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Matthew 16 vs. 1-18. Rock Solid. Signs for the Pharisees & Sadducees (vs. 1-4) Pharisees = Legalists (Excessive / Restrictive Law) Sadducees = Liberals (Pride in disputing teachers) Paul shows the difference in Acts 23:6-8 Two opposite camps join to destroy Jesus.
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Matthew 16 • vs. 1-18 • Rock Solid
Signs for the Pharisees & Sadducees (vs. 1-4) • Pharisees = Legalists (Excessive / Restrictive Law) • Sadducees = Liberals (Pride in disputing teachers) • Paul shows the difference in Acts 23:6-8 • Two opposite camps join to destroy Jesus
Together they demand the magic show • Jesus remained consistent • The only worthwhile sign is the same as ch. 12: 38 - 40 • His death, burial, and resurrection are central to our faith • Any other pre-occupation with Jesus = ch. 16:4 • We are to preach Christ crucified - 1 Cor. 1: 23
This is another teaching moment for the disciples (vs.5 - 12) • They’re slow to get there......BUT • ...ah-ha! There it is! (vs. 12) • God was not the source of strength for the Pharisees & Sadducees • Their legalism / Liberalism based on the Mosaic law was • The lesson from the loaves? • Live dependent on God: you have enough to spare • Live dependent on rules & rituals: you’ll destroy life
The Church (vs. 3-18) • Jesus spoke of The Church twice, both in Matthew • ch. 18 = The local / individual gathering of believers • ch. 16 = The global Church • Qu.: Who is Jesus? (vs. 13) • Lots of answers! • Qu.: But what about you? • Is vs. 16 your answer? • C. S. Lewis - Mere Christianity
vs. 18 - What does this mean? • Answer: Look to Scriptural consistency • 1 Cor. 3:11 - No foundation other than Jesus • Eph. 2: 20-21 - Jesus = the Chief Cornerstone • 1 Peter 2: 4-8 - Stone ‘vs’ stones
In the Old Testament “Rock” is used for God, never man • Ps. 94:22 & Ps. 95:1 (just a couple for example) • Consistency with the O.T. & N.T. shows Jesus is the Rock • Many others claim to show the way, truth, life • Jesus is THE Way, Truth, Life (He said “I AM...”) • We have a living saviour • Without Him our faith is futile - 1 Cor. 15: 14-17