There is Never a Third Option

ME:

Play the video “Bluefish TV - Who is Jesus?”

Share what I thought about Christ (Before Salvation).

Transition Statement: In our Culture today, “What do they think about the Christ?”

WE:

There have been Surveys taken over the last few years that reveal some startling truths about this questions.

Reveal Stat’s

NewsWeeks Article 8/22/2020

The Christian Post reported a survey conducted by the Ligonier Ministries which revealed 52% of Americans say, “Jesus isn’t God but was a great teacher.”

Nearly 1/3 of evangelicals in the survey agreed that Jesus isn’t God.

About 44% of the respondents in this survey agreed that because Jesus was simultaneously a man and God, he committed sins like any other mortal being.

The findings of the survey were collected from 3000 Americans, including 630 self-described evangelicals.

CBNNews.com conducted a survey which revealed 60% of Christians aged 18-39 Believe Jesus is not the only way to salvation.

They believe that Jesus, Buddha, and Muhammad are all equal in regards to a path to salvation.

Less than half of those surveyed strongly agreed that Jesus died to redeem us and will return to save us.

This survey was conducted among 3106 Americans aged 18-55.

Transition Statement: In the N.T. days, the question I asked earlier, was asked by Jesus himself, to the church of that day.

GOD:

Matthew 22:41-46 “Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet” ’? If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.”

Before we look at this pericope we must get a better understanding of what is taking place.

What we are reading is taking place at the time of the biggest celebration of the Jewish tradition. (Passover)

Millions of Jews gather every year at this time.

They gather at the mecca of all religious arena’s (The Temple in Jerusalem)

The “whose who” of the religious sects are there at the Temple.

Chief Priest - principal priest in the Jewish Council (Matthew 21:23)

Elders of the People - Leaders in the synagogue who helped guide people in the traditions of the religion. (Matthew 21:23)

Pharisees - Members of a Jewish party that exercised strict piety according to Mosaic law. The Pharisees were a sect within early Judaism, becoming active around 150 bc and enduring as a distinct party until being subsumed into the Rabbinic movement around ad 135. An important Jewish sect at the time of Jesus that was devoted to exact observance of the Jewish religion. (Matthew 21:45)

Herodians - A Jewish political party that sympathized with the rulers of the Herodian dynasty, and therefore Rome. They are depicted as allied with the Pharisees against Jesus, in spite of the parties’ conflicting sympathies (Matthew 22:16).

Sadducess - One of the three main Jewish schools of thought during the Hellenistic and Roman eras. The Sadducees were noted for strict adherence to the Law of Moses and a rejection of both the notions of resurrection and spirits.

One might say that what was taking place was the “all-star game” of that day.

What has happened, up to this point, is ..... (Starting with Matt 21:12)

Jesus tipped over the tables and kicked out the money changers and traders.

Comes back the next day and finds himself questioned by the Chief priest and elders of the people. “What authority?”

In this pericope Jesus asked 2 questions; one pertaining to J.T.B. and the second pertaining to Him!

The one who was to pave the way! (JTB)

The one who is the WAY! (Jesus)

Next we find 3 parables being taught by Jesus.

Next we see the Pharisees and the Herodians asked Jesus .... TAXES?

Next we find the Sadducees ask about the Resurrection. “Whose wife is she in the resurrection?”

Which is humorous because they don’t believe in the resurrection.

The Pharisees send a lawyer, “Which is the greatest commandment?”

What we find is Jesus has taken on the “All-Stars” of the religious community within the greatest of all arenas “the Temple.”

And he just kept knocking them out of the park.

This brings us to a final question asked by Jesus .....

.... “What do you think about the Christ?”

Reference back to Matt. 16:13-16 “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.””

.... “Whose son is He?”

The answer is partially correct ..... “The son of David.” (42) (Example Family Feud)

deeply rooted in the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:13 “He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”)

and prophetic scriptures (Jeremiah 23:5 ““Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”)

The Answer doesn’t satisfy Jesus.

Matthew 22:43-45 “He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet” ’? If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?””

This is found in Psalms 110:1 “The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.””

This is an enthronement psalm used during coronation ceremonies.

Jesus helps them understand .....

He provides a messianic interpretation foreseeing the future enthronement of the Messiah akin to the vision from Daniel 7:13-14 ““I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

Jesus reveals that He is the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

His disciples already knew this (Matt 16:16 “Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.””)

And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Transition Statement: What do you think about the Christ?

YOU:

Do you believe he is the SON of GOD?

I am comfortable enough to make this statement ....

If we don’t believe in Christ then our belief is in the Anti-Christ. (The Enemy; the Devil)

There is no “third option.”

There is NEVER a third option when it comes to Jesus.

In scripture we don’t find a “Third option.”

You are either “Hot or not”

It’s either “Good or evil”

“Narrow or Broad”

Its either “Jesus or the Anti-Christ”

There is never a third option!

Transition Statement: So what say You?

WE:

Have them stand .....

Maybe you have been living this belief all of your spiritual life. (Praise the Lord)

I wonder if there is someone here this morning who has been believing as what we saw on the video at the beginning of the sermon?

Maybe you have not fully bought in to the understanding that Jesus is the Son of God.

Maybe this morning the Holy Spirit has been speaking to you and you have heard and are ready to say “I believe.”