Learning to Run

This is the outline of the last message I preached as a pastor.

The making of a Pharisee  (LBC, May 27, 2018)

Matt 23:1-4

Pharisee:  The name is almost a curse word if you have been in Christian circles long.  It reeks of self-righteousness, judgment, and hypocrisy.  And while not every Pharisee was wicked (think Nicodemus and the Apostle Paul) the name has come to be reviled among us.  And perhaps that is OK…but it is also a bit hypocritical seeing as we are often so close to becoming Pharisees ourselves.

1. They say … but don’t DO. (v.3b)
2. They lay heavy burdens – but don’t lift them (v.4)
   1. Why do some churches have something happening every night? Why do men lay such guilt trips for every church function?
   2. Why do we demand such high standards from our children and wives, but do so little to help them? Why do we sometimes crush faith under the weight of outward expectations?
3. They like the showy side (v.5)
   1. I suspect our love of conferences and such has more to do with our need to be SEEN doing something. Real change RARELY happens at a conference – it happens in the Closet.
   2. There is a real preoccupation with the external appearance. And while the length of your skirt and the cut of your hair may be indicators of a standard, they do not indicate with any certainty your heart.  And since when has God been focused on the outside?
   3. Our “movement” has always had a real case of hero worship.
      1. Since when did Jack Hyles, Billy Graham, Bill Rice, or Curtis Hutson determine your salvation?
      2. Do Paul Chappell, David Cloud, Rick Flanders, or any man replace the Holy Spirit of God?
      3. Why do many organizations like colleges and sometimes churches have the feel of a business “brand”, and why does reputation matter more than righteousness?

4. They love the praise of men (v.6-10)
   1. They like to be seen in public worship
   2. They like to be seen as having spiritual authority.
      1. The tendency toward being called Dr. and being recognized as learned
      2. “Pastor” is a bit different… but I know it also can lead there. Pastor describes a servant position, but Master indicates a dominance.
   3. They make the way of salvation hard (v.13)
      1. They want religion but not righteousness and hinder those who want Christ.
   4. They take advantage of women who have lost their natural protector (v.14)
   5. They make LOOONG prayers for a show (V.14b)
   6. They have few converts, but they infest them with evil not righteousness- (v.15)
      1. Why are SO FEW of those who grow up in our churches continuing in the faith?
      2. Are we unconsciously giving approval to those who make a good show?

9. They have foolish rules and distinctions (v.16-22)
   1. What makes a movie acceptable? Is it the rating?
   2. Why is it OK to say “geeze” but not “Jesus Christ” ?
   3. Why is it ok for either gender to have modest clothing and a harlot’s heart ?
   4. Why does it seem that our generations are always looking for some new way to skirt the edge of worldliness and sin? Could it be that we have never helped them find satisfaction in Christ?
10. They focus on the things that are measurable (v.23)
    1. Church attendance, tithe to the penny, proper attire, proper Bibles etc.
       1. How many of our men like Apollos have been shunned or shot because we didn’t have Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-28)– We have had Diotrophies instead.       3 John 9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
    2. Missionaries sent, monies given, baptisms, etc…
    3. What about judgment, mercy, and faith?
11. Their filters are backwards. (v.24)
    1. Why are the obvious things often ignored, and the obscure rejoiced in?
       1. Who cares about headscarves, wire-rimmed glasses or earrings?
       2. How is it that we can believe in walking on water, healings, and eternal salvation but have difficulties loving our neighbor and being kind?

• If Christ doesn’t make a difference in your day, can we not earnestly question if He is sufficient for eternity?

12. They are different inside than outside (v.25-28)
    1. Now, I am not talking about airing your dirty laundry to the world!
    2. But the context is clearly talking about having EXTERNAL CHANGE ONLY!
       1. A clean cup…
       2. A painted tomb…
       3. A filthy heart.
       4. I’ve watched a generation grow up rejecting God because their parents, pastor, and teachers only cared that their shirts and ties were on, and that they had a KJV Bible on their lap. We have GOT to care about the insides!

13. They claim growth where no proof exists. (v.29-30)
    1. It’s the Tsk, Tsk syndrome. I can’t believe someone would do that!
    2. Why are we still shocked by sin? Why cannot we see that learning and hindsight only lead to self righteousness, not faith?
    3. The core of the problem is pride, and it can infest us like a plague!

But I don’t want to be a Pharisee!

Then Matt 22:36-40

1. Love God with all your heart, soul and Mind.