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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 92 : The danger of Hypocrisy

Text: Matthew 15
10 December 2023

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 10 DECEMBER 2023
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 15

Subject: The danger of Hypocrisy

INTRODUCTION

1. The problem of Hypocrisy was addressed many times by the Lord Jesus

2. There were scattered references in the Gospels on this subject

ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF HYPOCRISY

7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honour Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.

9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

Matthew 15:7-9

1. The Lord Jesus addressed this problem

a) Courageously
b) Directly

2. Highlighting an old Prophecy

a) Isaiah the prophet was named
b) His prophecy was cited Isaiah 28:13

3. Contents of the prophecy

a) Drawing near to God
i) In worship
ii) In form
iii) But not in reality
iv) God is supposedly honoured with the lips
b) The heart of the people
i) Far from God
ii) There was no sincerity

4. The commandments of men

a) These included the “traditions of the elders”
b) The doctrines of men were preferred
c) Yet many claimed that they have drawn near to God

OTHER STATEMENTS ABOUT HYPOCRISY

1. Hypocrisy in Prayer

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:5

a) Praying to be seen
b) Praying to receive men’s regard

2. Hypocrisy in fasting

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

Matthew 6:16

a) Fasting to be seen
b) Fasting to receive men’s commendation

3. Hypocrisy in being Judgmental

3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?

5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:3-5

a) Passing judgment
b) Self-righteousness

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To check that we are not guilty of hypocrisy

2. To cultivate

a) Sincerity
b) Honesty
c) Integrity