Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Matthew 23:1-12
Introduction
Matthew 23 records Jesus’ last public sermon.
In verses 1-7 He warns the people about false religious leaders in Israel, and in verses 8-12 He admonishes the disciples and other true spiritual leaders not to emulate them.
He then turns His attention directly to the false leaders themselves, epitomized by the scribes and Pharisees, and gives them His final and most scathing denunciation (vv.
13-36).
In His closing comments (vv.
37-39) He expresses His intense compassion for unbelieving Israel and gives the assurance that one day in fulfillment of God’s sovereign promise, His chosen people will turn back to Him in faith.
Since the fall of man, the world has always had false religious leaders.
Jesus referred to spurious religious leaders as “false Christs and false prophets [who] will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (Matt.
24:24).
Paul called them preachers of a perverted gospel (Gal.
1:8) and purveyors of the doctrines of demons (1 Tim.
4:1).
Peter spoke of them as those who “secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them” (2 Pet.
2:1).
John called them antichrists who deny that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ (1 John 2:18, 22).
Jude called them dreamers who “defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties” (Jude 8).
Scripture makes clear that as the second coming of Christ comes near, counterfeiters of the gospel will proliferate and amass to themselves great followings and immense influence (see, e.g., 2 Thess.
2:3-4; 1 Tim.
4:1-3; 2 Tim.
3:1-9; 2 Pet.
2:1-3;).
The only time in history equal to what that future demon-inspired age will be like was the time of our Lord’s ministry on earth.
\\ 1A.
False Spiritual Leaders Described (23:1-7)
1B.
False leaders lack authority (23:1-2)
They are self-appointed authorities
Ø *Seat (chair)* is from /kathedra /the Greek term from which we get /cathedral/, which referred to a place, or seat, of ecclesiastical authority.
Ø Therefore to sit in the chair of Moses was tantamount to being God’s authoritative spokesman.
2B.
False leaders lack integrity (23:3)
Judge all they teach by God’s Word
Ø *Observe (Do)* (/poieo/); aorist imperative
Ø *Observe* (/tereo/); present imperative
Judge all they do by God’s Word
Ø They were incapable of keeping God’s law
*Romans 3:20* Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law /is /the knowledge of sin.
Ø They are unwilling to keep God’s law (2 Peter 2:1-3, 10, 12-14, 17-19)
3B.
False leaders lack sympathy (23:4)
The picture
Ø The custom of that day, was to load a donkey camel, to the point where it can hardly move and the owner would abuse it for not being able to carry the load.
The practice
Ø They piled heavy loads of religious requirements (good works) on the people.
Ø They refused to help them, there was no place for grace.
Ø *Ezekiel 34:2-5*
4B.
False leaders lack spirituality (23:5)
Revealed by their evil motives (23:5a)
*Jude 19* These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Revealed by their pious pretense (23:5b)
Ø *Phylacteries* were small square boxes with four key Old Testament texts inside (Exodus 13:1-10 and 13:11-16 and of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21).
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