Signs of Infection Pt 2

Matthew 16:1-12

I’ve entitled todays message, Signs of Infection Matthew 16:1-12 Pt2 Last time we looked at 1-4, today we examine 5-12.

Matthew 16:1–4  NKJV  “ Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.”

Then todays text:

Matthew 16:5–12  NKJV  “ Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” 8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Signs of Leaven Matthew 16:1-12

We saw last time, I - Team Up 1, II - Signs of the Times 2-3, III - Here’s Your Sign 4, IV - Infectious Doctrine

I - Team Up 1

Matthew 16:1  NKJV  “ Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.”

So the argument being presented, is disingenuous, because they really aren’t looking for Messiah. Hate can bring people together even if only to destroy.

They attributed the miracles to Satan

Sign from Heaven. If you’re legit, show us a “sign”. John 7:25–31  Just take a few moments in John, you’ll see it over and over. Jesus also said that these signs testified of Him, in John 5:36–40 

II - Signs of the Times 2-3

Matthew 16:2–3 

Weather, wasn't the point its not knowing the rules, but understanding them, applying them Proverbs 4:7  NKJV  “ Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” if we don’t use the same principal its not just that we cannot understand Him, but will not.

III - Here’s Your Sign 4

Matthew 16:4

This isn't the first time this was asked. Matthew 12:38–45

Jesus came to save everyone, and they would reject Him. The sign of Jesus rising from the dead, bringing many with him, was impacting to say the least. A sign that they and we have to make a permanent choice.

IV - Infectious Doctrine 5-12

Matthew 16:5–7  NKJV  “ Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.””

Oh my gosh. Truly one of the great facepalm moments of the apostles, lol. This is like the comedic pause of a first century document, lol. This really is wild - and if you were one of the apostolos, no way you would show how dim you were, thus affirming that this as a true account.

we do the same thing at times, we use metaphors/illustrations and focus not on what Jesus explains or points at with them, but we over emphasize the illustration to find definitions not given for them! Like the disciples do here.

Then went to Jesus told him no bread, Jesus said watch out leaven of the pharisees and sadducees. They like us, often cant see outside ourselves. Jesus is just talking about their mistake.

Jesus sees their consternation and addresses it.

Matthew 16:8–11  NKJV  “ But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.””

The accusation of little faith comes from the incredible miracles that they have seen him do, the fish and bread, etc.

The same guys worried about bread too up baskets and bushels of fish and bread that was useable.

fyi - this also tells us that both of the feedings happened, not just one.

The yeast (leaven) of the Pharisees and Sadducees. First, lets look at v12 - because they aren't total dunces

Matthew 16:12  NKJV  “ Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

beware of the Infection of the doctrine - Doctrine is Didachē - which is teaching, instruction. The doctrine or teaching of a particular group, can be insidious in its nature. Lets look at some things about their doctrine.

Now, I don’t think Jesus is addressing their right doctrine, because like many even in the church today, we can be right some of the time. A broken analog clock is right? 14 times a week right? lol.

Jesus is constantly slandered - like when they asked Matthew 16:1  NKJV  “ Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.” (same as in) Matthew 12:38–39 

and when they said, Matthew 15:1–9 accusing jesus’ disciples, Matthew 15:1–2  NKJV  “ Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”” another instance (note just staying in Matthew) Jesus would remind them they weren’t obeying God, but what they made up (traditions of men).

Matthew 12:22–24  NKJV  “ Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.””

Matthew 12:14  NKJV  “ Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.” religious folks still trying to destroy Him.

In Matthew 12:1–8  NKJV  “1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!””

Needless to say especially when looking at the other Gospels, they wanted to kill him. Their “doctrine” was a deadly one. The question I ask you, is does your life look like this? Do you make the mistake of saying that Jesus must conform to your ideas of who you think He should be?

Jesus said of of these violent blasphemers, Matthew 18:6–7  NKJV  “ “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!”

Our response is Jesus’ response: Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 10:34–39  NKJV  “ “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. (Jesus didnt come to give us an easy life) I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” We must die. Jesus did come to help you with your career, love life, or any of it. He came to save you from an eternal hell, that awaits all those who reject Him.

Thats the rub. We need to remember how insidious the teaching these men spread about Jesus and how infectious and corrupting that false teaching can be. Teaching changes you. Like yeast changes the dough. It reproduces and grows to leaven the entire lump of dough. Or the person giving into that teaching.

Its all the appearance of morality and religiousity without any of the Holy Spirit. Its a common thing, we forget everything that God has done, we aren't to obey anything other than what Christ has said. The Holy Spirit relayed in…

Deuteronomy 8:11–17  NKJV  “ “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 12 lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end—17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’”

Now, if you don’t know Jesus, or haven't commited yourself to Him, I would ask you now, to do so, to give your life, your all. To let the old man of sin die, and live in the victorious life of one set from from sin and death. Pray with me now.

Lord Jesus. I am a sinner, and need your saving grace. I give up my sin and turn to you and you alone for all good things. I see you have died for my sins, and rose from the dead, so that we could be as well. To have your life in me. Help me Lord to not put those chains back on, but to be free. In Jesus name, amen.