those that challenge their desires or lifestyles.

Jesus is confronting their inconsistency by telling them if they were truly apart of God’s kingdom, they wouldn’t engage in this kind of theological slight of hand. We don't get to pick and choose the parts of God's word we want to obey.

Application: I am fully aware that this is a deeply sensitive issue. There are many in our church and watching online who have been touched by the pain of divorce—either personally or through relationships with family and friends.

Hear me today, Jesus isn't speaking these words to inflict shame. His purpose is to uphold God's divine design, call his people to faithfulness, and highlighting the importance of consistent obedience to the authority of God’s word.

If you are married, cherish and honor that covenant. Nurture it, get help when you have challenges. Let your marriage be a living testimony of the faithful and enduring love of God.

If divorce is a part of your story, know that Christ's grace is more sufficient than your past, your present, and your future. He is a God of redemption and restoration. It is our prayer that this church will always be a place where you can find healing, acceptance, and restoration, not condemnation or judgment.

We can't get lost in the weeds and lose the overarching principle that Jesus is stating: God's truth, as revealed in his word, must govern every aspect of our lives—Our finances, relationships, integrity, speech, and thoughts.

Conclusion:

This teaching of Jesus is confrontational, and deeply challenging.

But it's also incredibly burden lifting. Jesus isn't just scolding the Pharisees for their shortcomings; he's holding up a divine mirror to our own hearts, lovingly inviting us to trade the burden of maintaining appearances for the freedom of living in authenticity.

We don't half to manage an image hoping no one finds out our secret sins. We can live a life of earnest obedience to God’s word.

Jesus has done this by:

Exposing the true condition of our hearts. Revealing that what is often exalted and celebrated in this world is utterly detestable to God.

Declaring the unshakable and eternal authority of God's word, telling us that not even the smallest detail will pass away or loses power.

Then applying that timeless Word to the everyday realities of our lives. From our attitudes towards money and possessions to the sacred bond of our marriage covenants. Jesus calls us to live a life of faithfulness to his kingdom.

Friends when we come to the realization that we can't through our own efforts or merit justify ourselves before a holy God, Jesus steps in with his abundant grace.

He's the one who fulfilled the law perfectly in our place. He's the one who took our sin, our hypocrisy, our self-righteousness, and our rebellion all on himself on the cross. It is through faith in him alone, that we are truly justified – not by appearances, not by achievements, not by religious performance, but solely by his precious blood.

Romans 5:1 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the good news of the kingdom. If Christ is your savior then you are now a citizen of the kingdom, justified by his grace, and called to live it out. To embody his truth and to shine as lights in a world that is desperately chasing after the wrong things.

Invitation:

Examine your heart. Are you more concerned with appearing righteous than being right with God?

Do you have areas where your life that aren’t fully aligned with God's word-finances, your marriage, your purity, your truthfulness etc.?

Let's not be like the Pharisees, content with an outward show of religiosity while our hearts live for ourselves.

Let's strive to be a people fully committed to God's kingdom, with lives firmly built on and continually shaped by his unchanging and life-giving word.

Let’s pray.

Father,

Thank You that Your Word never fails. In a world full of shifting values and shallow appearances, You speak truth that cuts to the heart.

Forgive us, Lord, for the ways we’ve tried to look righteous without truly obeying You. For loving money, approval, or comfort more than You.

Expose what’s false in us—not to shame us, but to free us. Lead us to real repentance and sincere faith.

Thank You for Jesus, who sees through our masks and still went to the cross for us. By His grace, help us walk in the light, obey Your Word, and honor You in our hearts, our homes, and our lives.

And for those who haven’t yet trusted Christ—draw them today. Show them the beauty of truth and the power of mercy.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.