Life of Christ Bible Study
New Lesson every Monday Thru Friday.
Life of Christ Bible Study
DBS LoC #004
The Pharisees
Today's Lesson:
The Pharisees
The word "Pharisee" is the Greek translation from the Aramaic, and it means to be separated. To the Pharisee, this meant a separation from the influences of the Gentiles on their religion and culture.
We have a very similar thing occurring in our nation today. The False Religion influences in our society are waging war against the marvelous culture and vital relationship with God that our forefathers enjoyed. It is a natural and good response to do what you can to protect what is good; to defend it from those who so zealously attempt to destroy it.
Every time that the nation of Israel fell under the rule of another nation whether Babylon or Persia or Greece or Rome, they felt like they were losing a little bit more of themselves. The foreign nationals would come in with their foreign Gods and foreign customs and foreign games, and away would go just a little bit more of what was truly Jewish.
The emphasis of the Pharisees was in the area of the Mosaic Law. It was their aim to protect and uphold the Law of Moses, so that the pollution of foreigners and their foreign Gods would not destroy what made the nation of Israel so distinct, and so great in their time. This is why they came to hate Herod so very much.
For some four hundred years before the birth of Christ they strove to fulfill their mission as they saw it. Such an aim was not so bad, but in carrying out that aim they became so extreme as to be parody of the Law.
Their undue attention to detail, and especially their imagination in creating details which did not exist resulted in their missing the point of the Law entirely.
The Law was designed to bring the people of Israel to a relationship with the living God through the provision of knowledge essential to the maintenance of that relationship. It was not designed to be carried out just for the sake of accomplishment and preservation.
The very best way for the Pharisees to have accomplished their aim would have been to perpetuate the Law through having a relationship with God by it.
Their teachings about religious matters are quite a revelation of their character.
They tried ardently to avoid all physical contact with the Pagan Gentiles. Even touching one would make them ceremonially unclean. This is why the Pharisees took such great offense at Christ's close association with the tax collectors and sinners.
They always stuck to the letter of the Law, without a hint of flexibility. They defined exactly many things that were not set forth in the Law. They were obsessed with the Sabbath, and were constantly specifying and clarifying what could and could not be done; how far one could travel; exactly how much could be lifted; what the precise exceptions were. Of course, the point that the Sabbath was designed for concentration on God was lost on them.
The Pharisees were consumed with the idea of appearance. They would pray long and loud in public. They would contrive special hats to cover their eyes, so that they might not see a woman (these were called the bloody Pharisees, because they were always running into things).
Their motivation is equally revealing. They did what they did at the time of Christ for two reasons: to gain power, and to avoid judgment. The latter is especially interesting in the light of 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
They were fervent in their legalism lest they offend God, and thus come under His judgement in the eternal state. But you cannot have a true relationship with one you fear. You must have confidence before God, and that was one thing the Pharisee did not have.
Another motivation, the lust for power, had been hanging around the Pharisees for quite some time. Their mission, though warped in its execution, was quite a noble one. They looked at their mission, and decided that they needed power, political power in order to carry it out. Much like their association with the Law, their attempts to gain power led to their addiction to it, and its rule over them.
Perhaps the best characterization of their addiction to power was their success in the Maccabaean Revolt, which occurred a couple of centuries before the birth of Christ.
In the intermediate period between the death of Alexander in 323 B.C. and the establishment of Roman control from 63 B.C. onward, Israel remained under the nominal control of Greece and even Syria.
Free Online Bible All Versions
"You Version" Bible Software all versions and lots of translations including Duetsch, Espanol, Italiano and many, many more. No d/l.
http://www.youversion.com
Remember, send your questions to (PastorJeffLilley@Gmail.com).
Ask any questions you may have below in the comments.
Abundant Blessings
Pastor Jeff
Many of You have asked How You can Help our Ministries:
There is no charge for our JJL Ministries Bible Studies.
You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
JJL Ministries
1463 Senita Dr
Beaumont, CA 92223
"Life of Christ Bible Study" is a dynamic life changing ministry of JJL Ministries Inc.
Please Support our ministry online, JJL Ministries
is a Federal 501(c)3 Org on file with the IRS.
Remember donations are Tax Deductible.
http://bit.ly/19PY0f
Who We Are at JJL Ministries
Pastor Jeff & Janette Lilley
PastorJeffLilley@gmail.com
JanetteLilley@gmail.com
Copyright © 1999-2009
All Rights Reserved
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New Lesson every Monday Thru Friday.
Life of Christ Bible Study
DBS LoC #004
The Pharisees
Today's Lesson:
The Pharisees
The word "Pharisee" is the Greek translation from the Aramaic, and it means to be separated. To the Pharisee, this meant a separation from the influences of the Gentiles on their religion and culture.
We have a very similar thing occurring in our nation today. The False Religion influences in our society are waging war against the marvelous culture and vital relationship with God that our forefathers enjoyed. It is a natural and good response to do what you can to protect what is good; to defend it from those who so zealously attempt to destroy it.
Every time that the nation of Israel fell under the rule of another nation whether Babylon or Persia or Greece or Rome, they felt like they were losing a little bit more of themselves. The foreign nationals would come in with their foreign Gods and foreign customs and foreign games, and away would go just a little bit more of what was truly Jewish.
The emphasis of the Pharisees was in the area of the Mosaic Law. It was their aim to protect and uphold the Law of Moses, so that the pollution of foreigners and their foreign Gods would not destroy what made the nation of Israel so distinct, and so great in their time. This is why they came to hate Herod so very much.
For some four hundred years before the birth of Christ they strove to fulfill their mission as they saw it. Such an aim was not so bad, but in carrying out that aim they became so extreme as to be parody of the Law.
Their undue attention to detail, and especially their imagination in creating details which did not exist resulted in their missing the point of the Law entirely.
The Law was designed to bring the people of Israel to a relationship with the living God through the provision of knowledge essential to the maintenance of that relationship. It was not designed to be carried out just for the sake of accomplishment and preservation.
The very best way for the Pharisees to have accomplished their aim would have been to perpetuate the Law through having a relationship with God by it.
Their teachings about religious matters are quite a revelation of their character.
They tried ardently to avoid all physical contact with the Pagan Gentiles. Even touching one would make them ceremonially unclean. This is why the Pharisees took such great offense at Christ's close association with the tax collectors and sinners.
They always stuck to the letter of the Law, without a hint of flexibility. They defined exactly many things that were not set forth in the Law. They were obsessed with the Sabbath, and were constantly specifying and clarifying what could and could not be done; how far one could travel; exactly how much could be lifted; what the precise exceptions were. Of course, the point that the Sabbath was designed for concentration on God was lost on them.
The Pharisees were consumed with the idea of appearance. They would pray long and loud in public. They would contrive special hats to cover their eyes, so that they might not see a woman (these were called the bloody Pharisees, because they were always running into things).
Their motivation is equally revealing. They did what they did at the time of Christ for two reasons: to gain power, and to avoid judgment. The latter is especially interesting in the light of 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
They were fervent in their legalism lest they offend God, and thus come under His judgement in the eternal state. But you cannot have a true relationship with one you fear. You must have confidence before God, and that was one thing the Pharisee did not have.
Another motivation, the lust for power, had been hanging around the Pharisees for quite some time. Their mission, though warped in its execution, was quite a noble one. They looked at their mission, and decided that they needed power, political power in order to carry it out. Much like their association with the Law, their attempts to gain power led to their addiction to it, and its rule over them.
Perhaps the best characterization of their addiction to power was their success in the Maccabaean Revolt, which occurred a couple of centuries before the birth of Christ.
In the intermediate period between the death of Alexander in 323 B.C. and the establishment of Roman control from 63 B.C. onward, Israel remained under the nominal control of Greece and even Syria.
Free Online Bible All Versions
"You Version" Bible Software all versions and lots of translations including Duetsch, Espanol, Italiano and many, many more. No d/l.
http://www.youversion.com
Remember, send your questions to (PastorJeffLilley@Gmail.com).
Ask any questions you may have below in the comments.
Abundant Blessings
Pastor Jeff
Many of You have asked How You can Help our Ministries:
There is no charge for our JJL Ministries Bible Studies.
You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
JJL Ministries
1463 Senita Dr
Beaumont, CA 92223
"Life of Christ Bible Study" is a dynamic life changing ministry of JJL Ministries Inc.
Please Support our ministry online, JJL Ministries
is a Federal 501(c)3 Org on file with the IRS.
Remember donations are Tax Deductible.
http://bit.ly/19PY0f
Who We Are at JJL Ministries
Pastor Jeff & Janette Lilley
PastorJeffLilley@gmail.com
JanetteLilley@gmail.com
Copyright © 1999-2009
All Rights Reserved
Excellent study!! Enjoying immensely! Thank you. Also very much liking the one on prayer, and of course, my favorite - Daniel.
I truly appreciate all your hard work, and I thank you for teaching me so much!!
Posted by: Janice | 11/19/2009 at 10:12 AM
Hi Janice, Thank you so much. You have truly been a Blessing to me. P.J.
Posted by: Pastor Jeff | 11/19/2009 at 12:13 PM