Matthew Chapter 23 records the last sermon given by Christ. One would figure that if a person knew that this would be his last sermon on earth, his sermon would be one of comfort and encouragement. However, the last sermon given by Christ was one of condemnation of the Religious leaders and False Teachers. The entire sermon can be divided up into two sections. #1-He warns the people of False Teachers (vs. 1-7) #2-He instructs true spiritual leaders not to emulate them and gives the false teachers His final denunciation of their hypocrisy. (vs. 8-36)

It should be noted that since the beginning of time, there have always been false teachers. In Genesis 11:1-9, we see the Tower of Babel and the false teaching that mankind could get to Heaven in their own way instead of God’s way. We see it in Exodus 8 the sorcerers in the court of Pharaoh imitating the first two of the plagues executed upon the Egyptians. We also see in 1 Kings 18 the prophet Elijah confronting the false prophets of Baal. The Apostle Paul confronted the false teachers in the book of Galatians that were teaching that the gospel was the cross of Christ plus keeping the Old Testament Law. He stated in Galatians 1:7-8, “Not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good newsabout the Messiah. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! (HCSB) Even today, we see and hear on our TV’s the internet, walking the streets of our neighborhoods many people that are teaching a false gospel. The Apostle Peter stated in 2 Peter 2:1, “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.” (HCSB)

What did Christ say as a warning to us in regard to False Teachers?

First of all, False Religion claims to know the truth, when in reality, they despise the truth. (23:2) There are many that teach in churches, bible studies, etc., that believe they are teaching the true gospel but in reality, they despise the true Gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In other words, they add works of religion to salvation or even deny the deity and Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, False Religion is a religion of hypocrisy. Jesus is not condemning the teaching of truth, but He is condemning their life of hypocrisy. Titus stated in Titus 1:16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

Thirdly, False religion is a religion of heavy burdens. (23:4) In other words, false teachers add works and the keeping of certain rules and regulations to make them more acceptable to God. Here lies an interesting question: Don’t we as believers in the finished work of Christ do the same? We do it by stating and teaching to our fellow believers that certain dress, hairstyles, styles of worship, certain bible translations, not attending movies, eating certain foods and drink make us feel and look to others that we are more acceptable to God than others? Are we not living the life of a Pharisee? The Apostle Paul stated in Galatians 4:9, “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?”

Lastly, False religion is all about showing off one’s religion. (23:5-7) How did they do this? First, they changed their appearance, dress and clothing to make them appear more religious and to draw attention to themselves. Secondly, they loved their positions of honor and special seats of recognition. Thirdly, they loved their titles.