Difficult People – 4
Hypocritical
- we’ve always got room for one more
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “’These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Matthew 15:7-8
We could call them spiritual posers, or pretenders in the pews, those who claim Christ, but their life does not reflect His teachings whatsoever. Jesus called them hypocrites.
hupokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace’); an actor; stage-player, one who hides behind a mask, hypocrite.
- actors would walk off stage and switch between masks.
HOW DID JESUS HANDLE HYPOCRISY?
…you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Matthew 23:23-24
2 Biblical Principles on how to deal with hypocrisy
1. JESUS CONFRONTED HYPOCRISY.
2. JESUS MAJORED ON THE MAJORS.
He only confronted the big issues or the dangerous ones.
Christians can often zero in on the things that don’t really matter.
“You’re church isn’t right with God because of the way people dress…”
But God looks at the heart.
“The music is too this or that..”
God’s not going “I’m more of a Dashboard fan”
HOW DO WE CONFRONT?
Brothers (This is Christ followers correcting Christ Followers), if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2
1) CONFRONT WITH CAUTION.
...restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1b
- you risk pride
- people will test you, and your sins will find you out.
- you have to do it with your best interests in mind.
***video***
2) CONFRONT WITH THE GOAL OF
RESTORATION.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. Galatians 6:1
restore: katartizo (kat-ar-tid’-zo); to perfectly repair; make better than new.
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
[Review the First two points]
3) CONFRONT WITH COMMITMENT.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
As we confront, we also commit to carry each other’s burdens. And, in so doing, we will do what Christ calls us to do. I like the Greek word that is translated as carry.
carry: bastazo (bas-tad’-zo); to lift, to sustain, take up.
So, when we confront, we don’t just say, “You are wrong. Check you later.” What we do is say, “We are here because we love you, and we will be here for you no matter what.”
It doesn’t take anything to criticize, but It takes true love to confront.
- tell them a story of life change that came from confrontation
Everybody take a deep breathe!
We’re about to turn up the heat.
WHAT IF YOU ARE THE HYPOCRITE?
David saw something he shouldn’t see and acted on it.
Nathan loved him enough to do something about it.
And he told him a story.
Once upon a time, there were two men. One was filthy rich. He had sheep and cattle galore. The other was very, very poor, and this poor man, although good, was poor. He had only one little lamb, and this little lamb, he had raised since birth. It was like his own pet. This little lamb would actually sleep beside the guy at night, and the man deeply loved his one little lamb. One day, a traveler came to the very rich man and said, ‘I’m hungry. Will you give me something to eat?’ The traveler, the rich man, rather than taking one of his own thousands of lambs, took the one lamb that belonged to the poor man, slaughtered it, and killed it and offered it to the traveler.’ “ David could not believe that someone could commit such a horrendous sin, and he responded this way.
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “attah iysh” “You are the man! 2 Samuel 12:4-7
The spirit will say to many of you…. you are the man: attah iysh
And it is time for you to repent today.
- if we’re going to call ourselves Christ followers lets be Christ followers.
IF we confess our sins to God He is faithful and just to forgive.
So, today, in the presence of God, come humbly before Him. Let us be the real things. Not perfect, but hearts broken and humble before God. If you would be the attah iysh, let your heart break open. Confess, repent, and let God make you better than new.
If you know someone who is not living the truth and you want to pray for them, just lift your hands and we’ll pray for them
Second, if you are someone who isn’t living a real life for God.. You’re acting one way here and another way else ware, just raise up your hands and repent.
Give your sin a name and tell God what it is
And ask him humbly “Please forgive me”
If you’ve told God and ask forgiven let me tell you what he says “You’re forgiven”
Now its time to ask God for the strength to overcome this sin
And I’ve got news “the bible says that when you’re weak, he’s strong”
AFTER DAVID FACED HIS SIN, HE PRAYED…
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:10-12
