Introduction:

A. Text: 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.”

1. This lesson is going to focus on those who confess that they know God, but their deeds show otherwise.  In other words, we are going to discuss hypocrites.
2. Hypocrisy is defined by Webster as: “Simulation; a feigning to be what one is not; or dissimulation, a concealment of one's real character or motives. More generally, hypocrisy is simulation, or the assuming of a false appearance of virtue or religion; a deceitful show of a good character, in morals or religion; a counterfeiting of religion.”

B. Hypocrites are those who want to honor the Lord with their mouths while at the same time violating His word and binding their own doctrines (Mark 7:1-9).  Here at two common examples among brethren of hypocrisy:

1. Often you see men teach the truth on a subject and then they apply it differently than they teach it.  We must be willing to live what we teach [practice what you preach] (Romans 2:17-24 and I Timothy 4:11-16). 
2. A group of people assemble and call themselves the “church of Christ”, but all things they do are based on a majority vote, tradition, or what feels good.  This is hypocrisy.  This is a group of people calling themselves one thing, but not adhering to the laws set for by the true head of the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 1:22-23, and Colossians 3:17).

A. To know God one must look to the word of God (I Corinthians 2:9-13, Romans 10:17, and II Timothy 2:15).
B. Our faith is shown through our works (Hebrews 11:7; cf. James 2:14-26).

1. Through our works we are justified [shown to be righteous] (James 2:24). 
2. Therefore, when our works deny the Lord this testifies of our true lack of faith.  This point is clearly illustrated by Jesus teaching that we will know false teachers by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20).
3. We can say anything with our mouths, but our actions will tell the true story (Luke 9:57-62).
4. Why proclaim the name of the Lord and not obey (Luke 6:46)?

C. Jesus taught clearly against those who confessed God, but in works denied Him (Matthew 23:1-5 [the rest of the chapter illustrates this point also]).

1. The Lord spoke of the fact that the leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy.  He went on to teach that all will be made known because God knows all.  Jesus concluded His teaching on this point but telling His disciples about confessing  Him before men (Luke 12:1-9). 
2. Because someone does religious things in the open does not make them a truly religious person.  On the contrary, it makes them more of a hypocrite when they do things to be seen of men (Matthew 6:1-6).

a. Think of those you know who proclaim they study, but their actions show they know little truth (Hebrews 5:12-14).
b. Think of the Christian who wants everyone to know all that they do when they really do so little (Matthew 5:14-16[see your good works not tell of your good works]. 
c. Think of those individuals who offer public prayers (I call them “preacher prayers”) to be heard of their much speaking (Matthew 6:7).  They even sometimes quote scriptures back to God in min-sermon prayers.

A. The word “bdeluktos - abominable” means: “detestable” – Thayer.  The Lord detests or is disgusted by those who confess His name, but deny Him through their works.

1. The punishment of the abominable is made clear in the scriptures (Revelation 21:8). 
2. The word “abominable” has been applied also to those who outright deny the existence of God (Psalms 14:1). 

a. Hypocrisy is just as bad as denying the existence of God.

B. The word “apeithes – disobedient” means: “impersuasible, not compliant, disobedient, contumacious.”

1. Disobedient is what one was prior to obeying the Gospel, but should not be afterwards (Titus 3:3). 

a. Once obedient we must live the proper life (I Peter 2:9-12).
b. Revelation 2:10 

2. The punishment of the disobedient is clear in the Bible (II Thessalonians 1:8-9). 

III. They are Unto Every Good Work Reprobate

A. The context in which our subject matter has been taken is this:

1. Titus was left in Crete to do the work Paul wanted him to do (Titus 1:5).
2. Titus was working among the Cretians who were known to be very ungodly false teachers (Titus 1:10-14).
3. They were defiled [unclean] and unbelieving in both mind and conscience (Titus 1:15).

B.  These individuals, when tested, are shown to be worthless [unfit] to do good works.  Their works openly testify of their hypocrisy (II Timothy 3:1-9).

1. A man of God is perfect and thoroughly furnished [fully equipped] unto all good works (II Timothy 3:16-17).
2. Hypocrites are unable to be thoroughly furnished unto all good works because they deny the scriptures that would equip them. 

C. True Christians are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). 

1. Christ died that he could deliver us from sin and purify for Himself a clean people desiring to do good works (Titus 2:11-14).
2. Christians will be a people who will be careful in making sure that they are doing good works (Titus 3:8).
3. Christians are to assemble together to provoke one another to do good works (Hebrews 10:22-25).

A. Your sin will find you out: Numbers 32:23

1. By saying your sin will find you out, you are affirming that one reaps what they sow (Galatians 6:7-8).
2. The wage (earning) of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and all sinners will get what they have earned!

B. Do you confess the Lord with your mouth and deny Him with your works?  Stop lying today if so, and make things right with the Lord and those who recognize your hypocrisy.