How Not To Be A Hypocrite☺️ (Psalm 50:16-23)

VIDEO

 How Not To Be A Hypocrite☺️ (Psalm 50:16-23)

GIST: If our worship is just motions and our hearts remain unchanged, we’re missing out on who God is and the salvation He brings —which are both absolutely vital!

Before Father’s Day, we started walking through Psalm 50. We’re going to pick back up with that today. To recap a bit, the psalm starts by reminding us of the beauty and power of God, and then addresses judgment for two groups of people. Two weeks ago, we talked about the first group. We called them the moralist. They were called the “people of God”, but they had fallen into the trap of thinking God needed their sacrifices—as if they were earning His pleasure and salvation. God made it very clear that they had flipped the script! We need Him. He needs nothing. Our salvation is His gift of rescue because of His unmerited love.

Today, we’re going to look at another group. I would try to hold you in suspense about what this group might be…but the title of the sermon probably gave it away. So, let’s talk about hypocrites. 

* Note: I always teach from the ESV translation, but this summer we’re having different members from the congregation read the Scripture, so I will post the translations they are reading from here. Today’s reading will be from the RSV.

“16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 18 If you see a thief, you are a friend of his; and you keep company with adulterers. 19 "You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you. 22 "Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I rend, and there be none to deliver! 23 He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!"

So, we’re sticking with the same gist statement this week, but we’ll be camping out more on the second half of this, as we consider not only what hypocrisy is but also why it is so devastating. Here’s our gist: If our worship is just motions and our hearts remain unchanged, we’re missing out on who God is and the salvation He brings —which are both absolutely vital! Now, let’s just walk through the text and then chew on a few takeaways.

“16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite My statutes or take My covenant on your lips?”

From the beginning, we see why this is hypocrisy and not just people living apart from God. Because the condemnation is that these people are living like the wicked, but talking about the teachings and promises of God. In fact, the words seem to imply they might even be teaching these to others. I like how the NLT translates this. “Why bother reciting My decrees and pretending to obey My covenant?” 

This is the core of hypocrisy: words and hearts not lining up. They are saying all the right stuff, but they are lying because their hearts are unchanged. In fact, it’s more serious than that. God doesn’t call them misguided. He calls them wicked. Their hearts are corrupt, but outwardly they are calling people to follow after Him. It’s just all talk. The next few verses then start to unpack some of what this looks like practically. You could consider this the “how to be a hypocrite (or not)” section ☺️.

“17 For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you.”

There are two points in this verse, but they really go hand-in-hand. They hate discipline and treat God’s Word like trash. That’s actually how the NLT translates the casting part. The key truth here is that hypocrisy is fueled by sin, and sin at the core is pride, elevating ourselves above God, seeking what we want at all costs…etc. Therefore, this will lead to hating discipline because discipline implies we’re doing something wrong which, in turn, means we need to change. 

Well, if we don’t want to be challenged on anything, then reading God’s word probably isn’t a good idea ☺️. It will most definitely call us out. So what does the hypocrite do? Talk about God’s Word while also turning away from it. Not only is this disrespectful to God, but it also leads us away from the truth we (and the world that is watching us) need.

In his commentary on this psalm, Charles Spurgeon said: “To this day we see men explaining doctrines who despise precepts! They make grace a coverlet for sin, and even judge themselves to be sound in the faith, while they are rotten in life. We need the grace of the doctrines as much as the doctrines of grace, and without it an apostle is but a Judas, and a fair spoken professor is an arrant enemy of the cross of Christ.” I love that. So often God’s Word is taken for granted, if not outright ignored. Spurgeon points this out, but also calls the doctrines, the teachings of God, grace. We have to remember this. Instead of throwing God’s word out like trash, we need to see it as the gift it is. We might not understand it. It might sometimes push against the grain. Following Him might put us at odds with what the world is saying is right. BUT that’s ok, because His ways are not our ways—they’re better. His word isn’t a burden; it’s a blessing.

So, instead of embracing God’s word, what is the hypocrite doing? Embracing sin. That’s really what these next few verses outline. These aren’t the only way hypocritical people can live, but they are a sampling of ways their lives don’t line up with what God’s Word clearly teaches.

“18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers. 19 "You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son.”

Let’s unpack this a bit. Again, these are just examples of hypocrisy, but they hit plenty hard ☺️. Here are three bigger principles we see here. First→

They Are Affirming Sin. That’s what we see happening when it says they are pleased with thieves. They are affirming. In fact, the RSV says they are “friends”. I’m not trying to imply that Christians can’t have friends that aren’t believers. That’s not the case at all. The picture here is of being friendly with the sin itself. It’s a picture of compromise. They know that theft is a sin. Remember, they teach the Bible. BUT, in practice, they are saying it’s ok. Do you see any of this happening in our world today? Of course you do, because it is so much easier to affirm what God’s word opposes when the rest of the world is doing the same.

This affirming then becomes more. In fact→ 

They Are Embracing Sinful Lifestyles. Keeping company with adulterers is a deliberate choice. They are surrounding themselves with sinful practices. This is more than just affirming what they know to be wrong. They are uniting themselves with sinful practices. Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees (ultimate examples of hypocrisy) “an adulterous generation” (Matthew 12:39). Remember, Christianity is described using marriage language all the time. We are to be the bride of Christ. So, while this could be talking about actual adultery, it could also be talking about embracing lies and false teachings of any kind that pull us away from the love of Jesus. Either way, they are all in on sin and→ 

Their Tongues Are Telling On Their Hearts. Luke 6:45 reminds us that from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. That’s what we see happening here. They have unbridled tongues. They give them free reign—which means they are just saying whatever comes to mind. We don’t have to break this down at all, right? If we don’t control our tongues, how much good do they bring? James minces no words when he says, “2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” (James 3:2-5).

If we have any doubts, we’re then given some pictures of what these unbridled tongues are doing. They are crafting lies. Puritan commentator John Gill called this lying in an artful manner. They are well-practiced and good at it. But they’re not just liars, they are slanderers. Apparently, they are well versed in this art as well because the ones they are slandering are family. The whole idea here is that they are slandering even those closest to them—those you’d typically want to protect. And these people are walking around claiming to represent God. That’s hypocrisy. That’s taking God’s name in vain. It’s a serious offense, and He doesn’t take it lightly. Look at what He says to this→ 

“21a These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself.” 

They had been getting away with this, so they just assumed He was good with it. They were wrong. Here’s the sad reality: they were ignoring God’s glory and missing His grace in the process. What’s the result? Well, He’s silent no more→

“21b But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. 22 "Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"”

He brings a serious charge. And really He tells them there are two options Hell or Hope. He isn’t gentle with this rebuke. He describes those who continue to live for themselves as heading willingly toward complete destruction. Once you are there, escape isn’t an option. However, don’t miss the grace in this. First, He calls them to mark this or consider this. He is telling them it doesn’t have to be like this. In fact, He tells them how it is meant to be. Instead of just offering lip service, they are called to offer thanksgiving and glorify Him. These are heart-orientation issues. If we love Him for who He is, we will be thankful and live our lives pointing others to His grace. It is then, that we walk rightly and see His salvation—because we are people rescued for real, not just saying stuff. 

Ok, to the→ 

TAKEAWAYS

1. Hypocrisy dishonors God. It ignores His character and His truth.

2. Hypocrisy leads to personal sorrow. It might feel good because you’re living like you want, but you running down a path of self-destruction. Eternally, this is true. But it will find its way out in your life, as well. If you’re living hypocritically, people will see this too, and it won’t be a boon for your reputation here either. And, that leads to my 3rd point, as well.

3. Hypocrisy hurts other people. One of the major complaints people have about Christianity is that the people who claim to be followers of Jesus are terrible people. Is your lifestyle pointing people to the hope of Jesus or away from His grace?

PONDERING...How Seriously Do You Take Personal Hypocrisy? (Acts 4:36-5:11)

VIDEO

How Seriously Do You Take Personal Hypocrisy? (PM Lesson Outline)

GIST: God takes our hypocrisy seriously; we should too.

SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:36-5:11

For tonight’s discussion, I want to look at a more difficult passage of Scripture. What happens here is serious, and honestly should make us feel a little uncomfortable. In fact, when my dad saw the topics for today’s messages, he smirked and called me brave. I’m not. These are just the next two passages we’re coming to. Nonetheless, this morning we talked about money and tonight we’re looking at hypocrisy☺️. Nothing lightweight!

Let’s pick up where we let off in chapter 4 verse 36 and read through chapter 5 verse 11.

"36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet."

1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God." 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9 But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things."

Let’s just break this down by asking three basic questions and then looking at two takeaways.

I. What Was The Sin?

We have to remember, this is not about how much they gave. Peter tells them they had no obligation to sell anything. The context is very important here. Barnabas was praised for being willing to sell his field and give it to the Church. It seems pretty straightforward here: Ananias and Sapphira wanted that same kind of recognition without the same kind of sacrifice.

This is the sin of hypocrisy. They went through the motions, but were not really changed on the inside. They were trying to claim to be something they weren’t. I love Matt Chandler’s quote on this.  “Hypocrisy is saying the words without understanding the truth or performing actions without having the heart.”

II. Why Does It Fill Our Churches?

How often have we heard people talk about the level of hypocrisy in churches? There’s a reason for that. Hypocrisy is a reality. Why? Because churches are full of sinners! Many of us might be covered by grace, but we’re still wretches in need of a Savior! Often we’re quick to condemn hypocrisy in others, but really we would do well to do some self examination. We need to get the plank out of our own eyes☺️.

Again, Matt Chandler made the following observations about the prevalence of hypocrisy in churches that I found extremely helpful and convicting this week...so I’m going to share them with you.

1. Hypocrisy is often a cover for weakness. We’re weak, but we don’t want everyone to see that. We struggle, but we don’t want to lay out our baggage. We’re supposed to be the saints, right? We’re supposed to be the ones who have it all together...but we don’t. So we’re left with two broad options. (Yes, I realize there are nuanced approaches that could be pursued☺️.)  Option one is some form of hypocrisy. Cover up your failures with projected righteousness. Option two is being honest with the people around you about your brokenness. Let me be honest with you right now, that’s not easy for me either. But (observation #2)→

2. Hypocrisy will flourish if we don’t encourage sincerity and accept brokenness. This one really hit home with me, especially when Chandler used the following examples to hammer home his point...because I’ve been there: “You won’t grow more bold in your evangelism if you pretend like you’re already bold. You won’t grow past your struggle with lust if you pretend you don’t have one.” We’re never going to grow together if we don’t think we need to grow! We’re never going to be a church that grows together spiritually if we don’t make it abundantly clear that it is part of the process not to be fully grown yet! It just struck me as I typed these notes up that if we parented like this, we’d go insane...and cause serious harm to our children. We couldn’t expect our kids to just automatically act like adults instead of training them to be adults. Sadly, that is sometimes how we try to live our Christian lives.

And guys, I get it. Vulnerability is hard. It’s uncomfortable. But let me just say, I might be the pastor of this church, but I’m still a sinner. I still struggle with so many different temptations every day. I don’t always get it right. In fact, I probably get it wrong far more than I get it right. I’m not better than you. We all need Jesus to transform our lives daily, and we all need each other as encouragers along that way!

III. What Is Its Result?

Well, here it was death. Let’s be honest about this. There is a good chance our gut reaction is to ask, “Isn’t that too severe?” The point is that hypocrisy is itself destructive. It leads to disunity amongst God’s people and mars our witness. God does not take it lightly. Does that mean you’re going to be killed for your hypocrisy. Not necessarily. If God continued with this method, the world population would be much smaller. However, this serves as a warning. Hypocrisy is more serious than we likely assume.

TAKEAWAYS

1. God takes our hypocrisy seriously.

2. We should too.

I’m not sure I’ve ever had more succinct takeaways, but, man, how I need to apply these!

For more on this topic, please see this sermon from Matt Chandler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aphgAViohIw

PONDERING... Do you have a fine way of rejecting God? (Mark 7:1-23)

Do You Have a Fine Way of Rejecting God? (AM Sermon Notes)

GIST: Our problem is internal corruption, so any attempt to fix that by external means is ineffectual and doing so in the name of the Church is hypocrisy.

SCRIPTURE: Mark 7:1-23

Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

“‘This people honors me with their lips,

   but their heart is far from me;

7 in vain do they worship me,

   teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him,19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

It’s December.  No month in this country is more steeped in tradition. And honestly, I love it! It’s my favorite time of the year. In fact, I tell people Merry Christmas all year long. It started a few years ago at school. I’d just tell my kids Merry Christmas at the end of each class, and when they’d give me a weird look, I’d just tell them Christmas a lifestyle and move on. Now, it’s started seeping into my everyday conversations, as well, and in some circles has almost entirely replaced the word “good bye”. That information may or may not have been relevant ☺, but it goes with my point: I love Christmas! And honestly, the truth behind Christmas, Jesus coming to earth to die for our sins, is what makes it so incredibly precious to me. However, I’d be lying if I said I don’t really enjoy all of the traditional aspects, as well. I love driving around seeing Christmas lights. I love listening to Christmas music...everywhere I go. I love pumpkin spiced lattes making their yearly appearances. I love family-get-togethers where people bundle up in ridiculous sweaters, and I wear a Christmas hat...because it’s what you do...but within five minutes the room is so packed that everyone is wishing they would have stuck with the short sleeves. I love sneaking around trying to surprise Melissa with a Christmas present (which is never easy...but I work very diligently on this!). I love watching my kid’s faces light up with the magic of the season. I could keep going. Andy Williams was right, ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

We have traditions here too. Tonight, we’re going to have our tree decorating service. Next week, we’re caroling. The week after that, we have the cantata and our Children’s Christmas program. The list goes on. These, too, are wonderful. But, none of these are necessary. None of these meet our deepest need or have any binding on our salvation. They’re nice traditions, but nothing more. And having them, as long as they point to Christ and not away from Him, is perfectly fine. Yet, as soon as what we do becomes more important than what Jesus has done we’re in the same boat as these Pharisees. Traditions can point to our Savior, but in themselves they cannot save. And that’s kind of the gist for today: Our problem is internal corruption, so any attempt to fix that by external means is ineffectual and doing so in the name of the Church is hypocrisy.

I. THE PROBLEM: INTERNAL CORRUPTION

Confrontation with the Scribes & Pharisees from Jerusalem. This passage begins in familiar fashion. Jesus’ fame is continuing to spread, and the truth about Him is starting is sink in with some, as well. We’ve already seen the religious leaders plotting against Him, and here it is again. Before, they complained about Jesus breaking the Sabbath laws which they had invented to “better keep the one prescribed by God”. Now, they’re back with the same song second verse. It’s worth noting that these are Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, the seat of religious authority. This is an intentional assault.

What’s they’re attack of choice? The disciples aren’t washing their hands. Now, at first glance through our western eyes, this almost seems like the Pharisee’s were just clean people. They’re like us. They washed their hands before they ate, and washed their dishes, and sanitized their furniture. I was never very “germ” conscious before I had kids, but I am now a changed man ☺, so get this. However, that’s not the issue here. This was about being ceremonially clean, not physically. See, the Pharisees had taken temple requirements for the priests and applied them to everyone--reasoning that if it was good for the priests to behave this way when entering the temple, it would be even better if we all behaved with the same reverence when doing everything. The thought was good; the result was not.

Like with the Sabbath laws, this led to volumes of detailed explanations of how and when to wash in order to be ceremonially clean. So, the issue with the disciples here is not that some of them had dirty hands and were eating, but some of them had defiled hands and were eating--meaning they had likely come in contact with a Gentile and did not go through ceremonial cleansing before eating and were therefore making themselves unclean. And the Pharisee’s call them on this asking why they do not hold to the “traditions of the elders”. We’re going to come back to that in a second because it’s really like a self-indictment, and Jesus jumps on that right away. But first, let’s look at how He responds to the heart of their accusation: you are making yourselves unclean by not obeying our laws.

Jesus Responds to the Heart of Their Accusation. To see this, we actually have to skip ahead to verses 14-23. We don’t know if this happens immediately after the confrontation with the scribes or not, but Mark clearly was inspired to place it in this order because of the connection. Jesus calls the crowds to Him and teaches them about the nature of sin. He makes reference to their ceremonial laws about eating and not eating certain foods. These laws were set up to show the Israelites the importance of living holy lives, and their need for a Savior who could cleanse them. They were symbols. When Jesus came, He fulfilled these, and here He illustrates that. I love how He clarifies this to the disciples. See, they had all grown up with these traditions, so when He said what and how you eat isn’t the issue, they were understandably confounded. Jesus isn’t easy on them, because, again, they should have picked up on this by now, but we can at least appreciate where they’re coming from. When they ask for clarification, Jesus says what you eat goes into your stomach, not your heart, and comes out “into the latrine” (I hope you noticed that in the footnote ☺). It’s physical. It might not be good for you, but it’s not the real issue. The real issue is that your heart is already dirty. We are sinful by nature, from birth. We don’t somehow become sinful because of things we do or our surroundings; it’s our default state.

If I roll around in the mud all day, I’m dirty. Changing the oil in my lawn mower, or cutting the grass when I get home won’t make the situation any better...but they aren’t the root cause of the problem either. In fact, simply avoiding doing these activities won’t make me clean. If you’re covered in mud, you need hosed off and a good scrubbing. Simply not doing other dirty things won’t cut it.

Now, that’s not to say we should just do whatever we want because we’re already sinful. That’s not the point. The point is the issue is far deeper than external behaviors. We sin because we’re sinners at heart. This is why we need Jesus. Only He can take care of the root problem.

II. THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR SOLUTION: INEFFECTUAL HYPOCRISY

Jesus’ Immediate Response Addressed Their Immediate Need. I know we’re taking this in backward order here, but seeing the heart of our need really frames the issue here. When the Pharisees accuse the disciples of becoming unclean by breaking their laws, Jesus cuts to the problem rooted in their accusation. Jesus knows their hearts and gets straight to the real point; they aren’t actually concerned with purity, but with following their rules. Like I mentioned before, they basically admitted it themselves because they accused the disciples of breaking the traditions of the elders., not the Old Testament law.

Traditions Trumping Truth. In our current environment the word “trumping” brings up pictures it wouldn’t have even a couple years ago, but it was still the best word to use here (not least because it allowed for that sweet alliteration ☺). Not only does Jesus point out their error, but it puts it in no uncertain terms...and repeats it...four times☺. Look at what He says in verses 6-9 and 13:

6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

“‘This people honors me with their lips,

   but their heart is far from me;

7 in vain do they worship me,

   teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!

...13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

The problem? They are claiming to serve God, but they’re actually serving themselves. Man, there is so much that could be said here. But let’s summarize it with two points.

1) An External Fix for an Internal Problem Won’t Work. Though they’re doing this under the guise of piety, they’re ignoring the real problem (sin) and proscribing the wrong solution. If your car is missing an engine, it really doesn’t matter how diligent you are about getting oil changes and tire rotations! The car won’t run. If you have a broken arm, popping a cough drop won’t really help. They were so concerned with doing things that they missed out on both the need and the solution--who, by the way, was standing right in front of them.

2) Teaching Tradition over God’s Word is a Fine Way of Rejecting God. That line from verse 9 really struck me this week, which is why it became my title for this sermon. Jesus doesn’t leave them with ‘you’re missing out on the real issue here’: He takes it further and says, ‘you’re making the issue even worse because you’re outright rejecting the truth!’. Not only were they focusing on the wrong things, they were emphasizing these over God’s Word. That is, they were replacing the Word of God with their traditions. That’s why He calls them hypocrites. They were falsely accusing the disciples of doing something of which they were actually guilty. He gives one example here, but tells us there are many.

The example provided has to do with “Corban”. This wasn’t an evil tradition at first. It was a way of financially giving to God. However, what it had become was a way for people to break the actual command of God to love and care for their parents. See, if they declared something Corban, it wasn’t given to God right away. They still got to use it until they died. Basically, it was a deferred giving plan. So, even though they could still benefit from the money and property, if a parent came looking for help, they could just say, “Sorry, I can’t give you anything, that money is already designated for God”. To make matters worse, even if they had a change of heart, the Pharisees had trapped them into it. Why? Because giving money to God meant giving it over to the religious establishment. These Corban gifts came to them...and they didn’t want to miss out on the money. Their traditions were beneficial to them; they looked good; they even seemed reasonable (what’s wrong with giving your property to God?); but at their core they rejected God and His Word in favor of the teachings of sinful men. Requiring these traditions was teaching others to reject God’s Word. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus had a few words to say about this, as well:

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20)

Never is a serious condemnation.

TAKEAWAYS

1. Recognize your problem: Sin.

Look at the list from 21-23. Look familiar? We could camp out here for a long time, but let’s just say this for now: corruption is not external. Sometimes we spend a lot of time worrying about the terrible influences in this world. These aren’t good. They aren’t helpful. But all those people’s sin isn’t the biggest issue. The issue is that at the heart we are all sinful. No external fix can fix this world because the problem isn’t external.

2. Love God with your whole heart, not just your lips.

Don’t try to fix your internal problem with external traditions. I think as Protestants we have a knee jerk reaction to hearing teachings on traditions. Maybe you’re not like me on this, but there seems to be this default assumption that this isn’t a problem for us. We broke away from religious traditionalism, right? So we can read passages like this and just give a token “Amen!”...and move on...because we’re already good here. That attitude in itself should concern us. I want you to take just a second to picture what a Christian life looks like. What are the requirements? How should they dress? What political party should they support? What approach should they take to educating their kids? Where do they work? Do they all work, or are some supposed to stay home? Now, where does the Bible layout those requirements? Do you see where I’m getting at here. There are things that are good, and there are things that are necessary. There is a wide range of modest dress, educational practices, and family structures which honor God and His Word. What does God call us to? Repent, Believe, Serve. Salvation is about becoming more like Jesus...not more like us. If we really love Him, He will be our priority in practice too.

3. Take His Word Seriously.

Don’t let external traditions supersede God’s Word. The Pharisees let what they wanted become more important than what God’s Word actually said. We’re in danger of doing the same. When popular culture opposes God’s Word, do we reinterpret it to accommodate our sin and stay in the good graces of our society, or do we stand unwaveringly on His truth--despite the cost?

There are some precious traditions this time of the year. Praise God for those which point us to Jesus. Run as fast as you can from those which point us...to us.

Our problem is internal corruption, so any attempt to fix that by external means is ineffectual and doing so in the name of the Church is hypocrisy.