Lesson 7
background notes
doctrinal / teaching points
- God condemns religious hypocrisy.
- God condemns religious ritualism.
practical application
Is the name of God blasphemed because of you?
questions
- Why were the Jews considered religious hypocrites?
- Give an example of God condemning religious ritualism.
- When is a religious ritualism like circumcision
honored by God?
- How was the name of God blasphemed by the Jews?
answers
- They claimed to be keepers of the law, even
boasting in the law of God; they claimed to
know God’s
will and do only what was good; they claimed to
be guides to the blind and light to those in darkness;
and they claimed to be spiritually mature teachers
of God’s word. But they taught others and
not themselves; they preached God’s warnings
but failed to heed them. They were hypocrites,
and God condemns hypocrisy.
- Circumcision is profitable if you keep the law,
but if you break it, it becomes uncircumcision.
The Jewish people were not honoring God or following
His law, even though they were still practicing
circumcision.
- When the heart and not just the flesh is circumcised.
- The Jewish people claimed that they were
following God, but at the same time they were
breaking God’s
law by lying and stealing and committing
adultery. As a result, the Gentiles had no
respect for the
God of the Jews.
discuss / consider
- Is it possible that you are a religious hypocrite?
Are you wearing some kind of religious mask? Are
you in fellowship with your brothers and sisters
in Christ, but behind their backs slander them?
The Lord Jesus said, ”Woe to you,
you hypocrites.”
- Is it possible that you are practicing religious
ritualism to impress people or to justify yourself?
Or are you giving honest praise to God Himself?
challenge
The Jewish people claimed that they were following God, but at the
same time they were breaking God’s law. Be sure that you are
a hearer and a doer of God’s word, lest you blaspheme His name
before the unsaved.
memorize
- “The name of God is blasphemed among
the Gentiles because of you.” Romans
2:24
- “He is a Jew who is one inwardly;
and circumcision is a matter of the heart, in
the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is
not from men but from God.” Romans
2:29
|
