The Pharisee and the Publican, Pt4.
Scripture: Luke 18:10-14.
Stream or download The Parables #96
We continue our consideration of what it is the Bible tells us about the ‘Pharisee’. We have begun to consider their links with the Saviour during His ministry. We have looked at His early condemnation of them and also their evil opposition toward and slander of the Saviour.
Now we go a little further.
Their doctrines were to be avoided. Matt 15:1-3, 16:6, 12 (Not to be touched or listened to).
The Pharisee and the Publican, Pt3.
Scripture: Luke 18:10-14.
Stream or download The Parables #95
We continue our consideration of what it is the Bible tells us about the ‘Pharisee’.
We have looked at the meaning of the name and also how the Pharisees were taken up with how they appeared unto men.
Now we will consider their links with the Saviour during His ministry.
Earliest mention in connection with the Saviour. Matthew 5:20. “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
This is condemnation indeed! The Saviour states in this verse that the Pharisee, because of what he believed and practised, was going to hell. Yet no one believed that he was for heaven more than the Pharisee for he had complete faith in his works and religious acts.
Consider their continual and vehement opposition to Christ. They slandered Him most wickedly. “As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils,” Matt 9:32-34. This was a most evil slander. They were saying that the Lord Jesus was in league with the devil and wrought miracles by the devil’s power. This is a sin for which there is no forgiveness since repentance and faith in Christ come through the grace of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, if we offend Him then we deprive ourselves of the help of the only One Who can point us to the Saviour.
Oh beware of sinning against the Holy Ghost today and quenching His strivings with you.
The Pharisee and the Publican, Pt 2.
Scripture: Luke 18:10-14.
Stream or download The Parables #94
We are considering the information given us about the ‘Pharisees’ in the New Testament.
We saw that the name is likely derived from a Hebrew word meaning ‘breach’ or ‘division’. It suits them well since they ever sought to be separated from others whom they considered morally inferior to themselves. They were highly critical that the Lord Jesus entered the company with sinners on occasions `and ate with them!
Now consider how they distinguished themselves from others.
Their appearance.
They laid great emphasis on their outward appearance. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity,” Matthew 23:27-28.
They delighted to be seen of men and be admired by them. “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi,” Matt 23:5-7.
They sought to draw attention themselves and have men admire them. They were pride incarnate!! They loved to be thought highly of and desired men to acknowledge and honour them. ‘Rabbi’ means ‘Master’!
