Charges Against the Leaders, Part 1

Sermon 50 in Series

Luke 11:37-44

[37] While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. [38] The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. [39] And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. [40] You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? [41] But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.

[42] “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. [43] Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. [44] Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How do the Pharisees and scribes/lawyers typify what it means to have an unhealthy eye? How have we seen them respond to Jesus so far in Luke?
2.  What role did tradition have among the religious leaders of Jesus’ day? What danger does this highlight for us?
3.  What is the one big problem with the pharisaical religion as Jesus describes it in this passage? How does everything else flow out of this?
4.  What does it look like for a Christian to fall into hypocrisy? How have you seen this play out?
5.  In what ways does this passage emphasize the folly of the Pharisees? What does it teach us about priorities?
6.  How are we tempted to live for approval, praise, and attention from others? What truths from God’s Word help us fight this?

References:Mark 7:1-23 (corporate reading); Matthew 12:24, 38; Mark 3:22; Luke 7:36; 16:13-14; 20:47; Matthew 23:13; Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22; Luke 18:12; Matthew 23:23, 5-7; Micah 6:8; Isaiah 1:10-17; Numbers 19:16; Matthew 23:27-28.