(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.

-Jeremiah 10:23-

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.

-Luke 12:1-

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.

-Colossians 2:8, 20-23-

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.)

-Hebrews 13:4-

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.

-Acts 26:20-

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.

-Acts 22:16-

Conclusion

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