Profile of False Religion

Trent Cornwell

Gregory Keelen

Book of Luke • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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Update on Graham & Olivia

Update from last nights event

Bible Reading

Review from the story last week. Pharisees were listening in.

And even AFTER that instruction HE CONFRONTED our underlying greed and covetousness by reminding us that stewardship and generosity Are NOT MATTERS OF SURPLUS, BUT RATHER FAITHFULNESS.

We know the Pharisees are turning their nose up to this line of thinking.

Today we will see the hatred of false religion toward the truth and the hatred of God toward false religion.

Glad it is not Mother’s Day: Buckle Up

Luke 16:14–18 (KJV 1900)

Luke 16:14–18 KJV 1900

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. 16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. 18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

15 And he said unto them,

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Pastoral Prayer

Thank you for allowing us to welcome unbelievers from the community into this building to hear Good News of Christ

Graham and Olivia has to have their first church service in Nigeria

Help us have understanding of today’s passage

Sermon Introduction

First reading, it seems like a strange assortment of thoughts.

emotional response

rebuke by Jesus

huge statement about the act the law never changing

reference to divorce

This is really a very cohesive portion of Scripture.

These kinds of things appear in several places in the gospels.

It is going down a very set, fixed path intended to confront the Pharisees and to instruct us about the destructive components of false religion.

PHARISEES SCOFF AT JESUS' TEACHING ON MONEY AND MASTERS

From murmuring to deriding

Luke 15:1-2 “1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

Luke 15:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Luke 16:14 “14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.”

Luke 16:14 KJV 1900

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

This word will show up again. Luke 23:35 “35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.”

Luke 23:35 KJV 1900

35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Deriding will continue even to the cross. Mark 15:29 “29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,”

Mark 15:29 KJV 1900

29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,

Solomon described men like the Pharisees

Proverbs 13:1 “1 A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: But a scorner heareth not rebuke.”

Proverbs 13:1 KJV 1900

1 A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: But a scorner heareth not rebuke.

Proverbs 14:6 “6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: But knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.”

Proverbs 14:6 KJV 1900

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: But knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

Proverbs 15:12 “12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: Neither will he go unto the wise.”

Proverbs 15:12 KJV 1900

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: Neither will he go unto the wise.

How heart should break those trapped in a false religion.

We come to a passage to helps us define, study, and reject false religion.

But let us have the heart of Christ in this matter.

Jesus came to seek and to save that was lost. The men in this story are lost and not aware.

They are in the condition of the vast majority of this world.

This should remind us that we should not find safety for us or our loved one by hiding in religious activity.

We might find that you do not have to travel as far as you might think to find it. With that understanding we might consider the influence that a culture of false religion has upon our lives. I believe it would be more accurate to say we are a Pseudo-Christian Society instead of a Post-Christian Society.

Covetousness is at the heart of false religion

Luke 16:14 “14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.”

Luke 16:14 KJV 1900

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

This should not surprise us.

We saw it in Luke 14 when the Pharisee only invited his friends and not the poor to his dinner so that he might be paid back by them.

Luke 14 KJV 1900

1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. 2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. 3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; 5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? 6 And they could not answer him again to these things. 7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. 25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

We saw it in Matthew 15 where we found out that they were unwilling even to help their parents financially. They actually twisted the Law to say they couldn’t help their parents because all of their money was dedicated to God. (corbin)

Matthew 15 KJV 1900

1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. 21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. 29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: 31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. 32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. 33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. 38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. 39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

We see it in Matthew 23 and Luke 20 where we learn that they are those who “devour widow’s houses”.

Matthew 23 KJV 1900

1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Luke 20 KJV 1900

1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? 3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. 7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. 8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. 17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. 27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. 34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. 39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all. 41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son? 42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son? 45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

False teachers are it for how it would change their life here on earth.

They were minister for sorted gain. 1 Peter 5:2 “2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;”

1 Peter 5:2 KJV 1900

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Today is Graham and Olivia’s first Sunday in Nigeria. They are in a small building with little AC. Within a few miles are church buildings nicer than anything we have around here. With pastors rolling in sports cars and security teams.

False religion is a profitable business because everyone is looking for peace.

There have always been false peddlers of peace.

Promoters of peace for profit. Jeremiah 6:13-14 “13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.”

Jeremiah 6:13–14 KJV 1900

13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

False religion is marked by hostility towards the Lordship of Christ

They are “triggered” by Jesus’s commentary on the story.

The thought of using their money to help others for eternity was completely against their world view.

“Let not a man associate with the wicked, not even to bring him the law.” - Rabbi commentary on Exodus 18.

Exodus 18 KJV 1900

1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt; 2 Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, 3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: 4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: 5 And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: 6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her. 7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. 8 And Moses told his father in law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them. 9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. 10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. 12 And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father in law before God. 13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. 14 And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? 15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: 16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. 17 And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. 18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. 19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. 23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. 24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. 27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

Their responses demonstrate they do not understand the things of God.

It was foolishness to them. 1 Cor 2:14 “14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV 1900

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Very religious, but when the light went on they hated the light because their deeds are evil. John 3:19-20 “19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

John 3:19–20 KJV 1900

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

To get along with believers of a false Gospel you must to dim the lights.

Parable of building life upon the rock. There are two kinds of religious house. There's a house that has a foundation and a house that doesn't and the foundation is hearing and obeying the word.

Who has the true claim on a relationship to Jesus?

Jesus answers this for us. Luke 8:20-21 “20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”

Luke 8:20–21 KJV 1900

20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

They fear was that Jesus was going to do something that would cause them to lose what they wanted out of life, their independence, their freedom, their source of income, their prestige, their power, their position.

― Michael Muhammad Knight, Journey to the End of Islam (Unbeliever)

“People say that America has no religion, but it's the opposite: America has every religion, all the old ones, and produces more new ones than anywhere else on earth. America's religious life is like the photo mosaic in which a thousand little images add up to one big picture, except there's no big picture, just a blob of unrelated and unrelatable images, texts, and poses, the freedom to take what you want from a religion and reject the rest and be lonely, standing outside the warm shelters of temples with your own goon god that no one else can understand.”

False religion wants an all loving, providing God but not Jesus as Lord.

Story in the book of Judges about a man named Micah:

made his own idols

hires a priest

Believers that God will be pleased with this. Judges 17:13 “13 Then said Micah, Now know I that the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.”

Judges 17:13 KJV 1900

13 Then said Micah, Now know I that the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.

False Teacher with a message with a false message of peace

False beliefs lead to wrong actions. When the people of Dan inquired concerning a place to settle, Micah’s priest told them what they wanted to hear: Judges 18:6 “6 And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the Lord is your way wherein ye go.”

Judges 18:6 KJV 1900

6 And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the Lord is your way wherein ye go.

the Danites’ journey was a violent one that resulted in the destruction of a peaceful town.

This homemade, false religion continues for generations

Judges 18:30-31 “30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. 31 And they set them up Micah’s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.”

Judges 18:30–31 KJV 1900

30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. 31 And they set them up Micah’s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.

THE DETESTABLE DECEPTION OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

False religion is an attempt to justify yourself before men.

Luke 16:15 “15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

Luke 16:15 KJV 1900

15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

They were sneering at Jesus because they saw Him as a poor man being followed by other poor men and yet having the nerve to teach about money. Jesus responded that God knows the hearts of people and is not impressed with their outward appearances or their wealth.

But that is why self-justifying men try to do.

They try to destroy the righteous standard of God.

They try to omit His Laws and disregard His ordinances.

Deception that man can make themselves right before God by justifying themselves before men.

They have this zeal for God but not in accordance with knowledge, which makes worse than useless but condemning. .Romans 10:1-2 “1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”

Romans 10:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

What is the knowledge they lack? They did not know of the righteousness of God.

They are trying to bring Jesus down to their level.

The Pharisees were into this self-righteousness so deep, turn to Matthew 23, that it was the defining character of their behavior. Matthew 23:12-13 “12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”

Matthew 23 KJV 1900

Matthew 23:12–13 KJV 1900

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Do you see the problem of the Pharisees?

1. They did all their work on the outside 2. To satisfy a faulty standard 3. And to impress a jury who didn’t get to decide anything 4. All the while they ignored the true righteous standard 5. Of the One who would ultimately be their judge.

All mankind is prone to do this.

People who justify themselves in such a way are those who ultimately scoff at the commands of God

Because they have already justified themselves in their sin.

Be Thou My Vision

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise. Thou my inheritance now and always. Thou and Thou only first in my heart, High king of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

Let's pause a moment and apply this section which was directed primarily at the Pharisees - Is Jesus' statement not also directed at every soul that seeks to justify himself or herself by their own works?

People turn to false religion to find approval

Reasons to practice religion that have nothing to do with God. Matthew 6:2 “2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”

Matthew 6:2 KJV 1900

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Pray to be seen of men.

Fasting to be seen of men. / even altering their appearance to look more tired

That is what man highly esteems.

Luke 16:15 KJV 1900

15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Man loves sin.

Man loves this world.

Man loves the gratification of the flesh.

Man loves the approval of peers over the approval of God.

False Religion does not confront their evil at heart

This is the great challenge. We cannot see friends, loved ones, and this world simply as victims trapped in a false system. We must acknowledge this is a matter of the heart. It should drive us to our knees in prayer.

Luke 16:15 KJV 1900

15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

False religion offers approval and acceptance with nor regard for God knowing our hearts.

Psalm 44:21 “21 Shall not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart.”

Psalm 44:21 KJV 1900

21 Shall not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Matthew 6:18 “18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

Matthew 6:18 KJV 1900

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Don’t look to me for approval that only God can give. I am very glad you are here. Ill even sign a note telling your probation officer you are here. But do not ask for sticker saying that all is well between your soul and your Savior. God knows the heart. I simply only know the attendance.

This is how self-justification works.

1. Men nullify God’s Law 2. They then replace it with their own outward standards 3. And then they defend themselves before other men 4. And thus they feel good about themselves 5. So good in fact that they mock and scorn when God’s truth is presented

BUT WHAT A FOOLISH ERROR 1. For someday those men will stand before the real Judge 2. Only to find that not one dot of that Law was nullified 3. And they will be judged according not only to what they did but according also to what was in their heart.

False religion plays games with God’s Law

Luke 16:17 “17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”

Luke 16:17 KJV 1900

17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

They accuse Jesus of not respecting the law.

They are are on their high horse, with high noses saying they keep the law and Jesus doesn’t respect it.

Jesus says that the universe would pass away before the smallest of mark’s of his law would fade!

God’s Law has not been abolish, BUT it has been fulfilled.

• Jesus Christ came to this earth and He alone fully obeyed God’s Law.

He kept every jot and tittle.

He obeyed every command without flaw.

Jesus points to the game they play with marriage.

Luke 16:18 “18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.”

Luke 16:18 KJV 1900

18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

The law concerning marriage is still binding – no matter how some Rabbis tried to explain it away.

Some Rabbis taught that if a woman burned her husbands breakfast, it was grounds for divorce. Others considered finding a prettier woman was an acceptable reason to divorce and the woman's consent to the divorce is not required.

God still cares about His law and our obedience.

False religion plays fast and loose with rules when they want to, and they are very strict when it serves there purpose.

This is where I expect more than a few of them begin to fade into back of the crowd.

Jesus is confronting them with truth.

The lights are being turned on.

They should respond as Paul did. Romans 7:7 “7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

Romans 7:7 KJV 1900

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Paul was covetous. But the law made him aware of his sin.

Jesus is using the law to help them see their need. Help them see they are breakers of the law!

False Religion is the only religion available to those who do not know or reject the Gospel

Luke 16:16 “16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”

Luke 16:16 KJV 1900

16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

The law and prophets

The Pharisees had access to the truth of the Law (of Moses, the Torah from Genesis to Deuteronomy) and the Prophets (standing for the remainder of the OT).

Jesus came and fulfilled the law in our place Matthew 5:17-18 “17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

Matthew 5:17–18 KJV 1900

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Pharisees were picking choosing what parts of God’s revelation that wanted to apply to their lives.

Since that time

Mark uses this marker 7 times for a critical turning point

In addition to being the final representative of the Old Testament era of promise, John was also the first representative of the New Testament era of fulfillment; his ministry bridged the two eras.

Jesus and John both preached “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand”

The Law does not offer the solution to our problem.

“Our problem is not our problem. Our problem is that we don't know that we have a problem.”

What's the good news of the kingdom of God?

That the way into the kingdom is not by having kept the Law perfectly because nobody ever has, and it's certainly not as the Pharisees were trying, it's certainly not by finding loopholes in the Law that you get into the kingdom. The good news is, the way into the kingdom is by God's gracious forgiveness of those who repent. You see, the Law can't forgive you. The Law can tell you of your need of forgiveness, but the Law can't forgive you. Only the Gospel offers that forgiveness.

Every man presseth into it

This could describe the opposition as seen by the Pharisees who were trying to force their world view into the message of the Kingdom

This could describe those coming into the Kingdom as mentioned in Luke 15:1 “1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.”

Luke 15:1 KJV 1900

1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

What is clear. The Pharisees had missed what was really of value in God's eyes while all around them were those who realized their need.

Conclusion

When you hear Jesus speak of God’s Laws and the requirements of salvation

Don’t scoff, humble yourself and run to Jesus for mercy and righteousness.

Don’t justify yourself, run to Christ who alone can justify you before God.

Ask yourself have you made some sort of homemade, religion that you want God to bless?

The deciding factor or test for all religious people and you as well. What will you do with the words of Jesus?

False believers deride and adapt to their desired lifestyle.

True believers accept knowing they we are sinners in needs of the Savior.

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