1. Adapted from the lesson by Ed Bragwell, Sr.

2. “The Leaven of the Pharisees & Sadducees”
“The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees”
Matt. 16:6-12
Introduction:
A. Jesus warns his disciples about the “leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
1. Shows He knew the potential power of their influence.
2. Had in mind their doctrine (v. 12) — both its proclamation and application.
It was dangerous in several ways…
Matthew

3. “The Leaven of the Pharisees & Sadducees”
Their doctrine and how they applied it was dangerous in four ways:
The Content
The Aim
The Claims
The Practice
B. The proclamation and application of their doctrine was dangerous in four areas:
1. The content
2. The aim
3. The claims
4. The practice
Discussion:

4. Its Content Too Large in its Content
Contained additions to the Law – Matt ,9
Mat 15:1-2 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.“
Mat 15:9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
I. It Was Too Large in its Content.
A. Contained additions to the Law — “traditions of the elders.” (Mt. 15:1-2, 9).
Mat 15:1-2 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, " Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.“
Mat 15:9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. '"
1. Catholics have a similar system — officially
2. Protestants have similar system — unofficially.

5. Its Content Too Large in its Content
Contained contradictions to the Law – Mt
Mat 15:3-6 He answered and said to them, " Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, " Honor your father and your mother '; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death. ' But you say, " Whoever says to his father or mother, ' Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"— then he need not honor his father or mother. ' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
B. Contained contradictions to the Law (Mt. 15:3-6)
1. “Faith only” contradicts James 2:24. Jam 2:24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
2. “Baptism does not save” contradicts 1 Pet. 3:21. 1Pe 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism (n ot the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

6. Its Aim It was too Low in its Aim
Did works to be seen by men – Mt
II. It Was Too Low in its Aim.
A. Did works to be seen of men (Mt. 23:5-12).
Mat 23:5-12 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ' Rabbi, Rabbi. ' But you, do not be called " Rabbi '; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
1. Do you get hurt when men do not give you credit for your works?
2. Do you wonder more about what men think of you than God?

7. Its Aim It was too Low in its Aim
Did works to be seen by men – Mt
Did works to be praised by men – Mt 6.1-6
B. Did works to be praised of men (Mt. 6:1-6).
Mat 6:1-6 Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. 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. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly

8. Its Claims It was too High in its Claims
Their claims to righteousness – Lk
III. It Was Too High in its Claims.
A. Their claims of righteousness (Lk 18:9-14).
Luk 18:9-14 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: " Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ' God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess. ' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ' God, be merciful to me a sinner! ' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
1. Not wrong to point out another’s sin (Matt. 18:15-18).
2. But must do it humbly considering self (Gal. 6:1). Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
B. Their claims of knowledge (cf. John 9:34).

9. Its Claims It was too High in its Claims
Their claims to righteousness – Lk
Their claims of knowledge – Jn 9.34
B. Their claims of knowledge (cf. John 9:34). Jn 9:34 They answered and said to him, " You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they cast him out.

10. Its Practice It was too Shallow in its Practice
Mostly talk – Mt
Content with partial obedience – Mt (4.4)
IV. It Was Too Shallow in its Practice.
A. Mostly talk (Matt. 23:1-5).
Mat 23:1-5 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying:" The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses ' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
B. Content with partial obedience (Matt 23:23,24; cf. 4:4).
Mat 23:23-24 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law:justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, " It is written, ' Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. '"

11. Its Practice It was too Shallow in its Practice
Mostly talk – Mt
Content with partial obedience – Mt (4.4)
Religion was “skin deep” – Mt
C. Religion was just “skin deep” (Matt. 23:25-33)
Mat 23:25-33 " Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self- indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. " Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. " Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ' If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. ' " Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers ' guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

12. “The Leaven of the Pharisees & Sadducees”
Conclusion:
A. Let us guard against the traditions of men.
B. Let us guard against mere men pleasing.
C. Let us guard against self-righteousness.
D. Let us guard against superficial & hypocritical religion.
Matthew