The Path of the Hypocrite

INTRODUCTION: Though we do not generally know much about Abiathar, he is mentioned 31 times in the Bible. He served as priest under David beginning at the time of his exile from Saul. He was faithful to David until the end of David’s reign when he went after Adonijah. Because of his unfaithfulness, he lost the blessings he had enjoyed under David. As such, Adonijah is a type of the hypocrite. By studying his life, we learn much about the hypocrite. This is important because of the warnings of scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

1. THE HYPOCRITES POSSESSION OF BLESSING
1. A Place Near the People of God (1 Samuel 22:20-23) temporarily escaping wrath (verse 20)
2. The Provision of the Word of God (1 Samuel 23:6-9)
3. The Privilege of Serving God (2 Samuel 15:24-29)
4. A Position in the House of God (2 Samuel 15:35; 1 Chronicles 27:32-34)
2. THE HYPOCRITES POINT OF DEPARTURE
1. A Final Rejection of His Master (1 Kings 1:5-10)
2. The Common Sign of a Hypocrite (1 John 2:19; Hebrews 10:38-39)
3. A Return to the Ways of the Heart (2 Peter 2:20-21; Matthew 12:43-45)
3. THE HYPOCRITE PARTS FROM HIS BLESSINGS
1. He Loses his Place of Nearness to the King (1 Kings 2:26) Get thee to Anathoth (about 3 miles north of Jerusalem)
2. He Loses his Provision From God (1 Kings 2:26) unto thine own fields
3. He Loses the Privilege of Service (1 Kings 2:26) thou art worthy of death
4. He Loses his Position in the House of God
1. He is thrust out from being priest (1 Kings 2:27)
2. His room is taken by another (1 Kings 2:35)
4. THE HYPOCRITES PROBLEM IN THE END
1. He Has the Wrong Father (1 Kings 2:27; 1 Samuel 3:12-14)
2. We Can Have the Same Problem (John 8:44)
3. There is Only One Solution (John 1:12)

CONCLUSION: 2 Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”