By Whose Authority? Lesson 27 Series

1. Confrontation over authority. Jesus questioned why the Jews did not follow John the Baptist. “If we say, ‘from heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say . . . ‘from men’ . . . they feared the people” (Mark 11:31-32).

Parable of farmer with two sons (Matthew 21:28-32)

FIRST SON SECOND SON

NO said yes

WENT Didn’t go

SINNERS WHO REPENT sinners who don’t repent

Parable of absentee landlord (Matt. 21:33-41)

Parable of wedding feast (Matt. 22:1-14)

2. Confrontation over compromise (Matthew 22:15-22).

a. The Herodians, who were accused of compromising with Rome, brought Jesus a coin. “Whose image . . . ?” (Matthew 22:20).

b. “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesars’, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

3. Confrontation over the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33).

a. The Sadducees presented Jesus with a “stock” argument against the resurrection. “Whose wife shall she be in the resurrection?” (v. 28).

b. Jesus addressed the larger problem and accused them of being ignorant of the Scriptures. He argued the resurrection from a verb tense (Exodus 3:6, 15). “I am” rather than “I was”. “I am the God of Abraham . . . God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:32).

4. Confrontation over the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:34-40).

a. A lawyer asked, “Which is the great commandment?” (v. 36).

b. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (v. 37).

5. Jesus questioned His accusers (Matthew 22:41-46).

a. “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” (v. 42).

b. They answered, “The Son of David” (v. 42).

c. “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’?” (v. 43).

6. The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, 25). A sermon on the Second Coming will be discussed later.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.

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Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu

Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com

All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc

Television Airing Times for the PBC go to hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.