The Blind Absurdity Of Hypocrisy
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Jesus teaches the futility of the hypocrite's behavior and religion.
Text: Luke 12:1-3
Date: 10/22/2023, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 123
Description:
After an intense altercation with the Pharisees at a luncheon, and while they were plotting and scheming to destroy Him, Jesus continued His ministry, drawing huge crowds. In the midst of what seemed to be chaos, He warned His disciples of the preeminent danger religious hypocrisy posed to true Christianity. He used the metaphor of leaven in a lump of dough to describe how externalized religion would permeate the church if allowed to fester and grow. He then revealed the futility of hypocrisy by making it clear that eventually all will be revealed. We will carefully study the metaphor of leaven as well as the "unmasking" of hypocrisy-- both in the "here and now" and the "not yet". Ultimately, using Jesus' own observations as a guide, we will seek out the "leaven of the Pharisees" in our own lives, and thereby avoid the blind absurdity of hypocrisy.
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I. Introduction, Jer. 23:24, Psa. 139:7.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 12:1-3.
A. Context
B. The Nature and Dangers of Hypocrisy.
1. The leaven of the Pharisees, vs. 1.
a. Setting the scene, vs. 1a.
i. While the enemy schemes.
ii. Huge crowds.
1) The popularity of Jesus, Rev. 5:11.
2) The temperament of the crowd.
iii An anomaly of sorts.
iv. Focus on the disciples.
b. The warning of hypocrisy, vs 1b.
i. A poignant word of warning.
ii. The symbolism of "leaven".
1) The biblical idea of "leaven", 1Cor. 5:6,7, Ex. 12:8,20, Matt. 13:3.
2) The metaphor of "leaven".
iii. The etymology of "hypocrisy".
iv. The significance of hypocrisy, Matt. 7:3-5.
v. Expanding the metaphor.
vi. Examples of hypocrisy, Luke 11:39,42,43,46,47,52.
2. All will be revealed, vs. 2-3.
a. The reality of hypocrisy, vs. 2.
i. Consequences in the "here and now".
1) God is omnipresent, Psa. 139:7-10, 33:13-15, Jer. 23:23-24.
2) God is omniscient, Matt. 6:7-8, John 2:24-25, Luke 11:40.
ii. Consequences in the "not yet".
b. The inevitability of judgment, vs. 3.
i. Looking at the words.
1) The logical progression.
2) Absolute inclusiveness.
3) A different use of "light" and "dark".
4) Whispers in private rooms.
5) Broadcast from the housetops.
ii. All will be revealed.
1) Exposure in the "here and now", Luke 6:43-45.
2) Imagery of the Final Judgment, Heb. 9:27, Rom. 14:10, 2Cor. 5:10, Rev. 20:11-15.
III. Application
A. Defining our terms.
B. The hypocrite's mirror.
1. Is your religion external?
2. Where is your faith focused?
3. Is your morality relative?
4. Do you judge selectively?
5. Are you a cheerful, open giver?
6. Are you a secret egotist?
7. Do you hide the key to knowledge?
IV. Conclusion, Matt. 11:28-30.
