Beware Of The Leaven Series

Key Scriptures:

Matthew 16:6,

Mark 8:15

Luke 12:1

1 Corinthians 5:7–8

Matthew 16:12

INTRODUCTION

Jesus often used simple everyday things to teach deep spiritual truths.

One such word is “leaven”.

Leaven (yeast) is small, but once added, it spreads silently and changes everything.

Jesus warned His disciples not about storms, persecution, or poverty—but about leaven.

Because what destroys believers most is often not big sins, but small, hidden compromises.

Jesus warned his disciples about three destructive influences that would come against the church:

the leaven of the

Pharisees,

Sadducees,

Herod.

Each of these three “leavens” represents a mind-set or spiritual influence that is opposed to the kingdom of God. They are counterfeit systems that work to enter into the church and bring bondage to God’s people.

The leaven of the Pharisees is a religious spirit.

The Sadducee leaven is a philosophical spirit.

And the leaven of Herod is a political spirit.

ILLUSTRATION: SPOILED MILK IN GOOD MILK

If you mix one cup of spoiled milk into a big vessel of fresh milk,the whole vessel becomes unusable. You don’t need much spoilage to destroy purity.

A small tolerated sin or small false belief can ruin a whole spiritual life.

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump” – 1 Corinthians 5:6

1. JESUS’ WARNING: BEWARE OF LEAVEN (Yeast)

Matthew 16:6

“Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

ILLUSTRATION : TERMITE-EATEN WOODEN CHAIR

The chair looks strong.But termites have eaten it inside.One day, when someone sits, it collapses suddenly. Nobody saw the damage happening.

Hidden leaven causes sudden spiritual collapse.

What does leaven represent?

False teaching

Hypocrisy

Worldliness

Pride

Sin that spreads quietly

Leaven always works secretly, slowly, but surely.

2. Beware of the LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES – HYPOCRISY (Maimalam)

Luke 12:1

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

Who were the Pharisees?

The Pharisees were teachers of the Law, respected by common people. Unlike the Sadducees, they were not mainly priests but scribes, rabbis, and lay leaders who focused on daily obedience to God.

They believed holiness should be lived everyday, not only in the Temple.

What did the Pharisees believe?

Written Law + Oral Tradition

Accepted the Law of Moses and oral interpretations

Resurrection of the dead

They believed in life after death

Strong belief in the spiritual realm

Strict obedience to the Law

Emphasized rules, rituals, fasting, tithing

Illustation

The cat at the coaching centre that was disturbing the students

Why bells were hung on the church is to invite people to the right time.

Matthew 6:5 (Jesus on the Praying style of the Pharisees).

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

What is hypocrisy?

Looking spiritual on the outside, But being empty or corrupt on the inside.

Pharisees:

Prayed loudly

Fasted publicly

Knew Scripture

But lacked love, mercy, and humility

Hypocrisy is dangerous because:

It deceives others

It deceives ourselves

It kills genuine faith

Luke 18:10-14

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

Illustration:

A clean cup outside but dirty inside is still unfit to drink from.

3. LEAVEN OF THE SADDUCEES – UNBELIEF & FALSE DOCTRINE

Matthew 16:12

“They understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Who were the Sadducees?

The Sadducees were a religious–political group made up mainly of priests, wealthy elites, and leaders connected to the Temple in Jerusalem.

They held a lot of power but very little popular support among common people.

What did the Sadducees believe?

Only the written Law of Moses (Torah)

They accepted Genesis–Deuteronomy only

Rejected oral traditions followed by the Pharisees Acts 23:8

Sadducees:

Did not believe in resurrection

Did not believe in angels

Accepted only parts of God’s Word

Partial belief leads to spiritual powerlessness.

Warning for today:

Adjusting Scripture to fit culture

Rejecting uncomfortable truths

Preaching without the cross

4. LEAVEN OF HEROD – WORLDLINESS & COMPROMISE (Ulakiyal & camaracam)

Mark 8:15

Herod represents:

Political power

Moral compromise

Love for approval

Fear of people

Herod liked John the Baptist—but still killed him.

You can admire truth and still reject obedience.

Church warning:

Mixing God’s truth with worldly systems

Choosing popularity over purity

PAUL’S WARNING: REMOVE THE OLD LEAVEN

1 Corinthians 5:7–8

“Purge out the old leaven… For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

Paul says:

Leaven must be removed

Not managed

Not justified

Not hidden

Why?

Because:

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump”

Sin tolerated today becomes bondage tomorrow

Christ died to make us new, not to keep us compromised.