𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗣𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝘃𝘀 𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗦

OLD PHARISEES vs MODERN PHARISEES

(Religious Pride Then and Now — Rightly Divided)
Key Text: Matthew 23:27–28; Romans 2:21–24
Dispensational Anchor: 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

INTRODUCTION

Pharisaism did not die in the first century—it evolved.
The Old Pharisees opposed Christ under the Law.
The Modern Pharisees oppose Grace under the Gospel revealed to Paul.

Both groups share the same spirit:
Religious pride
Self-righteousness
Resistance to God’s present truth
Today, we will RIGHTLY DIVIDE the difference between Old Pharisees vs. Modern Pharisees.

POMPOUS PERFORMANCE
Matthew 23:5; Romans 10:3

Old Pharisees:
A. Loved Public Religion – “To be seen of men”
B. Displayed External Holiness – Broad phylacteries
C. Paraded Spiritual Status – Titles and recognition
Modern Pharisees:
A. Flaunt Ministry Image – Platforms over preaching
B. Promote Moral Branding – Outward reform, inward rot
C. Perform for Applause – Not God’s approval
Dispensational Insight: Grace removes performance (Eph. 2:8–9).

PERVERTED PRIORITIES
Matthew 23:23; Colossians 2:20–23

Old Pharisees:
A. Focused on Ritual – Tithing herbs
B. Neglected Righteousness – Justice ignored
C. Missed Mercy – Compassion absent
Modern Pharisees:
A. Fixated on Programs – Activity over doctrine
B. Neglect Pauline Truth – Romans–Philemon ignored
C. Majors on Minors – Preferences replace Scripture
Grace prioritizes truth rightly divided.

POLISHED PRETENSE
Matthew 23:27; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15

Old Pharisees:
A. Clean Outside – Whitewashed sepulchers
B. Corrupt Inside – Dead men’s bones
C. Concealed Sin – Hypocrisy masked
Modern Pharisees:
A. Professional Christianity – Church culture polish
B. Doctrinal Compromise – Grace mixed with law
C. Hidden Corruption – Pride under robes
God looks inward, not Instagram.

PRIDEFUL POSITIONING
Matthew 23:6–7; Philippians 3:7–9

Old Pharisees:
A. Loved Chief Seats – Religious rank
B. Craved Recognition – Greetings in markets
C. Claimed Authority – Moses’ seat
Modern Pharisees:
A. Protect Titles – Reverend, Doctor, Apostle
B. Defend Denominations – Traditions over truth
C. Control Pulpits – Fear of losing power
Grace humbles all flesh.

PERSECUTION OF PREACHERS
Matthew 23:34; Acts 9:23; 2 Timothy 3:12

Old Pharisees:
A. Rejected Christ – Crucified the Truth
B. Silenced Apostles – Beatings and prisons
C. Opposed Revelation – Hardened hearts
Modern Pharisees:
A. Reject Paul – “Too extreme”
B. Attack Grace Teachers – Labels and slander
C. Resist Right Division – Call it “dangerous”
Truth has always been persecuted.

PROPHETIC CONFUSION
Matthew 16:6; Romans 11:25

Old Pharisees:
A. Expected a King – Missed the Cross
B. Confused Kingdom Timing – Ignored prophecy
C. Rejected Messiah – Because of blindness
Modern Pharisees:
A. Mix Israel & Church – Covenant confusion
B. Preach Kingdom for Today – Wrong audience
C. Deny the Mystery – Hidden truth rejected
Paul reveals the Mystery Program.

PREACHING WITHOUT POWER
Matthew 23:3; 2 Timothy 3:5

Old Pharisees:
A. Taught Law – Without obedience
B. Burdened People – Heavy loads
C. Lacked Life – No transformation
Modern Pharisees:
A. Moral Sermons – No Gospel clarity
B. Emotional Manipulation – No doctrine
C. Dead Religion – Form without power
Power flows from Grace Truth.

PATHWAY BLOCKERS
Matthew 23:13; Galatians 2:21

Old Pharisees:
A. Shut Up Kingdom – Kept people out
B. Added Law – Faith corrupted
C. Rejected Christ – Salvation hindered
Modern Pharisees:
A. Add Works – Grace diluted
B. Teach Lordship Salvation – Faith polluted
C. Obscure the Gospel – Souls confused
Grace alone opens Heaven.

PENDING JUDGMENT
Matthew 23:33; Romans 2:16

Old Pharisees:
A. Called Serpents – By Christ Himself
B. Warned of Judgment – Escaped not
C. Accountable to God – No excuse
Modern Pharisees:
A. Exposed at Judgment Seat – Motives revealed
B. Lose Reward – Though saved (1 Cor. 3:15)
C. Shamed by Truth – Grace misunderstood
God judges according to Paul’s gospel (Rom. 2:16).

CONCLUSION

Pharisaism is not about robes or rituals—
It is about rejecting God’s present truth.
Old Pharisees rejected Christ under the Law.
Modern Pharisees reject Paul under Grace.
Both are religious.
Both are proud.
Both resist revelation.

CALL TO ACTION

Examine your doctrine — are you rightly dividing?
Reject religious pride — embrace pure grace.
Stand with Paul — even if alone.
Preach Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.
2 Timothy 2:15
Romans 16:25

FINAL THOUGHTS

You can oppose Christ with religion.
You can reject grace while claiming holiness.
You can be orthodox—and still be Pharisaical.
Choose Grace. Choose Truth. Choose Paul.
Don’t be a Modern Pharisee in a Grace Age.