RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL LESSON TEN SUNDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2018 – HYPOCRITES IN THE CHURCH

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’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 friend 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 be 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?

OPENING PRAYER
Father, let the Holy Spirit fire consume the spirit of hypocrisy in our churches.

MEMORY VERSE: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead 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; Matt. 23:27.

A person in 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.

TEXT REVIEW : ACTS 5:1-16 –
“THE ACTORS”.

(i) Lying and deception which characterize hypocrisy are rooted in Satan and not God. Acts 5:3.

(ii) The devil wants people to receive praises and glory which they do not deserve. He made them to “act” what they are not. Acts 5:2.

(iii) Lying unto the Holy Spirit is lying to God and to the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 5:4, 9.

(iv)The consequence of “unity to sin”, “agreement to commit fraud” and “false pretense” is death. Acts 5:5,10.

(v) Ananias and Sapphira must have died because of their love for money and materialism. Acts 5:1-2; 1Tim. 6:10.

(vi)You cannot love money (root of evil) and claim you love God. Such claim is hypocritical and unacceptable.

(vii) Many people in the church who are not born again but who pretend to be one are actors.

(viii) Taking Holy the Communion under the pretense of being holy is acting like Ananias and Sapphira.

(ix) Tithes and vow defaulters are not better than actors.

FORMS AND REASONS FOR HYPOCRISY

A. FORMS

(I) Professing belief in something (God/scriptural doctrine) and acting in a contrary manner to that belief. Isaiah 29:13.

(ii) Looking down on others when we ourselves are flawed. Matt. 7:3-5; Rom. 2:1.

B. DESCRIPTIONS OF HYPOCRITES BY THE LORD JESUS

(i) Wolf in the sheep clothing. Matt. 7:5

(ii) White-washed tombs. . Matt. 7:15.

(iii) Brood of vipers. Matt. 23:27.

(iv) Grave. Luke 11:44

C. REASONS FOR HYPOCRISY

(i) Pride of life. 1John 2:15-16

(ii) Desire to be honoured even when such honour was not deserved. 2Cor. 10:12

(iii)Desire to be reverend and respected as holy people when they are not holy. 1Sam. 15:13, 20, 25-30

(iv)Desire to receive other people’s praise e.g. Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be praised like Barnabas who was faithful with his sale. Acts 4:34-37; 5:1-10

(v) Desire or intent to cheat or commit fraud. Gen. 27:20-22

(vi) Ingratitude to God by taking what belongs to God in form of tithe defaulting, stealing or record falsification. Prov. 11:1

(vii) Self-indulgence. Rom. 16:18.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Teacher should ask the students to discuss this question Should a believer act what he or she is not?

CONSEQUENCES OF HYPOCRISY

A. CONSEQUENCES

(I) Bad leadership. 1Sam. 15:13, 20, 25-30.

(ii) Shame and disgrace. Jer. 13:25-26.

(iii) Punishment. Prov. 11:21.

(iv) Curses. Isaiah 29:15-16; Job 15:34-35.

(v) Untimely or spiritual death. Job 27:8; 36:13-14;1 John 5:12.

B. THE ALL-KNOWING GOD

(1) God knows the secret and deceits of the hearts of all men. Psalms 44:21; Jer. 17:9-10; 1 Sam. 16:7.

(ii) God knows all the ways of men/women. Job 31:4; Psalms 1:6.

(iii)Nobody can hide or deceive Him. He will reward individuals according to his/her work. Rev. 22:11-12.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2
Class to discuss how a hypocrite can be free

SUMMARY
Whatever be the reason, the consequence of being a hypocrite is grievous.

CONCLUSION
The same way fornication is a sin against God, so also is hypocrisy. Gal. 5:19-21. The only solution is repentance. Isaiah 55:7.

CLOSING PRAYER
Father, help my church members to be true and sincere in all ways.

ASSIGNMENT
Identify five (5) enemies of sincerity. ZERO marks for each point.