Sunday School Lessons

NOVEMBER 1 / NOVEMBER 8, 2015

 

JERUSALEM’S COMING DESTRUCTION

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

1.  When Jesus spoke of the destruction of the temple, His disciples were clearly stunned and desired to know how they would know when this awful event was near at hand. Therefore, as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, with the temple in   full view (Verse 3), there, four of them asked Him in private, “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Verse 4)

2.  He then gave several things that would signal that the time was near. (Verses 5-13)

a)  Many false Christs would appear.

b)  There would be great commotions and wars among nations. (Secular historians confirm that this was so.)

c)  They would see awful upheavals in nature. (This too was confirmed by historians.)

d)  Christian persecutions would increase.

3.  Having told them what to look for as signals, the Lord tells them that they shall see Jerusalem besieged, and warns His disciples to flee from the bloody catastrophe.

 

I.  THE LAST SIGN TO BE SEEN BEFORE THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM WOULD BE “THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION” STANDING IN THE HOLY PLACE. (VERSE 14; MATT. 24:15)

A.  THIS IS “THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,” WHICH DANIEL HAD SEEN IN HIS SEVENTY WEEKS VISION. (DAN. 9:25-27)

1.  When they would see the Roman ensign, “standing where it ought not,” i.e. “standing in the holy place,” (Matt. 24:15) they would know the time had come.

2.  The Jews had rejected Christ as an abomination who would have been their salvation, God now brought upon them an abomination that would be their desolation, by which their sacrifice and offering would be made to cease.

3.  This army of “the land that thou abhorrest” (Isa. 7:16) now stands where it ought not to stand, and would never have been suffered there to stand, had Jerusalem not profaned the crown of their holiness. “The heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into the congregation,” (Lam. 1:10); but their sin made the breach at which the glory went out, and the abomination of desolation broke in.

B.  JESUS WARNED THAT WHEN THIS SHOULD OCCUR THEIR ONLY SAFETY WOULD BE IN FLEEING THE CITY. “THEN LET THEM THAT ARE IN JUDEA FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS.”

1.  Ordinarily the Jews would have sought safety within the walls of their fortified city, but no longer was Jerusalem a safe sanctuary for them.

2.  They had rejected their true City of Refuge, and thus, those walls could not prevent the insurgence of this great enemy. Even the holy place itself was taken by the enemy.

3.  For the church God has appointed salvation for her walls and bulwarks. (Isa. 26:1)  God Himself is our refuge and strength. (Psa. 46:1) Our safety is in remaining faithful to Him.

II.  THE LORD GAVE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THAT WERE TRUE BELIEVERS IN JUDEA. (VERSES 14c-23)

A.  ALL MUST TAKE THEIR FLIGHT WITHOUT DELAY. (VERSES 14c-16)

1.  They would soon see their city wholly shut up by the Roman armies, so that none would either go in or come out.

2.  They must therefore let all possessions go, if need be, in order to save their lives.

3.  Whether in the house or in the field, no material possession was worth the risk of any delay. (Verses 15, 16)

B.  THEY MUST TAKE THEIR FLIGHT, AVOIDING ALL ADDITIONAL HARDSHIPS, IF POSSIBLE. (VERSES 17, 18)

1.  Women who were pregnant, or who had nursing babies, or small children to care for, clearly, had additional, but unavoidable burdens to deal with. Thus, He says, “Woe to them.”

2.  Winter travel presented its own hardships, especially in the higher elevations where they were going. Thus He says, “Pray ye that your flight be not in winter.”

3.  These matters were not within their control, but they were to make them matters of prayer. “But pray ye…”

C.  REGARDLESS OF THE DIFFICULTIES FACING THEM, STAYING PUT WAS NOT AN OPTION, SINCE THE COMING DESTRUCTION WAS UNPRECEDENTED. (VERSES 19, 20)

1.  We know from the writings of Josephus and others that the predictions of unprecedented tribulation and affliction were not exaggerated.

2.  The Sovereign Lord did cut the horrors of the siege short. He shortened them for the elect sake. Those who had been hated and persecuted by their countrymen became the means of preserving them from complete annihilation.

3.  This wicked world hates so very much the church of Jesus Christ, yet it owes more to it than it could ever think possible. How many judgments have been withheld or shortened for the elect’s sake.

a)  Where would this world be without the prayers of God’s people?

b)  God would have spared even Sodom and Gomorrah for sake of ten righteous souls. (Gen. 18:32)

D.  JESUS WARNS OF THE RISE OF RELIGIOUS FRAUDS WHO THROUGH SIGNS AND WONDERS WOULD BE VERY SEDUCTIVE. (VERSES 21-23)

1.  These false Christs were powerful deceivers. The ability to do great wonders does not mean that one is sent from God. (Matt. 7:22)

2.  Others were promoting these frauds. “If any man shall say to you lo, here is Christ; or lo, he is there…” (Vs 21)

3.  No doubt, many fell for them who were professed Christians. Sadly this is often the case.

4.  Every generation has its share of false prophets, and there seems never to be a shortage of gullible people (even professing Christians) who get sucked in by them. (II Pet. 2:1-3) Many find their spectacular claims irresistible.  Thankfully, God’s true elect people shall not be deceived even by the cleverest to them. (Verse 22)

5.  Let the elect therefore take heed to that which He has revealed in His Word. (Verse 23)

a)  Being forewarned, let us not be taken by surprise; let us not be caught in their snare.

b)  Being forewarned, let us be prepared to identify and denounce false prophets, whose claims and teachings make manifest their fraudulence.

6.  “It is a grand thing to have such faith in Christ that there is none left for imposters.” (Spurgeon)

III.  USING FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE THE LORD DESCRIBES THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION AND ITS IMMEDIATE EFFECT. (VERSES 24-27)

A.  THE FALL OF JERUSALEM IS DESCRIBED AS A CATASTROPHE THAT WILL LEAVE IT DESTITUTE OF ALL FORMER GLORY AND USEFULNESS. (VERSES 24, 25)

1.  The sun darkened represents the removal of God’s light and favor.

2.  The moon cannot give its light, without the sun. Thus Israel is no longer a reflector of the light of God’s glory.

B.  JESUS SEEMS ALSO TO MINGLE PROPHESIES THAT PERTAIN TO HIS SECOND COMING. (VERSES 24-27)

1.  These words had a certain fulfillment in 70 A.D. This we know from what He said as to the time frame in Vs. 30.  He clearly said that that present generation would not pass “till all these things be done!”

a)  He came in clouds of judgment in power and great glory. (Verse 26)

b)  Great mourning and wailing was heard in all the tribes of Israel. (Matt. 24:30)

c)  The sounding of the Gospel trumpet was calling God’s elect from all quarters. (Verse 27; Matt. 24:31)

2.  This language as used elsewhere refers to the second coming. (Matt. 26:64; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 25:31; Mark 8:38; I Cor. 15:52; I Thess. 4:16; Matt. 13:49; II Pet. 3:10f)

a)  Perhaps He intended the destruction of Jerusalem to be seen as a microcosm of the judgment of the last day.

b)  Luke adds: “Then look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)

IV.  THE LORD AGAIN AFFIRMS THE TIME FRAME AND CERTAINTY OF THIS PROPHECY. (VRS. 28-31)

A.  REGARDING THE SIGNS OF THE TIME OF THIS JUDGMENT, HE HAD THEM LEARN A PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE (VERSES 28, 29) AND OF ALL TREES. (LUKE 21:31)

1.  This is A parable of the fig tree. He used the fig tree to teach other object lessons before.

2.  The point that He seems to be making here is that as spring immediately precedes summer, the signs He had given would come immediately before the coming judgment of Jerusalem. (Verses 28, 29)

B.  CONCERNING THE NEARNESS OF THIS TERRIBLE JUDGMENT HE EMPHASIZED AGAIN THAT IT WOULD BE SEEN BY THEIR GENERATION. (VERSE 30)

C.  THE PROPHECIES GIVEN IN THIS DISCOURSE WOULD MOST CERTAINLY COME TO PASS, AND THAT BEYOND ALL QUESTION. (VERSE 31)

V.  JESUS CONCLUDES WITH WORDS WHICH PERTAIN MOST DEFINITELY TO HIS SECOND COMING. (VERSES 32-37)

A.  THIS COMING EVENT IS DISTINGUISHED FROM JERUSALEM’S DESTRUCTION. “BUT OF THAT DAY…” (VERSE 32)

1.  It is distinguished not only by the use of the conjunction “but,” (which indicates a contrast), but also by the use of the remote demonstrative pronoun “that,” as opposed to the near demonstrative pronoun “this,” which appears in Verse 30 as indicating the nearness of the event of Jerusalem’s destruction.

2.  This distinction is even more obvious in Matthew’s account, where the Lord is clearly responding to a twofold question. (Matt. 24:3)

a)  The first question pertained to what Jesus had said about the destruction of the temple in the previous verse. “When shall these things be?”

b)  The second question (whether they knew it or not) pertained to a far greater judgment to come much later.  “And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

c)  Although the first may have been a microcosm of the second, and even contained apocalyptic language that pertains to the greater event, Jesus’ answer makes a clear distinction between the two. (Matt. 24:34, 36)

B.  THE TIME OF CHRIST’S COMING AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD (MATT. 24:3b) IS UNKNOWN TO MEN AND ANGELS. (VERSE 32)

1.  No creature is privy to that information.

2.  Not even to the Son of Man was it revealed. It is certain that Christ as God was not ignorant of anything, but the divine wisdom which dwelt in Him did communicate itself to His human soul according to the divine pleasure. This is to us a great mystery.

3.  Only the Father knows the day and the hour of Christ’s coming and the events that will accompany it.

C.  OUR DUTY IN LIGHT OF BOTH THE CERTAINTY AND THE UNCERTAINTY REGARDING HIS COMING IS GIVEN. (VERSES 33-37)

1.  We must take heed to His Word, and we must watch and pray. (Verse 33)

2.  Since our Master is gone away and left us a trust, we must be faithful servants, ready to give an account at any moment. (Verse 34, 35; see Matt. 25:14ff; Luke 19:12ff)

3.  We are to live in constant expectation of His coming. (Verse 36, 37; see Matt. 25:1ff)

 

 

OCTOBER 25, 2015

 

JESUS FORETELLS THE COMING DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

1.  After Jesus cleansed the temple He began there to teach the people and preach the Gospel. (Luke 20:1) Mark mentions His walking in the temple. Apparently, as He walked about the temple precincts He would seize every opportunity to teach and preach. One such teaching session was interrupted by the barging in of some of the Jewish religious leaders, demanding to know by what authority He did these things. (Ch. 11:28) Although that confrontation ended in a standoff, (see Ch. 11:29-33) it led to our Lord’s parable of the wicked husbandmen, in which He exposed the murderous plot of the Jewish leaders against Him, and the evil motive behind it.

2.  Those wicked rulers would have carried out their plan immediately, except they feared the people. (Ch. 12:12) They resorted instead to multiple attempts to either get Him to incriminate Himself with the Roman government, or to discredit Himself with the Jewish people. (Ch. 12:13-34) After wisely answering each of the questions from the opposition, He proposed a question of His own to them. (Ch. 12:35-37) This was the question of the day. “What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he?” (Matt. 22:42)

3.  The leaders, for the most part, persisted in their opposition and hatred, while “the common people heard Him gladly.” It was to those common people that Jesus addressed His stern warning to beware of the scribes with all of their religious pretenses by which they cloaked their great wickedness. (Ch. 12:38-40) These were Jesus’ final words to the people in the temple before leaving it for the last time.

4.  As Jesus was leaving the temple, apparently His disciples sensed the finality of it. Matthew’s account reads “And Jesus went out and departed from the temple.” (Matt. 24:1) This accounts for why they were appealing to Him to look again at the beautiful buildings, as if to say, please reconsider. His response to their appeal is what follows as He solemnly predicts the future destruction of the city and its magnificent temple.

 

I.  THE SOLEMN PREDICTION JESUS MADE CONCERNING THE COMING DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE. (VERSES 1-4)

A.  CHRIST’S OWN DESCIPLES WERE AMONG THOSE WHO ADMIRED THE TEMPLE FOR ITS BEAUTY AND GRANDEUR. (VERSE 1)

1.  The outside was built with goodly stones, and the interior was beautified with rich presents that had been given.

2.  The disciples had a fond attachment to this splendid house of worship.

3.  They thought that their Master should be as affected by those things as they were. In Matt. 24:1, 2 it appears that they saw His departure from it as a final rejection, and therefore they plead with Him, “See what manner of stones, and what buildings are here!”

B.  CHRIST SPOKE OF THOSE THINGS WITH CONTEMPT, AND TOLD OF THEIR SOON-TO-COME DESOLATION. (VERSE 2)

1.  Mark, like Matthew, tells us that the disciples called His attention to the great stones, some of which were forty-five cubits long, five in depth, and six in breadth.

2.  They sensed that His departure was in final rejection, and therefore pled with Him to behold these things.

3.  Our Lord, in order to turn their eyes away from the stateliness and beauty of this house, prophesied the complete destruction of it, and that without the slightest regret or remorse.

C.  WITH GREAT CURIOSITY THEY INQUIRED OF HIM WHEN THIS DESOLATION WOULD COME. (VERSES 3, 4)

1.  They asked what signs they might look for. Not that they doubted His words, but they would know when the terrible day was approaching. The Jews demanded to see signs because they did not believe!

2.  They asked for no present signs, but they inquired about what they should look for as signs that the time was near. “And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?”

II.  THE CERTAINTY AND CLEARNESS WITH WHICH JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES WHAT TO EXPECT AS THEY SAW THE DAY APPROACHING. (VERSES 5-13) This Jesus did in order to prepare His disciples for what was coming, and to direct them in their duty. Knowledge should be desirable not merely to satisfy curiosity, but to enlighten us as to our responsibilities.

A.  THEY MUST EXPECT FALSE CHRISTS TO APPEAR, AS WELL AS FALSE PROPHETS SPEAKING LIES. (VERSES 5, 6)

1.  Many in every age from the days of Christ until now have been bold to make such boasts, saying “I am he.” (Acts 5:36; 21:38; II Tim. 4:3; II Pet. 2:1; I John 2:18)

2.  His instructions are clear. It matters not what age it is. “Take heed lest any man deceive you.” One must wonder how those who were present to see and hear Christ could be deceived by false Christs, but Jesus did not warn unnecessarily. One must also wonder how those with open Bibles should be deceived, but frauds can always gain a following, even from Bible-believing churches.

B.  THEY MUST EXPECT TO HEAR OF GREAT COMMOTIONS AMONG THE NATIONS AND GREAT AND FEARFUL SIGHTS IN NATURE. (VERSES 7, 8)

1.  That such wars have continued and shall continue to the end of the world is a certainty, but civil historians record for us the many uprisings that occurred before the destruction of Jerusalem. It is these of which Jesus here speaks.

2.  One would hardly think time would have permitted so many bloody wars involving Judea, Samaria, Syria, Rome, etc., but Josephus catalogues the wars, commotions, seditions, slaughters, as nation did rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

3.  That there were judgments sent by way of earthquakes, famines, pestilence, etc., is also confirmed by secular historians.

C.  THEY MUST EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE AWFUL CHRISTIAN PERSECUTIONS. (VERSES 9-12)

1.  The increase of their own persecutions and sufferings would serve as a sign that the time of Jerusalem’s destruction was drawing nigh.

2.  Christ tells them what hard things they must suffer for His name’s sake. Their persecutions shall come from many quarters.

a)  The Jews will bring them before the synagogues. (Verse 9a)

b)  The magistrates will be incensed against them. (Verse 9b)

c)  Their own relatives will sometimes be their accusers. (Verse 12)

d)  There will be general hatred for Christ’s sake. (Verse 13a)

e)  Many will be martyred. (Verse 12c)

(1)  Imagine a father, mother, brother, or sister bearing witness against his or her own flesh and blood, seeing them put to death. (Matt. 10:21)

(2)  This is at least in part what Christ meant when He said what He did in Luke 14:26. Not only must the disciple’s love for Christ be greater than the love he has for his immediate family members, he must be willing to suffer their rejection and even their betrayal for Christ’s sake.

2.  Note the great promises that Jesus includes on this matter.

a)  Their persecution shall be turned into a positive fruitful testimony. (Verse 9)

(1)  In some cases, to the conversion of some who persecuted them, or who witnessed their uncompromising faith in suffering. (See I Pet. 2:12)

(2)  In some cases, to reprove those whose religion was the cloak for their cruelty.

(3)  In some cases, to embolden others in their stand for the faith. (Phil. 1:14)

b)  How to answer their accusers, when before the magistrates will be given them. (Verse 11) The Lord, Who is always with His suffering saints, to succor and help them, will give them what to say. (Matt. 10:16-20)

c)  There shall not one hair of the head perish. (Luke 21:18) The body may be destroyed. (See Luke 12:4-7) But, Jesus’ promise to His sheep is that they shall never perish. (John 10:280

D.  THEY MUST EXERCISE PATIENT PERSEVERANCE UNTO THE END. (VERSE 13)

1.  It is with patience that afflictions are endured by trusting in their Master’s promises.

2.  By “patience” is meant constancy and perseverance in sustaining afflictions.

3.  It is he who perseveres unto the end that shall be saved. (Verse 13; Matt. 24:13)

 

 

OCTOBER 11 / OCTOBER 18, 2015

 

CHRIST AVOIDS THE ENEMY SNARES

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

1.  Our Lord’s parable of the wicked husbandmen had hit home with the Jewish leaders. “They knew that he spoken the parable against them.” (Verse 12)

2.  They responding by sending first one and then another with questions for Him, loaded questions, designed to ensnare Him. (Verses 13ff)

3.  The ease with which He in His superior wisdom avoided the traps and confounded the conspirators was no doubt frustrating and humiliating to His enemies.

4.  In today’s lesson we will hear from the final representative of the ruling body to question Him, even one of the scribes. This man, however, had been quite impressed with how Christ answered the former questions, and therefore reflects a very different attitude than his associates.

 

I.  A SCRIBE WAS NEXT SENT BY THE JEWISH LEADERS TO QUESTION CHRIST, THEIR MOTIVE STILL BEING THE SAME AS BEFORE. (VERSES 28-34) Matthew tells us that after the Sadducees were put to silence, the council decided to make one more attempt to stymie the Lord, and therefore they chose this scribe to represent them. This particular scribe was probably not a good choice, since he seems to have been undergoing a change of heart and attitude toward Christ. As he listened to Jesus’ answer to the other questions he was persuaded that He answered well.

A.  THIS SCRIBE, IT APPEARS, WAS MORE HONEST THAN MANY OF HIS ASSOCIATES, NOT ALLOWING PREJUDICE TO CLOUD HIS DISCERNMENT. (VERSE 28)

1.  He came armed with a question designed to put Jesus to the test. He, being a scribe and having perhaps spent much time copying the Law, had most likely pondered this question himself.

2.  Having heard how well He had answered the Sadducees and the Herodians, he no doubt longed to hear our Lord’s answer to this question.

3.  He will later voice his agreement with the answer which Jesus gave, “Master, thou hast said the truth.” (Vs. 32)

B.  JESUS’ CLEAR AND FORTHRIGHT ANSWER INDICATES THAT HE HAD REGARD FOR THE QUESTION, AND THE ONE WHO ASKED IT. (VERSES 29-31)

1.  Jesus did not rebuke the scribe, nor did He answer with a confounding question as He did on those occasions when He knew the ill-intentions of those behind the inquiry.

2.  He quoted Deuteronomy 6:4, 5 and declared it to be the first and greatest Commandment of all.

a)  Surely it is the chief duty of man to love his God with all of his being.

b)  For the true Israel, the Israel of God, the Church, we can say He is the Lord our God. Jehovah is our God. We owe Him all of our love, and all of our being.

c)  This is the first and great Commandment.

d)  How far short do we fall? Who can hope to be justified by keeping the Commandments? Only in Christ is this first and great Commandment kept, and all of the other Commandments as well.

3.  Jesus answered the question with the true answer that none could dispute. Then He gave, as a bonus, the second greatest Commandment. (Verse 31)

a)  Neither of these can be kept separate from the other. (I John 4:20)

b)  These two Commandments sum up the two tables of the Decalogue.

c)  No Commandment is kept if these are not kept, because every other duty hangs on these two Commandments. (Matt. 22:40)

C.  THE SCRIBE’S RESPONSE REVEALED A DEGREE OF SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT WHICH CHRIST ACKNOWLEDGED. (VERSES 32-34)

1.  He was not put to silence like those who preceded him. Quite the contrary, he expressed his hearty agreement. (Verses 32, 33)

2.  Not only did he agree with Jesus’ answer, but he acknowledged Him as a true teacher. “MASTER, thou hast said the truth.”

3.  One must wonder what the other scribes and Pharisees were thinking as they heard him speaking with Christ in this way.

4.  The other scribes and Pharisees may have felt betrayed, but Jesus was favorably impressed with him. (Verse 34)

a)  Jesus saw a man who had true discernment, and one who was willing to confess the truth, even knowing that he would likely be condemned by his associates.

b)  Jesus recognized a spiritual work which indicated that he was a true seeker of the Kingdom of God, and we can hope that he did press into it.

II.  JESUS COUNTERS WITH A QUESTION OF HIS OWN WHICH THEY WOULD DO WELL TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER. (VERSES 35-37)

A.  THE INITIAL QUESTION WAS ONE WHICH THEY COULD READILY ANSWER. “HOW SAY THE SCRIBES THAT CHRIST IS DAVID’S SON?” (VERSE 35)

1.  His question was directed primarily to the scribes Pharisees and Sadducees whose questions He had just answered.

a)  The scribes and Pharisees, we would think, had to agree with His answer to the Sadducees’ question about the resurrection.

b)  The one scribe (lawyer) who represented the Pharisees was clearly in agreement with His answer to their question about the first and greatest Commandment.

c)  But now He has a question for all of them. This would be the question of the day.

2.  The first part of this two-part question is simply an acknowledgment of what they all believed – that the Messiah would be “the son of David.”

a)  None of the rulers would have disagreed that the Christ was to be of the seed of David.

b)  They as a whole refused to believe that Jesus was the Christ. Nevertheless some did believe, even from among the rulers, and many from among common people. When sick folks would cry out to Him, saying, “Jesus, thou Son of David…” they meant more than at first it might have appeared.

B.  THE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION (SECOND PART) WAS NOT SO READILY ANSWERED BY THE LEARNED LEADERS. (VERSES 36, 37)

1.  The very Psalm which our Lord here references as proof that David called his son Lord is the same Psalm that Peter pressed upon the Jews in His first public sermon addressed to them on the Day of Pentecost. (Verse 35; Acts 2:34; Psa. 110:1)

2.  Our Lord probably had a double object in mind when He put this question to the Jews.

a)  For one thing, He intended to show them their ignorance of the Scriptures, which they so proudly supposed they understood.

b)  For another thing, He desired to teach them higher and more exalted views of the true nature of Messiah. They held a low, carnal view of Messiah. They expected a prophet and king greater than Moses and David, but not one who would be at the same time very God.

3.  Let us ask ourselves this question as it is in Matthew’s Gospel: “What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he?”  If we answer that He is “the son of David,” as they did, we are half right. He is indeed the son of David, but He is also the son of God, thus, David called Him “Lord.” In order to be the true Messiah and Savior, He has to be both.

III.  JESUS WARNS HIS DISCIPLES AGAINST THE ABOMINABLE HYPOCRISIES OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. (VERSES 38-40)

A.  THIS WAS A BOLD AND REMARKABLE WARNING AGAINST HYPOCRISY FOR WHAT IT IS.

1.  This was a public denunciation of men who “sat in Moses’ seat,” and were recognized teachers of the Jewish people.

2.  He describes them as being proud, haughty, conceited, self-seeking hypocrites.

3.  No sin seems to be regarded by Christ as more sinful than hypocrisy. To draw such scorching condemnation from lips that were so full of mercy and compassion for sinners, the wearing of a mere cloak of religion has to be a great abomination.

4.  Let us remember that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

B.  THIS WAS A SERIOUS AND CHILLING WARNING AGAINST HYPOCRISY FOR THE GREATER CONDEMNATION IT SHALL RECEIVE. “THE SAME SHALL RECEIVE GREATER DAMNATION.”

1.  First, see in these awful words the reality of eternal punishment for sinners.

a)  All unbelievers are condemned. (John 3:18, 19)

b)  All who are impenitent shall perish. (Luke 13:3)

2.  Second, notice that some shall receive greater condemnation than others.

3.  Third, consider who shall receive the greater condemnation. “THESE shall receive the greater damnation.”

IV.  HAVING CONDEMNED THE HYPOCRISY OF THE SCRIBES, JESUS HERE OBSERVES AND COMMENDS THE SINCERE DEVOTION OF A POOR WIDOW. (VERSES 41-44)

A.  NOTICE, HE OBSERVES WHAT MEN AND WOMEN DO, BOTH GREAT AND SMALL.

B.  HE EVALUATES THE GIFTS BASED ON ONE’S ABILITY.

C.  HE COUNTS LITTLE AS BEING MUCH, IF GIVEN SACRIFICIALLY.

D.  IN HIS SIGHT LITTLE IS MORE, WHEN THE LITTLE IS OUR ALL.

 

SEPTEMBER 27 / OCTOBER 4, 2015

 

CHRIST AGAIN SPOILS THE PLOTS OF HIS ENEMIES

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

1.  The ongoing exchange between Christ and His enemies is taking place in the temple at Jerusalem only days before He was to die on the cross.

2.  Already Jesus had used parables to expose their wicked plot against Himself, and also to announce the judgment soon to come upon them.

3.  They would have laid hands on Him to destroy Him, but were not able to do so because of the people. (Verse 19)

4.  They settle upon a plot designed to entrap the Lord in His talk. If nothing else, they were relentless. How many times already the Master Teacher and Thought-reader had confounded them with His great wisdom.

5.  As seen from Matthew’s account, the strategy of the Jewish leaders, civil, and religious together, was to send first one group and then another, in order to try and entangle Him in His talk. First came some disciples of the Pharisees with Herodians; then came a group of Sadducees; then came one of the lawyers. As the various spokesmen came forward, the whole council was gathered about so that they might hear.

6.  Mark here records two of these inquisitions. The first (Verses 13-17) was intended to pit Christ against the Roman authorities, in hopes that they might come after Him. The second (Verses 18-27) was intended as another attempt to try and pit Christ and Moses, but particularly to disprove the doctrine of the resurrection.

 

I.  THE PHARISEES AND HERODIANS CONSPIRE TOGETHER IN AN ATTEMPT TO PIT CHRIST AGAINST THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT. (VERSES 13-17; MATT. 22:15-22)

A.  NOTICE FIRST, THE CONSPIRATORS AND THEIR PLOT TO ENSNARE THE LORD JESUS. (VERSE 13; MATT. 22:15-17)

1.  What an unlikely alliance of certain enemy groups. The Pharisees were the strictest sect of the religious orders. The Herodians made up a Jewish party in support of Herod’s family. They favored paying tribute to Caesar in order to have dominion granted by the Roman Government. This would put them at odds with the Pharisees, who were zealous for liberty from Rome.

2.  The only agreement between the Pharisees and Herodians was their hatred for Christ. The world so hates Christ and His Church that all other differences can be set aside for sake of it.

3.  There was an ongoing and bitter rivalry between the Pharisees and Sadducees. (See Acts 23:6-10) But on this they agreed – they both hated Christ, and against Him they here became fellow conspirators.

B.  THEY ATTEMPT TO DRAW CHRIST INTO THEIR NET WITH FLATTERY (VERSE 14)

1.  The Pharisees had well instructed their disciples in what to say, and how to say it.

2.  They went not themselves, thinking that Jesus would surely suspect the plot if they went in person, so they sent spies (Luke 20:20) which Matthew calls their disciples. This is quite humorous, seeing that Jesus knew all of their secret designs.

3.  They tried to set Him up with flattering words. They gushed over Him as being a true teacher that without respect of men’s persons taught the way of God in truth. Their flattery and hypocrisy was all wasted on Him Who knows what is in man.

4.  Thinking that they have Him set up. They were now ready to move in for the kill.

C.  THEY FIRE THE QUESTION THAT THEY THINK WILL GET HIM. (VERSES 14c, 15a; MATT. 22:17)

1.  Many Jews were strongly opposed to the annual capitation tax imposed by the Romans.

2.  Therefore, they are essentially saying, “Since you are a teacher of truth, and fear no man, (Caesar, Herod, etc.) tell us what you think about paying tribute to Caesar?” “Shall we give, or shall we not give?” (Vse. 15a)

3.  Judas of Galilee, one of the many pretended Messiahs had taught against this tax, and had died as a consequence. (Acts 5:37)

4.  The two conspiring parties were opposed to each other on this matter. Either way He answered would not set well either with one or the other. If He says, “Yes,” He could be seen as a traitor to theocracy. If He answers, “No,” He could be accused of promoting rebellion against Rome.

5.  Remember, He was later falsely accused of forbidding to give tribute to Caesar. (Luke 23:2)

D.  THE LORD, BY HIS WISE ANSWER, AGAIN AVOIDED THEIR TRAP. (VRS. 15-17; MATT 22:18-21)

1.  Jesus was not taken either by their flattery or their craftiness.

2.  How easily He had read through their plot. (Verse 15)

3.  Just as easily, He spoiled their plot, and at the same time shamed them publicly.

a)  He asked for a penny. (a denarius) This was a Roman coin, used for the capitation tax.

b)  He then publicly asks them to identify the inscription on the coin, which they did identify as Caesar’s.

c)  Clearly, since it was Roman and not Jewish coinage, it bore the image of Caesar.

d)  Their own rabbis taught that he is acknowledged as king whose coin is current. Whether, like it or not, they were under Roman rule.

4.  It must follow that they must pay the tax in acknowledgment of the King. “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.”

5.  There is a Sovereignty, however, that trumps that of any earthly king. “…and unto God the things that are God’s” The two renderings need not conflict necessarily. Wherein there is a conflict, “We must obey God, rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

E.  THE CONSPIRATORS WERE CONFOUNDED AND AMAZED. (VERSE 17c; LUKE 20:26)

II.  THE SADDUCEES CAME UP WITH A PLAN TO CHALLENGE THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION,AND TO TRY AND PIT CHRIST AGAINST THE LAW OF MOSES. (VERSES 18-27;       MATT. 22:23-33) Although they frequently were a party with those who would try to get Jesus to do or say something contrary to the Law of Moses, in this case, they aimed their attack at the essential Christian doctrine of the resurrection.

A.  THE SADDUCEES – WHO THEY WERE. (VERSE 18)

1.  The Sadducees were a religious sect among the Jews who did not believe in the resurrection.

2.  They were the religious liberals of their day. Like our modern day rationalists, they rejected the supernatural. They did not believe in angels. They did not accept the full inspiration of Scripture, thus rejecting many books of the Old Testament.

3.  Their disagreements with the Pharisees about these things would sometimes become violent. (Acts 23:6-10) This goes to prove that Satan’s house is divided, and must fall. Nevertheless, in its hatred for Christ it can put forth a united front.

B.  THE QUESTION RAISED BY THE SADDUCEES – WHAT IT WAS ABOUT. (VERSES 19-23)

1.  Clearly, the question was hypothetical. It involved a case wherein one woman was married to seven brothers in succession, bearing no children to any of them. The Sadducees had probably conjured up other stories like this to use against those who believed in the resurrection. Perhaps they were able to stump some of their opponents with such question.

2.  According to the Law of Moses, which writings they accepted as Scripture, each brother had her legitimately, therefore, whose wife would she be in the resurrection? Christ’s enemies, like their master, were making a serious mistake in trying to challenge Jesus with Scripture.

3.  They, not believing in the resurrection themselves, but knowing of Christ’s doctrine, thought surely they had stumped the Lord.

C.  THE RESPONSE  GIVEN BY CHRIST TO THE QUESTION WAS SWIFT, POWERFUL, AND IRREFUTABLE. (VERSES 24-27; MATT. 22:29-32)

1.  Notice first our Lord’s sharp reproof of their ignorance. “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” (Verse 24)

a)  Their question, which was meant to stump the Lord, was actually framed in ignorance.

b)  This is always the case when scoffers try and challenge Christian doctrine. (Example: II Pet. 3:3-10)

c)  They were ignorant of the Scriptures which clearly teach the resurrection; plus, they were ignorant of the power of God by which the dead are raised.

2.  Jesus carefully explains that in the world to come it will not be as it is in this world. The children of the resurrection will not marry. (Verses 25, 26)

a)  He says that they will, in this respect, be like the angels. He is not saying that we will have the natures of  angels.

b)  The reason is simple. The holy angels are an exact number, and there is no need for procreation. So it is with God’s elect who shall inhabit heaven. There is no death there, and therefore no need for reproduction, and thus, no need for the marriage union.

3.  As to the resurrection itself, Jesus validates His charge of ignorance against them by proving the resurrection from the Scriptures – even from the writings of Moses, which they professed to believe. (Vse. 27; Matt. 22:31; Exod. 3:6)

a)  The argument He makes is that God did not say to Moses, “I WAS the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” But, long after the patriarchs were dead and buried, He said, “I AM the God of Abraham…”

b)  Those who seem to think that exactness with respect to Scripture is not so important might want to take note. Jesus had such high regard for the Holy Spirit’s work that He built this case for the resurrection upon the tense of a verb. Even the “jots” and “tittles” are important to God.

D.  ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB HAD NOT AS YET RECEIVED THEIR RESURRECTION BODIES, BUT THEY WERE ALIVE, AND WOULD MOST ASSUREDLY RECEIVE THEIR NEW BODIES,   ALONG WITH ALL OF THE SAINTS IN THE RESURRECTION AT THE LAST DAY. (I COR. 15:20-23)