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The Pharisees (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Pharisees, a group in the New Testament, receive intense condemnation from Jesus Christ, who pronounces eight woes upon them at once, marking them as a specific target of His rebuke. Emerging from a historical context in Nehemiah 8 during the time of Ezra after the return from Babylon, their origins trace back to a sincere desire to learn and follow God's Law. Initially known as the Hasidim, meaning the pious ones, they separated themselves to the Law, earning the name Pharisees, or separated ones, from the Hebrew word Pharishim. This separation began as a mark of devotion to God, reflecting a noble goal to be a unique people unto Him. Over time, however, the term Pharisee devolved from a flattering designation to a critical one, synonymous with Separatists or Elitists, as they began to view themselves as more holy and righteous than others. They dedicated themselves to four key areas from Nehemiah 10: separation from foreigners, heretics, and base peoples; strict observance of the Sabbath with meticulous regulations; support of the Temple and its rituals, including laws of clean and unclean; and strict adherence to tithing laws, even down to kitchen herbs. These practices, though starting well, expanded into a vast compendium of over 50 volumes of oral law, which Jesus later identified as mere traditions of men rather than the Law of God. Historically, the Pharisees became distinct from the Hasidim during the revolt against Antiochus Epiphanes around 165 BC, growing into a significant political force despite their small number of about 6,000 in Israel, according to Josephus. As religious teachers and devout laymen, often allied with the scribes, they wielded immense influence over the population of Judea, forcing rulers, including the Sadducees, to heed their demands under threat of popular revolt. As their political power rose, their righteousness waned, tainted by a vested interest in maintaining influence and appearances, leading to corruption by the time Jesus appeared on the scene. The Pharisees are characterized as dedicated legalists, with varying types outlined in the Talmud, including the Shoulder Pharisee who displayed good deeds for show, the Wait-a-Little-Bit Pharisee who delayed good actions, the Bruised and Bleeding Pharisee who avoided women to maintain purity, the Humped-back Pharisee who feigned humility, the Ever-Reckoning Pharisee who tallied good deeds as debts owed by God, the Timid Pharisee who lived in dread of divine punishment, and the God-Fearing Pharisee, a truly righteous individual. Despite this spectrum, their own assessment suggests they were six times more likely to be frauds and hypocrites than genuinely righteous. Jesus frequently clashed with the Pharisees over issues like the Sabbath, tithes, ritual washings, and associations with sinners, reflecting the very areas of law they emphasized. They sought signs to test His Messianic claims, yet He rebuked them as an evil and unfaithful generation, pointing them to the sign of Jonah and emphasizing that true faithfulness lies in His teachings, not miracles. Their focus on external observances and oral traditions blinded them to internal defilement and to recognizing Him as the Prophet foretold in Scripture.
The Pharisees (Part 2)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod is less impressed in our rote compliance to a set of rules than thoughtful application of godly principles extending justice, mercy, and faith.
The Pharisees (Part 3)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAlthough the Pharisees imposed harsh regulations, they found loopholes for themselves while proudly and hypocritically displaying their piety for show.
Beware the Leaven
Sermonette by Mike FordThe Jews establishes a fixed date for Shavuot in contradiction to the instruction for counting to Pentecost. This is part of the leavening of the Pharisees.
Matthew (Part Twenty)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus explains that what truly defiles a person—evil thoughts, murder, adultery—comes from their heart and mind, not from eating with unwashed hands.
Why the Transfiguration?
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughPeter, James, and John heard the Father's praise of Jesus, declaring Him to be more important than the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah).
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn Galatians, Paul took issue with the Halakhah, not God's word. Halakhah was a massive collection of human opinion that placed a yoke on its followers.
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe yoke grievous to bear (Acts 15:10) was not God's law, but an entire package of Pharisaic regulations that had been elevated to the level of God's law.
Christmas, Syncretism, and Presumption
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMany think keeping Christmas is fine, yet God never tells us to celebrate His Son's birth. Celebrating such an obvious mix of biblical truth and paganism is presumptuous.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe yoke of bondage Paul refers to in Galatians was a combination of the code of regulations added by the Pharisees and Gnostic ritualism, not God's Law.
God, Obama, and Religous Tolerance
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)President Obama endorsed the mosque at Ground Zero, pleading tolerance. Yet God is a jealous God, ordering the extermination of all competing religions.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist will empower us, but will not live our lives for us. The marching orders for our pilgrimage derive from God's Word, containing His holy law.
Elements of Judgment (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We need to learn to judge in a godly manner, putting merciful restraints on our tendency to condemn or jump to conclusions. One size does not fit all.
Clean and Unclean Meats
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Nothing about the clean and unclean food laws has changed from the beginning; those statutes continue to transcend the Old and New Covenants.
When Actions Contradict Stated Beliefs
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHypocrisy consists of professing beliefs or virtues that one does not genuinely possess. The primary motivator is pride, and its resulting sin is lying.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPaul never taught any Jew to forsake the Law of Moses, but he did warn against Pharisaical additions for the expressed purpose of attaining justification.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Eight): Romans 10
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFrom the days of Sinai on, the ancient Israelites fixated on the notion that they were God's chosen people. This perspective proved counterproductive.
What's Wrong With Works?
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughAccepting the blood of Christ has a cost. If we are to uphold the terms of the covenant, we must give up the sinful life we led in the flesh and obey God.
Elements of Judgment (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We dare not 'do away' anything that is part of God's mind, or we will not be in His image. Acts 15 did not give Gentiles exemption from keeping God's Law.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe days, months, and times of Galatians 4:10 do not refer to God's Holy Days (which are not weak or beggarly), but to pagan rites the Galatians came out of.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Sixteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRighteousness consists of applying the Law's letter and/or intent. Sin constitutes a failure of living up to the standards of what God defines as right.
Passover (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAt the time of Christ, because of historical deviation, some kept Passover at home at the start of the 14th and others kept it at the Temple at the end of the 14th.
Eating Out on the Sabbath
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the gray areas of applying God's Law, extending mercy and easing of burdens trumps legalism and hairsplitting.
Love and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod expects works from all He has called. We show our faithfulness and loyalty to God by our works or conduct - what we produce by what we have been given.
Lamentations (Part Seven)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe people suffering under the Babylonians had basked in the privilege of being God's chosen people while also trashing the terms of the Covenant.
Passover (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Passover is to be kept on the twilight of the 14th, while the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th. The Word of God supersedes tradition and heritage.