The Eye Of The Pharisee

Temple Baptist Church - 3-31-2019

Acts 15:1-5; Romans 14:1-23

Introduction:

A.  I have been preaching lately about sin.  Sin can manifest itself in a myriad of ways within the local church.  When we think of sinfulness within the body of Christ, we normally think about such sins as adultery, fornication, drunkenness, drug abuse, etc.  These sins are certainly “No-no’s” in the church, but one of the most prevalent sins of the believer is often either over looked or justified.

B.  The sin of Phariseeism!  On occasion, I preach on the subject that I will preach on today because it is an area of sin that remains problematic in our fundamental churches.  Phariseeism!  You will not find that word in your dictionary because it is one that is used within fundamental churches.  Liberal churches have little or no problem with it because there is no strict adherence to the Scripture and every one does that which is “right in his own eyes.”  Though it does show occasionally in other churches, Phariseeism—as a rule—is a fundamentalism problem!

C.  I have said often and will reiterate again that knowledge without compassion is a dangerous thing!  With great knowledge come great responsibility and that responsibility encompasses our relationship with not only the world but with each other. 

D.  The key verse of Romans 14 is verse 12.  God requires a personal accounting at the Judgment Seat of Christ and that should be our concern.  I am all for standards and holy living.  I believe that it is the obligation of the believer to be non-conformist when it comes to the standards set by the world.  We will give an account for the knowledge that we have and our testimony of the grace of God in this world, butTHIS WILL BE A PERSONAL ACCOUNTING TO GOD—NOT TO MAN!

E.  I want to call your attention to verse 10.  The verse actually speaks of judgments being made by both the pharisaical brother and the brother that claims liberty in grace.  The more “liberal” brother can look down on the pharisaical brother and be just as wrong in his judgments.  Such words as “legalists, etc., become “straw men” that the liberal uses to vindicate his loose standard of living.  Chapter 15:1 says, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”  This verse speaks of the “brother at liberty” as the strong.

F.  When studying chapter 14, it immediately becomes obvious that the “weak” brother is the one who “eateth herbs.”  I am not against a vegetarian who does so simply by personal preference.  In the American Indian vocabulary, a vegetarian is one who does not know how to hunt!  By “eateth herbs,” the Holy Ghost is speaking of one who abstains from meats because of “religious conviction.”  You can live on a “Hallelujah Diet” as far as I am concerned and be right with God.  You can live on a “Hog Diet” as far as I am concerned and still be right with God.  You may see God a little sooner though!

Colossians 2:20-23  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21  (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22  Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23  Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

G.  The “Eye of the Pharisee” is found in verse 10.  He is characterized by the judgment of others.  The Bible teaches self-judgment!  I can preach on not judging one another until I am blue in the face and the problem continues to persist because the Pharisee can only see through the “eye of the Pharisee!”

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

Matthew 23:4  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 

John 9:39 -41  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40  And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

H.  Our Lord condemned Phariseeism! 

1.  Phariseeism Violates The Fellowship Of Believers – vs. 3-4 – When believers stand argue their “convictions” and “preferences,” it is just that:  an argument!  What I stand for is between the Lord and me!  What you stand for is between the Lord and you!  When what we stand for becomes an issue between you and me, it divides the fellowship of the church.  Despise - to look down on with contempt or aversion.

2.  Phariseeism Withstands The Man Of God - Acts 15:1-2, 5  And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question… 5  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses.   (The enemy of Christ was the Pharisee!  Even God’s man cannot withstand the scrutiny of the “letter of the law,” as can no one else.  They will hold him to a holy standard that no man can attain to or they will hold him to “their” standard that even cannot live up to.  Pharisees are not “followers,” they are “leaders.”  They must have “followers” in order to lead!  Pharisees are not “students,” they are “teachers.”  They must have “students” in order to teach!  Pharisees are not “edifiers,” they are “destroyers!”)

3.  Phariseeism Is Detrimental To Evangelism - Matthew 23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.  (The Lord called the Pharisees “hypocrites.”  Have you ever heard the lost say that they would not come to church and sit on the pews with all of those hypocrites?  Most of the time, their claims are unjust but, on occasion, they are right!  The lost hear what the Pharisee says and then see how the Pharisee both acts and reacts!  How many times have I heard of people who have said, “I will never come to your church as long as “so-in-so” is there!”  Or, “If he (or she) is a Christian, I do not want to be one!”  Or, “If they are going to Heaven, I do not want to go there!”  Or, “If that is the way their God is, then I do not want their God!”)

4.  Phariseeism Drives Away The New Families And New Believers – Matthew 23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.  (Pharisees automatically “migrate” to new “blood.”  They are proselyters!  Grace teaches the new converts while Phariseeism chastises them!  It is not that they do not want to get right with God.  God is merciful, compassionate, longsuffering, and gentle with the new believer.  They leave because they cannot live up to the standards and expectations of the Pharisee.  I am still glad that, when I was newly saved, people let God work in my heart as I heard the Word of God preached.  God “grew” me at His pace and His way was perfect!)

2 Corinthians 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

5.  Phariseeism Eventually Destroys the Pharisee! - 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.  (A key is made to unlock a door.  Grace is the key that unlocks the door to the believer.  Grace brings both love and liberty to the believer and is the key to holy living.)

Titus 2:11-12  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (I am so glad that I was saved by GRACE!  I am so glad that I have been taught by GRACE!)

Conclusion:  Beware of becoming pharisaical!  All of us have that potential!  Pharisees not only destroy those around them, but eventually destroy themselves because—even they cannot live up to the letter of the law!  We want to have a good, separated church.  We want to have a loving, kind church.  I believe that God can reconcile these two positions.  The key to holy living is not standards set but seeing God’s people fall in love with Him!

Withered Hands and Withered Hearts

Temple Baptist Church - 8-7-2016

Matthew 12:1-15

Introduction:

A.  Our Lord’s interaction with the Pharisees, Scribes, and Lawyers was a bitter-sweet one.  Everywhere Jesus went, the crowds gathered to hear the Word of God speak.  There were those who were just curious and came to watch; there were those who were just sick and came to be healed; there were those who were just hungry and waited to be fed; there were those who tempted the Lord and watched for failure; and there were those who hungered and thirsted after righteousness.

B.  This morning, I want to look at these for a few minutes.  I am not trying to be hard but things have not changed much since the days of our Lord who fed the multitudes and died virtually alone.

1.  Those who were just curious and came to watch.  To many, the things of God have just become a side show.  A form of Christian entertainment.  A place to get the emotions stirred and a place to have a good time.  A place where the miracles of salvation that sit on the pews are only things to be watched, not experienced.  Church has become a place for entertaining goats instead of feeding sheep.  Church is not a place of entertainment; it is a place of worship and reverence. 

John 6:1-2  After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.  (2)  And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

2.  Those who were just sick and came to be healed.  It is not always God’s will to heal those who are sick.  When those who are just sick come to be healed, if the healing does not take place, they just leave and go some were else.  If the healing did take place, they would still just wander away for they got all that they came for.  These are those who are in trouble.  I have seen so much “jailhouse repentance” in my years as pastor.  They weep and wail until they get out of jail and then it is business as usual until the next time.  Some just come to church to see if the Lord will get them out of their trouble but have no heart felt repentance.

Luke 17:15-18  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,  (16)  And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. (17)  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?  (18)  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

3.  Those who were just hungry and waited to be fed.  I receive calls all of the time from people who prey upon the goodness of the churches and have to discern who actually needs help and those who just live off of the generosity of God’s people.  They have family that can help but they call the church.  There are jobs to be had but they do not work.  They live in open sin and rebellion but want the churches to support their lifestyle.

John 6:25-26  And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?  (26)  Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

4.  Those who hungered and thirsted after righteousness.  Nine times, in the Book of John, the words “many … believed” are found.    I find it interesting that these words are not used together in Matthew, Mark, or Luke.  The Book of John speaks of the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ and it is only when one believes on the Lord Jesus Christ that they are saved. 

John 2:23  Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

Matthew 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

C.  I want to deal with two types found in our verses: a man with a withered hand and men with withered hearts!

1.  Men with withered hearts!  Verses 2 and 14.  There were two sects that came out of the 400 silent years between Malachi and Matthew: the Sadducees and the Pharisees.  The Sadducees upheld the written Law and denied an afterlife.  The Pharisees upheld the oral Law and believed in life after death.  Both of these sects rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah,

a.  Withered heart people are a type of religion.  People are innately religious but the religion is personal merit.  People who have religion instead of salvation become the enemies of the church and the work of the Lord.

b.  Withered heart people are a type of rejection.  Religion has knowledge of biblical principle but such knowledge brings about a decision to turn to Christ or to turn from Him.  Those who reject are always enemies of Christ and, therefore, enemies of the saved.

c.  Withered heart people are not fond of the “withered hand” people coming to their churches!  Instead of the foolish, they desire the wise; instead of the weak, they desire the mighty; instead of the base, they desire the noble!  They desire a certain kind of people in their churches instead of all kinds of people there!

Mark 2:16  And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

d.  Withered heart people are not glad when the “withered hand” people are forgiven of their sins and spiritually healed!  The reason is simple, true salvation shows up religion.  These “withered hand” people have a change of life; they have a song in their hearts; they have a joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Mark 2:5-7  When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.  (6)  But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,  (7)  Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

e.  Withered heart people are not happy when their church savings account or CDs are liquidated and money goes to missions to help win a world to Christ.  They are not happy when they are no longer in control and can pressure the preacher into silence.  They get angry when the direction of the church becomes biblical in nature.  Their hearts are withered by the sin of religion and they try to find fault.

f.  Withered heart people normally remain that way and die without Christ!

2.  A man with a withered hand.  Verse 10.  Those with withered lives are welcome to come to church; they are accepted by Christ; they are the ones for whom He died.  I thank the Lord for our young people who come to Christ at an early age and never know the ravages of a sinful life.  Stay clean and live for Christ but the withered hands were the people who came to Christ in faith and find healing for their souls! 

a.  Lives withered by sin and shame!  Many of us were the undesirables, the off scourings of the world!  I thank God that He loved sinners!  A friend to the lost and dying!  The Saviour of the world! 

b.  I thank the Lord for the drunks that became saints.  The harlots who became godly ladies.  The drug addicts who are now clean.  The blasphemers whose mouths are now filled with praise.  The lost that are now found.  The hurting that found healing in Christ.  The backbone of the local churches! 

c.  Sinners who came to Christ for spiritual healing and feeding, not just for what they could get.  We have helped so many people with physical needs over the years and none of them are here tonight!  But, we have helped so many who had spiritual needs and they are here.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:  (27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  (28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea,and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:  (29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

d.  Thank God for the people who came to Christ by faith and were gloriously, instantly healed!  Their lives forever changed!  Their hope in heaven!  God loves all mankind but especially those of the household of faith!

Ephesians 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Conclusion:  We find a man with a withered hand healed while the ones with withered hearts angry because of their religion.  God was able to heal the man with the withered hand but not the ones with withered hearts!  He certainly could have if they would have!

Standing Fast In These Last Days

Temple Baptist Church - 6-12-2013

 

Colossians 2:18-3:1-2

 

Introduction:

A. We have seen that we have liberty in Christ which is not to be encroached upon!

1. Paul warning of the possibility of Phariseeism which permeated many fundamental churches as they saw the liberalism creeping in and tried to correct it. You correct liberalism and ungodliness with biblical preaching and must be careful not to try to do the work of the Holy Spirit.

2. The key to separatism or practical sanctification is the preaching of truth and the work of the Holy Spirit. When believers fall in love with the Saviour, they have no problem separating from this present, evil world. Knowledge without compassion can be a dangerous thing!

B. The enemy of Phariseeism can arise from any one of us and we must have the spiritual maturity to stand fast:

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

C. Tonight, I want to look at several verses that show us another enemy from without that becomes within when it is allowed to do so. In light of these verses, we need to remember that we are in the end-time of falling away:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (In the past two thousand years, the church has gone from earnestly contending for the faith once delivered and the Old Paths of righteousness and holiness to a general forsaking of such churches for the liberal, stand-for-nothing, preach-nothing, and “fall-for-everything” churches of our day.)

2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (In the last two thousand years, the church has gone from being filled with godly, God loving, busy serving, unified people to what we just read: a vivid description of the average local church’s members of our day.)

2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (In the last two thousand years, the church has gone from pulpits from which the Word of God was uncompromisingly preached to the “light” prophets who prophesy falsely and a people who “love to have it so.”)

Revelation 3:14-16 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (In the last two thousand years, the church has gone from the Church of Ephesus—that left its first love—to the Church of Laodicea—the “Lukewarm Church” – Laodicea means “The Rights of the People” which goes hand-in-hand with the misuse of personal liberty. We are not our own; we are His. We have been bought with a terrible price and are to glorify God in our bodies. We are the temple of the Holy Ghost.)

1. Today, there is a general Fascination among the religious crowd – “worshipping of angels, intruding (to go where you do not belong or have permissions to go) into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind” - Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

a. There is Rejection of the truth - 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

b. There is Defection from the truth – 2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (21) For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (22) But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

c. There is Fascination with error - 2 Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

1) People are always looking for something special or extraordinary.

2) People who always seeking “some new thing” as the Greeks at Mars Hill.

3) People who are always seeking a “non demanding” religion of carnal comfort.

2. There is the possibility of Infiltration by false prophets – “Let no man”

a. Beware of Legalism– “the ‘do’s and don’ts” crowd: encroachment upon the personal liberties of believers. This is not separatism; it is Phariseeism.

b. Beware of Mysticism or Spiritism – the “angel in my pocket” crowd. Catholicism has slowly crept into most major denominations to some degree.

c. Beware of Gnosticism – the “special knowledge” crowd. Thinking they have a superior knowledge of spiritual things based upon education, pseudo-spirituality, etc.

d. Beware of Asceticism – the “Lenten” crowd. Thinking they are right with the Lord because they “give up something.”

3. There is the necessity of Observation – “beguile you” - Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (31) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

a. Observing the manners and methods of these “teachers.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

b. Observing the doctrines that they teach. Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

4. There is the attribute of Qualification – “If ye then be risen with Christ” Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

a. The qualification of salvation. - 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

b. The qualification of discipleship - John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

5. There is the affection that brings Obligation – “seek those things which are above … Set your affection on things above” John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

A “Treasure Problem” - Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Brings about a “Trust Problem” - Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

a. Love for Christ brings about sacrifice - Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

b. Love for Christ brings about service - John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

One of the Most Dangerous Enemy of the Church

Temple Baptist Church - 5-29-2013

 

Colossians 2:17-19

 

Introduction:

A. Paul is writing to a church he did not start and to a people he had never personally met because of his love for both!

B. Last week we dealt with verse 15 where we found that the Lord “spoiled” or divested the powers of Satan in both principalities and powers. These are enemies found without the local church but, through the medium of men; too often find their way into the local church. I call this the “enemy from within.”

C. Though Satan is a formidable foe who attacks the church constantly from without, the most dangerous enemy of all can be sitting on the church pew! The bible has much to say about the “grievous wolves,” false prophets, and teachers that would permeate “Christendom” in the last days. We are there and they are here!

D. The enemies of the local church are many but I want to deal with two of them tonight. 1) Ignorance Concerning Liberty 2) The Rise Of Phariseeism. In verse 17, we find two things: the rise of Phariseeism which brings about an encroachment upon our liberty. Government in any form was never meant to limit or encroach upon the personal liberties of its people and this includes the local church. The local church has certain purposes which are in general corporate. I am going to spend a little time on these things because of their importance to the welfare of the individual believer; their importance to the welfare of the local church; and their importance to the welfare of this lost world in which we live.

1. Ignorance Concerning Liberty – Many do not understand our liberty which we have in salvation.

a. As God’s children, we are free indeed! John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” The word “indeed” carries with it the understanding of certainly, clean, verily, and of a truth. One of the greatest attacks upon the believer today is the attack against our liberty which we have in Christ.

** Turn to Luke 4:14-21 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. (15) And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. (16) And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. (17) And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, (18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (19) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (20) And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. (21) And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

1) We have not been set free, we have been made free through the FINISHED work of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2) Jesus Christ was not a “victim” at Calvary; He was the “Victor!” He was victorious in death, over death, and after death.

b. What liberty is:

1) Freedom from the condemnation of the Law. Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

2) Freedom from the penalty of sin. Colossians 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

3) Freedom from the bondage of sin. Romans 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

4) Freedom from the fear of death. Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

c. Though at liberty, our liberty has certain scriptural bounds:

1) Christ is the end of the law for righteousness - Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Through Christ, we are free from the law of condemnation—which was our schoolmaster that brought us to Christ. We are also free from the Ceremonial Law of the Old Testament.)

2) Our salvation establishes the law - Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. (I love the song “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies” and want to quote a part of the second verse: “Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!” Liberty must be within law, not outside of law!

a) We are subject to the laws of God and man - 1 Corinthians 9:20-21 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; (21) To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. (We are not free from the Moral Law or the Civil Law which regulate our relationship with men and society. We are not under the Covenant of the Law but are under obligation to good morals and citizenship through obedience to both Scripture and government.)

b) We are subject to the law of Christ - Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (35) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (The Law of Christ is the Law of Love! Our behavior is to be regulated by our love for Christ, love for each other, love for the church, and love for sinners. Obeying the Law of Christ will not hurt any of the four.)

d. What liberty is not.

1) Liberty in Christ is NEVER license to sin! Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

1 Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

2) Liberty in Christ is ALWAYS liberty to serve! 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

e. Understanding liberty’s limitations.

1) Our Liberty Should Never Make Void Plain Scripture. Many things are clearly set forth in the Bible. The Word of God either condemns them or commands them. These are not matters of preference but conviction. Often we call our preferences convictions or call convictions preferences, according to what we want or intend to do with them. If the Bible either condemns or commands, there is no liberty to go contrary to it.

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

2) Our Liberty Should Never Be Exercised Contrary To The Clear Leading Of The Holy Ghost – God has given to us His precious Spirit to lead us into God’s will for our lives.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

3) Our Liberty Should Never Become A Stumbling Block To A Weaker Brother.

Romans 14:13-15 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

4) Our Liberty Should Never Be Purposefully Offensive To Another Believer. Notice that I used the word purposefully. We often “offend” others without knowing it. I am speaking of knowing that something will offend another and willfully doing it anyway.

1 Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

5) Our Liberty Should Never Become A Stumbling Block To The Lost. Many times the lost know or think that they know more about how Christians should behave themselves than we do!

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2. The Rise of Phariseeism.

a. Sin can manifest itself in a myriad of ways within the local church. When we think of sinfulness within the body of Christ, we normally think about such sins as adultery, fornication, drunkenness, drug abuse, etc. These sins are certainly “No-no’s” in the church, but one of the most prevalent sins of the believer is often either over looked or justified.

b. The sin of Phariseeism! Phariseeism is an area of sin that remains problematic in our fundamental churches. Phariseeism! You will not find that word in your dictionary because it is one that is used predominantly within fundamental churches. Liberal churches have little or no problem with it because there is no strict adherence to the Scripture and every one does that which is “right in his own eyes.” Though it does show occasionally in other churches, Phariseeism—as a general rule—is a fundamentalism problem!

c. Knowledge without compassion is a dangerous thing! With great knowledge come great responsibility and that responsibility encompasses our relationship with not only the world but with each other. In the “400 Silent Years” between Malachi and Matthew, the Pharisees—along with the Sadducees—came into existence. The Sadducees upheld the ritual laws while the Pharisees upheld the spoken law.

d. The only times that I find our Lord angered was with two crowds: those who made merchandise of the things of God (there is a lot of that going around in these last days) and those of the Pharisees!

1) Phariseeism is a wrong spirit - Luke 9:54-56 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? (55) But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. (56) For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. (Yes, I do understand what the Lord is speaking of in these verses but the spirit of the Pharisee is the same: it does nothing to exhort or edify; it is meant to look down upon and force compliance.)

2) Our Lord never got angry at or tired of sinners (the disciples included). He was long suffering and gentle with them. After the same manner, He admonishes the pastor to be long suffering and gentle with the Lord’s heritage.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

3) The Woes of the Pharisees – Matthew 23:13-29

e. A few years back, I preached on “The Eye of the Pharisee.” The Bible rejects the judgment of others while teaching self-judgment! The Pharisee is characterized by his unscriptural judgment of others – 1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

f. I can preach on not judging one another until I am blue in the face and the problem continues to persist in certain “circles” because the Pharisee can only see through the “eye of the Pharisee!” God’s children need to judge themselves and leave the judging of others to the perfect Judge. Even if judging one another was the will of God, the Pharisee’s judgment is tainted because:

1) Phariseeism judges the believer’s Maturity – Not every child of God has the same level of knowledge concerning right and wrong. You cannot hold a babe in Christ to the same standard of one who has been saved for 50 years. 1 Peter 2:2-3 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (3) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

2) Phariseeism judges the believer’s Motive – We may see outwardly what is done but only God can look at the heart and see why it was done. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (Things are not always as they seem. I once placed as Runner Up in the Earlington, KY tennis tournament. My picture was in the local newspaper as “next to the best.” I am glad they asked for no details because my first opponent (who was much better than me) got sick and could not play. Since it was a small town with few in the boy’s bracket, I was placed in the championship game without serving the ball. In the championship game, I was beaten in “love games” and “love sets!” I never scored one point! You cannot judge the motives of one’s heart.)

3) Phariseeism judges “Motes” in the eyes of others instead of “Beams” in the eyes of self! When we have something in our eye, it blurs everything around us. Our sinfulness gives us a wrong perception of the sins of others. Matthew 7:3-5 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (4) Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? (5) Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

g. Our Lord condemned Phariseeism because of:

1) The hypocrisy of their hearts - Matthew 23:25-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. (27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

2) The partiality of their judgment - Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

3) The blindness of their spiritual eyes - John 9:39 -41 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

h. Now, I said all of that to say this: “Leave the judging to God!” Why? Leae judging to God because it is both unscriptural and dangerous to the welfare of both the individual believer and the body of the church corporately.

1) Phariseeism Violates The Fellowship Of Believers – vs. 3-4 – When believers stand argue their “convictions” and “preferences,” it is just that: an argument! What I stand for is between the Lord and me! What you stand for is between the Lord and you! When what we stand for becomes an issue between you and me, it divides the fellowship of the church. Despise - to look down on with contempt or aversion.

2) Phariseeism Withstands The Man Of God - Acts 15:1-2, 5 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question… 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. (The enemy of Christ was the Pharisee! Even God’s man cannot withstand the scrutiny of the “letter of the law,” as can no one else. They will hold him to a holy standard that no man can attain to or they will hold him to “their” standard that even cannot live up to. Pharisees are not “followers,” they are “leaders.” They must have “followers” in order to lead! Pharisees are not “students,” they are “teachers.” They must have “students” in order to teach! Pharisees are not “edifiers,” they are “destroyers!”)

3) Phariseeism Is Detrimental To Evangelism - Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. (The Lord called the Pharisees “hypocrites.” Have you ever heard the lost say that they would not come to church and sit on the pews with all of those hypocrites? Most of the time, their claims are unjust but, on occasion, they are right! The lost hear what the Pharisee says and then see how the Pharisee both acts and reacts! How many times have I heard of people who have said, “I will never come to your church as long as “so-in-so” is there!” Or, “If he (or she) is a Christian, I do not want to be one!” Or, “If they are going to Heaven, I do not want to go there!” Or, “If that is the way their God is, then I do not want their God!”)

4) Phariseeism Drives Away The New Families And New Believers – Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. (Pharisees automatically “migrate” to new “blood.” They are proselyters! Grace teaches the new converts while Phariseeism chastises them! It is not that they do not want to get right with God. God is merciful, compassionate, longsuffering, and gentle with the new believer. They leave because they cannot live up to the standards and expectations of the Pharisee. I am still glad that, when I was newly saved, people let God work in my heart as I heard the Word of God preached. God “grew” me at His pace and His way was perfect!)

2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

5) Phariseeism Eventually Destroys the Pharisee! - 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. (A key is made to unlock a door. Grace is the key that unlocks the door to the believer. Grace brings both love and liberty to the believer and is the key to holy living.)

Luke 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Conclusion: Beware of becoming pharisaical! All of us have that potential! Pharisees not only destroy those around them, but eventually destroy themselves because—even they cannot live up to the letter of the law! We want to have a good, separated church. We want to have a loving, kind church. I believe that God can reconcile these two positions. The key to holy living is not standards set but seeing God’s people fall in love with Him!

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. (I am so glad that I was saved by GRACE! I am so glad that I have been taught by GRACE! I am so glad that I am kept by GRACE! I am so glad that I am judged by GRACE!)