RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL LESSON TEN SUNDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2018 – HYPOCRITES IN THE CHURCH
SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
*1.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
*2.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
*3.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
*4.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
*5.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
*6.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
MEMORY VERSE: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of deed men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” – Matthew 23:27
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 5:1-16
Acts:5.1
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.Acts:5.2
And he kept back [part] of the proceeds, his wife also being aware [of it,] and brought a certain part and laid [it] at the apostles’ feet.Acts:5.3
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back [part] of the price of the land for yourself?Acts:5.4
“While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”Acts:5.5
Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.Acts:5.6
And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried [him] out, and buried [him.]Acts:5.7
Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.Acts:5.8
And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”Acts:5.9
Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband [are] at the door, and they will carry you out.”Acts:5.10
Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying [her] out, buried [her] by her husband.Acts:5.11
So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.Acts:5.12
And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.Acts:5.13
Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.Acts:5.14
And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,Acts:5.15
so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid [them] on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.Acts:5.16
Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
INTRODUCTION:
A person who pretends to be something that he really is not, is a hypocrite. It is not just making a mistake but a deliberate plan to pretend, deceive or cheat. He is dirty inside but clean outside (Joshua 7:1, 8-12; Matthew 23:27).
A person in a drama representing someone else explains this. He could imitate the speech, mannerisms and conduct of the character portrayed; but in real life he is a different person.
LESSON OUTLINES
1. Forms and reasons for hypocrisy
2. Consequences of hypocrisy
FORMS AND REASONS FOR HYPOCRISY
Hypocrisy can take two forms: that of professing belief in something and then acting in a manner contrary to that belief (Isaiah 29:13).
The other is that of looking down on others when we ourselves are flawed (Matthew 7:3-5; Romans 2:1). Jesus described hypocrites as wolfs in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15), white-washed tombs (Matthew 23:27), snakes and broods of vipers (Matthew 23:33) and graves (Luke 11:44).
There are several reasons people engage in hypocrisy. These include; pride of life (1John 2:15-16), undeserved desire for the honour of men and a feeling of insecurity (2Corinthians 10:12).
They want to be respected in the church as being holy but in secret, committing sins (1Samuel 15:13,20,25-30). Ananias and his wife wanted the praise given to Barnabas when they were not as faithful (Acts 4:34-37; 5:1-10).
Some people pretend to be who/what they are not in order to cheat (Genesis 27:20-22). People who declare false records and inaccurate tithing fall under this category (Proverbs 11:1). Self-indulgence may be another reason for hypocrisy (Romans 16:18).
CONSEQUENCES OF HYPOCRISY
God knows all things including the secret deceit of the heart (Psalm 44:21; Jeremiah 17:9-10; 1Samuel 16:7) and all the ways of man (Job 31:4; Psalm 1:16). No one can hide from Him or deceive Him.
He will repay every man according to his works (Revelations 22:11-12). The consequences of hypocrisy may include:
1. Bad leadership (1Samuel 15:13,20,25-30).
2. Shame and disgrace (Jeremiah 13:25-26).
3. Punishment (Proverbs 11:21).
4. Curses (Isaiah 29:15-16; Job 15:34-35).
5. Untimely or spiritual death (Job 27:8; 36:13-14; 1John 5:12).
CONCLUSION
The same way fornication is a sin against God, so also is hypocrisy (Galatians 5:19-21). The only solution is repentance (Isaiah 55:7).
QUESTIONS
1. Mention 4 reasons for hypocrisy.
2. What are the consequences of hypocrisy?
3. How can we stop hypocrisy in the Church?
