Two Deadly Mistakes
Matthew 22:23-33
Text
Jesus frequently debated, here with the Sadducees over the doctrine of the resurrection.
Many say doctrine is not important, but Jesus never failed to answer error and declare the truth.
a. When we preach the word in answer to false doctrine, we are following His example.
b. II Tim. 4:2-4
Two deadly mistakes.
Let us look at the text section by section
Then as now man-made religions hold to man-made doctrines (23).
The Sadducees were a man-made church, a denomination founded by Sadoc in about 250 BC.
Very prominent and part of the social and political elite, but this did not make their doctrine acceptable.
Held to doctrines similar to modern day Jehovah Witnesses.
Acts 23:8
Followed only the Pentateuch.
All modern denominations were founded by men and each has its particular man-made doctrines. But the Bible plainly rejects both the doctrines and the denominations!
Mt. 15:9
Mt. 15:13-14
Mk. 7:9
Gal. 1:6-9
They tried to justify their position with human logic (24-28).
There is a place for reason but it is always a mistake to substitute what we think in place of what God says.
Isa. 55:8-9
Prov. 14:12
Jere 10:23
I Cor. 1:20
Rom. 11:34
We are supposed to use logic and to reason through things.
Christianity is the thinking man’s religion but it is reason based on the scriptures.
Acts 17:2, 11
Let’s get a good picture of the scene in the text (give an imaginary description of the discussion.)
Review the Sadducee’s argument; note its logic.
They told a story to prove their point and they were satisfied that it could not be answered.
But Jesus did not become involved in "What if" possibilities. He did not ramble into the likelihood of seven husbands or why she was childless, etc.
a. He simply stated the truth of the scriptures.
b. "Here is what the Bible says. Nothing has changed. It is still there."
The same scenario is found today, as people think up objections to Biblical teaching.
Just as there are many ways to get to Lenoir, so there are many ways to heaven." But what does the Bible say?
a. Jn. 14:6
b. Acts 4:12
c. Eph. 4:4-6
"What if a person dies on the way to water? Do you mean he wasn’t saved?" But what does the Bible say?
d. Mk. 16:16
e. Acts 2:38
"I believe that it doesn’t matter which church you belong as long as you live right." But what does the Bible say in Mt. 16:18?
Jesus showed them their two deadly mistakes (29). What He names here is the cause of almost all religious error. They were religious but they were in error because:
"Not knowing the Scriptures"- Note that He shows them two aspects of this.
They thought the Bible taught something it does not (30). They thought it taught there would be no resurrection and if there were a heaven, marriage would be a part of it.
a. So today some think the Bible teaches: sprinkling, infant baptism, instrumental music, once saved always saved, baptism not necessary, secret rapture, 1,000 year reign of Christ.
b. If they had continued to argue the point, all Jesus would have to say was "show me the text."
They ignored what it did teach (31-32).
c. Ex. 3:6 (Pentateuch)
·
When God told Moses… Abraham had been dead 329 years, Isaac 224, Jacob 198.·
God is not the God of non-existent people. Though the patriarch’s bodies were long dead, they still lived. (This not only answered the Sadducees; it also answers the Jehovah Witnesses and others who do not believe in immortality.)d. So much ignored today:
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Acts 2:38·
Lk. 8:13·
Mt. 23:9·
Acts 20:7·
Rev. 22:18-19·
Mt. 19: 14·
Jn. 5:28-29·
Eph. 4:4"Nor the power of God".
Acts 26:8
If you believe in God does it seem incredible to believe in: creation, Jonah, virgin birth, miracles, resurrection, and the inerrancy of the Bible.
But many have heard, even profess to believe, but not truly convinced of the power of God to:
a. Make them give account of themselves to God (Rom. 14:12).
b. Cast both body and soul into hell (Mt. 10:28).
c. Save our souls
d. Have a divine pattern for the church.
The Sadducees were the most prominent denomination in the city of Jerusalem.
a. The most powerful religious leaders belonged to that "church".
b. But they were still wrong, dead wrong.
Just like them, you cannot afford to ignore neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
Rom. 1:16 brings these two things together.
c. Do you believe the gospel or the scriptures?
d. Do you believe God has the power to use the gospel to change your life?
James Pharr
Lenoir, NC