The Devastating Results of Hypocrisy (pt. 2)

We Must Ensure That We Demonstrate Authentic Christianity

Q: Why should we avoid hypocrisy?

A: Hypocrisy within Christianity Has Two Devastating Results:

Hypocrisy within Christianity Has Two Devastating Results:

We SIN when we live contradictory to the Word of God

Others SIN because of us when we live contradictory to the Word of God

It is vital for us to understand that Sin is no small matter—let’s briefly look at the affects of sin

Sin affects our relationship with God

Sin grieves God

Sin belittles God in front of others

Sin alienates us from God

Sin alienates us from each other

Sin ultimately results in a sentence of eternal condemnation from God

Sin afflicts us personally

What sin does in us:

Produces guilt

Produces fear

Produces doubt

Produces depression

Produces turmoil

Causes us to lack joy

Sin afflicts others

It wounds

It separates

It abuses

It stirs anger

It causes strife

Now… that we see the bearing the sin has on our life, and that hypocrisy has on others… let’s look at what Paul says about hypocrisy and the three concepts we learn from this passage.

Romans 2:17-24

Romans 2:17–24 ESV

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Let’s review the flow of Paul’s argument:

The Jews claimed to be the special people of God (vs. 17)

The Jews claimed to depend upon the Law of God (vs. 17)

The Jews claimed to revel in God (vs. 17)

The Jews claimed to know how to please God (vs. 18)

The Jews claimed guidance from God’s word (vs. 18)

The Jews claimed the ability to teach others (vs. 19-20)

BUT… the Jews failed to comply with what they taught others (vs. 21-22)

In fact… the Jews lived in outright disobedience to the Lord (vs. 23)

This resulted in the Gentiles rejecting God!!! (vs. 24)

From this overview, we extrapolate three concepts (we will cover one per week)

Three Concepts Emerge from this Passage

Confession is not the same thing as compliance!

Society expects us to comply to our proclamation!

God demands we comply to His decrees!

Confession is not the same as Compliance:

Romans 2:17–22 ESV

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

= “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law... having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?... do you steal?... do you commit adultery?... do you rob temples?”

What we see:

Q: What do you live for (really)? What is it that you really desire and long for?

Paul accuses his audience of:

Paul seems offended by the actions of those who fail to follow the instruction they give to others!

Failing to follow their teaching

Stealing and defrauding others

Paul

Stealing and defrauding others

Committing sexual immorality

Grossly indulging in idolatry

Stated differently, Paul’s instructs his self-righteous audience that they are:

Liars who lacked integrity

Greedy and Covetous

Greedy and Covetous

Immoral, perverse, and unloving

Immoral, perverse, and unloving

Lacking Devotion to God

Let’s take a brief look at just how far off the Jews were from being Godly

They killed all of the prophets leading up to the incarnation of Jesus!

They crucified the Lord when He visited them!

Can you see any resemblance within the American church?

1. We say we value the Word of God… but we struggle to spend time in the Word

2. We say we value the people of God… but we hardly come to

3. We say we value sacrificial living

4. We say we value the spread of the gospel

5. We say we value holiness

6. We say we value spiritual maturity

7. We say we value the will of God

Having good doctrine and proclaiming it to others is USELESS unless we follow it!

Four Forgotten Givens:

1. Knowing what is right is not the same as doing what is right

2. Affirming what is right is not the same as doing what is right

3. Proclaiming what is right is not equal to doing what is right

4. Enforcing what is right is not the same as doing what is right

ONLY DOING WHAT IS RIGHT IS CONSIDERED RIGHT!

Let’s put this into real-time:

Reading the Bible is good, but incomplete if we do not obey and respond to what we read!

Aligning with a Biblically conservative group of people is good, but it is useless if we do not do what we affirm!

Sharing the gospel and proclaiming God’s word to the world around us fantastic—but meaningless—if we don’t do what we share!

Making others comply when we are unwilling to is pure evil!!!

God saved us for a purpose, that purpose is:

That we would glorify Him

That we would know Him and experience the goodness of His presence

That we would live according to His standard

That we would reflect His love and nature to the world around us

That we would live as examples of what it means to follow God

Look at what the Bible says about Obeying God (support verses):

· = Our salvation/calling included a call to obey

To be successful, esteemed, and financially comfortable?

· = We obey through submitting the way we think to God

To be loved, to love, and to have great relationships?

To be loved, to love, and to have great relationships?

What you live for is what you comply with.

· = We obey the institutions/leadership God places over us

To have fun, experience all that life has to offer, and to live it up?

To have fun, experience all that life has to offer, and to live it up?

To be a kind, good person, and peaceful person?

· = We are Jesus’ friends if we obey Him

To be a kind, good person, and peaceful person?

To right wrongs, defend others, and fix the problems of society?

To experience the power of spirituality and tap into a subjective realized-self ?

· = We prove we love Jesus when we obey Him

Why does this matter? Why ask this question on repeat?

We live for and pursue what we value

What we value affects us

What we value affects others

What we value matters to God

· = Those who obey the word of God are considered blessed.

What we value opens us up to false teaching!!!!

False Gospels are Prevalent within the American Church Because each Enables its Proponents/Adherents to Achieve their Ultimate Desires!

· = We are considered obedient children of God who do not conform to the desires of our flesh.

The Prosperity Gospel promises success

· = We are to be doers of the word and not just hearers

The Acceptance Gospel promises unconditional love

The Permissive Grace Gospel promises freedom to indulge

1. Knowing what is right is not the same as doing what is right

The Moral Therapeutic Gospel promises the path towards being a good person

2. Affirming what is right is not the same as doing what is right

The Social Justice Gospel promises the alleviation of societies problems

The New-Age Spirituality Gospel promises connection with a powerful, enriching, tolerating, and non-judging Force/Spirit/Life

3. Proclaiming what is right is not equal to doing what is right

IN SHORT, we pursue these false-gospels (just like the jews pursued their false-judaism), in place of GOD—and we pursue them because we are comfortable with them.

Why does false teaching flourish?

4. Enforcing what is right is not the same as doing what is right

The reason false teaching flourishes within the church is the direct result of gospel confusion and doctrinal ignorance!

We don’t know what the Bible says

We don’t know what God sets us free from

We don’t know what God sets us free for/toward

ONLY DOING WHAT IS RIGHT IS CONSIDERED RIGHT!

We don’t understand the ramifications of continued sin

We don’t understand the ramifications of unaddressed sin

We don’t understand the nature, work, attributes, will, and passions of our God!!!

Consequently, we open ourselves up to great error because we’ve not allowed the word of God to abide within us and change us!

When we ask American church members about the purpose of the church, most answer the following:

What the Church thinks its purpose:

1. The Jews heard the word of God taught every Sabbath

To reach the lost—grow and increase in size!

To disciple its members—be better people!

To be loving and accepting—a safe place!

2. The Jews conceptually believed in the word of God

To be active in meeting the needs of the community—solve the world’s problems!

To grow and increase in size

3. The Jews publicly proclaimed their devotion to the word of God

To be a s

4. The Jews wanted everyone to comply to the word of God

The purpose of the church: TO GLORIFY GOD

Though they claimed to know God, they killed God with them!

Glorifying God DOES include the following, but it is not EXCLUSIVELY limited to it:

2. Though they claimed to know the word of God, the misunderstood the purpose and work of the Law

Though they claimed to know the word of God, the misunderstood the purpose and work of the Law

Evangelism

The Law revealed sin—the identification of moral, ceremonial, and civil sin

a. The Law revealed sin—the identification of moral, ceremonial, and civil sin

Discipleship

b. The Law revealed the penalty for sin—death

The Law revealed the penalty for sin—death

Caring for the needs of others

Fellowshipping and enjoying the company of others

Awesome and powerful church services

c. The Law revealed how sin would be removed—substitutionary atonement

The Law revealed how sin would be removed—substitutionary atonement

—WHY—?

Though they claimed contentment and blessing, they robbed from those trying to worship God

3. Though they claimed contentment and blessing, they robbed from those trying to worship God

Because glorifying God also includes:

Though they claimed sexual purity, they frequently committed divorce for scores of reasons to justify a new partner.

4. Though they claimed sexual purity, they frequently committed divorce for scores of reasons to justify a new partner.

Church discipline

Though they claimed worship of God exclusively, they borrowed extensively from and engaged in numerous pagan rituals.

5. Though they claimed worship of God exclusively, they borrowed extensively from and engaged in numerous pagan rituals.

Repenting from sin

Frequent Fasting

1. We say we value the Word of God

Prolonged and persistant prayer

2. We say we value the people of God

Sacrificial giving

3. We say we value sacrificial living

Missional living

4. We say we value the spread of the gospel

Abstaining from the pursuits and hobbies our society engages within

5. We say we value holiness

6. We say we value spiritual maturity

However, even all of these—though good—are not the fullness of Christianity’s method for glorifying God.

7. We say we value the will of God

In order to FULLY Glorify God we must know what God has identified as that which gives Him glory.

The average church member…

To do this, let’s look at what glorifies God through categories (from easiest to most difficult to properly function within):

1. Knows the truth

How we engage the things of the world

How we engage our families

2. Affirms the truth

How we engage those outside the church

3. Talks about the truth

How we engage those in the church

4. Admires and encourage others for following the truth

How we engage the leadership of the church

How we engage the leadership of our nation

5. YET REFUSES TO OBEY THE TRUTH!

How we engage our God

Now, we can further reduce these categories into the following:

God—the Head of the Church

The Church—The Bride of Christ

The Lost—Rebellious and ignorant lost children that are presently in need of Christ

Creation—The expression of God’s wondrous care, wisdom, love, power, and nature

You see… our priorities are ordered as:

God (love God most and first)

People (love others as ourselves)

Others

Ourselves

Things (steward/enjoy properly)

OUR PROBLEM IS THAT WE TEND TO CONFESSIONALLY AGREE WITH THIS WHILE FAILING TO COMPLY WITH IT!

We tend to live to enjoy the things of this life far more than we strive to enjoy God

We tend to love our families (and ourselves) and care very little for others

We tend to live with such misplaced priorities that, when we hear of God’s priorities for us, we are appalled and dejected—GOD DOES NOT SEEM ENJOYABLE TO MOST OF US

Problems arise when we get confused over our priorities and begin rearranging what matters to us; naturally, this leads to a skewed perspective of what glorifies God.

However, as we read the word of God and are guided by His Holy Spirit, we find that glorifying God is refreshing, enjoyable, and possible (through Christ)!

However, when we return to the Bible, and allow it to instruct us, we find that God shows us how to glorify Him.

The Bible sets our priorities for us and allows us to enjoy, revel, and flourish within these priorities when we move past confession and into compliance.

Allow me to demonstrate:

The Bible tells us that our primary pursuit in this life is God— consequently, the purpose of the church is to pursue God!

The Bible tells us that our primary pursuit in this life is God!

The Bible tells us that our primary function is to abide in the presence of God—consequently, the purpose of the church is to abide in God!

Consequently, the purpose of the church is to pursue God

The Bible tells us responsibility towards others is two-fold:

Edify others in the church to worship God

The Bible tells us that our primary function is to abide in the presence of God!

Evangelize others outside the church to worship God.

Consequently, the purpose of the church is to abide in God

CONSEQUENTLY, THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IS TO EVANGELIZE AND DISCIPLE OTHERS THROUGH THE OVERFLOW OF LOVE AND POWER WE EXPERIENCE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

The Bible tells us responsibility towards others is two-fold:

Edify others in the church to worship God

Evangelize others outside the church to worship God.

Let’s work and tie everything together:

The more we strive to know and abide in God, the more we realize God actually expects us to comply with His commands/Instruction

If these three things are what we believe (because the Bible informed such beliefs), then—in all actuality—we must DO these things!

The more we strive to know and abide in God, the more we realize God actually changes how we think

It is not proper to say that God is our chief pursuit, and, then, put all of our energy into chasing down anything and everything else:

As children we were told

The more we strive to know and abide in God, the more we realize God actually changes what we desire

The more we strive to know and abide in God, the more we realize God actually empowers us to serve him

As teens we were told to pursue relationships, education, and a career

As teens we wanted sex

As young adults we were told to start a family, advance within our careers, and enjoy our life

As middle-aged adults we were told to get our kids started in life, get our finances ready for retirement, and

Paul rebukes His audience because their behavior and lack of integrity demonstrates they do not know God!

A few inferences and warnings:

Our diligent pursuit of godliness DOES NOT pay God back NOR does it make us worthy for salvation—IT IS HOW WE LEARN TO ABIDE IN HIS PRESENCE!

The work of God within us is VISIBLE

Salvation is a two-fold gift of mercy and grace

Mercy = God withholds from us what we deserve

Grace = God gives us what we do not deserve

CONSEQUENTLY, WE ARE UNABLE TO PAY FOR OR EARN GRACE AND MERCY—THIS WOULD MAKE IT EITHER WAGES OR A PURCHASE!

Sanctification is two-fold work:

The Holy Spirit continually works within us to mature us into the people of God—this immediately starts after salvation!

We work to separate ourselves from the vain pursuits of this world and, thereby, submit to the work of God within us

CONSEQUENTLY, SANCTIFICATION IS LIVING INTO THE LIFE GOD GAVE US THROUGH THE POWER OF SPIRIT BY ENJOYING THE PRESENCE OF GOD!

The work of God within us CHANGES

Our diligent pursuit of godliness is realized through the ACTUAL PRACTICE of Spiritual disciplines

The work of God

Faith without works is dead—so is confession without compliance!

IF we say we BELIEVE in God, then our actions should reflect such passions

James tells us faith without works is dead

Paul tells us in Philippians/Ephesians/Colossians to live in a manner worthy/consistent of the gospel

Spiritual Disciplines are neither natural or automatic to us—but the works of the flesh are! It takes actual effort and energy to:

To Read the word

Pray

To Praise, Pray, and Proclaim

TO Offer praise and thanksgiving

To Fast, Give, and Serve

To live on mission, share the gospel, and encourage others

To change our hobbies, pursuits, and activities so that they mirror God

Fleshly desires and actins do not require any personal effort—they are natural to us—I do not need to be provoked:

To covet, lust, and be discontent

To hate, belittle, and backbite

To indulge in sin, live without purpose, and love only those you like!

Our diligent pursuit of godliness results in God’s glory and not our own!

We do not save ourselves

We do not sanctify ourselves

We do not protect ourselves

We do not provide for ourselves

We do not cause the salvation of others

We do not cause the spiritual maturation of others

We do not do anything of value other than turning from our previous pursuits in order to enjoy the relationship God purchased for us, sealed us in, and develops us through!

Christianity is really about enjoying the presence of God and doing so with others—THIS GLORIFIES GOD BECAUSE HIS WORK IS REVEALED THROUGH AND IN US!

What does this mean for us?

Does our confession match our actions?

Do our actions rest in God and enjoy God?

Do our actions include others within the same pursuit?