TEXT: Luke 12: 1; Matt. 16: 6 – 12
AIM
This lesson is meant to help Christians flee from all appearances of leaven and also be watchful so that we can identify those things that resemble leaven in our midst.
INTRODUCTION
The Pharisees, meaning set apart, they were primarily scholars and educators who taught and observed the laws of Moses. They were also experts in interpreting the law.
They were the group of people who earned much respect amongst the Jews; but because they practiced extreme and hypocritical lifestyle, Jesus Christ warned his disciples to be weary about the leaven of the Pharisees. He did not only warn His disciples but alsorebuked the Pharisees concerning their awkward lifestyle. (Luke 11: 42)
WHY CHRIST TAUGHT ABOUT THE PHARISEES
Christ had to teach against the hypocritical nature and other extremist lifestyle of the Pharisees; because these teachings by the Pharisees had begun to influence the people negatively and even the disciples, so Christ had to caution them to be careful before they fall victims to the cunning ways and traps of the Pharisees.
WHAT IS LEAVEN
Leaven can be defined as a substance typically yeast that is added to dough to make it ferment and rise. This is why Apostle Paul warned Christians not to glory in what is not right or even condone what is not right no matter how minute it may be, because a little bit of it can influence the whole lump. (1 Cor. 5: 6)
WHAT ARE THE LEAVENS OF THESE PHARISEES AND HOW ITS RELATES TO CHRISTIANS TODAY
Luke 11: 37 – 52 – Hypocritical lifestyle
2 Tim. 3: 1– 2 – Signs of the last days
1 Cor. 13: 15
1 Tim. 6: 10
1 Tim. 6: 3
2 Tim. 3: 2
Col. 3: 20 – Obedience
UYO TOWN CHURCH OF CHRIST, 20 PAUL BASSEY STREET, UYO
SERMON PRESENTED BY BRO. O. J. UDO (DEACON)
On 23rd April, 2017