Thinking Biblically

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Tag: Sadducees

Jesus on the Resurrection – Mark 12:18-27

February 7, 2024 /

Sermon Text: Mark 12:18-27

Sermon Video

Outline

BIG IDEA: As Christians, we can have resurrection hope by knowing God’s Word and trusting in God’s power.

Verses Referenced (sermon order):

Ex 3:6; 1 Cor 15:20-26

Context

Mark 11-16 covers Jesus’ final week (Passion Week). We’re still in Tuesday of that week. So far on Tuesday Jesus’ authority was challenged by the Sanhedrin. Jesus responded with the parable of the tenants condemning Israel’s religious leaders. Next, Jesus answered a question about taxes.

Summary

This is only a summary. Watch the sermon video (linked above) for more.

In our text, we see the Sadducees set up a hypothetical scenario and ask Jesus a question. They are trying to demonstrate the absurdity of the resurrection and to damage Jesus’ credibility.

Jesus says that the Sadducees are in error for two reasons (v. 24). They don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God. Jesus not only tells the Sadducees that they are in error, but e answers their question (vv. 25-27).

In v. 25, Jesus teaches that when (not if) we are raised from the dead we will no longer be married or given in marriage but will be like the angels. Notice that Jesus did not say that we will become angels or be like the angels in every way but in the sense of marriage, we will be like angels.

In vv. 26-27, Jesus shows the Sadducees how they do not know the Scriptures. Remember, the Sadducees only accepted Genesis-Deuteronomy as Scripture. Knowing this, Jesus goes all the way back to Exodus 3 to show them that God is God not of the dead, but of the living.

Exodus 3:6

And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been physically dead for a long time, but God identified himself as their God. He could be their God only if they were still alive.

This is our hope as Christians. Those who are in Christ are promised a future resurrection and fullness of life in the presence of God. Of course, the opposite of fullness of life in the presence of God is loneliness and suffering apart from God and His people in an eternal hell.

Rejecting Christ Brings Judgment – Mark 12:1-12

January 10, 2024 /

Sermon Text: Mark 12:1-12

Sermon Video

Outline

BIG IDEA: Those that presume upon God’s patience by rejecting His Son will one day face His wrath.

God is patient with sinners (1-5)

God sent His beloved Son and we should honor Him (6-8)

God will judge those who refuse to honor His beloved Son (9-12)

Verses Referenced (sermon order):

Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 7:25-26; 25:4; 25:7; Matthew 21:43; Psalm 118:22-23

Context

Mark 11-16 covers Jesus’ final week. This is sometimes called Passion Week. Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and inspected the temple affairs. On Monday Jesus cursed the fig tree and cleaned house. On Tuesday Jesus’ authority was challenged by a delegation of the Sanhedrin, the powerful Jewish religious council consisting of Pharisees, Sadducees, and others.

Summary

We pick up again on Tuesday of Passion Week. In our sermon text (Mark 12:1-12) Jesus uses a parable to pronounce judgment on the Jewish religious leaders. The parable is rich with Old Testament imagery (see especially Isaiah 5:1-7).

In the parable, Jesus speaks of a landowner who planted a vineyard. The landowner planted the vineyard and leased it to tenants. When harvest came, the landowner sent many servants to collect his portion of the harvest. Shockingly, the tenants beat and killed the servants, refusing to render the landowner his fruit. Finally, the landowner sent his beloved son. The tenants killed the son, hoping to acquire the land and its profits for themselves. Jesus speaks of the wickedness of the tenants and the wrath that will be poured out on them by the landowner.

Contextually, the meaning of the parable becomes clear. The parable speaks of God’s (the landowner) provision for the nation of Israel (the vineyard), the wickedness of its religious leaders (the tenants), the prophets (the servants) who were mistreated despite speaking God’s words, and Jesus (God’s Beloved Son) who was sentenced to die three days later by the Sanhedrin. These wicked tenants will eventually experience God’s wrath for their rejection of his beloved son. In addition, God will give the vineyard to others that produce spiritual fruit (Matt 21:43; John 15:8). That is, God’s blessings will not longer flow through ethnic Israel but spiritual Israel – the church which consists of Jews and Gentiles who like Abraham believed the promise of God (see Galatians 3-4).

Thankfully, God’s shows us great patience and offers sinners a the wonderful salvation in the sending of his son Jesus Christ. To receive this gift, we must repent of our sins and trust in the person and work of Jesus.

Does Jesus Have Authority – Mark 11:27-33

January 10, 2024 /

Sermon Text: Mark 11:27-33

Sermon Video

Outline

BIG IDEA: Like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, many people refuse to acknowledge Jesus’ authority over their lives.

Summary

Keep the context in mind. Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and inspected the temple affairs. On Monday, Jesus cleaned house. Now on Tuesday Jesus’ authority is challenged by a delegation of the Sanhedrin, the powerful Jewish religious council consisting of Pharisees, Sadducees, and others.

Again, the key issue is authority. Notice v. 28: “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” The religious leaders are questioning Jesus’ authority to preach and teach in the temple (Luke 20:1) and to cleanse the temple (Mark 11:15-17). In their minds, he was the lowly son of a carpenter from Nazareth and they are the religious elites that have control over the temple and its affairs – not Jesus.

I encourage you to watch the sermon for more. Even though there is no temple today many religious people still struggle the same problem the religious leaders did. They refuse to give Jesus his rightful authority over their lives. They want the salvation and blessings of Jesus without the commitment of discipleship. But this is not the way of Jesus. Jesus has all authority (Matt 28:18; Col 1:15-20; Mark 8:34-35; Luke 6:46). Will you submit to the his authority in every area of your life?

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