DOES YOUR INSIDE MATCH YOUR OUTSIDE? (PART 1)
MEMORY VERSE: “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
INTRODUCTION:- Once a father told his child to sit down. The child refused. Again the father told his child to sit down, and again the child refused stubbornly. Finally the father said “If you don’t sit down now I’m going to give you a hot spanking”. The child sat down and said I’m still sitting down on the outside, but I’m standing up on the inside”. This is the way many of us are in our attitude towards God. Outwardly they honoured God. They sang songs and prayed and tithed but, they had no love for God. Their hearts- their inner persons were impure- they acted religious to be noticed by men, not to please God. They were hypocrites.
LESSON OUTLINES
WHO IS A HYPOCRITE?
The word hypocrite comes from a word meaning actor. A hypocrite is an actor in a play, a pretender. He professes some values or beliefs but his private life does not match it. He is not pure in heart (Matt. 23:1-32). Of course an actor was not expected to live out in his daily life the character he played on stage. Thus, the Lord Jesus, used the term for people who were putting on an act in public that was only a pretense. Their religious appearance was actually a mask that concealed their spiritual blindness and the corruption within their hearts.
A hypocrite appears righteous and godly outwardly in their public conduct but their hearts were full of hypocrisy, pride, lust, and wickedness. They were like painted (white washed) tombs, attractive on the outside, yet with death and corruption hidden inside. The Lord’s love for God’s word, as well as His concern for people who were being harmed or destroyed by those who distorted the word (Mtt. 15:2-3;18:6-7;23:13,15); was so great that it caused Him to use words like “hypocrites” (Mtt. 23:15), “child of hell”, “blind guide”, “fools” etc. but keep in mind that these words, though harsh and condemning, were spoken with a broken heart (Mtt.23:37) by one who would eventually give His life for those he challenged so severely.
Jesus described the character of hypocrites-false teachers and preachers as those who seek to be popular with others, who love honour, who want to be highly honoured because of their positions and titles and who keep people out of heaven by presenting a twisted version of God’s true message. They are “professionals” who appear spiritual and godly, but are really unrighteous and rebellious. They say good things about godly spiritual leaders of the past (such as the prophets), but they do not follow their instructions or their example. They are not committed to God and His word and they lack an authentic personal relationship with God.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The Bible commands us to beware of false religious leaders, regarding them as unbelievers (Gal. 1:9); and refusing to support their ministry or to associate with them (2 Jh 1:9-11). Keep in mind that this does not give us the right to withhold support from our churches simply because we do not appreciate or agree with a minister who challenges us when we may, in fact be wrong. Those in the church who under the pretense of love, tolerance, and unity-refuse to recognize and speak out against this false behavior according to God’s word are actually participating in the evil works (Gal. 1:6-7,2Jh1:9-11).
QUESTIONS
Who is a hypocrite? What should be a Christian attitude towards hypocrites?