"BEWARE OF THE SCRIBES"
(Luke 20:46, 47)

INTRODUCTION:

1. It is amazing how constantly writing and rewriting something will cause what you have written to become imprinted upon your memory.
a. When I was in college one of the things I would do to prepare for exams is rewrite my notes, then write a summary of them, then constantly write and rewrite those things which I thought were most likely to be on the exam.
b. I still find that when I take notes while listening to a sermon I can remember more of it than I would if I just sat and listened.

2. The Jewish Scribes in Jesus' day were those who made copies of the Old Testament Hebrew Manuscripts.
a. They spent most of their time intensely concentrating on the copying the Old Testament, letter by letter onto new manuscripts.
b. Because the scribes wrote and rewrote the Old Testament Scriptures over and over again they often knew the text better than anybody else.

3. A problem many of the scribes had was in making application of the Scriptures they knew so well.
a. Knowing the truth and actually applying the truth are not the same thing.
b. One must know the truth to apply it, but not all who know the truth are applying it to themselves.

4. Though the scribes had such a great Bible knowledge they were some of Jesus' harshest critics.
a. They and the Pharisees were continually looking for a way to turn the people against Jesus.
b. Though they knew well the prophecies of the Messiah they failed to make proper application of them to Jesus of Nazareth.

5. The failure of the scribes to apply the Scriptures is probably the result of their bad attitude.
a. Many of these men were arrogant.
b. Some of them even used their position for personal gain.
c. Because of this Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes."

DISCUSSION:

I. THE SCRIBES WERE LOOKING FOR THE PRAISE OF MEN.

A. Jesus said they loved to walk about in long robes.

1. These scribes were wearing special clothing that announced to everyone who they were and which portrayed a sense of spiritual superiority over others.
a. It was custom in that day for kings, princes, and priests to wear long flowing robes.
b. These scribes wore this clothing because wanted to be looked upon as being higher and greater than others.

2. They had a great desire to appear to be very religious.

B. They loved greetings in the market place.

1. Like the Pharisees these men wanted people to address them in specific ways.

2. They had certain religious titles they liked men to use in referring to them.

C. The loved to take the positions of prominence in synagogues and at feasts.

1. They were looking to be set above everyone else.
a. The seats closest to the reading desk in the synagogue were considered the chief seats (like sitting up on platform at West End).
b. These were also the seats closest to the sacred books.
1) Sitting close to the Scriptures won't help anyone, nor does it prove that person life is anywhere close to what the Scriptures teach.

2. They wanted people to look them as being superior to most people.

D. They loved to make long prayers for show.

1. Long prayers are not condemned.

2. Long prayers for the purpose of showing off are condemned.

3. The length of the prayer is not necessarily an indication of spiritual strength, although many believe it is.

4. They thought by praying long prayers people would think they were very strong spiritually.

E. The Pharisees received a similar condemnation (Matt. 23: 5-12).

1. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for the following:
a. Making broad their phylacteries.
b. Doing certain things to their clothes to indicate their religious strength.
c. Going by special religious titles.

2. Jesus said they did these things to be seen of men.
a. The motivation behind their actions was arrogance.
b. Jesus taught that those who humble themselves are truly the greatest.

II. THE SCRIBES WERE LOOKING FOR PERSONAL GAIN.

A. Jesus said they devoured widows' houses.

1. Because the scribes were considered spiritual advisors, they were often trusted as the executors of wills, affording them opportunity for personal gain.

2. They influenced widows to give them property and money by telling them it was for spiritual purposes.

3. They were taking advantage of those who had little defense.

B. Paul spoke of those whose God is their belly and who mind earthly things (Phil. 3:18,19).

1. They are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

2. They are in it for whatever they can get for themselves materially.

3. They server themselves rather than God.


III. BEWARE OF OUR MODERN DAY SCRIBES.

A. With modern printing techniques there is no real need for actual scribes.

B. However, there are many today who demonstrate the same arrogant attitude.

1. There are religious leaders who set themselves above others with their religious clothing.
a. Many denominational preachers wear robes, while Catholic priests wear special collars and clothing.
b. The ornate clothing of many religious groups helps them to make a clear distinction between their "clergy" and "laity."
c. In the New Testament you will find no such distinction.
d. In the New Testament you will find clear condemnation of special religious clothing.
e. Some members of the church are starting to fall into this age old Satanic trap of show and pride by wearing religious robes at weddings and funerals.

2. There are religious leaders today who set themselves above others by the special titles they wear.
a. There are not titles for anybody in the church.
b. Elders, deacons, and evangelists are words describing the work of that particular member but are not be used as titles.
c. The denominational use of "father," "reverend," and "pastor" is exactly the king of thing Christ saw in these scribes and condemned.
d. We need to be careful we don't fall into the trap of using words that are descriptive as titles (eg. "brother," "evangelist").


3. There are religious leaders who pride themselves in the positions of prominence to which they attain.
a. How close they can get to political leaders, how much media coverage they receive, or how many books they have written all are used to build the egos of some.
b. The political maneuverings of clergy in the denominational world for the sake of prestige ought not to be seen in the Lord's church.

C. There are many religious leaders today who display the same covetous attitude the scribes had.

1. Just as the scribes took advantage of widows in their day so too do religious leaders today.
a. Story after story has been told of widows sending off all their money to Television evangelists for a miraculous prayer or handkerchief, etc.
b. Widows can't pay their bills because thieves in the name of religion are stealing all they have.
c. Meanwhile the widows are convinced they are giving to God and will be rewarded.

2. News stories have frequently revealed terrible facts concerning so many well-known denominational evangelists.
a. Men who have faked their faith and made millions.
b. Men and women who have built mighty mansions and stashed tons of cash.
c. Religious organizations that have defrauded people and which sometimes even attempt to defraud the government.
d. There are even those who claim to be members of the church who go from congregation to congregation working for short time periods as preachers only for the purpose of getting what they can financially from the church.

CONCLUSION:

1. The spirit of the scribes is alive and well today.
a. Let each of us beware of men who behave as did the scribes.
b. Let each of us make sure we never fall into the same immoral traps the scribes fell into.

2. The problem the scribes had was their failure to make proper application of their vast Biblical knowledge.
a. Because they failed to do so the Lord rebuked them.
b. What do you know about the Bible?
c. Have you applied what you do know to your own life?

3. There is another reason why we ought to beware of the scribes.
a. They rejected the Messiah and were lost.
b. We don't want to be lost.
c. Have you obeyed Jesus Christ in becoming a New Testament Christian?
a. Hear (John 56:45).
b. Believe (John 8:32).
c. Repent (Luke 13:3).
d. Confess (Matt. 10:32,33).
e. Baptized (Mark 16:15, 16).