Warnings About the Leaders

Sermon 52 in Series

Luke 12:1-12

[1] In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [2] Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. [3] Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

[4] “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. [5] But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! [6] Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. [7] Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

[8] “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, [9] but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. [10] And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. [11] And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Why did the Pharisees hate Jesus? How does his rebuke in the previous passage set the stage for these warnings to his disciples?
2.  What is hypocrisy? How does Jesus’ denunciation of the Pharisees and scribes help to fill out our definition?
3.  In what ways do Christians today fall into hypocrisy? What does the metaphor of leaven tell us about its effect in our lives?
4.  Why is hypocrisy ultimately foolish? How does this passage convict you personally?
5.  What reasons does Jesus give for fearing God rather than man? How does he connect fear of God with trust in God?
6.  How does this passage fortify your hope in the afterlife? How does it direct you to God’s providence in this life?
7.  What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? How does a comparison of Peter’s denial (Luke 22:54-62) and Paul’s early persecution of Christians (1 Timothy 1:13) with the Pharisees and scribes (Mark 3:28-30) help us?

References:Psalm 56:1-13 (corporate reading); Matthew 27:18; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Galatians 5:7-10; Proverbs 10:9; Revelation 20:15; Isaiah 8:13; 6; Proverbs 8:13; Matthew 10:29; Luke 22:54-62; John 21; Mark 3:29-30; 1 John 5:16; 1 Timothy 1:13; Acts 4:8; 6:10.