The Weightier Matters

Trent Cornwell

Vision Baptist Church

Book of Luke • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

Luke 11:33–54

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Time in Colombia. Proud of the sincere, authentic faith of my friends.

Tonight we will continue the Counseling Elective

We will start a new Elective soon; Bible Exposition

Next Sunday is the Informative Meeting

Lord’s Supper in the Morning Service

Following week is our Celebration Service

Quick Review of where we are at in Luke

Luke 11:33–54 (KJV 1900)

33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

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.

43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:

54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Before Prayer

After Jesus leaves from the “awkward dinner conversation” He met with me.

Not in an “audible” way but louder than that.

There should be great concern for the false, dead religion represented by the Pharisees and Scribes.

There is also a great WOE that should come upon all of us who know that we have often traded a warm, personal walk with the Lord for a list of standards and expectations that cause of to convince ourselves we doing good enough; what some might call a hypocrisy cloaked in legalism.

As He (Jesus) Spake

This dinner invitation comes during a conversation v.33-36

The subject of the lesson Jesus was teaching will be put on display through this dinner conversation.

Parable about our eyes not just a lamp

We have a song about “this little light of mine.” It is a good song but not the emphasis of this parable.

Being receptive to Jesus’ teachings would show that they were full of light Luke 11:34 “34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single (in proper shape), thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.”

The knowledge that Jesus gave to the disciples should not be hidden, like a lamp hidden under a bushel.

The lamp being visible is one of the elements of the light being able to provide light; the other is the eye.

Take heed the light in you is not darkness

35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

How do you do this?

Let the word of Jesus enter your life and illumine your body. Your body will be full of light.

The dark deeds of evil will find no place. You will be listening to, obeying, and practicing the word.

Conversation is moving toward a discourse on what is on the inside not just on the outside. A person who is blind can be surrounded by light and still have no light in them.

A certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him

Luke 11:37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

Luke repeatedly pictures Jesus in confrontation with the Pharisees, especially at meal scenes (ch. 5,7,14)

The distorted perspective of which Jesus here accuses the religious leaders is a stark illustration of the “unhealthy eye”

In many homes you will find a small plaque with the inscription ‘Christ is the head of this house, the unseen guest at every meal, the silent listener to every conversation.’ While the sentiment may be good, we should remember that the Pharisees and lawyers would have felt much more comfortable if Jesus had been ‘the silent listener to every conversation’!

Pharisee’s did as Pharisee’s do.

Luke 11:38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

Ever tell your spouse “I can’t believe you did something..” It is part wonder and part condencion. (that is the tone we hear)

Maybe she said “go to the store and get milk and if they have avocados get four of them” and you come back with 4 gallons of milk because they had avocados.

This was not about good hygiene but about adding to the Word of God

Picture of place in Colombia

Basically Jesus wasn’t going to play their games. To them this was a ritual.

Pharisees loved creating rules for two supposed reasons (a) not accidently transgress it and (b) might manifest their adherence to the law in a more obvious way.

How did they get by with this? People want to be told what to do. They do not want the law of love.

Missionary in communist country being told there are cameras everywhere. Thought it was horrible and they said it makes us feel so safe.

Asked John Pearson to give a lesson on the creation of the Pharisees during the intertestamental period.

We will also see a Scribe chime in. Things have really challenged in the understanding of Scribes from the time of Ezra, who was a scribe.

Pharisee had an eye problem

Luke 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

This is where things get tense or awkward.

Story // Connect 4 Meals. 4 Couples. Went to pray around the table.

That ended in laughter. This story does not. It ends with them wanting to kill Jesus. Luke 11:53-54 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: 54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Sets the scene for the coming confrontation in Jerusalem, where scribes will play a significant role in the events leading to Jesus’s death. Luke 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

Believed and propagated the lie that only what is on the outside matters.

Luke 11:40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

They went to great lengths to make a great show to make the outside appear clean.

Gave a tithe of wild herbs. 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.

Loved the uppermost seats. Chairs around the place the priest would speak.

Love to be called Rabbi or teacher in the markets. Luke 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

A lawyer speaks up and Jesus adds to the list.

Luke 11:45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

Laws were made that they couldn’t even keep up with. Basically the IRS of rules for life. Luke 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

Made monuments of the graves of the prophets. Luke 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

Now is a time for reckoning

Luke 11:51 (KJV 1900)

51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

I would expect this would be the time the last of the people still trying to eat have fully stopped.

This is strong language. Remiscient of Genesis 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

Omitted weightier matters

1. No love for God shown in no love for others.

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.

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

2. Love for the superior status religion provides for us.

Want to look alive and active in the things of God.

They were dead on the inside. Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

3. Dedication to lists that we create and judge others by

Dedication in itself is not the goal, for a person may be dedicated to the wrong thing. Jesus calls for dedication to love and ministry, not to law and slavish obedience.

4. No sincere love for the Word of God

Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

Had an active of loving the prophets their fathers killed but they would hate the prophets that will be sent.

This way of thinking always creates a hindrance in the church.

Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

This would be a particularly wounding accusation because the scribes’ role was to help people understand the Torah.

This will become a key theme in Acts where the progress of the gospel is charted as the removal of hindrances

Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Until Paul can preach the gospel in jail unhindered Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

1. Create a false religious system that does not know grace or love but only knows performance and judgement.

They created a system that did not lead people to Jesus but kept them dependent on themselves. Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

[Slide of 3 Miguels] Strong realization that what happens in the ministry will mean so much to Felipe. His dad met a group of young people who loved Jesus but had no building, form, structure, and now we have all that and so much more. Will he get “these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” or will our love for the Lord be seen as UNDONE.

2. Key of knowledge and the wisdom of God

Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

What are some heart level signs of an authentic faith

1. Eager for Christ’s return

Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

You desire His second coming. Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Let us be like the Corinthians “waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 1:7, and like the Philippians whose “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” Philippians 3:20

2. Eyes to see spiritual truth with a heart that responds to conviction

Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

We see spiritual truth with God’s eyes, and conviction is always a byproduct.

The Holy Spirit brings conviction when we hear His word.

New birth equips us to increasingly taste spiritual truth.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him. A primary way we taste is through conviction.

This occurs in the heart. It is more than an intellectually exercise. Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

This knowledge communicated to us by the Hoy Spirit gives us a growing desire to know and worship God

This results in changed behavior motivated by a growing desire to be holy as God is holy.

Has he become the treasure in the field for which you would sell everything (Matthew 13:44)?

3. The desire of hearts for how we spend our lives.

Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

The Pharisees were just going through the motions.

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 (KJV 1900)

11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our heart motive is to do good according to God’s will.

We would work and live in faith

Our hearts desire is for Jesus to be glorified.

Story: Testimony of a man who prayed and knew he had no love for others. He realized the was not the Good Samaritan but the man in need of help. .

Christian speaks to Formalist and Hypocrisy “I walk by the rule of my Master; you walk by the rude working of your fancies. You are counted thieves already by the Lord of the way; therefore I doubt you will not be found true men at the end of the way. You come in by yourselves without his direction, and shall go out by yourselves without his mercy.”

Conclusion

In just a few minutes I'm going to read to you from a section in 1 Corinthians 11. And it's Paul is teaching about the Lord's Supper. And what's the problem in Corinth? Well, one of the problems is they want to look like Christians but not act like it.

1 Corinthians 11:21–22 (KJV 1900)

21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

In other words, beware of coming to the Lord's Table when you’re not treating one another the way the Lord said for you to treat one another. Why? Because that's hypocrisy.

So this issue of religious hypocrisy is one that is alive and well in our own day, two thousand years after Jesus had this very awkward dinner conversation.

Next Week: Take the Lord’s Supper Together. Do not come as a scribe or pharisee.

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