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  PHARISEES PERSECUTE GOD'S PROPHETS
  by Zac Poonen
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Summary: Pharisees are characterized by their offense at the truth and
their persecution of prophets who rebuke them.

Topics: "Persecution of Prophets", "Acceptance of Correction"
Scripture References: Matthew 23:34

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DESCRIPTION
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Zac Poonen addresses the persecution of God's prophets by the Pharisees,
emphasizing that those who speak the truth often face hostility from
those who prefer flattery over correction. He highlights the historical
pattern of prophets being rejected and killed for delivering God's
message, illustrating that offense taken from rebuke may indicate a
Pharisaical heart. The sermon serves as a call to recognize and accept
godly correction rather than resist it, as it is essential for spiritual
growth.

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CONTENT
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"I am sending you prophets....ome of them you will kill and crucify, and
some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from
city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous
blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of
Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple
and the altar" (Matthew 23:34, 35).

Pharisees are offended when they hear the truth from a prophet. And so
they will persecute such preachers in one way or the other. They like
those preachers who flatter them, but hate those who rebuke them and
correct them. The Old Testament prophets told Israel about their sin,
straight to their faces - and all of them were persecuted and some of
them were even killed.

If you are offended by rebuke or correction from a godly man, it is very
likely that you too are a Pharisee.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/zac-poonen/pharisees-persecute-gods-prophets/
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