PHARISEES IN THE CHURCH

         INTRODUCTION: One of the most pathetic characters in the N.T. is the
         Pharisee.
                1. Made a show of pietv -Made broad their Phylacteries; Public prayer
                    and fasting; tithing of mint, anise and cummin.
                2. Held to the letter, but not the spirit-More concerned with ritual.
                3. The Lord rebuked them with a strong word (Matt. 15:8, etc.).
             1. PHARISEES BEGAN AS THE STABILIZING FORCE IN JUDAISM.
                A.  Arose during a time of great threat to their religion (ca. 225-150 BC).
                B.  They stood opposed to any deviation from the revealed Word of God.
                C.  You might say their battle cry was "Speak where the Bible speaks and
                    remain silent where it is silent."
                D.  But in time they drifted into mere legalism.
                E.  We are warned to be on guard against this same drifting (Heb. 2: 1).
            II.  BUT I FEAR THAT MANY HAVE DRIFTED.
                A.  Oh, we'll fight valiantly over Faith, Repentance, Confession & Bap-
                    tism; and over the one true church of Eph. 4, etc.
                B.  But all too often the emphasis seems to be on the form, or the doctrine.
                C.  We'll teach the world, but oh how our hearts are far from it.
                D.  Would the Lord have to say of many of us as he did of the Pharisees
                    (Matt. 23:3)?
                E.  I am reminded of the scathing rebuke by Paul (Rom. 2:21, 22) of the
                    Jewish Christians.
            III. WE NEED TO ASK OURSELVES, -AM I TRULY CONVERTED ...
                AM I REALLY SPIRITUAL MINDED AND GROWING MORE SO
                EACH DAY?" Let's look at some of the spiritual people of the Bible.
                A. Heb. 11. Cite Abel, Noah, Abraham, etc.  Then READ Heb. 11: 13-16.
                B. READ Heb. 10:32-39. (I use the NEB here.  It is very good on this
                    passage).
           IV.  WE OFTEN WONDER WHY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE DO NOT OBEY
                THE GOSPEL.
                A.  It may be that we have offered them a God that is far too small.
                B.  We can't make them what we are not ... And we can't give them
                    something we don't really want!
                C.  Our attitude as we prepare to come to worship speaks so much louder
                    than all the lessons we attempt to teach our children.  If we complain
                    or act as if it is a weariness for us to attend they will pick-up this
                    attitude too.
                D.  If we never pray together in our homes unless we are in trouble, if we
                    do not have regular Bible studies together; if we are not godly people,
                    if we are Pharisees, we cannot expect them to obey the gospel.
                E.  Who would want a god that makes people so miserable.
                F.  If our service to Christ has just become a formality it not only is dis-
                    pleasing to God, but it can drive our children far from Him.
            V. AND THEN MAYBE WE HAVE FAILED OTHERS, TOO.
                A. How long since you went to a new Christian and took him under your
                    wing to nurture him into full spiritual growth?
               B. Or does our encouragement end with a handshake and "We're so
                       happy for you?"

             CONCLUSION: The life of a Christian is centered in his spiritual nature.
                   1.  If vou are not honestly seeking first the kingdom of God and His righ-
                       teousiiess have you not drifted?  Is it possible that you have developed
                       a Pharisaical heart?
                   2.  Won't vou hold the mirror of God's Word to your heart and see what
                       manner of man you are?
                   3.  If vou have drifted, wake up and come back to the Lord with all your
                       heart while there is yet time.