PEOPLE IN BIBLE DAYS WERE GREAT TO FELLOWSHIP AROUND A MEAL, AND JESUS WAS OFTEN AN HONORED GUEST

1. Luke very rarely gives the location- but this was in Perea- East of Jericho & Jordan -
2. Jesus was on one of His last journeys -teaching in the area where John Baptist taught 11:1
3. What started out to be a pleasant breakfast- turned to one of greatest denunciations by Jesus

I don't like to preach in these areas- nor do I like this kind of people

I.- AN INVITATION TO BREAKFAST THAT BLEW UP! Luke 11:37-38

They must have been at morning prayer and Bible study- & Jesus spoke cf. 11:33-ff

A.- THIS WAS THE OLD GAME OF "LETS IMPRESS OUR NEIGHBORS BY INVITING THE VISITING PREACHER" v.37

1. The invitation to dine would consist of juice, bread, and generally fish for brunch
2. It was just a short walk- many followed to watch & hear- & Jesus came in and sat down
3. Great Rituals were followed- Rabbinical writings describe them - Great social customs & manners

B.- JESUS WAS CAUGHT IN THE WEB OF SOCIAL CUSTOM, AND THERE WAS NO WAY HE COULD WIN! v.38

1. Schools of Hillel and Shammai differed slightly in certain manners- and fought for their way
2. Normally entering house- wash one hand, sit for juice, wash both, recline for meal, bless often
3. Jesus came in, sat down, and as a guest He should have been guided- at last supper -no one washed

C.- THE HOST PHARISEE LOST HIS OWN MANNERS OVER THE NEGLECT OR ABUSE OF THE WASHING RITUAL!-v.38

1. Yes- a man can be real nice one minute and a wretched fool the next!- Friendly-then angry
2. I can't imagine Jesus not considering the feelings of His host- He could see his heart!-
3. But the host suddenly became insulting- not directly, but with gossip -Worse than not washing

Jesus in all his tenderness, could not leave such foolishness to damage those observing

II.- JESUS CRIED WOE TO PHARISEES  Luke 11:39-44

What Jesus said here were repeated 6 months later, just 3 days before he was crucified -

A.- JESUS DID NOT REBUKE THE INDIVIDUAL MAN, BUT SPOKE ON ISSUES PRETAINING TO A CLASS OF MEN 39

1. Very pointedly, yet on the principles & not the person -Pharisees -Fundamentalists
2. Clean outside, leave inside dirty; tithing their great boast -v.41,2 but even miss in this
3. You should tithe- but don't miss judgement & love (Matt 23:25-Judgement, mercy, faith)

B.- WOE UNTO YOU PHARISEES, FOR YOU LOVE UPPERMOST SEATS, GREETINGS IN MARKET- v. 43

1. To want to achieve the normal desires of life life, liberty, happiness, respect, support- normal
2. But to be more concerned about reputation than about character - is hypocritical! & Condemned
3. Some sit in church where they can watch everyone else & are table hoppers in restaurants!-

C.- WOE UNTO YOU SCRIBES, FOR YE ARE AS GRAVES, UNMARKED FOR WHAT YOU ARE & MEN DON'T KNOW v.44

1. The scribes copied the Bibles and were experts on interpretation of each part- Exegesis
2. They felt that they were the only ones who knew what Bible meant- & used it as a club on men
3. Scribes taught the letter of the Law, the Pharisees boasted of living it no good team

Jesus was normally soft spoken, tender, loving- but here He loved people & rebuked snobs

III.- JESUS CRIED WOE TO LAWYERS Luke 11:45-54

When Dad was scolding- I learned to keep quiet!- but the LAWYERS opened the door & caught it

A.- WOE TO LAWYERS WHO LADE MEN WITH GRIEVIOUS BURDENS, AND YOURSELVES TOUCH NOT ONE -v. 46

1. Their point-by-point formalism, stressing the letter of the law for everyone, strict, legalistic
2. But they were smart enough to find ways out for themselves- Divorce, injustice to parents, extreme -
3. But they bound people with foolish burdens- not giving freedom to anyone- guilt, power of sin

B.- WOE UNTO YOU FOR BUILDING GREAT GRAVES FOR ANCIENT PROPHETS, AND KILLING MODERN ONES v.47-

1. A preacher is a hero the first few days- and after he is dead!- rest of time is HARD WORK!
2. These men praised and boasted of past prophets who were dead- great honor! & killed present
3. Jesus words of the blood of all being required of this generations came true in 70 AD -Titus

C.- WOE UNTO LAWYERS FOR TAKING AWAY THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE - NOT ENTERING, & FORBIDDING OTHERS V.52

1. The key of course is the Bible!- To use it is to enter Eternal life & Kingdom of Heaven
2. But to argue over trivia, & block spirit of God so that no one gets saved- very serious
3. They tried to trap Jesus v.54, He warned disciples 12:1- and promised total disclosure v.2

Jesus urged his friends -Be not afraid" v.4 - and to confess Him before men v.8,9

OUR WORLD IS STILL FULL OF SCRIBES, PHARISEES, LAWYERS HELL BOUND- BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE YOU!

1. Throw away your pride, and confess Jesus- be more concerned about what He thinks of you
2. Get yourself into the Word- Do the easy- Tithing, Membership; & weightier -Love, mercy, faith
3. Make sure of your personal character before God- and let your reputation be in Him!