jesus & controversy …. infighting among believers lk 22:24 “carnal posturing” has long...

Jesus & ControversyJesus & Controversy

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Jesus & Controversy

Jesus & Controversy


Infighting Among Believers Infighting Among Believers Lk 22:24Lk 22:24

““Carnal posturing” has long been a concern Carnal posturing” has long been a concern among the Lord’s disciplesamong the Lord’s disciples Such a focus is temporal…not eternalSuch a focus is temporal…not eternal

Jesus wants us to dwell on eternal gloryJesus wants us to dwell on eternal glory Those who had “earthly glory” ruled… were Those who had “earthly glory” ruled… were

called benefactors called benefactors v. 25v. 25 We shouldn’t yearn for suchWe shouldn’t yearn for such v. 26 v. 26



Jesus wants us to dwell on eternal gloryJesus wants us to dwell on eternal glory The world says the one “seated at the table” The world says the one “seated at the table”

is greater…Jesus says otherwise is greater…Jesus says otherwise v. 27v. 27 His disciples are to serve others, not His disciples are to serve others, not

demand to be serveddemand to be served As a result, there’s honor in God’s eternal As a result, there’s honor in God’s eternal

kingdom kingdom v. 30 Eph 2:6 2 Tim 2:10-12av. 30 Eph 2:6 2 Tim 2:10-12a



He handled the “controversy” by directing He handled the “controversy” by directing the disciples to least imaginable position… the disciples to least imaginable position… that of a that of a servantservant True greatness only comes when we get our True greatness only comes when we get our

minds off ourselves and onto othersminds off ourselves and onto others Controversy reigns in selfishness Controversy reigns in selfishness Jas 3:16Jas 3:16 God exalts service God exalts service Phil 2:3-9 1 Pet 5:5-6Phil 2:3-9 1 Pet 5:5-6


Doctrinal Problems Doctrinal Problems Mt 19:3-9Mt 19:3-9

The one area where controversy may be The one area where controversy may be most intensified…doctrinal differencesmost intensified…doctrinal differences Simple truth of the Lord’s word has been, Simple truth of the Lord’s word has been,

always will be pitted against man’s wisdomalways will be pitted against man’s wisdom True in Jesus’ day…likewise in oursTrue in Jesus’ day…likewise in ours Even on this same issue…M/D/REven on this same issue…M/D/R



The Pharisees “test” Jesus The Pharisees “test” Jesus v. 3 Mk 10:2v. 3 Mk 10:2

It appears these Jews were more concerned It appears these Jews were more concerned with question #2 than with question #1with question #2 than with question #1

Jesus exposes this truth Jesus exposes this truth vv. 4, 8vv. 4, 8

(1)(1) Would He agree with their view of Moses’Would He agree with their view of Moses’teaching?teaching?

(2)(2) Which rabbinic school would He endorse?Which rabbinic school would He endorse?



It is evident It is evident Deut 24Deut 24 is their concern is their concern v. 7v. 7 Jerusalem rabbinical schools differedJerusalem rabbinical schools differed They taught differently for at least a century They taught differently for at least a century

before Jesus came before Jesus came (Shammai, Hillel)(Shammai, Hillel) They both taught divorce was lawful…the They both taught divorce was lawful…the

reasons were many and diversereasons were many and diverse

Divorce was lawful for some sexual sin

Divorce was lawful for some sexual sin



It is evident It is evident Deut 24Deut 24 is their concern is their concern v. 7v. 7 Jerusalem rabbinical schools differedJerusalem rabbinical schools differed They taught differently for at least a century They taught differently for at least a century

before Jesus came before Jesus came (Shammai, Hillel)(Shammai, Hillel) They both taught divorce was lawful…the They both taught divorce was lawful…the

reasons were many and diversereasons were many and diverse

Divorce was lawful for any reasonDivorce was lawful for any reason

The prevailing thoughtThe prevailing thought



He handled the “controversy” not by falling He handled the “controversy” not by falling in line with what prevalent men said, but by in line with what prevalent men said, but by standing on the standing on the onlyonly solid ground…TRUTH solid ground…TRUTH

He referenced His Father’s will expressed He referenced His Father’s will expressed “…from the beginning” “…from the beginning” vv. 8-9vv. 8-9



Jesus’ points of emphasis…Jesus’ points of emphasis… The Pharisees misunderstood Moses The Pharisees misunderstood Moses v. 8v. 8 A re-statement of the A re-statement of the originaloriginal decree decree v. 8v. 8

Jesus shows the only way to solve a Jesus shows the only way to solve a “controversy” is to find out what God’s “controversy” is to find out what God’s originaloriginal intentions are and reject what any intentions are and reject what any man says that is contrary to itman says that is contrary to it


ConclusionConclusion

Notice in both these instances, Jesus didn’t Notice in both these instances, Jesus didn’t go looking for controversy…it found Himgo looking for controversy…it found Him

Jesus shows if controversy is unavoidable, Jesus shows if controversy is unavoidable, it can still be handled in a godly wayit can still be handled in a godly way We’ll have to conclude how to best handle We’ll have to conclude how to best handle

carnal attitudes among brethrencarnal attitudes among brethren What did Jesus do in such an instance?What did Jesus do in such an instance?


ConclusionConclusion

Notice in both these instances, Jesus didn’t Notice in both these instances, Jesus didn’t go looking for controversy…it found Himgo looking for controversy…it found Him

Jesus shows if controversy is unavoidable, Jesus shows if controversy is unavoidable, it can still be handled in a godly wayit can still be handled in a godly way We’ll have to learn how to cope with others We’ll have to learn how to cope with others

who espouse a different doctrinewho espouse a different doctrine What did Jesus do in such an instance?What did Jesus do in such an instance?


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jesus & controversy …. infighting among believers lk 22:24 “carnal posturing” has long...

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