Subscription Lists

We are in Luke Chapter 12 in these present studies where Jesus Christ is about to give vital teaching to His chosen disciples. Now, last week we were thinking of these words which are frequently voiced, “If only the Church would keep to the teaching of Jesus and forget all about doctrine and what we should believe!” Well, let’s just take time to look at what Jesus taught in these following verses, because we must be able to answer people when they confront us with very real questions. Many are sincere.

Many would like to live the way Jesus lived and live according to Jesus’ teachings, but a man cannot even begin to live like that until he is born again – and even then it is hard. Jesus never offered disciples a soft cushioned road to walk.

When you hear people saying, "If only the Church would stick to what Jesus did and said and taught - without having to go to services and meetings and that clutter." - think of that in the light of today's passage.

Read the first verse of Chapter 12. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy." What does Jesus mean? Watch out for those who come along - their hypocrisy could affect you - negatively - in a bad way - and give you a bad experience - like yeast in bread – but influencing you in a wrong way.

There are times when I have wanted to say to people - "Eh, which words of Jesus do you want us to keep to - and which words of Jesus would you wish us to ignore and overlook and forget?"

Beware of the Pharisees. Jesus pointed them out to be hypocrites - those legalistic puritans - and they could influence you negatively and adversely.

The Christian Life is like a journey, and what Jesus is doing here is pointing out some of the hazards along the way. There are hazards - pitfalls - dangers - and Jesus wants us to avoid them. That is why He points them out.

As we travel we need signposts - and Jesus gives us the signposts we need. Jesus warns us of what could hinder us - or even bring us to a halt. But He also shows us the way to go.

Jesus says to disciples, “Beware of hypocrites”. What is a hypocrite? It is important that we know. It is good to know what the sign means if you are out driving.

Hypocrite is a word from the theatre of the day. If you had gone to the theatre in the first century, and if you enjoyed the play, you would have come away saying, "These are good hypocrites. That production had some fine hypocrites in it." A hypocrite was an actor, and what you did was put a mask over your face to portray the part - a sad mask or a smiling mask - a serious mask or a comedy mask.

Jesus is saying to His men, "Beware of those who put on a front - watch out for those who are just playing a role in religion." No wonder they had this man arrested and crucified.

Religious sham and acting is futile in the eyes of Jesus, and Jesus speaks about hypocrisy as being like yeast - it acts like yeast. You need only a little to affect the lot. Yeast spreads very quickly. Yeast works invisibly and silently and secretly - it works in a hidden way - unseen – and sometimes you do not know what is going on.

Verse 2. Nothing is covered up that shall not one day be uncovered. If we try to hide something - one day it will be revealed. Many discover that these words of Jesus just happen to be true.

Jesus goes on to refer specifically to our words - to our conversation - things we have said secretly and hypocritically - hoping that only some people would hear us - and hoping that some people would not hear us. One day, all will be revealed.

Jesus is teaching - Don't pretend - what you are on the inside will show up sooner or later - the GOOD as well as the bad. (Think of that in the life of Paul)

These opening sentences are so relevant, practical, profound and challenging.

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

Experience and Understand the Significance of Pentecost