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Matthew Chapter Sixteen
Beware Of Leaven (16:5-12)
INTRODUCTION
1. In the course of His public ministry, Jesus was often challenged by the Pharisees, along with the Sadducees... a. They questioned why He ate with sinners - Mt 9:11 b. They accused His disciples of breaking the Sabbath - Mt 12:1-2 c. They accused His disciples of violating the traditions of the elders - Mt 15:1-2 d. They sought to test Him by asking for a sign - Mt 16:1 2. Jesus therefore warned His disciples concerning these religious leaders... a. They were "blind leaders of the blind" - Mt 15:12-14 b. The disciples were to beware of their doctrine - Mt 16:5-12 3. Jesus described their doctrine as "leaven" (yeast)... a. Used in the making of bread, leaven gradually spreads through the dough, making it rise b. Jesus used the figure of leaven to describe the spread of His kingdom - Mt 13:33 c. But in Mt 16:6, He uses it to depict the pernicious doctrines of the Pharisees and Sadducees - Mt 16:11-12 [What were the doctrines of the Pharisees and Sadducees that Jesuswarned about? Are there modern Pharisees and Sadducees that we shouldbeware of today? To answer these questions, let's begin by taking alook at...] I. THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES
A. THE PHARISEES IN JESUS' DAY... 1. A religious and political group noted for its conservatism a. They were strict observers of the Law of Moses b. They also adopted "the traditions of the elders", interpretations of the Law that had been handed down - cf. Mk 7:1-5 2. Jesus described them as "blind leaders of the blind" - Mt 15:12-14
a. They made the commandments of God of no effect by their traditions - Mt 15:3-6 b. They were hypocrites, teaching one thing and practicing another - Mt 15:7-8; 16:3; 23:1-4, 27-28; cf. Lk 12:1 c. They did their works to be seen of men - Mt 23:5 d. They loved the attention and special treatment by others - Mt 23:6-7 d. They wore religious titles - Mt 23:8-10 e. They prevented others from finding the way to the kingdom of heaven - Mt 23:13 f. They used their religion to make money and impress others - Mt 23:14 g. They didn't make people better, they made them worse! - Mt23:15
h. They made distinctions where God did not - Mt 23:16-22 i. Though sticklers for some commandments, they ignored others - Mt 23:23-24 j. They honored men of God who went before them, but were more like those who persecuted the people of God - Mt 23:29-31 B. PHARISEES IN OUR DAY... 1. Many people accuse those who stress the keeping of God's commands as legalists, and therefore "Pharisees" today - but consider: a. The words legalism, legalist, are not found in the Scriptures - they are labels often used to defame those who seek to encourage the keeping of God's commands b. Jesus never faulted the Pharisees for strict adherence to the Law itself 1) Only for making the commands of God of no effect by their traditions! 2) Only for leaving some commands of God undone while doing others! c. If calling for strict observance of God's commandments makes one a legalist, then Jesus was a legalist! 1) While the Law was in force, He expected it to be taught and observed down to its smallest detail - Mt 5:17-19 2) He expected His disciples to surpass the Pharisees in their righteousness - Mt 5:20 3) He called for His disciples to express their love for Him by keeping His commandments - Jn 14:15,21,23 4) He promised His love and friendship to those who would keep His commandments - Jn 15:10,14 5) He expected disciples from all nations to observe whatever He commanded His apostles - Mt 28:19-20 d. If calling for strict observance of God's commandments makes one a legalist, then the apostles were legalists! 1) Paul stressed the keeping of commandments - 1 Co 7:19;1 Th 4:1-2
2) John stressed the keeping of commandments - 1 Jn 2:3-5;3:22-24; 5:2-3
2. The true Pharisees today are those who: a. Teach and practice traditions of men, instead of the commands of God b. Teach one thing, while practicing another c. Do things to be seen of men, wearing special garments and asking to be called by religious titles d. Do not truly show people the way to the kingdom of heaven e. Use religion to make money and impress others f. Make distinctions where God has made none g. Stress some commands, but neglect others as unnecessary [Such are the Pharisees of today, who often condemn others as"legalists" (as a way to deflect the charge that their lives and teachings are contrary to the commandments of our Lord). Now let's take a look at...] II. THE LEAVEN OF THE SADDUCEES
A. THE SADDUCEES IN JESUS' DAY... 1. A religious and political group noted for its liberalism a. Included many powerful members of the priesthood - Ac 5:17 b. They insisted only the laws found in the Pentateuch (first five books of the OT) were binding c. They rejected "the traditions of the elders", interpretations of the Law that had been handed down d. They did not believe in the resurrection, spirits, angels - Ac 23:8; Mt 22:23 e. They did not believe in rewards or punishment after death, nor in heaven or hell 2. Jesus charged them with two faults - Mt 22:23-29 a. They did not know the Scriptures 1) Even those scriptures they held to be true! 2) For Jesus used a statement in the Pentateuch to show their error - Mt 22:31-32; Exo 3:6 b. They did not know the power of God 1) Like many liberals, they were influenced by rationalism 2) They assumed that if they could not conceive or comprehend something, it could not be 3) They failed to believe what Gabriel and Jesus both knew: that with God, nothing is impossible! - Lk 1:37; Mt 19:26
B. SADDUCEES IN OUR DAY... 1. Those who take some portions of God's word, but reject the rest; such as: a. Those who heed only the "red-letter" words of Jesus b. Those who will accept the words of Jesus, but not His apostles c. Those who accept the words of His apostles, but hold that all of Jesus' teachings in the gospels are Old Covenant teaching -- The apostles' words are just as authoritative (Jn 13:10;Ac 2:42; 1 Co 14:37), and so were the words of Jesus
spoken during His earthly ministry (Mt 28:20; Ac 20:35;1 Ti 5:18b; Lk 10:7)
2. Those who accept human reason over divine revelation a. Many will not accept a Biblical doctrine unless it "makes sense" to them b. A dangerous position to hold, since God has chosen to confound the wise and arrogant with the foolishness of the gospel message - cf. 1 Co 1:18-31 c. Some doctrines revealed may contain elements beyond man's ability to fully comprehend (such as the mystery of godliness: God manifested in the flesh - 1 Ti 3:16; or the nature of the Godhead itself) -- A child-like trust is more becoming of a Christian - cf. Mt 18:3; Psa 131:1-3 3. Those who rule out the power of God a. Who reject any doctrine, any promise, of the Scriptures if conceived as not being physically possible b. Such as the creation of the world, the virgin birth, the miracles of Jesus, the resurrection of the dead -- Once we accept the premise that with God all things are possible, we cannot reject Biblical testimony or doctrine just because it does not fit our preconceived ideas of what is possible CONCLUSION
1. Is there a need to "Beware Of Leaven" today? a. Are there modern-day Pharisees and Sadducees? b. Are there doctrines that can permeate and spread through the Lord's church like leaven? 2. The answer to such questions is a resounding "Yes!" a. Such doctrines abound in the denominational world around us b. Much error that makes its way into the church usually falls into one of two categories: 1) Traditions of men proclaimed as doctrines (like the Pharisees) 2) Doctrines of the Bible rejected as impossible (like the Sadducees) And so the warning by Jesus is just as great today: "...beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." (Mt 16:11)
I Will Build My Church (16:13-20)
INTRODUCTION
1. In Mt 16:13-17, Jesus questioned His disciples concerning His identity... a. He asked who others thought He was b. He then asked who they thought He was c. Peter responded: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." d. Jesus commended Peter, stating that his confession of faith was based upon what the Father Himself had revealed - Mt 16:17 2. Jesus then used this opportunity to speak of His church - Mt 16:18-19
a. He promised to build His church b. He mentioned the foundation upon which it would be built c. He described the ultimate victory of His church d. He spoke of great authority that would be given 3. This passage naturally raises several questions... a. What is this "church" Jesus promised to build? b. What is the "foundation" upon which it would be built? c. How would "the gates of Hades" not prevail against it? d. What "authority" was given by Jesus, and to whom? [Anyone who believes in Jesus should have a vital interest in theanswers to these questions. So let's begin by noting first of all...] I. THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT
A. THE CHURCH DEFINED... 1. The Greek word is ekklesia, meaning "an assembly, a congregation" 2. It is used in the Bible most often in two senses: a. The church "universal" - the whole assembly of people who are saved, both living and dead b. The church "local" - a company of saved people in a geographical area who work and worship together as a local congregation 3. In our text, Jesus is using the word "church" in its universal sense B. THE CHURCH CHARACTERIZED... 1. It is called "the body of Christ" - Ep 1:22-23 2. It is called "the household of God" - 1 Ti 3:15 3. It is called "the temple of God 4. It is called "the kingdom of Christ 5. It is called "the bride of Christ" - 2 Co 11:2; cf. Re 19:6-9; 21:2
-- Each of these expressions emphasize some blessing or responsibility we have as those who have been called out of the world into this spiritual assembly of God's people C. THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED... 1. It is evident that the church was not established at the time Jesus spoke... a. He said "I WILL build My church..." - Mt 16:18 b. He told His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ (a fact certainly related to the establishment of His church!) - Mt 16:20 2. The church is mentioned after Jesus' resurrection... a. The Lord was adding people to the church - Ac 2:47 b. From that time forward, the church is spoken of as being in existence 3. It is fair to conclude that the church began on the day of Pentecost... a. When the Spirit was poured out on the apostles - Ac 2:1-21 b. When Peter preached the first gospel sermon - Ac 2:22-40 c. When thousands were saved, and the Lord added them to His church - Ac 2:41,47 D. THE CHURCH VISIBLE... 1. The church "universal" is a spiritual body of people a. Known only by the Lord Himself - cf. Ac 2:47; 2 Ti 2:19;Jn 10:14
b. There is no earthly organization, headquarters, etc., for the church universal c. Any attempt to organize and activate the church "universal" results only in denominationalism 2. The church "local" is the only visible sign of the church a. Local churches are made up of Christians in geographical areas who work and worship together as a unit - cf. Ac 8:1;13:1; 14:21-23,27
b. With their frequent assembling, it is easy to identify a local church - cf. 1 Co 1:2; 11:17-18; 14:23 [The church Jesus built, then, is that great gathering of people whorespond to the gospel in faith and obedience (cf. Ac 2:41). Whereverfaithful disciples of Christ assemble to work and worship as a localcongregation, a church of Christ to our text, we next consider...] II. THE FOUNDATION OF HIS CHURCH
A. MANY PASSAGES PROCLAIM JESUS AS THE "CORNERSTONE"... 1. As foretold by Isaiah - Isa 28:16 2. As proclaimed by Peter - Ac 4:11-12; 1 Pe 2:6-8 3. As taught by Paul - 1 Co 3:11; Ep 2:20 B. BUT IS JESUS THE "ROCK" IN MATTHEW 16:18? 1. Some believe the "rock" is Peter, as the first pope a. This is the claim of the Roman catholic church b. This idea was first raised only after various bishops began claiming universal authority over the church, hundreds of years after the church began c. Even if Peter is the "rock" in this passage, there is no Biblical basis for the idea that the church was built upon Peter alone 2. Some think the "rock" may be Peter, but with scriptural limitations
a. I.e., the church would be built upon Peter, but not solely upon him 1) Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, the primary foundation - cf. Ep 2:20; 1 Pe 2:6 2) But one may also speak of the church built upon the apostles (including Peter) as the church's foundation, in a secondary sense - cf. Ep 2:20; Re 21:14 b. That Jesus may be referring to what we learn later to be true, that upon Peter (along with the other apostles and Christ Himself) Jesus would build His church 3. Jesus might be referring to the principle of divine revelationworking through His apostles, like Peter...
a. Jesus had just praised Peter for his confession, which was the result of divine revelation - Mt 16:16-17 b. Jesus went on to say how Peter would possess the keys of the kingdom and the power of binding and loosing, all related to the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles - cf. Mt 16:19; Jn 16:12-13; 20:22-23 -- If so, then Jesus is making the point that His church, while established through the work of men like Peter and the apostles, would be built on a solid foundation since they would be led by divine revelation 4. A strong possibility is that the "rock" is the confessionPeter just made...
a. I.e., the truth of the confession: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" b. Just as Simon had been called "a rock" (Gr., petros), so the church would be established on a solid "rock" (Gr., petra Living God"! [Whatever the "rock" in Mt 16:18, the church is built upon the strongfoundation of Christ Himself and His apostles (Ep 2:20). At this point,let's skip ahead to what we learn about...] III. THE AUTHORITY OF HIS CHURCH
A. AUTHORITY WAS PROMISED TO THE APOSTLES... 1. To Peter was promised "the keys of the kingdom" - Mt 16:19 a. The figure of "keys" suggest the ability to allow entrance into the kingdom b. Peter exercised this ability through preaching the gospel, as he did on the day of Pentecost - Ac 2:17-41 2. To the apostles was promised the power "to bind" and "to loose" a. To Peter in this passage - Mt 16:19 b. To the rest of the disciples was promised similar power - Mt 18:18 -- Of course, presumed in all this would be the guidance of the Spirit, promised to lead the apostles into all the truth - Jn 16:12-13 B. THE EARLY CHURCH RECOGNIZED THIS AUTHORITY... 1. They "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine..." - Ac 2:42 2. Christians were commended for their acceptance of the apostles' doctrine - 1 Co 11:2; 1 Th 2:13 3. They were exhorted to receive the apostles' teaching - 1 Co14:37; 2 Th 2:15
[The Lord's church today, then, is wherever there are souls who havebeen saved and who continue to abide in the apostles' doctrine. Forthose who remain faithful to the Lord and His apostles, they can lookforward to...] IV. THE ULTIMATE VICTORY OF HIS CHURCH
A. THE "GATES OF HADES" WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT... 1. The phrase "gates of Hades" has been variously interpreted as: a. The powers of death (i.e., death itself) b. The forces of hell (whatever forces Satan might bring to bear) 2. In either case, the "gates of Hades" have not prevailed! a. Death did not prevent Jesus from building His church b. The forces of Satan have not succeeded in destroying His church B. WE CAN SHARE IN THE ULTIMATE VICTORY OF HIS CHURCH... 1. By putting on the armor of God - Ep 6:10-13 2. By steadfastly resisting our adversary, the devil - 1 Pe 5:8-10
3. Nothing, not even death itself, can prevent us from being "more than conquerors" - Ro 8:35-39 4. The glory of this ultimate victory is beautifully portrayed in the visions of the Revelation - e.g., Re 7:9-17 CONCLUSION
1. Do we desire to participate in this glorious victory of Jesus' church? a. Then we must first be saved - Ac 2:38-41,47 b. We must also abide steadfastly in Jesus' doctrine, which is also the apostles' doctrine - Jn 8:31; Ac 2:42; 1 Th 2:13; 2 Th 2:13-15
c. We must remain faithful until death - Re 2:10 2. Through God's grace and our faithful obedience, we can be privileged to be a part of that church... a. Which Jesus built as promised b. Which shall withstand whatever "the gates of Hades" might throw against it Don't you want to be a part of the church of Christ Jesus in Mt 16:18-19 encourage us to be satisfied with nothing less!
The Value Of A Soul (16:26)
INTRODUCTION
1. In a chapel in southern France buried in an unusual way... a. He is seated on a marble chair and wrapped in his emperor's robes b. In his lap is a copy of the NT, and his finger is pointing to a verse which reads: "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for hissoul?" - Mt 16:26
2. In these words of Jesus we are reminded of the value of the soul... a. It is the most valuable possession one has b. All the wealth and power one might gain is not worth the price of one's soul! -- Which may be the point of Charlemagne's unusual burial 3. It is a lesson we do well to remember, and so in this study we shall examine three questions... a. Does the Bible teach that man has a soul? b. Why is one's soul so valuable? c. What will one give in exchange for his or her soul? [Because of error taught by some, it is important to provide a Bibleanswer to the first question...] I. DOES MAN HAVE A SOUL?
A. SOME TEACH OTHERWISE... 1. Such as members of the Watchtower Society (i.e., "Jehovah's Witnesses") 2. Who say man "is" a soul, not "has" a soul 3. The controversy revolves around the multi-faceted use of the words for "soul" a. The Hebrew is "nephesh", and at times it may refer to: 1) Animal life - Gen 1:20-21 ("living") 2) The person - Num 31:19 ("killed any person") 3) The body - Num 6:6 ("a dead body") 4) Something distinguished from the body - Isa 10:18 ("soul and body") 5) Breath - Job 41:21 (referring to Leviathan) b. The Greek word is "psuche", and at times it may refer to: 1) The person - 1 Pe 3:20 ("eight souls saved by water") 2) Life itself - Jn 13:38 ("lay down your life") 3) Something distinguished from the spirit - He 4:12 ("soul and spirit") 4) Something distinguished from the body - 1 Th 5:23 ("spirit and soul and body") 5) That which exists after the body is dissolved - Mt 10:28 ("kill the body but not the soul") -- Those who deny that man "has" a soul fail to consider that words may have many different meanings and applications B. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT MAN EXISTS AFTER DEATH... 1. In the teaching of Jesus a. Man is both body and soul, and the soul can survive murder by a fellow man - cf. Mt 10:28 b. The story of Lazarus and the rich man - cf. Lk 16:22-23 1) Some say this is only a parable 2) Even if it is (which is highly unlikely), parables were "true to life" stories, not fantasy! c. His promise to the thief on the cross - Lk 23:42-43 2. In the teaching of Paul a. There is "the inner man" that can renewed, even while "the outer man" decays - 2 Co 4:16-18 b. One can be with the Lord, while absent from the body - 2 Co5:6-8
c. There is a part of man that can be "out of the body" - 2 Co12:3
d. One can be dead, yet still be with Christ - Ph 1:23 e. Reference is made to the "spirits of just men" - He 12:22-23
3. The teaching of Peter a. He wrote of those who are "dead, but live in the spirit" - 1 Pe 4:6 b. He described the body as a tabernacle to be put off...if the body is a tabernacle (dwelling place), what dwells in it? - 2 Pe 1:13-14 c. The unjust are under punishment, just like some angels - 2 Pe 2:4,9-10 4. John, in the Revelation given to him, saw "souls of those slain", and they were capable of crying out with loud voices, and being comforted - Re 6:9-11 -- There is also much material in the OT [So while one may say in the right context that man "is" a soul, wemust also be willing to say that the Bible teaches man "has" a soul.Now let's consider the next question...] II. WHY IS THE SOUL OF MAN SO VALUABLE?
A. IT IS MADE IN GOD'S IMAGE... 1. Man was created in the image of God - Gen 1:26-27 a. Yet God does not have a physical body like ours - Jn 4:24;Lk 24:39
b. Therefore it must be our soul, or spirit, that is in God's image 2. This is what enable us to comprehend abstract concepts as: a. Life, death, eternity b. Things of beauty c. A moral sense of ought, right and wrong, good and evil -- Making us more than just animal creatures - cf. Psa 8:3-8 B. IT IS THAT PART OVER WHICH WE HAVE MUCH CONTROL... 1. The body is mostly the result of genetics a. We might be able to change a little through exercise, plastic surgery, etc. b. But we cannot stop the eventual aging and dying process 2. The soul, however, is different... a. Despite one's genetics, there is much that can be changed b. By cooperating with God, we can change attitudes, dispositions, character - Ro 12:1-2; Ga 5:21-22; Co 3:12-15 C. IT DOES NOT CEASE TO EXIST AT DEATH... 1. The body dies, and soon returns back to the dust a. The soul, or spirit, returns back to God - Ecc 12:7 b. Awaiting the resurrection of the body - cf. 1 Co 15:35-58 2. After which comes the Judgment - He 9:27; 2 Co 5:10 a. The soul, in its resurrected body, will bear the brunt of that Judgment b. Either eternal life, honor, glory, and immortality - Ro 2:7 c. Or indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish - Ro 2:8-9 -- Which is why we need to evaluate all things (possessions, decisions, actions) from an eternal perspective, from the soul's viewpoint - Mt 10:28; 16:26 D. THE COST REQUIRED TO REDEEM IT... 1. What price was required to redeem our souls from the wrath of God's judgment? 2. Nothing less than the blood of the Son of God! - 1 Pe 1:18-19 -- Even if we cannot fully comprehend why Jesus had to die, we should able to see that the souls of men must be extremely valuable if His death was necessary [So the Bible teaches that the soul is more valuable than the wholeworld! And yet, many people "sell their souls" for what surely arepetty bargains...] III. WHAT WILL ONE GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL?
A. WHAT IT MEANS TO EXCHANGE SOMETHING FOR YOUR SOUL... 1. The word "exchange" pictures a business transaction in which one is bartering for something else 2. "Barter" means "to trade or exchange one commodity for another" -- Thus it means to trade your soul for something else B. THINGS FOR WHICH PEOPLE TRADE THEIR SOULS... 1. For some people, it is earthly riches and fame a. In their quest for riches, they neglect their service to God - 1 Ti 6:10 b. Yet they have traded their souls for that which is corruptible and can be stolen - Mt 6:19-21 2. For others, it is the "passing pleasures of sin" a. Like the young man tempted by the harlot - Pro 5:1-14 1) In a moment's passion, lives are destroyed (AIDS, unwanted pregnancies) 2) Marriages and families are ruined b. Young people like Joseph, Moses, and Daniel should inspire us to make the right choices - cf. Gen 39:7-9; He 11:24-25;Dan 1:8
3. Then others allow their souls to be sold for some convenient false doctrine a. Of which we need to beware - Co 2:8,18 b. For the devil is a master at this - 2 Co 11:13-15 c. Through our own lack of Bible study, we can loose the most valuable thing we have! - cf. Hos 4:6 4. Finally, many will trade their souls through simple laziness! a. They will not use the opportunities the Lord has given them - cf. Mt 25:24-30 b. They fail to apply the diligence necessary to grow spiritually - cf. 2 Pe 1:5-11 CONCLUSION
1. How valuable is your soul...? a. Think of what the rich man in Hades would tell you - cf. Lk 16:22-24
b. Think of what the souls of the redeemed would say to you - cf. Re 7:13-17 c. Think of what God has done to save your soul! - Jn 3:16 2. It matters not what else you do in this life, if you do not save your own soul, you have been a complete failure... a. You might gather about you great riches and fame, and leave thousands of friends to mourn your departing, but if you have not saved your soul, you have been a miserable failure! b. On the other hand, you may die in a charity home for the poor, and be buried in a potter's field without a single friend to mourn, but if you saved your soul, your life was a marvelous success! 3. You can't afford to loose your soul, for if you loose it, you loose all... a. To the faithful will be given the place of eternal rest 1) There will be no pain, sickness, or death there 2) It is the inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away 3) It is that city built by the living God b. On the other hand, there is the place of eternal punishment 1) It is where the wicked will be tormented day and night forever 2) It is where you will bemoan your great foolishness for having sold your soul for such petty things! 4. Dear friends and brethren, you don't have to loose your soul... a. Humbly submit yourself to the will of God b. Let His Word guide you, and let no man beguile you of your reward c. Overcome temptations, and suffer for His cause with rejoicing -- If you do these things, you will save your soul, and heaven will be yours, because God who cannot lie, has promised it! Note: The main idea and several thoughts from this lesson were taken
from a lesson by David Riggs. The URL for his web site of sermons is:http://www.public.usit.net/driggs/outlines.htm
－－《Executable
Outlines》