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Matthew Chapter Twenty-Two

 
The Wedding Feast (Mt 22:1-14)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. We come to the third of three parables Jesus told when challenged by
 the religious leaders in the temple during His last week...
 a. "The Two Sons" was told in regards to their rejection of John the
 Baptist - Mt 21:28-32
 b. "The Wicked Vinedressers" described how God would reject them
  because they had rejected His prophets, and ultimately His own
 Son! - Mt 21:33-46
 c. In "The Wedding Feast", the wickedness and rebelliousness of the
 religious leaders is even more vividly described - Mt 22:1-14
 
2. In "The Wedding Feast", the Lord is revealing Himself and the nature
 of their rejection more clearly than He did in the previous
 parable...
 a. There He was indeed the son; but here He is a royal son
 b. There they were rejecting what they rightfully owed by way of 
  contract; but here they are rejecting kindness which had been 
 graciously offered to them!
 
3. In this parable, we also see an expansion of the element of Divine
 Judgment...
 a. The previous parable described judgment upon Israel for rejecting
 God's Son
 b. So does this parable, but it also describes judgment upon those
 who have accepted the King's invitation, yet not in the way it 
 was intended to be received!
 
[Let's read the parable beginning in Mt 22:1 (READ). Now let's spend
a few moments taking a closer look...]
 
I. THE PARABLE ANALYZED
 
 A. AN INVITATION SPURNED (1-10)
 1. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a wedding feast - Mt 22:
 1-2
 a. Isaiah had used the figure of a feast to prophecy of the
 Messianic age - Is 25:6
 b. The Book of Revelation describes a future marriage of the
 Lamb and His Bride - Re 19:7
 2. And yet the invitation is spurned...
 a. By those indifferent - Mt 22:3-5
 b. By those rebellious - Mt 22:6
 -- Jesus may have reference here to the Jewish nation, as He
 did in the parable of "The Wicked Vinedressers" - Mt 21:
 33-46
 3. The King's furious reaction - Mt 22:7
 a. Those who had so callously rejected His invitation, abused
 His servants, are themselves destroyed
 b. Many understand this to be a prophecy of the destruction of
 Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 A. D. - Lk 19:41-44
 4. The invitation is extended to others - Mt 22:8-10
 a. As in the parable of "The Wicked Vinedressers", the
 opportunity to enjoy the blessings of the kingdom of God is
 extended to others - Mt 21:43
 b. This has reference to the offer of the gospel and the
 kingdom to the Gentiles - cf. also Mt 8:5-12
 
 B. A GUEST IMPROPERLY ATTIRED (11-14)
 1. Without a wedding garment - Mt 22:11-12
 a. It was customary for the hosts to provide their guests 
 suitable apparel
 b. To not wear the provided garment showed a lack of respect
 and appreciation
 c. No real excuse could be offered for not wearing one ("he 
 was speechless")
 2. The King's furious reaction - Mt 22:13
 a. The seriousness of the insult is seen in the reaction of 
 the king
 b. The punishment described is similar to that found in other
 parables - Mt 13:42,50
 3. Jesus' conclusion - Mt 22:14
 a. This summarizes the main point of the entire parable
 b. The invitation (call) of God is extended to many, but few
 receive it in such a way to be among the "chosen"
 
[This parable was clearly told in response to the rejection of the 
King's Son and His Kingdom by the Jewish nation. However, elements of
the parable apply to us as well, for the invitation to attend "The 
Wedding Feast" is still being offered through the call of the Gospel!
 
With that in mind, consider a few more thoughts on...]
 
II. THE PARABLE APPLIED
 
 A. HAVE YOU SPURNED THE FATHER'S INVITATION?
 1. Through indifference?
 a. Many people do not know God because of a lack of interest
 b. Yet God has so ordered the affairs of life to encourage 
  faith and interest in Him - Ac 17:26-27; Ro 1:20; 1 Ti 2:
 3-4
 c. For this reason, even those who through indifference do not
 know God and obey the gospel will be condemned - 2 Th 1:
 7-10
 2. Through rebelliousness?
 a. There are many who know full well the Father's invitation
 b. But for whatever reason they rebel against it
 c. In so doing, they despise riches of God's grace and store 
 up for themselves God's righteous indignation - Ro 2:4-11
 
 [Certainly all should respond to the Father's invitation if they 
 desire to enjoy the spiritual blessings of the kingdom of heaven.
 But as we learn from the parable, there is more...]
 
 B. ARE YOU ATTIRED FOR THE WEDDING?
 1. Many seek to attend the "wedding" in apparel of their own 
 choosing
 a. Some, not knowing the righteousness of God, have sought to
 establish their own - Ro 10:1-3
 b. People do this today, when they expect salvation on terms
 different than those taught in the gospel
 1) E.g., trying to obtain salvation based upon their own 
 good works
 2) E.g., trying to obtain salvation on faith without 
 repentance and obedience
 2. We must be willing to put on the "apparel" that God gives us:
 a. We must "put on" Jesus Christ!
 1) First and foremost this involves clothing ourselves with
 Christ
 2) Which Paul explains takes place in baptism - Ga 3:26-27
 -- Have you put Christ on in baptism?
 b. We must "put on" the new man!
 1) Paul applies the figure of putting on a garment to the 
 development of Christian conduct and character - Co 3:
 5-14
 2) Do we wish to be found at the wedding feast adorned with
 the apparel of the "old man with his deeds"?
 -- Are you putting off the "old man", and putting on the 
 "new man"?
 c. We must "put on" righteous deeds!
 1) John described the preparation for glorious wedding of 
 the Lamb and His bride - Re 19:6-9
 2) We understand that the "righteous acts of the saints" 
  are not done to merit salvation - Ti 3:4-5
 3) They are done to bring honor to God, and therefore we 
 are to be ever ready and zealous to do good works - cf.
 Mt 5:16; Ti 3:1,8,14
 -- Are you doing what you can to "beautify" the wedding 
 garment of the bride?
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. We have truly been blessed to be given the opportunity to receive 
 the Father's invitation to the wedding feast of His Son!
 
2. But we learn from Jesus and His parables that the "kingdom of 
 heaven" is for those who thankfully and properly receive the grace 
 that God has to offer
 
3. The example of the nation of Israel should serve as a warning to 
 all, both Jew and Gentile, that while God's call of the gospel is 
 open to all, the saying of Jesus still remains true...
 
 "For many are called, but few are chosen."
 
You have been called, but will you be chosen?
 
Our Duty To God And Country (22:15-22)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Teaching in the temple, Jesus was approached by the Pharisees and
 the Herodians...
 a. They came with the intention of entangling Him in His teaching
 - Mt 22:15-16
 b. They questioned Him whether one should pay taxes to Caesar 
 - Mt 22:17
 
2. Ever the Master Teacher, Jesus easily dealt with their question...
 a. Seeing through their hypocrisy, He called for a coin - Mt 22:
 18-19
 b. He asked whose inscription was on it, and they answered 
 "Caesar's" - Mt 22:20-21
 c. His reply cause them to marvel, and to go away - Mt 22:21-22
 
3. The reply of Jesus:
 a. "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's"
 b. "And to God the things that are God's"
 ...not only silenced His critics, but provided important teaching
 for His disciples
 
4. His reply reveals that we have responsibilities to both God and 
 country
 a. There are things that we must render to Caesar (country)
 b. There are things that we must render to God
 
[What is our duty to God and country? In this study we shall review
what the Scriptures tell us about our responsibilities as citizens and
as disciples. We start with...]
 
I. OUR DUTY TO COUNTRY
 
 A. PAY TAXES...
 1. This was the point of Jesus in our text - Mt 22:17-21
 2. Paul also taught us to pay taxes - Ro 13:6-7a
 
 B. OBEY LAWS...
 1. We are to submit to the ordinances (laws) of the land - Ro 13:
 1-5; Ti 3:1
 2. This we do for the Lord's sake, that we might silence foolish
 men - 1 Pe 2:13-16
 
 C. FEAR AND HONOR...
 1. We are to respect and honor those in positions of authority
 - Ro 13:7b
 a. We are to fear the king - cf. Pro 24:21
 b. We are not to speak evil of our rulers - cf. Exo 22:28; Ac
 23:5; Ti 3:2; 2 Pe 2:10; Ju 8-9
 2. Even as we are to honor all and love the brethren - 1 Pe 2:17
 -- Do you notice that Paul or Peter never had unkind words about
 Nero?
 
 D. DO GOOD...
 1. We are to be ready for every good work - Ti 3:1
 2. We are to have conduct that is honorable before all - 1 Pe 2:
 11-12,15-16
 
 E. PRAY...
 1. To make supplications, offer prayers, intercessions, and
 giving of thanks - 1 Ti 2:1
 2. To pray for kings and all who are in authority - 1 Ti 2:1-3
 
[Christians are but sojourners and pilgrims in this world (1 Pe 2:11).
While our true citizenship is in heaven (Ph 3:20), we are to be a
blessing to those earthly countries in which we sojourn. Fulfill our
God-given obligations, and we will be an asset to any country in which
we live! Now let's review...]
 
II. OUR DUTY TO GOD
 
 A. LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR BEING...
 1. Jesus considered this the greatest commandment of the Law 
 - Mt 22:34-38
 2. Being the greatest command, I would suggest this is our
 greatest duty!
 
 B. OBEY GOD FROM THE HEART...
 1. If we love God, we will keep His commandments - 1 Jn 5:3
 2. Even as Jesus taught that keeping His commandments is evidence
 of true love - Jn 14:15,21,23
 
 C. MAKE GOD OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY...
 1. His will, His rule, His righteousness, should be our first
 priority - Mt 6:33
 2. Not only over our personal concerns, but even over our duty to
 country
 a. Whenever there is a conflict between duty to God and duty
 to country, God must come first
 b. As stated by Peter: "We ought to obey God rather than men"
 - Ac 5:27-29
 3. This helps to answer questions that often arise concerning the
  Christian's duty to government
 a. Can a Christian vote?
 b. Can one serve in political office?
 4. If such duties and privileges come at too high a price (i.e.,
 placing country before God), then a Christian must obey God
 rather than men
 a. In some countries, the price may be too high, and a
 Christian could not serve in political office or exercise
 certain rights as a citizen
 b. Other countries may allow for God to take precedence in
 one's conduct, permitting the Christian to participate in
 such things
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Christians ought to be a blessing for any country in which they
 reside...
 a. A source of revenue, with respect for laws, and reverence for
 those in authority
 b. Contributing to the general welfare, through good deeds and
 fervent prayers
 
2. Christians can be such a blessing when...
 a. They render first to God what is His due, and then what is due
 the country
 b. The country respects the priority that must be given God by its
 citizens
 
While those in authority might not always understand their proper
place, and expect more of their citizens than what is right, may we who
are disciples of Christ never fail to "Render therefore to Caesar the
things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

Two Great Commandments (22:34-40)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In the temple during His final week prior to His crucifixion, Jesus
 was questioned by various religious groups...
 a. The Pharisees and Herodians sought to entangle Him with a
 question about paying taxes - Mt 22:15-22
 b. The Sadducees tried to trip Him on the subject of the 
 resurrection - Mt 22:23-33
 -- His answers caused people to marvel and be astonished - Mt 22:22,
 33
 
2. The Pharisees tried once again, this time sending one of their
 lawyers...
 a. Testing Him as to which is the great commandment in the law - Mt
 22:34-36
 b. Jesus replied by offering two great commandments
 1) The first pertained to loving God - Mt 22:37-38
 2) The second pertained to loving one's neighbor - Mt 22:39
 -- Upon these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets
 - Mt 22:40
 
3. While we no longer live under the Old Law, these "Two Great
 Commandments" are still very important to the Christian...
 a. For they certainly have their counterpart in the New Covenant
 b. And keeping the commandments of God is just as important now as
 it was under the Old Covenant - cf. 1 Co 7:19; 1 Jn 5:3
 
[It is proper to ask, therefore, do we love God and our neighbor as we
should? Do we understand what is involved in loving God and our fellow
man? Perhaps by reflecting upon these "Two Great Commandments" we can
find the answer to such questions...]
 
I. THE COMMAND TO LOVE GOD
 
 A. UNDER THE OLD COVENANT...
 1. The Israelites were expected to love God (Deu 6:5)...
 a. "with all your heart"
 b. "with all your soul"
 c. "with all your strength"
 d. "with all your mind" - cf. Mt 22:37; Mk 12:30; Lk 10:27
 (the Septuagint has "mind, soul, strength" in Deu 6:5)
 -- Emotionally, physically, intellectually, they were to love
 God
 2. Thus they were to love God with their whole being, not like
 some who...
 a. Serve God emotionally, while committing intellectual
 suicide
 b. Serve God intellectually, but with no emotion
 c. Serve God emotionally and intellectually, but with no
 actual obedience requiring the exercise of strength (i.e.,
 action)
 -- Note how the Law stated their responsibility in Deu 10:
 12-13
 
 B. HOW WE ARE TO LOVE GOD TODAY...
 1. Does God expect any less of us? Of course not! We are to 
 love God:
 a. With all our heart - cf. 1 Co 16:22 (note the use of the
 word "phileo")
 b. With all our soul (body and mind) - cf. Ro 12:1-2
 c. With all our strength - cf. He 10:36
 d. With all our mind - cf. Co 3:1; Ph 4:8
 2. We demonstrate our love for God through keeping His
 commandments
 a. This is the love of God - 1 Jn 5:3
 b. This is evidence that we love Jesus - Jn 14:15
 
 C. THE BLESSING OF KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS...
 1. We enjoy a special relationship with God and Jesus - Jn 14:
 21-23
 2. We will abide in the love of God - Jn 15:10; 1 Jn 2:5
 3. Our prayers will be answered - 1 Jn 3:22
 
 D. HOW TO GROW IN OUR LOVE FOR GOD...
 1. By allowing God's love for us to move us - cf. 1 Jn 4:9-10;
 Ro 5:8
 a. God loved us, even while we were still sinners
 b. When we reflect upon His love for us, we will love Him
  more!
 2. By asking God to help us grow in love - cf. 2 Th 3:5
 a. Paul prayed that the Lord would direct the Thessalonians
 into the love of God
 b. If he could pray such for others, can we not pray the same
  for ourselves?
 3. By praying, and growing in love when He answers - cf. Psa 116:
 1-2
 a. David loved the Lord because He heard His supplications
 b. Perhaps if we prayed more, and received answers to our
 prayers more, we would love God more!
 4. By keeping the word of God - cf. 1 Jn 2:5
 a. The love of God is perfected in those who keep God's word
 b. Therefore the more we obey Him, the more our love for God
 will grow!
 
[Do we love God any less than what was expected of the Israelites? We
certainly have compelling reasons to love Him even more (e.g., the gift
of His Son)! Now let's consider...]
 
II. THE COMMAND TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR
 
 A. ENJOINED UPON CHRISTIANS...
  1. We owe it to our neighbors to love them - Ro 13:8a
 2. When fully applied, it fulfills what the Law required - Ro 13:
 8b-10
 a. Five of the Ten Commandments spoke to working no ill toward
 our fellow man
 b. If one truly loves his or her neighbor, they will not be
 guilty of killing, adultery, stealing, lying, or 
 covetousness
 c. For sins (and many others) do grave harm to our neighbor
 
 B. ENHANCED BY A NEW COMMAND...
 1. Jesus taught us to love one another - Jn 13:34-35
 2. This new command takes our love to a higher level
 a. No longer do we just love one another as we love ourselves
 b. We must love one another as Christ loved us!
 1) He loved us with the greatest love - Jn 15:13
 2) He became poor, that we might be rich - 2 Co 8:9
 3. Thus no one can use low self-esteem (or low self-love) as an
 excuse not to love others as they should
 
 C. EXPERIENCED WHEN WE KEEP GOD'S COMMANDMENTS...
 1. We demonstrate true love of one another by keeping the
 commandments of God - 2 Jn 5-6
 2. This is how we know that we really love one another - 1 Jn 5:2
 a. Not by just claiming to love one another
  b. But by setting the proper example, and encouraging each
 other by the example we set!
 
 D. EDUCATED BY THE EXAMPLE OF GOD...
 1. We develop love for one another by being taught of God - cf.
 1 Th 4:9-10
 a. The Thessalonians had been taught of God to love their
 brethren
 b. They did so remarkably, though there was always room for
 improvement
 2. Jesus by His own example demonstrates what true love is - 1 Jn
 3:16-18
  -- If we wish to learn how to love one another properly, look to
 God and Jesus!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. How great were these two commandments...to love God, and to love
 your neighbor?
 a. "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
 - Mt 22:40
 b. "Love is the fulfilling of the Law." - Ro 13:9
 -- These two commands summed up what the Old Law required of the
 Israelites
 
2. When one truly loves God, and loves his neighbor as himself...
 a. He is on the road that leads to eternal life! - cf. Lk 10:25-28
 b. He is on the path that leads to the kingdom of God! - cf. Mk 12:
 28-34
 
If you wish to receive eternal life, and become a citizen of the
kingdom, then demonstrate your love for God by obeying His commands
(cf. Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:16), and live a life of faith in Jesus that is
focused on loving God and your fellow man!

－－《Executable Outlines》