Hell’s Hypocrisy

When we left Jesus, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees became hostile and tried to provoke him to SAY SOMETHING

We experience this too.

This can happen in all areas of our life and at all ages.

My daughters go through moments where they have issues with friends being ugly to them.

Of course, my kids never behave like that!

As more and more people gather in a single mind where they are against something, we see more and more ugly behavior and words towards others.

Our present culture is a perfect example.

We have watched multiple events unfold in cities across the U.S. during the last few years. Extremists on both sides will gather together and begin to step on each other.

And sometimes people get injured or killed.

Nothing new about this...

Luke 12:1

Luke 12:1 NLT

Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy.

This is the situation that has erupted around Jesus and his disciples.

The crowds are growing large and are pressing into each other.

Again, we see this today. A concert recently where people were trampled to death.

Door buster deals where people are trampled to death.

Hypocrisy is defined as:

An outward pretence masking an inner reality. Scripture condemns hypocrisy, especially in matters of faith. Believers should express their commitment to God in their words and their deeds, as well as in their inner motivation. Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

In other words, it describes someone who is an actor. In the ancient world you would put a mask on your face when you acted. It is a presentation of a person that does not exist.

Interesting that the word Hypocrisy is a transliteration of the Greek word used here (Hypocrisis).

All that Jesus has done has been from a pure heart and according to the instruction of his Father.

Those who know Jesus are likely frustrated. We already saw two of his disciples want to call down FIRE FROM GOD to destroy people. They want Jesus to be who THEY THINK HE SHOULD BE.

But he will not do that.

We want to uncover everything about people. We do that now. How often is someones tweet or post from 10-15-20 years ago, or when they were in High School or College gotten them in trouble? Maybe even losing their job, their reputation, their family.

We want to UNCOVER so we CAN JUDGE them.

Jesus promises that will happen someday, and that should cause us to pause...

Luke 12:2-3

Luke 12:2–3 NLT

The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!

Does this mean that someday youtube will be full of every detail of your life? No.

Only God can reveal the motives of a human heart.

And when a heart is revealed, you don’t need to know the details, do you.

But moreover, this passage is interesting because he is speaking to who? HIS DISCIPLES.

Jesus is saying, “yes, there will be a time when you can come out and share the news about me in full!”

WE THINK…YES! THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT!

THEN THINGS WILL CHANGE! PEOPLE WILL SEE!

BUT…that is not likely to go as you expect...

Think about it. When you are face to face with truth and facts about:

OTHERS: You are an excellent judge of what they should do or what should be done to them.

YOURSELF: You are a horrible judge of what you should do to better yourself, often denying there is a problem!

LET’S be honest too…you don’t want anyone to know the REAL you. We all play “hide the secret” don’t we?

BECAUSE…if the crowd can discover that one little fact about me, they will kill me. Well, they may not physically kill you, but you will FEEL LIKE YOU ARE DYING INSIDE.

Jesus addresses this too, but he DOES NOT HOLD BACK.

Luke 12:4-5

Luke 12:4–5 NLT

“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.

Jesus understands that his disciples are going to face terrible persecution for spreading the message of the Gospel.

He has experienced this from other leaders too. He knows they seek to harm and kill him. They are constantly trying to trap him in his words.

Jesus shows no fear, and he wants to give some encouragement to them.

But his language…Fear God who can kill you and then kill you again.

Unpack this word Hell (Gehenna) used only here in Luke. Only 12 times across the NT too.

So, is God sadistic for doing this?

I don’t think so when you consider the prior sections and the whole mission of Jesus.

Why is he here? We saw this months ago when we started Luke.

Proclaim good news to the poor and set the captives free.

When Jesus speaks of his enemies, they are the ones that oppose this mission. They desire to continue the BAD NEWS to the POOR and continue to OPPRESS the ENSLAVED.

What did he just get through saying to the Pharisee’s and Teachers?

Clean yourself by giving to the poor

Do justice by the Love of God

Lift a finger to ease burdens

Open the doors to the Kingdom of God!

When Jesus comes along and says do the opposite of what the evil and wicked people do, he will be killed for it.

We have no problem seeing cruel and violent offenders receive their judgment. Why do we take an issue with God?

God is a judge that loves justice. We can trust his eternal judgements. People will never receive anything they do not deserve. God’s scales of justice are perfectly balanced.

He loves his human creation.

Jesus knows what he just said will be hard to hear, so he wants to clarify a few things so people don’t get the wrong idea.

Luke 12:6-7

Luke 12:6–7 NLT

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

You see, yes, when you use people for your own gratification, when you murder others, when you abuse your authority, you are in danger of the fires of Gehenna.

But you are of great value to God.

So much that he will make a permanent way for you to be with him.

When you Give, Love, do Justice, Serve others, and open the doors to the Kingdom, you have nothing to fear. You are aligned with Jesus.

You are promoting what he promoted, and you will experience push back because of it.

But don’t give up. Don’t stop believing.

Luke 12:8-10

Luke 12:8–10 NLT

“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Blasphemous: The charge falsely, ruin the good name, malicious intent.

Example: When a Christian leader (pastor, elder, bishop, priest, pastor) abuses their authority with malicious intent.

And I want you to really think about this, with some logic.

If the God of scripture is real

And Jesus represents God’s desire to redeem people, set them free, unburden them, care for them

Then what should happen to someone who brings evil upon others in the name of God?

Actively working against the mission of God and Jesus is, in Jesus’ words, unforgivable.

This is more than just unbelief. It is more than questioning.

It is twisting God and Scripture to serve evil purposes.

You get the sense it will not be tolerated…ever.

But what about when we are just going about our business sharing the gospel, loving others, pointing out the systems of Babylon.

What then?

In other words, you are suffering because of your beliefs, and you are privately or publicly maligned.

What then?

luke 12:11-12

Luke 12:11–12 NLT

“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

***** And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before the rulers and authorities****

Because, it is not a matter of IF…it is a matter of WHEN.

Now, he is speaking to his disciples right now.

Remember that.

They will be brought before others, and almost all of them will be killed, only a few will pass a natural death.

BUT, IMPORTANT QUESTION:

What was your role in being brought to trial? Why are you there? What did you do?

Did you mis-represent God?.

OR.....

Are you there because you fed the hungry, gave to the poor, and set a captive free through the gospel?

Then no worries

***** Don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say*****

In other words, your actions, when they follow what Jesus taught you to do, are defensible.

Not in the court of public opinion, but in the only court that matters…God’s court.

Only evil will kill someone who shows loving-kindness to others.

Many, in my opinion, put themselves out for judgement.

The freedom of speech and religion has been the greatest blessing for Christians. (MORE LATER)

And we have turned it into a curse upon ourselves.

WE DECIDE WHAT TO SAY…BUT…THERE IS A BETTER WAY....

***** For the Holy Spirit will teach you at THAT TIME what needs to be SAID*****

FYSA...This is the last time we will see the Holy Spirit mentioned in Luke. He will pick up the use of the HS in Acts.

But imagine hearing this...

When they hear Ruach, Spirit, Wind, they are taken to the moments that priests, prophets, and kings had God’s spirit upon them. God hovering over the waters.

And think about what this takes from us....

The mindset you must be in to let this happen.

You must see yourself in the presence of God, in that moment.

This kind of reliance requires practice to hear God’s still, quiet voice in those moments you want to defend yourself.

******* TRANSITION******

This statement creates a problem for us that may not be apparent.

Jesus is saying, if you are doing what I have taught you to do, what God has instructed you to do, if you are a servant in the Kingdom of God, going about the business of the King.

Then, don’t worry about it.

It would seem that God can handle the defense of His Kingdom and His people.

I believe there are many thousands perhaps hundreds of the thousands of Christians that need to heed these words. Heed the wisdom of the words.

WE must take GREAT CARE to evaluate what we are going to say publicly, to others, making sure it reflects the mission of Jesus.

I wonder if it would be different if the millions of hours of youtube videos and podcasts were spent:

Giving to the poor

Easing burdens

Treating others with justice

Opening the Kingdom’s doors

This might be controversial, but…what is new...

Freedom of speech

is not God’s permission

to speak freely

or carelessly.

HANG WITH ME! If you disagree when I am done, then come and talk to me.

TITLE: Hell’s Hypocrisy

Just because the government has permitted me to speak freely, does not mean the King has given me permission to speak.

I follow an author named Jim who wrote something a while back that really had an impact on me, perhaps it will on you too.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. (James 1:19-20)

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (James 1:26-27)

James 3

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every way.

3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell (gehenna) itself.

7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

WAHT WILL THE HOLY SPIRIT TELL US?

New Living Translation (Chapter 3)

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Hell teaches that we can say whatever we want, whenever we want, without any consideration for how those words fall on the hearts of those who hear it.

Jim would disagree…he dedicated an huge section of his letter to THIS VERY TOPIC of WHAT WE SAY TO OTHERS.

HEAVEN teaches that God’s wisdom is pure, peaceful, gentle AT ALL TIMES, and willing to YIELD TO OTHERS.

And since Jim was Jesus’ brother, I tend to trust what he says.