A hypocrite is somebody who play-acts, who wants to appear to be somebody who he or she is not. The term is used seven times in Matthew chapter 23 in a discourse in which Jesus publicly shames the scribes and Pharisees, the very center of Jewish religious leadership ( Matthew 23.13-14, Matthew 23:15, Matthew 23:23, Matthew 23:25, Matthew 23:27, Matthew 23:29). The Gospels show us Jesus offering grace and forgiveness to adulterers, tax collectors, prostitutes, and even murderers, but He demonstrated little tolerance for hypocrites (see the many additional references in Matthew 6:2, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16; Matthew 7:5; Matthew 15:7-9; Matthew 22:18).

Read Matthew 23:1-13 and list four main characteristics of a hypocrite mentioned by Jesus.

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Jesus associates four characteristics with the scribes and Pharisees. In the spectrum of Judaism in the first century A.D., the Pharisees represented the conservative religious right. They were interested in the written and oral law and emphasized ritual purity. On the other side of the spectrum were the Sadducees, a group of mostly wealthy leaders, often associated with the elite priestly class. They were highly Hellenized (i.e., they spoke Greek and were at home in Greek philosophy) and did not believe in a judgment or an afterlife. We would describe them as liberals. Both groups were guilty of hypocrisy.

According to Jesus, we are hypocrites if we don’t do what we say, when we make religion harder for others without applying the same standards to ourselves, when we want others to applaud our religious fervor, and when we require honor and recognition that belongs only to our heavenly Father.

No matter how sharp and to-the-point His words, Jesus’ engagement with those He called hypocrites was nevertheless full of love and concern, even for these hypocrites.

“Divine pity marked the countenance of the Son of God as He cast one lingering look upon the temple and then upon His hearers. In a voice choked by deep anguish of heart and bitter tears He exclaimed, ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!’” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 620.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Key Thought: There are many things that can keep us from rest in Jesus. We may not always be aware of the actions and attitudes that separate us from our Savior..
.July 17, 2021

1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 10:34-39..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. Why did Jesus say He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword?
3. Personal Application: What is the key to bearing a cross – whether voluntarily or one not of our own choosing? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “When Jesus comes, He’s going to have to change human nature. Nobody gets along. There is too much yelling, arguing, crime, and murder. Even Christians are caught up in all the divisiveness.” How would you respond to your friend?

2. Have a volunteer read Luke 12:13-21.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Is planning for the future selfish and a disregard for God’s kingdom? What is Jesus warning us against?
3. Personal Application: Why does it seem that no matter how much we have, we always want more? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How does selfishness affect our relationship with God, our spouse, families, church, neighbors, and workmates?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Luke 22:14-30.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. Why did the disciples get sidetracked from the Last Supper’s importance to focus on who would be the greatest
3. Personal Application: Does focusing on Jesus on the cross give us a powerful remedy against the desire for self-exaltation? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “There are many ambitious people in the church. Many of our evangelists, pastors, and administrators are ambitious and have worked diligently to achieve their positions within the church. If they weren’t ambitious, they might not be in the positions they are in. What challenges do you see in wanting to be a church leader?“ How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 23:1-13..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What are the four main characteristics of a hypocrite?
3. Personal Application: How can we learn to see this trait in ourselves?” Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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Studying the last week of Jesus’ ministry on earth prior to His crucifixion is always a source of encouragement and inspiration. It also offers a snapshot of how restlessness and ambition drive people to do and say ill-advised things.

Read Luke 22:14-30 and think about Jesus’ emotions as He hears His disciples argue during this solemn meal over who among them should be considered the greatest (Luke 22:24). Why did the disciples get sidetracked from this momentous occasion and focus on human greatness?

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We seldom discuss with others who is the greatest in our church, our family, or our workplace. We may think about it a lot, but who, really, openly talks about it?

This was not the first time that this question was raised in the community of Jesus’ followers. Matthew 18:1 reports the disciples’ bringing the question to Jesus and framing it in a more abstract way: “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (NKJV). Jesus’ answer involves an object lesson. After calling a child, he sets the child in the center of the group. Eyes are opened wide; eyebrows are raised. Jesus’ action requires an explanation, and in Matthew 18:3 the Master offers that, too: “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (NKJV).

Conversion is foundational for finding true rest in Jesus. We recognize that we need outside help. We suddenly realize that we cannot depend on ourselves but need to rely on Jesus. We experience a transformation of our values and ambitions. Jesus tells His disciples: Trust Me and rely on Me like this child. True greatness is giving up your rights and embracing kingdom values.

Unfortunately, it seems that the disciples had not yet learned this lesson by the time Jesus ate the last supper with them. Their bickering and infighting ruined a moment of perfect communion that was never to be repeated.

All this, even after years of being with Jesus, ministering with Jesus, and hearing and learning at His feet? What a sad example of just how corrupt the human heart remains! On the more positive side, however, think about the ever-present reality of the Lord’s grace, that despite this pathetic discussion among His followers, Jesus didn’t give up on them.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Rest. The word used most frequently in our Sabbath School Lesson pamphlet this quarter. “Thou shalt rest, Thou shalt rest!” These are words repeated each verse of
Hymn 387 – Come, O Sabbath Day, our theme hymn for this quarter.

Sunday teaches us to be worthy by choosing Jesus above everything else just as we find in
Worthy, Worthy Is the Lamb – Hymn 246 and in
Hymn 252 – Come, Let Us Sing “Worthy the Lamb, for he was slain!”.

Our inheritance is requested in verse two of
Hymn 191 – Love Divine to help us expand on the Monday study. We then pray for inheriting eternal life in
Hymn 658 – Heavenly Father Hear Our Prayer.

The greatest ambition (Tuesday) is to know that
Great Is Thy Faithfulness – Hymn 100 O God my Father. It is then that Jesus points us to
Only Trust Him – Hymn 279,
Hymn 590 – Trust and Obey and then we know that
‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus – Hymn 524. We can then state
I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus – Hymn 535. The dialogue then asks why “Sitting at the Feet of Jesus” (our old hymnal number 618) had little effect on this disciples, and remains that way even today with us.

The question is asked in Hymn 113 – As Pants the Hart
that is resounded in Thursday’s lesson “Why restless, why cast down, my soul?”. We see in
Hymn 242 – Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts “our restless spirits yearn for Thee”. These sentiments are echoed in
Hymn 355 – Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life verse 4, and
Hymn 370 – Christ for the World verse 2. All will be better in our hearts and souls asking and knowing
Jesus, Guide Our Way – Hymn 553. We will be elevated to a higher plain when Jesus plants “my feet on higher ground” –
Hymn 625 – Higher Ground.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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As in the case of the aspen and its larger underground system, selfishness is part of the huge underground system called “sin,” which keeps us from finding true rest in Jesus. Of all the expressions of sin in our lives, selfishness seems to be the easiest to manifest, doesn’t it? For most of us, selfishness is as natural as breathing.

Read Luke 12:13-21. Describe the problem highlighted in Jesus’ parable. Is planning for the future, selfish and expressing disregard for God’s kingdom? If not, or at least not necessarily, then what is Jesus warning us against?

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This parable appears only in the Gospel of Luke and is told in response to an anonymous question from the audience. Asked about a question regarding an inheritance, Jesus responds by rejecting the role of the arbiter between brothers. Instead, He opts to put His finger on the bigger underlying problem, namely, selfishness. He digs deeper to show the root mass underneath our individual actions.

Think about expressions of selfishness in your life. How does selfishness affect our relationship with God, with our spouses and families, with our church family, with our neighbors and colleagues at work? What key is found in Philippians 2:5-8?

By focusing solely on his own needs and ambitions, the anonymous rich man of Jesus’ parable forgot to take into consideration unseen heavenly realities. Bigger, better, and more are not the foundational principles of God’s kingdom. Paul offers us a glimpse into what motivated Jesus as He decided to become our Substitute.

Philippians 2:5-8 describes the blueprint of unselfishness, humility, and love. If love for God and others does not drive our choices and priorities, we will continue to build more barns for ourselves here and put less treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20).

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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