Clueless and Clueless and Even More CluelessEven More Clueless

Matthew 16:1-12Matthew 16:1-12

Logos Bible FellowshipLogos Bible Fellowship

1/16/20081/16/2008

Breakdown of PassageBreakdown of Passage

1.1. Sights and Signs for the Blind (vv.1-4)Sights and Signs for the Blind (vv.1-4)

2.2. Leaven and Loaves for the Learners Leaven and Loaves for the Learners (vv.5-12)(vv.5-12)

OverviewOverview

Matthew 16 is…Matthew 16 is… ……a critical chapter in the account of Jesus’ life, death, a critical chapter in the account of Jesus’ life, death,

and resurrectionand resurrection ……a high point in Jesus’ teaching and the disciples’ a high point in Jesus’ teaching and the disciples’

growthgrowth ……the climax of Jesus withdrawal from the crowdsthe climax of Jesus withdrawal from the crowds

Some important teachings in Matthew 16Some important teachings in Matthew 16 Peter’s confession of Christ (v.16)Peter’s confession of Christ (v.16) The first mention of the church (v.18)The first mention of the church (v.18) Jesus’ teaching that He must die and rise (v.21)Jesus’ teaching that He must die and rise (v.21) Jesus’ teaching about mandatory self denial (v.24)Jesus’ teaching about mandatory self denial (v.24)

Sights and Signs… (vv.1-4)Sights and Signs… (vv.1-4) PhariseesPharisees – The “conservative” religious and – The “conservative” religious and

political party. They insisted that the law be political party. They insisted that the law be observed as the scribes interpreted it, and they observed as the scribes interpreted it, and they were committed to the “tradition of the elders”were committed to the “tradition of the elders”

SadduceesSadducees – Group of “liberal” Jews made up of – Group of “liberal” Jews made up of people from the leading families of the nation, people from the leading families of the nation, mainly priests, merchants, and aristocrats. They mainly priests, merchants, and aristocrats. They rejected the “tradition of the elders” and were in rejected the “tradition of the elders” and were in conflict with the Pharisees. They denied the conflict with the Pharisees. They denied the resurrection of the dead and the immortality of resurrection of the dead and the immortality of the soul, since they only followed the Law of the soul, since they only followed the Law of Moses in the Pentateuch.Moses in the Pentateuch.

Why did these two groups join together?Why did these two groups join together?

Sights and Signs (vv.1-4)Sights and Signs (vv.1-4) The Pharisee and Sadducees asked Jesus for a “sign The Pharisee and Sadducees asked Jesus for a “sign

from heaven” (v.1; see parallel account in Mark 8:11-12)from heaven” (v.1; see parallel account in Mark 8:11-12) Others who have asked for and/or offered a sign:Others who have asked for and/or offered a sign:

Pharisees and teachers of the law – Matthew 12:38-41Pharisees and teachers of the law – Matthew 12:38-41 Gideon – Judges 6:7-7:9; Hebrews 11:32Gideon – Judges 6:7-7:9; Hebrews 11:32 Thomas – John 11:16, 14:5, 20:24-31; Acts 1:6-14Thomas – John 11:16, 14:5, 20:24-31; Acts 1:6-14 The psalmist – Psalm 86:17The psalmist – Psalm 86:17 Ahaz/Israel – Isaiah 7:10-14Ahaz/Israel – Isaiah 7:10-14 Israel – Ezekiel 20:12Israel – Ezekiel 20:12 The shepherds – Luke 2:8-11The shepherds – Luke 2:8-11 The crowds – Luke 11:14-20, 29-32The crowds – Luke 11:14-20, 29-32

When does God grant a sign and when does He become When does God grant a sign and when does He become angered?angered?

Why did God call them an “evil and adulterous Why did God call them an “evil and adulterous generation” (v.4)?generation” (v.4)?

Sights and Signs (vv.1-4)Sights and Signs (vv.1-4)

Jesus said, “Jesus said, “Do you know how to discern Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?discern the signs of the times?” (vv.2-3)” (vv.2-3) How well do you know Scripture? Is there How well do you know Scripture? Is there

anything you know better than God’s Word? anything you know better than God’s Word? Should there be?Should there be?

How does Romans 13:11 apply?How does Romans 13:11 apply? What is the sign of Jonah?What is the sign of Jonah?

See Jonah 1:17-2:10; Matthew 12:38-41; Acts See Jonah 1:17-2:10; Matthew 12:38-41; Acts 17:3117:31

How is this a sign to the peopleHow is this a sign to the people

Sights and Signs (vv.1-4)Sights and Signs (vv.1-4)

Signs of the times…Signs of the times… Jesus died to rescue us from the present evili Jesus died to rescue us from the present evili

age (Galatians 1:4)age (Galatians 1:4) Now is the time of God’s favor for believers (2 Now is the time of God’s favor for believers (2

Corinthians 6:2)Corinthians 6:2) Now is a time of refreshing for those who Now is a time of refreshing for those who

have repented (Acts 3:19)have repented (Acts 3:19) The time of judgment is coming for those who The time of judgment is coming for those who

don’t repent (Luke 19:43-44; Acts 17:31)don’t repent (Luke 19:43-44; Acts 17:31) The time is short (1 Corinthians 7:29)The time is short (1 Corinthians 7:29)

Leaven and Loaves (vv.5-12)Leaven and Loaves (vv.5-12)

The disciples showed a lack of trust in Christ’s The disciples showed a lack of trust in Christ’s provisionprovision Christ fed 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish (Matt. 14:13-Christ fed 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish (Matt. 14:13-

21)21) Christ fed 4,000 with 7 loaves and a few fish (Matt. Christ fed 4,000 with 7 loaves and a few fish (Matt.

15:32-39)15:32-39) What has Christ done for you? How do you trust Him What has Christ done for you? How do you trust Him

more as a result?more as a result? The disciples showed a lack of understanding in The disciples showed a lack of understanding in

Christ’s teaching?Christ’s teaching? What was their approach to understanding Him? Did What was their approach to understanding Him? Did

they ask for clarification? Did they use good they ask for clarification? Did they use good hermeneutics? How can you relate?hermeneutics? How can you relate?

Leaven and Loaves (vv.5-12)Leaven and Loaves (vv.5-12)

So, what is the leaven of the Pharisees So, what is the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?and Sadducees? Hypocrisy (Luke 12:56)Hypocrisy (Luke 12:56) Attitude of unbelief toward Jesus (vv.1-4)Attitude of unbelief toward Jesus (vv.1-4) Pharisees added human legalism to God’s Pharisees added human legalism to God’s

revelation (Matthew 15:8-9)revelation (Matthew 15:8-9) Sadducees subtracted from God’s revelation Sadducees subtracted from God’s revelation

(Matthew 22:23)(Matthew 22:23) How does the church today add and subtract How does the church today add and subtract

from God’s Word (see Deut. 12:32)?from God’s Word (see Deut. 12:32)?