Matthew 5:20 NIV for I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the Teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

This was a stunning statement to the disciples, and the people listening to Jesus. The Pharisees and the Teachers of the law outwardly, had the holiest lifestyles of anyone. This statement was a paradox to those listening because Jesus and his disciples were constantly breaking the laws of the Pharisees.

They did not understand that the righteousness that Jesus was talking about was the righteousness of faith. Faith in Christ makes a person perfect in the eyes of God, because it washes away the guilt for all of our sins, even those we have not yet committed.

The Pharisees did not believe they were sinners. Jesus then continued on to clarify the fact that a person does not have to actually commit a misdeed to sin, the intention of doing it is already a sin.

Matthew 5:21-22 NIV "you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' but I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'you fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Matthew 5:27-28 NIV "you have heard that it was said, 'do not commit adultery.' but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:31-32 NIV "it has been said, 'anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' but I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 5:43-45 NIV "you have heard that it was said, 'love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' but I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect.

Jesus, was not saying that anyone who had done these things could not be saved, as many teach today. What he was doing is trying to convince the Pharisees that they were sinners also. Until a person recognizes the fact that they are a sinner and in need of forgiveness, they will not seek forgiveness, so they will remain in their lost condition. Jesus was broadening the definition of sin to the point where it included the Pharisees also.

The Pharisees considered themselves to have a lock on the kingdom God, meaning that they were a sure bet to make it into Gods kingdom. They considered themselves above needing salvation because they were the physical descendants of Abraham, because they held high positions in the religious hierarchy, and because in public least, they obeyed the letter of the ceremonial law.

Jesus, after proving that everyone is a sinner, if not in deed, then in thought, went on to teach what true religion is.

Before you can understand the following verses, you must first understand what a hypocrite is. The word in modern usage has come to mean a person who believes in God, but sins, usually in public.

This is not the meaning of the word at all, the very opposite is true. The word "hypocrite" comes from English drama, and refers to a person who in disguise, an actor wearing a mask and a costume, berating someone else. The actor in disguise cannot be seen for what he really is because of his makeup and attire.

A modern day example of what a hypocrite would be shown in our form of comedy known as a "roast." The hypocrites are the people doing the roasting, while the person being roasted is the object of their taunts.

Only John the Baptist and Jesus understood that the scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites. The common people and the disciples looked up to the scribes and Pharisees as being the most Holy people.

A hypocrite then, is a person who appears to men to be Holy, but only God and a few persons to whom God chooses to reveal it to, know otherwise. A hypocrite is Holy in his outward actions, as men judge holiness, but inside is Spiritually dead. A saved person, is a person who appears to be a sinner, as men judge sin, but inside is Spiritually alive. Keep this in mind as we study the next few verses.

Giving

Matthew 6:1-4 NIV "be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your father in heaven. "so when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

The hypocrites, when they give money or do some good work, seek the attention and the praise of men. God says they already have their reward, they will get no more reward from him.

A modern day example of this type of hypocrisy is when a person gives money to a good cause and demands a plaque or an award for them to hang in their home, office, or place of business, so that men can see how righteous they are.

Another example would be those who give money to a church building program for the purpose of having a wing or a room named after them, or their names inscribed on the wall, or published in a newspaper or church bulletin.

The modern day church is robbing its members of eternal rewards whenever they publish the names and amounts of the givers. If you give to a worthy cause, and your name and the amount is published, you have lost your reward, as far as God is concerned.

Even adding up the amount of your charitable deductions and giving the amount to your tax preparer, and the government, is enough to cause you to lose your reward. Jesus said, not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. When you keep track of every dollar you have given to a charitable organization, you are violating the command of Christ, not to let your right hand know what your left hand is doing, and to do your giving in secret.

Luke 16:13-15 NIV "no servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, "you are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.

Those who love money will not be able to accept this teaching. Notice, that Jesus said that what is highly valued among men is detestable in Gods sight.

God couldn't care less what you eat, what you drink, how you dress, the style of your hair, whether you have a beard or are clean shaven, and on and on the list could go. Only hypocrites, Christians with bad doctrine, and unsaved people are concerned about these things.

God is only concerned with what you think in your mind, and believe in your heart.

Prayer

Matthew 6:5-8 NIV "and when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father, who is unseen. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your father knows what you need before you ask him.

When the hypocrites pray, they do so loudly and in public so that everyone will see them, and they will receive the praises of men. They have their reward, they will receive no more from God. You can turn on your television on any Sunday morning and see many hypocrites, weeping and wailing and crying, begging God to have mercy on men who are not so fortunate as themselves, to be perfect like they are. These are modern day Pharisees doing the same things that their Spiritual ancestors, the Pharisees of Jesus' day were doing.

Now, there is nothing wrong with public prayer in the church for the sick, or for some brother or sister who is going through a time of trial. Neither is there anything wrong with thanking God for your food before you eat in your home. But, if you do it in public for the purpose of being seen, you have lost your reward. God can read your thoughts, you do not have to speak out loud when thanking God for the things he has given you. When you do so, you are losing your reward from God, because people will see you and praise you, and say what a Godly person you are.

When you desire something from God, go into your room, shut the door, and pray to God in secret, not letting others know what you are doing. Then God who sees and hears the things done in secret will give you what you ask for, if it is part of his plan for your life. And when you pray, do not use repetitious prayers, like the rosary or repeating the Lords prayer over and over. This is this is babbling, and is of no value. Simply state your needs to God, thank him for what you already have, and do so in the name of Jesus Christ.

God already knows what we need before we ask him, the purpose of prayer is for our benefit, so that when we receive what we asked for, we know it is from God and our faith is increased.

Fasting

Matthew 6:16-18 NIV "when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your father, who is unseen; and your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

The purpose of fasting, is to heighten Spiritual awareness. When you fast, your body automatically begins to shut down unnecessary energy burning functions to preserve the nourishment your body has stored, to make it last for the longest possible time. The longer you fast the more functions are shut down and slowed down. What this accomplishes is that it decreases your energy level so you are less inclined to be distracted by thoughts about playing sports, sex, work, and anything that you enjoy doing when you feel great, and your body is full of power. When these bodily functions and desires are dulled Spiritual awareness is heightened.

The time to use fasting as a tool is when you are expecting some great crisis to come upon you, that requires Spiritual power, or when you have been praying for something for a long time and have received no answer from God.

Moses fasted forty days when he received the ten commandments, Elijah fasted forty days when he was in great fear for his life from queen jezebel, Jesus fasted forty days before he was tempted by Satan. He did this to give himself Spiritual power to resist the temptations he was about to endure. Notice, the very first temptation was with food. Jesus answered Satan every time by quoting from the scriptures. Satan also quoted from the scriptures, but with a false interpretation.

Matthew 4:1-11 NIV then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "if you are the son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "it is written: 'man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " then the devil took him to the Holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "if you are the son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'he will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "Jesus answered him, "it is also written: 'do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "all this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' " then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

It is not recommended that anyone try fasting for forty days, especially if you are working. Forty day fasts are only for prophets who are instructed by God to do this. Three days to a week is sufficient in most cases, and then, do not gorge yourself after a fast or this can lead to severe medical problems, or even death. If you wish to fast for Spiritual reasons, start with a 24 hour fast, and work your way up to a week, if this is what is necessary to receive an answer from God.

And when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, who tell others they are fasting to appear Holy before men. Wash yourself, put on nice clothes and a cheerful face, and conceal the fact that you are fasting, and God who sees what you are doing in secret will give you the answer that you seek, or make you aware of the reason why you cannot have what you want.

Ritual fasts, such as lent, or not eating certain foods on certain days, are meaningless. There is no Spiritual value whatsoever to a ritual fast. Don't even bother with these. Reserve fasting for times when you desperately need an answer from God. In most cases the answer you seek can be found in the scriptures, once your mind is Spiritually ready to receive it, and you are willing to accept it.

Matthew 23:1-3 NIV then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "the teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

We are not bound by this today, having to do what the scribes and Pharisees tell us to do. In Jesus time there was only one temple, the one in Jerusalem, and one high priest. Even when this high priest did not know what he was saying, God would put words in his mouth to make him say the right thing.

Today, in the church age, when we find we are in a church with false preacher, we can simply change churches.

Matthew 23:4-5 NIV they tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. "everything they do is done for men to see: they make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;

This is the same thing that the hypocrites do today, try to make you conform to a bunch of man made rules, that are impossible to keep, while they themselves, in secret, do not even try to keep them.

Matthew 23:6-8 NIV they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'rabbi.' "but you are not to be called 'rabbi,' for you have only one master and you are all brothers.

The Jews today still call their priests, "rabbi's", which means "master" and is against the command of God.

Matthew 23:9 NIV and do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one father, and he is in heaven.

Jesus is talking here about calling a priest or pastor "father," not our human fathers or mothers. The catholic church still practices this today, against the clear command of Christ.

Matthew 23:10 NIV nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one teacher, the Christ.

At the time of Christ there was a strict religious sect known as the "Essenes," who called the leader of their group, "the teacher of righteousness." Jesus is here again talking about calling someone who is a priest or pastor "teacher," for this would be implying that they have some special Spiritual wisdom, above and beyond what is available to every Christian.

Jesus was and is the first and the last Spiritual "teacher." Everything we now learn Spiritually, comes to us from Christ, via the Holy Spirit. Anything we learn Spiritually is made possible by Christ, whether we hear it or read it, by him opening our minds to understand it. Christ was not talking about calling someone teaching at a school or university "teacher," only Spiritual group leaders.

In all of the cases above, calling someone master, father, or teacher pertains only to Spiritual leaders, not to those who are in authority over us in secular matters.

Matthew 23:11-12 NIV the greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

The point of the verses above is that while we are here on this earth, we are here to serve, to help others. Jesus is still talking here primarily to pastors. Pastor, by the way is the proper term for a Christian group leader.

Pastor means "shepherd." A shepherd is to be kind and gentle to his flock, guiding and protecting them, not Lording over them like a lion tamer in a circus, making the lion jump through a flaming hoop.

Matthew 23:13 NIV "woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

Jesus said of these scribes and Pharisees that they were not saved, and that they were actually preventing others, from being saved. They were then, and are today, only a temporary roadblock though. God will not allow even one person throughout the entire seven thousand years of human history, to be lost, if that person is willing to know and believe the truth. God will simply go around the scribes and the Pharisees and reveal the truth to the person desiring it by other means.

Matthew 23:15-17 NIV "woe to you, teachers of the law and 'Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. "woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'if anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' you blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

The Pharisees, loved money. They considered the gold in the temple to be of greater value than what the temple represented, the dwelling place of God.

Matthew 23:23-24 NIV "woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

The biblical principle of giving is the tithe, ten percent. The Pharisees adhered strictly to this principle, even giving ten percent of their spices. They were adhering strictly to the letter of the law, but neglecting the greater matters, justice, mercy and faithfulness. Notice, that in this case Jesus did not tell them to stop what they were doing. He told them that they should be doing both, tithing, and practicing justice, mercy and faithfulness.

Tithing is still for us today. This subject is covered in the book "biblical mysteries??? Revealed!!!

In Luke, Jesus gives us a parable showing how a hypocrite acts, and how a saved person acts, and how God views both of them.

Luke 18:9-14 NIV to some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "but the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

The modern day Pharisees do the same thing, they thank God that they are not like the rest of us poor sinners, thinking themselves to be justified by their works. It was the sinner who recognized his sin who went home justified, not the one who thought he had no sin in him.

Matthew 23:25-28 NIV "woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. "woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Jesus is here telling the hypocrites that if they clean the inside, the mind and the heart, the outside will be clean also.

From the Pharisees viewpoint, Jesus and his disciples lives were unclean, because they did not obey the traditions of the Jewish religion. Modern day hypocrites are the same way, they judge others according to their traditions, and not according to the scriptures and the Spirit of God.

Matthew 23:29-36 "woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, 'if we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' so you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers! "you snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.

All this did come upon that generation, they crucified Christ, and said, "let his blood be upon us and upon our children," and it was. For this sin, the Jews were booted out of their country for two thousand years, just as God had told them they would be.

Matthew 23:37-39 NIV "o Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' "

The Jews will not see Christ again, until they have suffered horribly under the Antichrist, and are praying and begging for Christ to return and save them. This will happen during the lifetime of this generation, because we are the generation who have witnessed the restoration of the state of Israel.