Romans 2 Hypocrites

 

Romans 2

Hypocrites

 

If the law of God is in your heart, it will show to the world you are an evangelist

The evangelist is one who points to Jesus, not to themself

All our lives we are seeking the praise of others, whether it is parents, friends, associates, we need approval of others 

More than the approval of others, we need the approval of God

Paul tells us God’s approval comes when our heart is right

When the Spirit of God is ruling in our heart

When our outward appearance is a reflection of a heart beating the life of the Spirit, praise will come from God and others will follow

Hypocrites hide under the form of religion

But true believers, according to James, act out of their heart

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.   James 1:26-27

We all must keep our hearts in tune with the Spirit of God

In order not to become Hypocrites

 

 

Hypocrites

 

Standing before a crowd

can be very intimidating.

 

Hands sweat, body shakes, fear level

rises when you stand before a crowd.

 

When we are out in public, we are

concerned with our outward appearance.

 

We want people to respect us,

like us, we want to be accepted.

 

There are certain things we might

do at home, but not do in public.

 

The clothes you wear at home

are likely not to be what you would

wear when standing out in public.

 

For those who press through the fear of

standing out in a crowd,

it can be an amazing feeling.

 

Praise is an amazing thing,

 it can motivate you.

 

As a public speaker,

I have stood in front of crowds.

 

 When the crowd is full of energy,

 you feel it and your energy level increases.

 

We live in a day where the energy

level of crowds is a major focus.

 

Sound crews push up the levels,

lights are a flashing show and

smoke gives the appearance you are in the clouds.

 

Performers give a lot of attention to what

they are wearing and how they look.

 

We all love the show of the outward appearance.

 

Some of my greatest memories of

worship were in worship conferences…

 

Losing my voice at the Stanly Cup playoffs

or my grandchildren’s games and performances.

 

How you act in public,

your outward appearance matters.

 

There may be some of you reading this

and saying “not me”…

 

 I don’t want to stand in front of a crowd.

 

The very fact that you don’t want to be

in front of a crowd or stand out publicly…

 

Reveals you understand the pressure to be out front.

 

Paul in Romans 2 was addressing the Jews.

 

Paul addressed the issue of being a hypocrite…

 

 Jews who show outward or

public signs of God followers,

 but inwardly it was a different story.

 

Jesus gave many warnings about hypocrites…

 

Matthew 7:1-5 for example.

 

A hypocrite is one who is outwardly one thing,

 but inwardly another.

 

One who does not practice what they preach.

 

Hypocrites are good at pointing fingers.

 

Hypocrites make God and others look bad.  

 

Although Paul was addressing the Jews

 of being hypocrites,

 this is not just a Jewish problem.

 

If you have a Christian bumper sticker on your car,

 please drive like one.

 

 Jesus and Paul both said the law was good.

 

 But living out the law starts in the heart.

 

If you do what is right as a show for others…

 

 You are a hypocrite.

 

If the law of God is in your heart,

 it will show to the world you are an evangelist.

 

The evangelist is one who points to Jesus not to themselves.

 

All our lives we are seeking the praise of others,

whether it is parents, friends, associates,

 we need approval of others.

 

More than the approval of others,

 we need the approval of God.

 

 Paul tells us God’s approval

comes when our heart is right.

 

When the Spirit of God is ruling in our heart…

 

When our outward appearance is a reflection

of a heart beating the life of the Spirit…

 

 Praise will come from God and others will follow.

 

Hypocrites hide under the form of religion.

 

But true believers, according to James,

 act out of their heart.

 

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

   James 1:26-27

 

We all must keep our hearts

in tune with the Spirit of God

in order not to become hypocrites.

       

 

 

 

Scripture Readings

 

Romans 2:28-29 NIV

28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

 

 

Romans 2:28-29

28 The true Jew is not one who is only so publicly, and circumcision is not that which may be seen in the flesh:

29 But he is a Jew who is a secret one, whose circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

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