Sunday Sermon- Hypocrites

 This past week, I have read about the war between Israel and Iran and the war in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Ukraine. I have seen news reports of the devastation the hurricane has caused in the southern states. I have read reports of bank failures and people unable to get their money from their accounts. What is happening in and around the world is nothing short of chaos.

As secular news media reports that the world teeters on the brink of nuclear war, it is alarming how unprepared and indifferent Americans remain. Government whistleblowers have sounded the alarm, urging citizens to stockpile at least three to four months of food and water. Yet, despite these warnings, fear seems to grip every nation except ours.

This complacency is not just a matter of physical preparedness; it reflects a more profound spiritual indifference. We are unconcerned about global turmoil, unmoved by threats that could soon reach our streets and indifferent to the spiritual conflict engulfing us all. The lack of spiritual discernment in recognizing that Satan and his forces are hastening the fulfillment of end-time prophecies is staggering.

Now is not the time for apathy or ignorance. Americans must awaken from this slumber and confront physical and spiritual realities with urgency and clarity. The stakes could not be higher; we must act decisively before it's too late.

In these tumultuous times, addressing the unsettling reality that many are unprepared for the disaster unfolding within the Church is crucial. As someone who has been in the ministry for over fifty years, I have witnessed firsthand how the devil insidiously works to destroy the faith of many good people. Regardless of your beliefs about God or the Church, it is undeniable that hypocrisy is inflicting deep wounds on the very foundation of our spiritual communities.

People are leaving churches in droves, disillusioned by experiences that have led them to believe all Christians are hypocrites. This exodus is not merely a consequence of personal grievances but a strategic move by Satan himself. In these last days, he cunningly uses Christians as instruments to dismantle the faith of their fellow believers.

I often hear Christians boast about their ability to discern spirits, yet ironically, they fail to recognize how their lack of proper discernment plays into Satan's hands. This blind spot allows him to manipulate and sow discord among us, turning us against one another and weakening our collective faith.

It is time for us to wake up and confront this spiritual crisis head-on. We must sharpen our discernment and stand united against these destructive forces threatening our community from within. Only then can we hope to restore faith and integrity within our churches and fortify ourselves against further attacks on our beliefs.

The Church's most incredible hypocrisy lies in its selective approach to forgiveness. While forgiveness is heralded as the cornerstone of salvation, preached from the pulpit as a divine mandate, the practice often falls short within the walls that advocate it. The doctrine clearly states that we are forgiven for our sins and are expected to extend this grace to others. Yet, how often do we see grudges held and judgment cast among those who claim to embody these teachings?

This inconsistency not only undermines the Church's credibility but also dilutes the power of its message. Forgiveness should not be conditional or reserved for those who fit a particular mold; it must be an unwavering principle applied universally. If we truly believe in the transformative power of forgiveness as our faith teaches, then we must live by example—without exception or excuse.

The time has come for introspection and action. Religious communities must align their practices with their teachings and demonstrate true forgiveness in every interaction. Anything less is not just hypocrisy; it's a betrayal of one of Christianity's most profound tenets. Let us commit to embodying genuine forgiveness and thereby upholding the integrity of our faith.

Then Peter came to him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

If my math is correct, seven times 70 is 490 times. If I do not forgive, then God will not forgive me. So, if you have unforgiven issues in your life and refuse to reconcile with the offending party, do not call yourself a Christian.

JESUS SAIDl:

Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, (worthless) shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

To understand the significance of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:22, we need to contextualize them with the preceding verse.

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell" (Matthew 5:21-22 NIV)

Jesus reminds his audience of the sixth commandment, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), but then he goes on to explain the law's true significance—a deeper, spiritual meaning they had never seen.

First, Jesus warns that the very act of murder finds its roots in an angry, murderous spirit: "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (Matthew 5:22a). God, who examines the very thoughts and intents of the heart, will issue judgment upon unrighteous anger. Next, Jesus warns against name-calling, using "raca" as an example (verse 22b).

Raca comes from the Aramaic term reqa. It was a derogatory expression meaning "empty-headed," insinuating a person's stupidity or inferiority. It was an offensive name used to show utter contempt for another person. Jesus warned that the use of such a word to describe someone was tantamount to murder and deserving of the severest punishment of the law.

Jesus then issues a third warning against those who call someone a "fool" (verse 22c). Murder begins in the heart, and epithets such as "raca" and "fool" are signs that there is hatred lurking within. The hatred that causes one person to hurl insults is the same hatred that causes another to commit murder. The attitude of the heart is the same, and it's this attitude that makes a person morally guilty before God. Jesus not only warns us against expressing unrighteous anger, which can lead to murder but commands that disparaging denunciations and name-calling be avoided. Such abusive words reveal the true intents of one's heart and mind for which we will be held in judgment: "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve" (Jeremiah 17:10 NIV).

Can you not see the level at which Jesus has addressed unresolved issues? He has placed them in the same commandment as "thou shall not kill."

He did not say if you have ought against your brother; if you remember, your brother is against you. Don't tell me you don't know when someone is upset with you. You know, it is your responsibility to go to that person and make things right.  

God will not bless you until you have been reconciled with the offended party.

Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

But if he does not hear thee, take with thee one or two more, that every word may be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Church: but if he neglects to listen to the Church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.

As a professed Christian, you must make things right. We live in a time of entitlement, where people feel they have the right to mistreat others. Unfortunately, this attitude has infiltrated the very heart of our faith communities. Of all places, the body of Christ should be a sanctuary of forgiveness, compassion, mercy, and love.

Yet we see a glaring double standard: We expect others to follow Jesus' teachings while we fall short. This hypocrisy is a major flaw driving people away from the Church. Numerous individuals have left or refused to attend because of unresolved issues and hurtful experiences within their congregations.

This must change. We cannot preach about love and grace on Sunday while ignoring or mistreating our brothers and sisters throughout the week. The time for action is now—we must take responsibility for creating an environment that truly reflects Christ's teachings. We must address these personal issues with urgency and sincerity if we are serious about our faith. Can we hope to rebuild trust and foster genuine community within our churches?

It's time for self-reflection and accountability. We must embody Jesus's teachings daily to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. Let us strive to eliminate this double standard among Christians by practicing what we preach—true forgiveness, genuine compassion, unwavering mercy, and unconditional love.

Jesus was frequently frustrated by religious leaders and others who claimed to love God but treated others poorly. This hypocrisy is not just a minor flaw; it's a fundamental betrayal of what it means to follow Christ. What does hypocrite mean in the Bible, then? In biblical terms, a hypocrite is akin to an actor who puts on different masks, pretending to be something they are not. Many religious people believe you need to don a mask to fit in at Church or be good enough for God. However, Jesus condemned this behavior unequivocally.

In Jesus' terms, hypocrites are people who put on masks not to do the right things but to present the right things. They are more concerned with outward appearances than genuine faith and actions. This double standard is dangerous because it distorts the valid message of Christianity: love, compassion, and integrity.

It's time for Christians to remove these masks and live authentically according to their faith. Hypocrisy damages one's spiritual journey and tarnishes the image of Christianity as a whole. Let us strive for authenticity and align our actions with our proclaimed beliefs—only then can we truly honor God and serve others as Jesus intended.

Here are some thoughts that you might be a hypocrite:

1. If you struggle to give grace to others 

Hypocrisy drives us to assume the worst of others, zeroing in on their flaws and depleting their patience. Hypocrites are more than willing to accept the grace Jesus gives them, but when challenged to extend the same grace to others, they bristle.  

2. If you wish people would act just like you

Sometimes, other people do things we disagree with. Our tolerance to these differences can be a crucial indicator of hypocritical thinking. A hypocritical Christian will find themselves picking apart the way other Christians dress, vote, or worship, for example – and wishing they'd see things their way instead. 

3. If you focus on rules first, relationships second 

There's a time and place to encourage someone to a better way of living. The Bible encourages us to speak the truth to others in love (Ephesians 4:15). However, nothing is loving about being a stickler for the rules. If someone is quicker to call out others' mistakes than they are to learn they criticize, that's a red flag that hypocrisy influences how they treat people. Their true self is under wraps. 

A lot of the time, external hypocrisy results from internal fear. Hypocritical people don't want others to know the real them—the thoughts they're ashamed of, the habits they can't shake, the daily mistakes—because they fear how others will respond. They've worked so hard to play the role of the perfect Christian that they can't imagine what people would think if they knew what was happening inside. 

How to deal with hypocrites 

Seeing hypocritical behavior in a church environment can be incredibly frustrating and discouraging, especially when people seem to be leaving in droves because they've been hurt by it. So, what's the best way to respond when we see hypocrisy in others? 

• Don't let anger steer the ship. If you feel strongly about hypocrisy, it's easy for anger to bubble up when you see others behaving in such a way. The Bible reminds us how crucial it is to control our rage (Ecclesiastes 7:9), especially in how we interact with others.  
• Check your own heart and behaviors first. As uncomfortable as it may be to admit, you might've shown hypocrisy at some point in your life. Make an honest evaluation of your thoughts and behaviors before you start calling out someone else's - or as Jesus puts it, "Get rid of the log in your eye. Then you will see well enough to remove the speck from your friend's eye." (Matthew 7:5) 
• Don't let your conviction outpace your compassion. Hypocritical Christians aren't an entirely different species – they're people, just like you and me, with real feelings and experiences that have shaped who they are. Even if you've seen someone behave insensitively toward others, that doesn't give you license to treat them the same way. Remember to "speak the truth in love," as Ephesians 4:15 reminds us.  

The Church's most incredible hypocrisy is in the area of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the foundational doctrine of salvation, yet it is precisely where many Christians falter. We proclaim that a merciful God has forgiven us our sins, yet too often, we withhold that same mercy from others. This double standard among Christians is not only contradictory but also damaging to the very fabric of our faith community.

Forgiveness should be a non-negotiable principle for anyone who claims to follow Christ. It's not just a lofty ideal; it's a mandate directly from Jesus himself. We are called to forgive others for their sins against us, just as we have been forgiven of our transgressions. Anything less undermines the authenticity of our faith and tarnishes the Church's witness in the world.

It's time to confront this hypocrisy head-on. Let us embrace forgiveness fully and consistently, embodying the grace so generously extended to us. Only then can we truly live out the essence of Christianity and offer a genuine example for others to follow.

I would ask you to humble yourself and go and be reconciled with those who are offended and crush the power of Satan to destroy the works of the LORD.