(My thanks to Harry Osborne for this outline.)

BEWARE THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES

Intro.

1.  Matt. 16:6, 12 (Mk. 8:14-21) - Warns apostles of the teachings of the Pharisees.

2.  Traits / Nature of leaven (Leavening Agents in Breadmaking, by Vladia Rudel):

  a.  The introduction of foreign substance (chemical or organic) into dough which produces carbon dioxide causing expansion. [Yeast - a plant that digests the sugars in starch & gives off carbon dioxide as a by-product of digestion.]

  b.  It is believed that yeast-risen bread was first developed in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians were accomplished brewers and so had yeast on hand; they grew an early strain of glutinous grain called Emmer wheat….

  c.  Contamination, corruption & rearranging of dough by foreign matter.

3.  Biblical use of leaven:

  a.  Small amount, large effect; Pervasive - Gal. 5:9.

  b.  Unseen, but its effect is real & substantial - Matt. 13:33.

  c.  Contaminating - 1 Cor. 5:6-8.

4.  The teachings of the Pharisees are still with us today. Jesus’ warning is just as appropriate now as then!

I.  Self-righteousness - Luke 18:9-14.

  A.  Self-Defined "Rightness" With God - cf. 2 Cor. 10:12.

    1.  Trust in self - v. 9, 11-12 (Rm.10:2-3, 5 - Sinlessness! - 4:1-4).

    2.  Set all others at nought (despise/esteem less/contemptible) - v. 11.

    B.  We Only Receive Eternal Life Through Faith - Rom. 1:16-17.

II.  Hypocrisy - Matthew 23:1-36.

  A.  Religious, Moral Pretender (an actor, stage player) - Lk. 12:1.

    1.  Not sincere (genuine) in speech or conduct - 23:3.

    2.  To be seen of men (external appearance before men superior to internal appearance before God) - 23:5 (6:2-4).

    3.  Self-exaltation (companion of self-righteousness) - 23:12.

III. Created Man-made Additions To The Word Of God - Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:5-13.

  A.  Divine Commands & Human Tradition Do Not Mix.

    1.  Elevating human opinion above divine revelation - 15:3-5.

    2.  Binding personal opinions upon others - 7:3-4, 8-9.

    3.  Delivered by man, not God - 7:13.

    4.  Invalidates the power of God’s word - 7:13.

    5.  Cf. Instrumental music in worship; Salvation without water baptism; Papacy; etc.

IV.  Reject Truth On Divorce & Remarriage - Matthew 19:3-9.

  A.  They Looked For Ways To Evade The Force Of God’s Law On MDR - 19:2, 7.

    1.  The universal application of God’s marriage law is denied ("alien sinners are not under God’s marriage law").

      a.  But, God’s mdr law is universal (all who enter marriage):

        (1)  19:4-5 - Established at creation.

        (2)  19:6 - Bound by God’s authority over marriage.

        (3)  19:9 - "But I say unto you, that whosoever....."

    2.  The exception is altered &/or minimized - cf. 19:9, 3, 7.

      a.  "One loosed, both loosed." (19:9).

      b.  "Pauline exception" - 1 Cor. 7:15. (Not even applied consistently with the context.)

V.  Would Not Repent Before Baptism - Matthew 3:7-8.

  A.  Repentance Is Necessary To Escape God’s Wrath Against Sin - 3:7.

    1.  To continue in sin after baptism is to forget or ignore the penalty of sin (God’s wrath against it).

      a.  Sinner cannot continue in sin & be saved! - 3:8.

      b.  Cf. Adulterer, polygamist, liar, homosexual, thief, etc.

VI.  Rejected Necessity Of Water Baptism - Luke 7:29-30.

  A.  Amounts To Rejecting The Counsel (Word) Of God - 7:30.

    1.  Doctrine of salvation by "faith only" - 1 Pet. 3:21; Mk. 16:16 (Acts 10:47-48).

    2.  Sprinkling &/or pouring - Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12.

Conclusion

Be honest with yourself:  Are you a Pharisee?  Beware!