sf250 - God And Government (Matthew 22 15-22)
matthew 22:15-22
Introduction
It was still Passover week, and Jesus was teaching in the Temple, which He had violently cleansed the day before. He had just finished telling and explaining three judgment parables against unbelieving Israel, particularly directed against the Temple rulers who had challenged His authority (21:23).
It was bad enough that He had devastated the physical domain of their concession booths in the Temple. Now He also devastated their religious domain, exposing their unbelief and ungodliness before all Israel.
The religious leaders resented Jesus because He exposed their pride, hypocrisy, and self-righteousness. They envied His great popularity with the people, especially in light of the fact that He had never sought or received official Sanhedrin certification as a rabbi. Most of all, they were incensed at His claim to be the Messiah and the Son of God, a claim which in their eyes was blatant blasphemy
Following Jesus’ series of three judgment parables against them, those religionists responded by confronting Him with a series of three questions, all designed to maneuver Him into condemning Himself either politically or religiously
First in three attempts by the Jewish leadership to trap Jesus.
Ø The Pharisees and Herodians on the matter of taxes (22:15-22)
Ø The Sadducees on the matter of the resurrection (22:23-33)
Ø The Sadducees and Pharisees on the matter of the commandments (22:34-40)
1A. The Works of Wicked Men (22:15-17)
1B. Who they were
The Herodians were supporters of Herod (no Jewish) and Rome
2B. What they wanted (22:15)
Entangle (pagideuo). as a hunting term lay a snare, set a trap, entice into a trap; figuratively in the NT catch off guard, catch in a mistake, entrap someone deliberately by provoking him to speak without forethought
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
3B. How they worked (22:16-17)
They flattered him (22:16)
John 8:44 44You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
They sought to trap Him (22:17)
Ø They thought that their flattery would cause Him to respond based on his elevated ego.
Ø The tax they referred to was the poll tax the most hated by the Jews, because it was also a means of census.
Hebrews 12:1 1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2A. The Words of the Sinless Man (22:18-21)
1B. His omniscient knowledge (22:18)
Perceived (gnosko); intelligent comprehension
John 2:25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
Wickedness (poneria); intentionally practiced ill will evil, wickedness, malice
Jeremiah 17:9-10 " The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
2B. His sovereign response (22:19-21)
Our responsibilities to our government (22:19-21a)
Ø Romans 13:1, 5-7 - We are to pay our taxes.
Ø 1 Peter 2:13-15 - We are to obey the all the laws of the state unless they exceed their God-given limit or violate God’s moral law.
Ø 1 Timothy 2:1-3 - We are to pray for our leaders
Our responsibilities to our God (22:21)
Ø We are to worship only God
Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Me.
Ø Acts 5:28-29 - We are to obey God’s moral law and commands first!
Ø We are to oppose and work to change any laws that oppose God’s moral law or commands.
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
3A. The Way of the Lost Man (22:22)
1B. They wonder at the Words of God
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and tremble!
2B. They walk away from the Way of God (Isaiah 59:1-8)
Matthew 22:15-22
1A. The _________________ of Wicked Men (22:15-17)
1B. ___________________ they were
2B. ______________________ they wanted (22:15)
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
3B. _____________________ they worked (22:16-17)
They _____________________________ him (22:16)
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
They sought to trap Him (22:17)
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2A. The ______________ of the Sinless Man (22:18-21)
1B. His omniscient knowledge (22:18)
Perceived (gnosko); intelligent comprehension
John 2:25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
Wickedness (poneria); intentionally practiced ill will evil, wickedness, malice
Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
2B. His sovereign response (22:19-21)
Our responsibilities to our _____________ (22:19-20)
Ø We are to pay our taxes. (Romans 13:1, 5-7)
Ø We are to obey the all the laws of the state unless they exceed their God-given limit or violate God’s moral law. (1 Peter 2:13-15)
Ø We are to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Our responsibilities to our ________________ (22:21)
Ø We are to worship only God
Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Me.”
Ø We are to obey God’s moral law and commands first! (Acts 5:28-29)
Ø We are to oppose and work to change any laws that oppose God’s moral law or commands.
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
3A. The Way of the Lost Man (22:22)
1B. They ______________ at the Words of God
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and tremble!
2B. They _____________ away from the Way of God (Isaiah 59:1-8)