Pharisees Persecute Those Who Don't Listen to Them
Pharisaical church-leaders threaten to put people out of the church if they won't obey their orders, but Jesus' approach is to seek to win the brother who sinned.
Zac Poonen addresses the persecution faced by those who do not conform to the authority of Pharisaical leaders, exemplified by the blind man who was healed by Jesus and subsequently cast out of the synagogue. He emphasizes that while the Pharisees could not heal, they sought to control and condemn, contrasting their approach with Jesus' method of seeking to restore and win back those who have sinned. Poonen warns against the dangers of church leaders who prioritize authority over compassion, urging that excommunication should be a last resort, and that the goal should always be reconciliation. He highlights the importance of addressing sin with love and understanding rather than judgment and exclusion, as true leadership reflects Christ's heart for restoration.
Text
"The Pharisees told him (the blind man who was healed), "You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?" So they put him out (of the synagogue). (John 9:34).
The Pharisees could not heal that poor man who was born blind. But when Jesus healed him, they were upset and called him a sinner and put him out of the synagogue.
Pharisaical church-leaders threaten to put people out of the church if they won't obey the leader's orders. Pharisaical elders love to have authority over others and to control them. Jesus said that if a brother sins, we should go and speak to him and try and win him (Matthew 18:15). Excommunication should be the last option. Our goal must always be to try and win the brother who sinned.
Believers may fall into sin and do wrong things. When that happens, his church-leader has an option: To speak to him as Jesus would, or as a Pharisee would. Jesus would seek to win the brother. But the devil will want to destroy him. Pharisees are in league with the devil and will harass and persecute those who do not listen to them, or who do not submit to their authority.
Sermon Outline
- Pharisaical Church-Leaders
- Jesus' Approach to Sin
- The Devil's Influence
- Persecution of Those Who Don't Listen
- Pharisees will harass and persecute those who don't submit to their authority
- Pharisees are in league with the devil
- Excommunication should be the last option
Key Quotes
“Pharisaical elders love to have authority over others and to control them.” — Zac Poonen
“Excommunication should be the last option.” — Zac Poonen
“Pharisees are in league with the devil and will harass and persecute those who do not listen to them, or who do not submit to their authority.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- We should seek to win the brother who sinned, rather than seeking to destroy him.
- Excommunication should be the last option for dealing with a brother who sins.
- We should be careful not to be in league with the devil by seeking to control or dominate others.