Beware of leaven

Gospel of Mark: Jesus a life to serve   •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Learn from thier example what not to allow or be

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Blurred View

There are things in this world that can blur our view of the truth, or obscure our view. Spiritually speaking we need to be careful what we allow into ourselves and what actions we take so not to have an obstructed, blurred view or cause one for others.
After recent confrontation with the Pharisees (Mk8:11-12) Jesus set’s out for the other side (Mk8:13)
From area of Dalmanutha (Mk8:10) now coming to Bethsaida Mk8:22)
Today we see the warning given by Jesus to the apostles while on the boat about the leaven of the Pharisees, Herod and in Matthew the Sadducees (Mt16:6, 11-12)
So, in our passage today we also will see that the disciples think Jesus rebuke is about their forgetfulness, in reality it is much more than about forgetting to pick up bread.
Matthew 16:11–12 NASB95
11 “How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The lesson is about the teaching, the doctrine, of the Pharisees, Herod and the Sadducees that is still very applicable to the church today.
Defining Terms
Pharisees: Strict adherence to the Law, legalists
Herod: Political leader at the time.
Sadduccees: Had liberal theology
So now we need to look at the passage and also bring in the parallel Matthew passage.
Mark 8:14–15 NASB95
14 And they had forgotten to take bread, and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them. 15 And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
MK8:14-15
Mark 8:16–17 NASB95
16 They began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart?
Mark 8:18–19 NASB95
18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember, 19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.”
Mk8:18-19
Mark 8:20–21 NASB95
20 “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they said to Him, “Seven.” 21 And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?
Matthew 16:5–6 NASB95
5 And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 18:10–11 NASB95
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Matthew 16:7–8 NASB95
7 They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?
Mt16:
Matthew 16:9–10 NASB95
9 “Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? 10 “Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up?
Mt18:
Matthew 16:11–12 NASB95
11 “How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Mt16:9-10
What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?

Leaven of Pharisees

The Pharisees were considered a religious and political group that the scripture has much to say about. When we understand them we can understand why Jesus says to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.
They were strict observers of the law of Moses with the best of intention, to protect Judaism, but with wrong heart and faith not involved.
They also adhered to the “traditions of the elders” interpretations of the law that had been handed down you can look back at (Mk7:1-5) for scriptural proof. More important is what Jesus had to say about them.
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They were blind leading the blind (Mt15:12-14)
They discarded the commandments of God for traditions of men (Mt15:3-6)
They were known as hypocrites (Mt15:7-8; Mt16:3; Mt23:1-4; Lk12:1)
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In Matthew Jesus had much to say about the leaven of the Pharisee’s
They were blind leading the blind (Mt15:12-14)
Matthew 15:12–13 NASB95
12 Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted.
They loved to be seen in the public eye (Mt23:5) and loved the attention of men (Mt23:6-7)
Matthew 15:14 NASB95
14 “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
They discarded the commandments of God for traditions of men (Mt15:3-6)
They discarded the commandments of God for traditions of men (Mt15:3-6)
Matthew 15:3–4 NASB95
3 And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 “For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’
Matthew 15:5–6 NASB95
5 “But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God, 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
Mt15
They were known as hypocrites (Mt15:7-8; Mt16:3; Mt23:1-4; Lk12:1)
They were known as hypocrites (Mt15:7-8; Mt16:3; Mt23:1-4; Lk12:1)
I Know there are a few passages here, but I think they are worth it for us.
Matthew 15:7–8 NASB95
7 “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.
Matthew 16:3 NASB95
3 “And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?
Matthew 23:1–2 NASB95
1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;
Matthew 23:3–4 NASB95
3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. 4 “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.
and some Luke, just for fun
Luke 12:1 NASB95
1 Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Do you remember the meaning of hypocrisy? - an actor! Actors can be good, they can be convincing too can’t they?
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They loved to be seen by men (Mt23:5) and loved attention by men (Mt23:6-7)
They loved to be named, to have titles (Mt23:8-10)
They were a stumbling block and kept people from entering the kingdom of heaven (Mt23:13)
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They loved to be seen by men (Mt23:5) and loved attention by men (Mt23:6-7)
Matthew 23:6–7 NASB95
6 “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.
Matthew 23:5 NASB95
5 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.
and add to that
Matthew 23:6–7 NASB95
6 “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.
They loved to be named, to have titles (Mt23:8-10)
They loved to be named, to have titles (Mt23:8-10)
Matthew 23:8–9 NASB95
8 “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
They were a stumbling block and kept people from entering the kingdom of heaven (Mt23:14)
Matthew 23:10 NASB95
10 “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
They were a stumbling block and kept people from entering the kingdom of heaven (Mt23:13)
Matthew 23:14 NASB95
14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
Matthew 23:13 NASB95
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
There are more I only make mention of today due to trying to get to the others. You can study these out on your own.
Manipulated religion for money making purposes (Mt23:14)
Instead of help, they caused hurt (Mt23:15)
They spoke, made distinctions that God did not (Mt23:16-22)
While they were legalists in some areas of law, they ignored others (Mt23:23-24)
Pharisaism today
Teach traditions, doctrine of man vs. the Bible, commandments of God.
Teach one thing, do another
Do things for attention and recognition and demand a title
Use religion to make money and impress others instead of saving souls
Make distinctions where God through His Word does not.
It is possible have a Pharisee mindset today; Jesus was warning them then and we should heed the warning today and check ourselves to make sure we do not have this mindset or action.

Leaven of the Sadducees

They are a religious and political group known, noted for their liberalism. But what does the scripture say about them? Let’s see.
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They were connected with powerful people (Act5:17)
They believed only the laws in Pentateuch were binding
They did not believe in resurrection, spirits, angels (Act23:8)
They did not believe in heaven or hell or punishment or reward after death
They did not
They did not believe in resurrection, spirits, angels (Act23:8)
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They were connected with powerful people (Act5:17)
Acts 5:17 NASB95
17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.
They believed only the laws in Pentateuch were binding
They believed only the laws in Pentateuch were binding
They did not believe in resurrection, spirits, angels (Act23:8)
Acts 23:8 NASB95
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
They did not believe in heaven or hell or punishment or reward after death
They did not believe in heaven or hell or punishment or reward after death
Look at what Jesus has to say about them (Mt22:23-29)
Matthew 22:23–24 NASB95
23 On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, 24 asking, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother.’
Matthew 22:25–26 NASB95
25 “Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother; 26 so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh.
Mt22:
Matthew 22:27–28 NASB95
27 “Last of all, the woman died. 28 “In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.”
Mt22:
Matthew 22:29 NASB95
29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.
Claimed they did not know the scriptures (v.29); even ones they held to be true
Jesus proved the point (Mt22:31-32; Exo3:6)
Jesus proved it
Matthew 22:31–32 NASB95
31 “But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”
which is further evidenced by
Exodus 3:6 NASB95
6 He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Jesus claimed they did not know the power of God (v.29)
Like many liberals they were influenced by rationalism and failed to believe what both Jesus (Mt19:26) and Gabriel knew (Lk1:37) that nothing was impossible with God.
Rationalism (noun) -a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response.
Let me give you one more definition that lines up with the Sadducees
THEOLOGY: the practice of treating reason as the ultimate authority in religion.
They assumed that if they could not comprehend something, explain it out, then it must not be true since it cannot be proved.
Let me give you one more definition that lines up with the Sadducees
/ˈraSHənlˌizəm,ˈraSHnəˌlizəm/ noun a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response.
Sadducees of today
THEOLOGY: the practice of treating reason as the ultimate authority in religion.
One who takes a part of Gods word but rejects other parts
the practice of treating reason as the ultimate authority in religion.
Like those who accept the gospels but not the epistles
John 13:10 NASB95
10 Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.
They accept human reason over divine revelation
1 Corinthians 14:37 NASB95
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
They do not accept truth unless it makes logical sense
Look what God chose (1Cor1:18-31; summarized)
God made the foolish the wisdom of the world (v.20)
God made the foolishness of God wiser than men and the weakness of God stronger than men (v.25)
God chose the things that are not to nullify the things that are (v.28)
Why? So one would only boast in the Lord (v.31)
Somethings are outside of our comprehension, and they require faith, trust, and childlike trust at that (Mt18:3)
Matthew 18:3 NASB95
3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
When you think about what we have just discussed and you think about religious liberalism what comes to mind?
Accepting things that are forbidden in the scripture
Doing things that are
Denying things that are in the scripture
This brings us to the leaven of the Herodians

Leaven of Herodians

Jews who were sold out, were supporters of they Herod dynasty (aka Rome). May we take a minute and see what we can learn here.
Herodians were mostly puppets to Rome; they were political not spiritual.
They would align themselves wit Pharisees when it fit their need (Mk3:6)
Mark 3:6 NASB95
6 The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.
Matthew 3:6 NASB95
6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
Mark 12:30 NASB95
30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
Mark 12:30 NASB95
30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
They could be interchangeable with Sadducees at times (Mk8:15; Mt16:6)
Mark 8:15 NASB95
15 And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
They could be interchangeable with Sadducees at times (Mk8:15; Mt16:6)
We have already looked at both of those passages today.
They were political first and they used religion to promote their cause.
The Herodians today:
Believes in works vs gospel of faith
More concerned about the world then the kingdom of God.
Will use religion, God to fit a personal agenda vs. God’s agenda
It is scary isn’t it the parallel of then and now?
The Pharisees and the religious fundamentalists/legalists today
The Sadduccees and the religious liberals
The Herodians and the political activists
Now the warning from Jesus can take a fresh light today too, can’t it. May we keep our priorities right seek God first, seek God through His Word and don’t be persuaded by the things of this world.
Matthew 23:5 NASB95
5 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.
Matthew 23:6–7 NASB95
6 “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.
They loved to be named, to have titles (Mt23:8-10)
They loved to be named, to have titles (Mt23:8-10)
Matthew 23:8–9 NASB95
8 “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
Matthew 23:10 NASB95
10 “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
They were a stumbling block and kept people from entering the kingdom of heaven (Mt23:13)
Matthew 23:15 NASB95
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
Matthew 23:13 NASB95
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
Matthew 23:14 NASB95
14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
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