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This is the first sermon in our three-week series on Big Issues that Block Belief. This sermon is “Hypocrisy of Christians”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Matthew 23
This is the first sermon in our three-week series on Big Issues that Block Belief. This sermon is “Hypocrisy of Christians”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Matthew 23
DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
‘Everything they do is done for people to see: they make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honour at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the market-places and to be called “Rabbi” by others.
‘But you are not to be called “Rabbi”, for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth “father”, for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.
‘Woe to you, blind guides! You say, “If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.” You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, “If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.” You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.
‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!
‘You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.
‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”’
CONNECT: What could help you pray more consistently and boldly this week?
WARM-UP
What do you think people who donʼt know Jesus think about hypocrisy? What about in regards to the hypocrisy of Christians?
Read Matthew 25:1-12
Who were the Pharisees and teachers of the law? Why did Jesus tell the crowds to not do as they do but only do what they say?
Define hypocrisy. What sort of hypocrisy do we see in this passage in the teachers of the law? Does this mean that other types of hypocrisy are allowed? Why/why not?
Why are all types of hypocrisy arrogant? How did this arrogance show in the lives of the Pharisees? How might this present itself in our lives?
In what areas of life may you be more prone to hypocrisy? How might we ensure that we are living our lives consistently in the way of Jesus?
Read Matthew 25:23-36
What does ʻwoeʼ mean in this situation? Why does Jesus use it against the teachers of the law?
Where else in Matthew do we see Jesus calling out the hypocrites for their outward shows? Are you ever tempted to put our lives and deeds ʻon showʼ for others? Why?
What is the end result for those who are hypocrites and donʼt turn away from their sin?
Read Matthew 25:37-39
What does our culture think of and do to those who act in hypocritical ways? How is Jesus' response different?
What is the hope for the person who turns back to Jesus? While we await his return, what could help us live consistent lives in line with his?
How might you respond to someone who tells you that they are put off Christianity by the hypocrisy of Christians?
APPLY: What area of life do you struggle to live consistently in line with Godʼs will? Bring it before God.
Lord God, we are sorry for the times when we have lived hypocritical lives. Please help us in all areas to live as you would have us, so that others may see your love at work in and through us. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen.
On Your Frontline This Week: Ask someone on your frontline what they think the biggest issue with Christianity is, and invite them along to join you for our ongoing big issues series.
Listen, Watch, and Read:
Read: “How can God be good when the Church is so Bad?” by Dan Paterson
Read: “Aussies Admire People who Live Out a Genuine Faith” by Tess Delbridge
Watch: ”How to Judge the Church”, Centre for Public Christianity
SERIES Resources:
Series Resource Guide: www.stbarts.com.au/bigissues
Book: “Confronting Christianity” by Rebecca McLaughlin.
Book: “Bullies and Saints” by John Dickson.
Book: “Where is God in all the Suffering?” by Amy Orr-Ewing.
Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.
Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray
High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions
Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk
eBook: Watch the eBook
Listen to the latest sermons and talks from St Bart's Anglican Church located in Toowoomba, Australia. Visit www.stbarts.com.au for the latest news and information.