1 / 90

Hypocrites and Backsliders Lesson 043

Hypocrites and Backsliders Lesson 043. Operation Ocular Deforestation: Retaining the Filling of the Holy Spirit through Resistance. Matthew 16:11-12 (YLT). 11 how do ye not understand that I did not speak to you of bread—to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?’

zlhna
Download Presentation

Hypocrites and Backsliders Lesson 043

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Hypocrites and Backsliders Lesson 043 Operation Ocular Deforestation: Retaining the Filling of the Holy Spirit through Resistance

  2. Matthew 16:11-12 (YLT) • 11 how do ye not understand that I did not speak to you of bread—to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?’ • 12 Then they understood that he did not say to take heed of the leaven of the bread, but of the teaching, of the Pharisees and Sadducees. LWBC 6-15-08

  3. Hypocrisy • Leaven of the Pharisees"—it's a curious phrase. • Why did Christ feel compelled to warn His disciples to avoid it? • Would we recognize this "leavening" if you saw it today? • What is this "leaven of the Pharisees"? • We find the direct answer in Luke 12:1. "In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.'" • Hypocrisy is here described as the leaven of the Pharisees LWBC 6-15-08

  4. Hypocrisy • In Matthew 16, Scripture shows that the leaven of the Pharisees goes beyond hypocrisy. • Following the miracle of the fishes and loaves, the Pharisees confronted Jesus as they sought a sign. • He called them hypocrites to their faces and offered no sign but the sign of Jonah. • Later He warned His disciples, "'Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees" (Matthew 16:6). • The disciples did not at first understand what He meant. • Christ called the Pharisees hypocrites in verse 3, but the disciples didn't automatically assume a connection. • It is quite likely the disciples were initially blinded by a guilty conscience. LWBC 6-15-08

  5. Hypocrisy • They thought they had received a subtle scolding because no one had remembered to purchase food for the group (Matthew 16:7). • Christ explained that He wasn't dependent upon whether they remembered to buy groceries, after all, hadn't He just fed a huge multitude with seven loaves and a few fish? • With their guilty consciences relieved, they hit upon His true intent which is described in verse 12, "Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” LWBC 6-15-08

  6. Hypocrisy • The leaven of the Pharisees is more than hypocrisy; it is also their doctrine. • But how or why is their doctrine equated to leaven? • We will find as we go along that there is an inextricable link between the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the doctrines of the Pharisees. LWBC 6-15-08

  7. Hypocrisy • Doctrine and Hypocrisy • The clearest connection between the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and their doctrine is seen in Mark 7:1-9, where the Pharisees complained about the disciples eating with unwashed hands. • It should be understood that the traditions, or rulings, passed down generation to generation by the wise men of the Pharisaical persuasion took on the power of law. • To the mind of a Pharisee the sayings of their elders were as binding as the Scriptures. • In fact Christ implies they were even seen as more binding than the law of God if the two came into conflict. LWBC 6-15-08

  8. Hypocrisy • To Christ this was hypocritical. • How can a body of men who claim to be the most righteous observers of the law of God create traditions that nullify the law of God and still claim righteousness? • This didn't make sense. • Christ saw their doctrines, in this case, as hypocritical. LWBC 6-15-08

  9. Hypocrisy • As we continue in Mark 7, we can see the conflict. • The Pharisees came to Christ and challenged, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the traditions of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" (Mark 7:5). • Christ responded, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, and in vain they worship Me teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" (Mark 7:6-7). LWBC 6-15-08

  10. Hypocrisy • Christ continued His rebuke in Mark 7:8-13, giving examples of traditions passed down by the elders that directly contravened the law of God. • His final summation was that in many areas of advice, ruling and even law they had put aside the law of God preferring their traditions instead. • To Christ this was hypocritical of a body that claimed superior righteousness since the laws of God are righteousness (Psalm 119:172). LWBC 6-15-08

  11. Hypocrisy • Modern Illustration • The conflict between the traditions of the elders and the law was not just a circumstance of Christ's day. • The Pharisees of Christ's day were in effect the predecessors of the rabbinical system that came to power after the destruction of the temple. • Following the banning of Jews from the Jerusalem area, the rabbinical schools moved north to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and there created the basis for modern Judaism. The system of teaching based upon tradition has continued since that time. LWBC 6-15-08

  12. Hypocrisy • Last year before the Passover, Jeffrey Weiss wrote an interesting article in the Oregonian detailing the effect of the traditions of the elders upon the standards for determining what is leavened. • Mr. Weiss shared an interview with the rabbi-in-residence at Manischevitz, the world's largest manufacturer of matzo. • Before getting into specifics, Mr. Weiss wrote, "Thousands of years of rabbis have come up with long explanations for how to observe that seemingly simple commandment" (referring to the command in Exodus about leavening). LWBC 6-15-08

  13. Hypocrisy • Mr. Weiss shared an interview with the rabbi-in-residence at Manischevitz, the world's largest manufacturer of matzo. • Before getting into specifics, Mr. Weiss wrote, "Thousands of years of rabbis have come up with long explanations for how to observe that seemingly simple commandment" (referring to the command in Exodus about leavening). • Mr. Weiss described how the Manischevitz plant is closed for a month before Passover for a complete cleaning where cooking equipment is literally taken apart and scoured and reassembled before the production of Passover matzo begins. • He also described the meticulous way the matzo is made, making sure no leavening intentionally or unintentionally contaminates the matzo. LWBC 6-15-08

  14. Hypocrisy • At the end of his article the reporter then described the many ways in which people observing the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread try to get around the strict obedience to the no leavening law and herein we find a most interesting "law." • Mr. Weiss asked Manischevitz's rabbi-in-residence about what appeared to be a contradiction to the biblical law regarding no leavening during this season: • "And how about many of Manischevitz's kosher-for-Passover processed mixes for cakes, cookies and other goodies? One of the ingredients is sodium carbonate—baking soda. Isn't that a leavening?” LWBC 6-15-08

  15. Hypocrisy • It may look that way, Rabbi Horowitz said. But appearances can deceive. • "The rabbis decided that matzo once certified as kosher for Passover can never be de-Passoverized. Not even by later contact with leavening. All of the Manischevitz mixes start with Passover matzo meal that—by definition—can't be ritually contaminated by baking soda.” • Most people don't understand that, Rabbi Horowitz said. • "'It's not a question of what it looks like,' he said. 'It is a question of what the rabbis call it.'” • That article echoes the words of Mark 7:8. "For laying aside the commandments of God, you hold the tradition of men . . ." LWBC 6-15-08

  16. Jesus and the Pharisees • "‘For I say to you, that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye may not enter to the reign of the heavens." (Matthew 5:20, YLT) • Mt 7:1-5 DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. • 2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. LWBC 6-15-08

  17. Matthew 7:1-5 (AMP) • 3 Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye (Operation Ocular Deforestation), and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother’s eye. LWBC 6-15-08

  18. Hypocrisy (Wikipedia) • Hypocrisy (or the state of being a hypocrite) is the act of preaching a certain belief or way of life, but not, in fact, holding these same virtues oneself. • For example, a teacher telling students they should not plagiarize, while secretly being a plagiarist himself. • Hypocrisy is frequently invoked as an accusation in debates, in politics, and in life in general. LWBC 6-15-08

  19. Hypocrisy (Wikipedia) • For linguist and social analyst Noam Chomsky, hypocrisy, defined as the refusal to "...apply to ourselves the same standards we apply to others"[1][2] is one of the central evils of our society--promoting injustices such as war[3][4] and social inequalities in a framework of self-deception, which includes the notion that hypocrisy itself is a necessary or beneficial part of human behavior and society. LWBC 6-15-08

  20. Hypocrisy (Wikipedia) • The word hypocrisy derives from the Greek ὑπόκρισις (hypokrisis), which means "play-acting", "acting out", "feigning, dissembling" or "an answer"[7]. • The word hypocrite is from the Greek word ὑποκρίτης (hypokrites), the agentive noun associated with υποκρίνομαι (hypokrinomai), i.e. "I play a part.” • Both derive from the verb κρίνω, "judge" (»κρίση, "judgment" »κριτική (kritiki), "critics") presumably because the performance of a dramatic text by an actor was to involve a degree of interpretation, or assessment, of that text. • The word can be further understood as an amalgam of the Greek prefix hypo-, meaning "under", and the verb "krinein", meaning "to sift or decide". • Thus the original meaning is given as a deficiency in the ability to sift or decide. • This deficiency, as it pertains to one's own beliefs and feelings, does well to inform the word's contemporary meaning[8]. LWBC 6-15-08

  21. Hypocrisy (Wikipedia) • Whereas hypokrisis applied to any sort of public performance (including the art of rhetoric), hypokrites was a technical term for a stage actor and was not considered an appropriate role for a public figure. In Athens in the 4th Century BC, for example, the great orator Demosthenes ridiculed his rival Aeschines, who had been a successful actor before taking up politics, as a hypokrites whose skill at impersonating characters on stage made him an untrustworthy politician. This negative view of the hypokrites, perhaps combined with the Roman disdain for actors, later shaded into the originally neutral hypokrisis. LWBC 6-15-08

  22. Hypocrisy (Wikipedia) • It is this later sense of hypokrisis as "play-acting," i.e. the assumption of a counterfeit persona, that gives the modern word hypocrisy its negative connotation. In all this, we do not find the modern idea that the hypocrite is unaware that his performance or argument stands in contradiction with his self: on the contrary, a hypocrite in antiquity was someone who intentionally tried to deceive others. LWBC 6-15-08

  23. Hypocrisy (Wikipedia) • In psychology, hypocritical behavior is closely related to the fundamental attribution error: individuals are more likely to explain their own actions by their environment, yet they attribute the actions of others to 'innate characteristics', thus leading towards judging others while justifying ones' own actions. [13] • Also, some people genuinely fail to recognize that they have character faults which they condemn in others. • This is called psychological projection. • This is self-deception rather than deliberate deception of other people. LWBC 6-15-08

  24. Hypocrisy (Wikipedia) • In other words, "psychological hypocrisy" is usually interpreted by psychological theorists to be an unconscious defense mechanism rather than a conscious act of deception, as in the more classic connotation of hypocrisy. • People understand vices which they are struggling to overcome or have overcome in the past. • Efforts to get other people to overcome such vices may be sincere. • There may be an element of hypocrisy as well if the actors do not readily admit to themselves or to others how far they are or have been subject to these vices. LWBC 6-15-08

  25. Temptation Vs. Testing • There is a difference between Temptation and Testing • It is important for the Believer to distinguish the two. • Both Doctrinally and then Experientially LWBC 6-15-08

  26. God does not tempt • Temptation is designed to find fault or produce failure in the thing tempted. • Temptation is a solicitation to express independence form God through violation of His standards. • Relative to Hypocrisy, it is designed as an Ocular Reforestation Project LWBC 6-15-08

  27. The Greek Terms • peiradzö: (V) to test for the purpose of failure or to find something negative. • peirasmos: (N) testing or examination to find something negative. LWBC 6-15-08

  28. TESTING • Testing, on the other hand, comes from God, and is an examination and evaluation designed to find quality in the thing tested. LWBC 6-15-08

  29. The Greek Term • Dokimadzö: an examination and evaluation designed to find quality in the thing tested. LWBC 6-15-08

  30. The Targets of Testing • God tests our Volition and Emotions. • Psalm 7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts (Volition) and reins (Emotions). • Jeremiah 17:10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. LWBC 6-15-08

  31. Temptation comes from 3 sources: • The tempter: • 1 Thes 3:5 “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.” • The lusts of the sin nature: • Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. • The World: • 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. LWBC 6-15-08

  32. The defense against temptation. • Attitude of the fear of the Lord: Proverbs 16.6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. LWBC 6-15-08

  33. The defense against temptation. • Attitude of the fear of the Lord: Proverbs 16.6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. • Appeal to Jesus as our victorious high priest. Heb. 2.18 (For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.)with 4.15 (For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.) LWBC 6-15-08

  34. The defense against temptation. • The Word: Ps. 119.11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. • Jn. 15:15-17  “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 “This I command you, that you love one another. LWBC 6-15-08

  35. The defense against temptation. • 1 Jn. 2.24 (As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.) with 3.6 (No one who remains in union with him keeps on sinning. The one who keeps on sinning hasn't seen him or known him.) • Luke 8:13. "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. LWBC 6-15-08

  36. The defense against temptation. • The Holy Spirit: Gal. 5.16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. • Integrity: Pr. 11:6 The righteousness of the upright delivereth them; but the treacherous are taken in their own craving. LWBC 6-15-08

  37. The defense against temptation. • Application of faith-rest prayer Mt. 26.41 "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” • Jude 20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. LWBC 6-15-08

  38. The defense against temptation. • The armor of God: Eph. 6.10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. LWBC 6-15-08

  39. The defense against temptation. • 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the word of God…  LWBC 6-15-08

  40. The defense against temptation. • 2 Cor. 10.3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. LWBC 6-15-08

  41. The defense against temptation. • Apply doctrine of separation (Avoidance of temptation situations): Pr. 27.12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. (Also see 14.16; Proverbs: 4.25-27; 7.6-8; 13.20; 14.7; 20.19; 22.3; 24.25) LWBC 6-15-08

  42. The defense against temptation. • Resist the devil: • 1 Peter 5.8-9 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith (by means of THE FAITH. The whole body of truth) knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. LWBC 6-15-08

  43. The defense against temptation. • Resist the devil: • James 4.7 - Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. • “Submit” (humility attitude of dependence on God) LWBC 6-15-08

  44. Temptation and the growth process: • James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. • Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us. LWBC 6-15-08

  45. Endurance of temptation • is evidence of the believer's love for God. • James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” LWBC 6-15-08

  46. The purpose of Testing: • Always for benefit: Deut. 8.16 • To determine the presence of love and dedication to God. Deut. 13.3 • To confirm and establish your knowledge of Truth. Deut. 8.2 with 1 Chron. 32.31 • To teach the value of truth: Deut. 8.3 • To cultivate respect and fellowship stability. Ex. 20.20 LWBC 6-15-08

  47. The MATURE Believer's Desire • That God would continually be testing in order to weed out error and motivate the consistent application of truth. • Psalm 26:2 “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” • Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:” LWBC 6-15-08

  48. The Upward Call • When the believer endures the testing (which includes temptation) his love for God and for truth is confirmed and strengthened so as to pave the way for further growth and victories in the future. • Romans 5:3-5 • James 1:2-4 LWBC 6-15-08

  49. The Importance of the Resisting of Temptation • While some authors and Bible teachers list “Rebound” (what I refer to as “Recovery”) as the first spiritual skill, it is my respectful contention that, both chronologically and in importance, “Resistance” is truly the first spiritual skill. LWBC 6-15-08

  50. Resistance is chronologically the No. 1 spiritual skill. • Since we are immediately filled with the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation, our first priority, chronologically, should be to remain in fellowship with the Father through the filling of the Holy Spirit. • Additionally, since the spiritual life can only be lived in the filling of the Spirit, it is chronologically more significant to remain in the state of fellowship, than to recover that status. LWBC 6-15-08

More Related