Israelites, Pharisees & Sadducees In The 21st Century Church

(b) Hypocrites and vain men least worthy of respect or honour most desire
respect.
(c) Christ does not condemn ways of distinguishing individuals for order and for
the sake of their office from others. He condemns those who exalt themselves
over their brethren in outward dignity (v8).
(d) Those who seek to exalt themselves above their brethren in the same office
are offensive to Christ. He alone must have the preeminent. He has appointed a
ministry in the Church and made them equal in office as brethren (v8).
(e) We are very ready to ascribe something to ourselves if we are able to profit
others by any gifts given to us. Christ says not to be called Rabbi, or Master. The
meaning is, do not take to yourselves more than is the creature’s due. When you
teach others by God’s gift bestowed on you and anyone ascribes to you any
more than is due, see that you do not permit it this sacrilege.
(f) All the authority, light and success of teaching flows from the powerful teacher
Christ, “for One is your Master, even Christ”. Anything given to the creature
above its place is taken sacrilegiously.
5. Pharisees Hinder the Salvation of Others
Christ pronounces a woe on the Pharisees for hindering the gospel (v13).
(a) Men by nature are exiles from heaven and from the grace of God offered in
the gospel. Yet by ministering the Word and ordinances of God in the right or
wrong way, the door of heaven is opened or shut. The Pharisees, says Christ,
shut the kingdom of heaven against men.
(b) It is a fearful charge against false teachers that they do not come to Christ
themselves and also divert others by their bad example or doctrine.
6. Pharisees Combine Religion with Covetousness
(a) Just as ambition and hypocrisy go together, so do ambition and greed (v14).
(b) Simple, ignorant and helpless souls are the prey of corrupt Church leaders.
This is nothing new.
(c) The most cursed behaviour that can be devised may be cloaked with the
pretence of religion.
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