A critical study of Matthew Chapter 23 will reveal the portraits
of the hypocrites in the Church of God all over the world as vividly presented
by the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. They are full of religion but lack
godliness. Their hallmarks are as follows:
1.
Demand respect as teachers (v2)
2.
Teach but do not practice what they teach (v 3)
3.
Demand service, not give it (v4)
4.
Seek praise of men (v5)
5.
Parade their religion (v5)
6.
Seek chief banquet places (v6)
7.
Seek chief places in church (v6)
8.
Glory in personal attention (v7)
9.
Glory in titles (v7)
10.
Rob men of truth and life (v13)
11.
Reject truth and life (v13)
12.
Take advantage of widows (v14)
13.
Exhibit long prayers (v14)
14.
Are zealous to win men to their sect, but not to
God (v15)
15.
Root and ground converts in hypocrisy, but not
to God (v15)
16.
Profess to be the only guide in religion, but
are blind to truth and practical Christianity (v16-22)
17.
Propagate those parts of religion from which
they receive most personal gain and honour (v 16-22.)
18.
Strain at gnats and swallow camels; stress minor
details and omit the fundamentals of religion (v23-24).
19.
Glory in bodily cleanliness, but live in moral filth
(v25-26).
20.
Exhibit outward religion and self-righteousness
and ignore inward holiness in life and conduct (v2, 7-28).
21.
Pretend to be more righteous than their
forefathers (v29-33).
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