IN ALL OF GOD'S WORD THERE IS NOT A STRONGER CHAPTER AGAINST THOSE WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE GOD'S CHOSEN.

1. This was Christ's farewell to the Temple, its authorities, the Sanhedrin and Israel as a nation
2. What a contrast with the Sermon on Mount- where He began His public ministry- opposite
3. Those who sat at Moses' seat were filled with externalism, vanity, and Self-seeking 

We must be sure that we obey our Lord's Orders- in spirit- not in same outward vanity

I.- OBSERVE THEIR TEACHING, BUT!

Jesus neither wished to take the Leadership of Israel, nor for His followers to become revolution

A.- OUR LORD DECLARED THAT THE SCRIBES SIT IN MOSES' SEAT v. 2 THIS REPRESENTED AUTHORITY

1. The principle of leadership still abides- this was not nearly a temporary application
2. They placed heavy burdens on people- how to eat, sleep, wash, even meditations for bathrooms
3. Their commands involved a very tight ritual life- but it was not in violation of conscience

B.- JESUS SAID THEY DID THEIR WORKS TO BE SEEN OF MEN v. 4 NOT TO BE SEEN OF GOD?

1. Their phylacteries, garments, seeking uppermost rooms & closest seats- deeds became superstition
3. We today might say- carry your bible always- wear proper clothing- sit front in church-etc.
3. But the vanity of self-seeking can take the finest rules and make a Frankenstein monster-

C.- JESUS PLED WITH HIS DISCIPLES BE NOT CALLED RABBI, FATHER, OR MASTER v.7-12

1. They loved long greetings in the Market Places- high sounding titles- "See,- I'm Important!"
2. Today the same spirit has entered into public church meetings today- "Brother, Rev., Dr., "
3. Jesus tried to teach humility, service, sacrifice, and brotherly kindness- not ritual

We do not use the word "Pharisee" today- but we have the same spirit ingrained

II.- THE EIGHT WOES

Jesus began His ministry with 8 beatitudes- now He closes His public ministry with 8 woes

A.- V.13 THEY SHUT UP HEAVEN NOT GOING IN, AND FORBIDDING OTHERS FROM GOING IN- No faith!
When men oppose the simple faith in Christ- substitute ritual & ceremony for life-faith-love

B.- v.14 DEVOURED WIDOW'S HOUSES AND FOR PRETENCE MADE LONG PRAYERS - so greater damnation
Their religiosity and long prayers could not cover the hypocrisy of cruel usury against poor

C.- v. 15 FIGHT TO MAKE A PROSELYTE THEN MAKE HIM A WORSE CHILD OF HELL -religious hucksters
Jews denounced Proselytism- but practiced it with tremendous strictness -strife and harsh

D.- v. 16 THEIR MORAL BLINDNESS IN CONTRACTS, LEAVING WAYS TO BREAK AGREEMENTS -no honesty
Whether or not a contract binding- they stuck to letter of vows- but violated the spirit

E.- v. 23 EXTENDED TITHING TO THE SMALLEST FLOWERS, BUT OMITTED THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF LAW
They are commended for tithing- but not for omitting Judgement, mercy, & faith- personal God

F.- v.25 THEY MADE A RITUAL OF WASHING FOR CEREMONIAL PURIFICATION, BUT STILL WERE FILTHY
They often scolded Jesus for His Disciples eating without washed hands-but needed hart cleansed

G.- v.27 JESUS LIKENED THEM TO ORNATE, WHITED GRAVES - BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE, BUT DEAD INSIDE
This is why Jesus said- obey outwardly- but do not follow their spirit -Paint belongs on outside

H.- v.29 YOU BUILD TOMBS FOR PROPHETS, PRAISE THE DEAD ONES, AND PERSECUTE THE LIVE ONES
They bragged that they would not have killed past prophets- but they did those of their day.  Jesus gave them the sternest denunciation in scripture- v.33 - generation of vipers!

V. 34 was prophetic -and the Jews fulfilled hellish deeds- v.36 the final curse on that generation

III.- JESUS CRIED "O JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM!" v.37-39

The woe of His cry can be heard today- for we, too, are at the edge of great judgement

A.- THE TOUCHING ILLUSTRATION OF THE MOTHER HEN AND HER LITTLE CHICKENS IS BEAUTIFUL

1. This is the passionate lament of love- they knew about the wings of the Shekinah Glory!
2. Jesus would have gathered Israel "Under His Wings" to protect them- but they would not!
3. Rebellious little chickens then and now are at the mercy of the Hawk! City Chickens too

B.- BEHOLD, YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT UNTO YOU DESOLATE, and spiritually Israel is desolate today

1. Jesus left the temple,- and not to return as long as Israel is in her Unbelief
2. But that Temple area was soon destroyed,  - now rebuilt - will be cleansed & rebuilt
3. As Jesus left- He promised He would return- & when He does- every knee shall bow!

Jesus is coming- and if He said this to the Jews- what will He say to the Church?

C.- WE ALSO HAVE MADE A RITUAL OUT OF SOME PRETTY GOOD RULES, BUT THE SPIRIT IS OFTEN DEAD

1. We have our Fundamentalist list of do's and don'ts - & they are good, but not life! Don't-smoke, drink, gamble, swear, go to shows, dance, divorce, read filth nor sell in church
2. Sometimes we even curse a brother that offends our favorite shibboleth- what of spirit?

HAVE YOU RITUALIZED YOUR LIFE, AND FAILED THE LORD?  WHAT HE WANTS IS YOUR LOVE!