Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees

Trent Cornwell

Vision Baptist Church

Book of Luke • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

Luke 12:1–9

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Service Notes

We will end our service today taking the Lord’s Supper together

Foster Meeting Tonight / no 4:30 pm

Liberty Chapel Tonight (Pray for Greg and team) [Slide]

Review / How did we get here?

Jesus being more than man is undeniable at this point. They accuse him of being of the devil. He states they are an evil generation.

Upset Jesus wouldn’t wash His hands.

Large crowd is gathering. Very large crowd. But look at whom Jesus is talking to.

This discuss runs from 12:1 to 13:9 with many interruptions

Luke 12:1–12 (KJV 1900)

1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

The Leaven of Pharisee’s

Luke 12:1 (KJV 1900)

Urgent, vital information

Jesus speaks to His disciples even though surrounded by multiple, tens of thousands of people.

What was so important that they needed to become His primary audience.

Jesus calls them a little flock in Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Understanding of leaven

They understood the leaven reference.

Children of Israel were told to eat unleavened bread at the Passover. Deut 16:3 Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

We will take unleavened bread today as we remember the last passover Christ took with his disciples and how the bread represents His body which was broken for us.

Beware

Don't follow the religion of the Pharisees. It's not the religion that I'm teaching. It's an entirely different way of attempting to relate to one another and to God.

1. This kind of hypocrisy cannot simply be contained in the heart of one person, especially when that person is a religious leader.

Gal 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Luke 13:21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Teaspoon per pound

2. This kind of hypocrisy will be revealed.

Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

3. This kind of hypocrisy always fails.

Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

4. Hypocrisy is rooted in the fear of man.

The hypocrite leaves before the worlds audience and not God. Matthew 6:5 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

It would rather obey man then suffer for honoring God. Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

How to Avoid Being a Hypocrite

Transitional Phrase: Jesus answers. Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends

Answer: Fear God. Confess Christ. Be taught by the Spirit.

Fear God. v.2-7

God will uncover all that is hidden. God, not man, is our judge. God knows everything.

He will uncover what is hidden. v.2-3

Luke 12:2–3 (KJV 1900)

2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

God, not man, is our judge. v.4-5

Luke 12:4–5 (KJV 1900)

4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Man can only kill the body. God has the power to cast into hell.

Reminder of the reality of Hell.

How can you avoid being a hypocrite? Stop fearing men and start fearing God, the true and living God who will uncover everything that is hidden and who has the authority to send you to hell.

God knows everything. v.6

Luke 12:6 (KJV 1900)

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

Blake bought lunch on the Amazon, God knew about that transaction.

Reasonable Question: How do we honor God?

Transitional Phrase: Luke 12:8 Also, I say unto you

Confess Christ. v.8-9

Luke 12:8–9 (KJV 1900)

8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

If you do not confess the Son, you cannot honor the Father

John 5:23 (KJV 1900)

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

They believed they honored God but insulted Jesus. John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

Jesus said if you loved God you would love me. John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

What does it mean to confess?

Definition: When you say you confess, you're really owning up to what is true; Technical: “to say what is true”

Before men, because there is no only option. A regenerated heart will be shown in a changed life.

Trip to NYC with teenagers / misunderstood it with lipservice

What are we confessing?

1. Jesus is God. 1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

2. Jesus came in the flesh. 2 John 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

3. Jesus is Lord. Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

No minor detail. In the New Testament, Jesus is called Savior less than ten times, and He's called Lord more than 700 times.

Jesus has all rights to your life.

Reasonable Question: How do we learn to confess Christ?

No one comes to the Father except through the Son and — listen carefully — no one comes to the Son except by the Spirit.

Be taught by the Spirit. v.10-12

Luke 12:10–12 (KJV 1900)

10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

We live in a world of deception

Years ago I met the “Messiah” on the streets of NYC

I have spent time with gurus in India

As a teenager I spent hours listening to my friends try to convince me I must be baptized or speak in tongues for salvation.

Psalm 1 tells me to not walk, sit, or stand with false teachers.

How do we know what to believe?

We must test what we hear. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

How do we test to know? 1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

The Holy Spirit's testimony to Christ is the only way we know the truth about Christ.

The Holy Spirit has spoken concerning the Son

Faith comes from hearing the Word. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Who is the author of the this Word concerning Christ? Who is the author of the Word? Who is the author of the New Testament? Who is the author of the Old Testament?

The Holy Spirit 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

How do avoid the sin the hypocrisy of the Pharisees?

Answer: Fear God. Confess Christ. Be taught by the Spirit.

Church services are open to all but the Lord Supper is for those who know Him and committed in their walking in obedience to Christ.

Personal time of self-examination

Examine before as we come to the Lord’s Table

1 Cor 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

We are to judge ourselves

1 Cor 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Commitment to continue walking in “the newness of life”

What would be an unworthy manner?

Failing to appreciate what the bread and cup signify—that Christ loved the church and died for her

Failing to feel any remorse that our attitudes and actions are so inconsistent with the love of Christ

Failing to repent of those attitudes and actions and turn to the path of love

Failing to trust Jesus for forgiveness and for the power to walk in love.

Conclusion

Time of Prayer

Children are welcome to participate in the Lord's Supper:

when they can understand its significance

when they are able to give a credible profession of faith in Christ

and when they consciously intend to follow the Lord in obedience, this includes obedience in baptism

Congregational

Corporate time of Remembrance

Luke 22:19 (KJV 1900)

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Before we have a special and distribute the bread and the cup let us pause to to remember the life of Christ.

Our thoughts during the oLord’s Supper is foundationally remembering. Not imagining. Not dreaming. Remembering.

Simply: The bread is meant to bring to mind the damage to his body, and the cup is meant to remind us of his blood that was shed.

Thought we are not told how often we are to take the Lord’s Supper we are given a command.

We are told to shew/proclaim the Lord’s death. 1 Cor 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

John 19:17–24 (KJV 1900)

17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Remember this as the song is sung and you are served.

I will read the Words of Christ during his last meal with the disciples.

Prayer before we take the bread. Thanking God for being a willing sacrifice in our place.

Matthew 26:25–30 (KJV 1900)

25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Prayer before the cup. Thanking God for the blood that was shed.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

This is how they concluded and we will as well.

29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.