SUBJ: The deadly errors of the
Pharisees and the weightier things that characterize the life of the
true believer.
AIM: That we should desire and delight
in having the nature of Christ imparted to us
INTR:
1. Consider the hard
condemnation of the Pharisees and Pharisee-ism - See the some of the
issues is this context: vv. 25, 27, 29-32, 33.
2. Pharisee-ism is the
religion of the flesh - It is a terrible misread of the principles of
the Word of God.
3. We will consider here those characteristics that
truly distinguish God's people.
THESIS: The Pharisees majored on minor precepts of the Law (which
was the revelation of God up to that time) and they equated obedience
with salvation. The weightier matters were, however, the considerations
of a new heart.
I. The Nature of Pharisee-ism
1. Knowledge and
explicit execution constitute salvation.
2. In their blindness, they
have they have no concept of hypocrisy (v. 24)
3. Their zeal is for a
conformity and loyalty to their system. (v. 15)
4. They use the
methods of extortion. (v. 25)
5. They want to be the controlling
influence in men’s lives. (Read, but, we will interpret)
6. They
would imply a mediatorial role -- blind man excommunicated.
7. They
eventually crucified Christ (v. 32).
II. Of Judgment, Mercy, and
Faith (Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue
and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God:
these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
1.
Judgment
1) The biblical principle: Proverbs 21:3 To do justice and
judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
2) We are
warned not to Judge in the sense of deciding guilt, but to be just in
our dealings.
3) Consider the son of Josiah: Jeremiah 22:15-16 15
Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy
father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well
with him? 16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well
with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.
2. Mercy
1)
Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of
God more than burnt offerings. With: Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn
what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not
come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
2) That God
showed mercy was ever before them: Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and
gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
3) See: James 2:13
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and
mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
3. Faith
1) The Old Testament
issue of faith: Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not
upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. And Compare:
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith
to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
2) An
essential element: Hebrews 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith:
but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But
we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that
believe to the saving of the soul.
3) Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a
man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus
Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be
justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for
by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
4) And see that
the each of the issues is resolved in faith: Micah 6:8 He hath shewed
thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but
to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
III. Why are these things so important to us?
1. It is commanded
and becomes the delight of the believer by the enabling grace of God.
2. Christ did justly and
1) Suffered because of justice - that we
might be just
2) Mercy is obtained from Christ - that we might know
grace and not judgment.
3) Faith is empowered toward Christ - that we
might serve Him with reverence and godly fear.
3. Even as we hear the
harsh reality of Divine Judgment, we have a sense of the greatness of
His mercy.
4. The life of a true believer reflects the nature of
Christ in us and the faith that lays hold on the mercy of God in Christ.
5. See again on Micah 6:8 (To do justly - to love mercy, both to show it
and receive it - And to walk humbly or by faith).
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