WHY I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE A PHARISEE

INTRODUCTION--

1. Jesus told His disciples that the "leaven of the Pharisees" was to be avoided. Matthew 16: 5-12, Luke 12:1
   
2. This warning was reinforced, when they saw the many confrontations the Master had with the Pharisees.
   

LESSON--

1. There were several manifestations of their hypocrisy. Matthew 23:1-36
   
   1. They burdened others with duties they would not obey themselves. Vs. 4
      
   2. They were full of pride. Vs. 5-7, and compare Matthew 3:7-9.
      
   3. They were unwilling to permit others to obey anything they would not obey themselves. Vs. 13 (Compare John 9:22, 12:42; Luke 7:29-30.)
      
   4. They zealously sought converts, but tainted them with their evils. Vs. 15
      
   5. They had an inverted sense of values. Vs. 16-22
      
   6. They emphasized duties, while ignoring precepts. Vs. 23-24 (Many such "duties" were based on human traditions. Mark 7:1-9, Matthew 12:1-8)
      
   7. An appearance of righteousness was more important to them than the righteousness itself. Vs. 25-28 (Compare Matthew 5:19-20.)
      
   8. They claimed to have virtues they did not possess. Vs. 29-36
      
2. They were self-righteous. Luke 18:9-14, John 9:13-41
   
3. They took offense when they were corrected. Matthew 15:1-14
   
4. They were aggressive against teachers of new things.
   
   1. They did not believe John the baptist, as we have seen.
      
   2. They often tried to entrap Jesus. Matthew 19:3, 22:15-22; John 8:1-5
      
      1. They insisted that he display his "credentials." Matthew 16:1-4
         
      2. The priests and Levites challenged John in the same way. John 1:19-25
         
5. They were bigoted, haughty, and aloof. Luke 5:29-30, 7:36-39
   
6. They were "lovers of money." Luke 16:13-14
   
7. In their opposition, they rejected irrefutable truths. Matthew 12:22-27
   
8. They were jealous of Jesus' popularity. Luke 19:37-40; John 12:17-19
   
9. Being members of a "sect," they had a sectarian spirit. (Paul could exploit this spirit to distract them from persecuting him. Acts 23:1-10
   

APPLICATION-- Having shown their evil traits, it is right to commend the good.

1. They are called the "strictest sect," and being strict is good. Matthew 7:13-14
   
2. One of them, Gamaliel, could offer sound advice. Acts 5:33-39
   
3. They "sat on Moses's seat," and taught truth. Matthew 23:1-3a
   
4. They "fasted often." Matthew 9:14-15
   
5. Some honestly discerned truths. Matthew 22:34-36; Mark 12:28-34
   
6. Some of them would have guarded Jesus against enemies. Luke 13:31-33
   
7. Some believed in Him, and defended Him. John 3:1-5, 7:50-51
   

APPEAL-- Paul is our example of a "good" Pharisee, rejecting the bad traits, and keeping the good. Philippians 3:1-16