GOD’S ENEMIES OPPOSE JESUS’ AUTHORITY (Outline)
November 4, 2007 -
PENTECOST 23 / REFORMATION -
Matthew 22:15-22
INTRO: Our nation is still a melting pot of all kinds of people. Even in the center of America one notices the many different nationalities that are present. There are people of all types of races, ages, and even religious views. It is the Lord who sees only two (2) types of people. All of humanity is narrowed down into one of these two different categories. The Lord sees in our sea of humanity either believer or unbeliever – those with him or those against him. After driving out demons the enemies of God charged that Jesus was working by Satan’s power. This was simply unbelief rearing its ugly head once again. Jesus replied to these absurd, false charges. "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters"(LUKE 11:23). Chapter 22 of Matthew continues with God’s enemies still challenging Jesus’ authority. This is a carry over charge from chapter 21. We pray God to guide us as we consider the theme:
GOD’S ENEMIES OPPOSE JESUS’ AUTHORITY.
I. Man’s unbelief sets traps.
II. God’s truth is our escape.
I. MAN’S UNBELIEF SETS TRAPS
A. The Pharisees are beginning to feel a bit challenged by Jesus’ growing popularity among the people.
1. No longer are they going to sit back and be the point of Jesus’ parables. Verse 15.
2. The Pharisees actively plan to trap Jesus in his words. They enlist the help of their enemies.
3. Verse 16a. The Herodians are followers of Herod. They care little about the church.
B. Here are the church leaders (Pharisees’ disciples) and government leaders (Herodians) joining forces.
1. Both groups come before Jesus with words of false praise and flattery verse 16b.
2. Even in unbelief these enemies of God still speak the truth about Jesus’ integrity.
C. They did not fool Jesus verse 18. Jesus knew their thoughts, their evil intent, and their hypocrisy.
1. These enemies of God came with outward intentions that were not really their heart’s desire.
2. On the outside they praised Jesus, inwardly were setting a trap for him. Unbelief trapped them.
D. Unbelief is very dangerous. Unbelief sets traps for mankind. Often it begins innocently but very often quickly flourishes into that which consumes a person’s very soul. Our sins that separate us from God can easily begin with hypocrisy. Outward we say and do all the right things but our hearts are not close to God at all. It happens when we do not prepare ourselves for worship. Hypocrisy happens when we let the cares of this world filter into our thoughts during worship. Worship is our blessed sanctuary away from the cares of this world and life. But often Satan will sneak in thoughts of worldly things while we are in the divine presence of God. "He replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me’"(MARK 7:6). This seed of unbelief sets the trap to try and rob one of eternal life.
E. During Jesus’ time the leaders of the church did one thing but believed another. It was the same during the time of Martin Luther. The church taught the way to eternal was through works. The motto of the church, during Jesus and Luther’s time, really was: pay, pray and obey. The gospel had almost disappeared. The simple saving message of the gospel reveals that Christ has paid the price, which we could not and cannot ever repay. Christ has obeyed because of our disobedience. Still today some churches compromise God’s gospel. Some like to emphasize what man has to do to be saved. BUT Christ has done it all. Pay, pray, and obey is still alive and well today. Such a teaching robs turns God’s saving Gospel into poison. "Among my people are wicked men who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch men. Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful"(JEREMIAH 5:26,27). We are saved by grace through faith, not works.
F. Man’s unbelief sets traps. False shepherds proclaim their message and do not point to Christ. Some teach and promote a prosperity religion. “God wants you to have success!” is the false message. This sounds good and very appealing to itching ears. This is man’s unbelief that tries to trap men’s souls. Prosperity religion appeals to the very basest of our desires – greed. "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction"(1 TIMOTHY 6:9). Who doesn’t want to be rich? Earthly wealth can become a trap…that plunge…into ruin and destruction. Being rich toward God is our greatest blessings.
GOD’S ENEMIES OPPOSE JESUS’ AUTHORITY.
I. Man’s unbelief sets traps.
II. GOD’S TRUTH IS OUR ESCAPE
A. The Pharisee’s disciples and the Herodians band together and come to try to trap Jesus.
1. Their unbelief has already trapped them. With false praise and flattery they set the trap.
2. Verse 17. Is it right to pay taxes? No would upset the Herodian, yes, the Pharisees.
B. Remember, Jesus knew their evil intent, verse 16. Jesus knew their hearts and saw their actions.
1. Jesus asks for a coin. A denarius is brought, verse 19. Now Jesus asks the question.
2. Verse 20 is Jesus’ question and verse 21 provides the truth. The truth is the answer.
C. Verse 22 explains the power of God’s truth, his word. Amazed the enemies left Jesus.
D. God’s word is still God’s truth today. God and his word and his believers and his church have been under attack since the beginning. No matter the enemies. No matter the many traps that have been and are still set today – God’s truth, his word is our escape. God’s truth sets us free. Where is the power of God’s word? "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart"(HEBREW 4:12). God’s word knows the truth and even judges…the heart.
E. God’s word is our sure defense. Think of Luther. He was excommunicated from the church. The Emperor also counted him as an enemy because of the church’s decree. At any moment anyone could rightfully take his life from him. Yet, Luther still boldly taught. Luther always stood firmly on the word of God. This is still our sure foundation. We cannot depend on our own strength. We do not have the ability to overcome Satan’s traps on our own. "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (EPHESIANS 6:16,17). Faith extinguishes Satan’s traps.
F. Our Christian life sometimes is a struggle. Sin is very deceptive. Satan prowls around like a roaring lion. The world offers attractions and distractions in this life. All these traps are overcome when we turn to God’s word. We put behind us our sinful nature and looking ahead strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of salvation that the Lord has provided for us. "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good"(1 PETER 2:2,3). All of us have tasted that the Lord is good. May we always drink deeply from his Word!
CONC.: There are indeed all types and kinds of people in this world. Our gracious God only considers mankind in two categories: unbelievers or believers. Sadly unbelief is always lurking in the hearts of men trying to trap the unsuspecting soul. Thankfully God has given us his word to set us free, to provide our escape from eternal destruction. Jesus fed the 5,000 by means of a miracle. The crowds followed Jesus expecting him to be a Bread-King. Jesus explained otherwise and many left him. Jesus asked those still left if they were also going to leave. God’s truth was their answer. "Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God’"(JOHN 6:68,69). God has the words of eternal life. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
WORSHIP SER.: SAT – 1:00pm @ NCF Min., &
SUN – 9:30am @ Church & 12:00pm @ NCF Medium
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
REFORMATION readings:
JEREMIAH 31:31-34; ROMANS 3:19-28; JOHN 8:31-36
(PSALM 46)
