Confronting Religion Pt 3: Answering Their Questions

And if you would open up in your Bibles to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 22. Matthew, chapter 22. It's good to be back this week. Enjoyed a beautiful wedding last weekend for one of my wife's cousins. So, enjoyed that. It was good to go be with family. So, Lewis did a great job for me while I was gone. Always appreciate being able to hear him teach. I'm enjoying watching him come up as a teacher.

So, that's a lot of fun to do. But this morning we're back in our series in Matthew. Our series that we're looking at is Confronting Religion. And this is actually part three of Confronting Religion. We've seen Jesus identify dead religion. We've seen him illustrate dead religion. But this morning as we look again at this topic of confronting religion, we're going to see him answer their questions.

Because there's going to be three groups of people that come to Jesus with questions. Some have termed this the examination of the king. Because as Jesus stands before the religious community, the religious community of the nation of Israel, which is what these groups are going to represent. As he stands before this religious community of the nation of Israel, they want to try to trip him up.

They want to try to test him. And they want to try to trap him with their questions so that they can find a really good reason to accuse him. But what they'll find is that the more that they try to trap Jesus with their questions, the more he's able to not only answer them, but reveal once again the dead religion that's inside of their hearts. And so there's three questions that he's going to deal with.

He's going to deal with the question of taxes. He's going to deal with the question of the resurrection. And he's going to deal with the question of the greatest commandment. And so we pick up in verse 15 as he begins to answer the question on taxes. Then the Pharisees, verse 15 of chapter 22. Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap him in what they said.

And they sent their disciples to him. Along with the Herodians saying, Teacher, we know that you're truthful. And you teach the way of God in truth and defer to no one. For you are not partial to any. Tell us then, what do you think? Is it lawful to give a poll tax to Caesar or not? But Jesus perceived their malice and he said, Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?

Show me the coin used for the poll tax. And they brought him a denarius. He said, Whose likeness and inscription is this? They said to him, Caesar's. He said to them, Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. And hearing this, they were amazed and leaving, they went away. We're again introduced to the Pharisees one more time.

And the Pharisees had a goal. Their goal was to trap Jesus. Perhaps some of your translations say ensnare Jesus. And they had a perfect trap laid for him. Because what they came up with was a question that seemed as though it had no really good answer. It was a yes or no sort of a question. And we know how sometimes difficult those yes or no sort of questions can be.

For instance, fellas, if I came to you and said, Have you stopped beating your wife? And you answered yes or no. No matter what you say, yes or no. It's a question that's going to entrap you. Right? That's the sort of question that they came up with for Jesus. Interestingly enough, there's two different groups that come together to ask this question. Two groups that normally would hate each other.

Perhaps you took note of their names. They were the Pharisees and the Herodians. Now the Pharisees, as we've mentioned before, were the religious conservatives of the day. They were the ones who held the scripture in very high regard. Held the name of God in very high regard. And were sure to keep everything that the law had to say. But in their religious conservatism, they were also politically conservative.

And they did not like the idea of Rome being in control of them. And if there was one thing they really didn't like about Rome being in control of them, was that Rome also taxed them. It's kind of interesting that the same issue that drove the conservatives nuts back in the early first century, is the same thing that drives conservatives nuts today. Taxes, right?

How many of us, now listen, I know y'all are really good Christians, who honor and respect your government and never have anything bad to say. How many of you have questioned taxes over your lifetime? You've gone, why do they continue to tax me the way that they do? Right? April 15th rolls around, favorite day of the year. Because on that day, you get to decide how much taxes you have to pay.

The taxes you owe. Which every year, it seems like I owe more than I should. But that's what it is, right? And so, this was the question that they had. And they thought, everybody hates to pay taxes. Let's ensnare them in this question. Only they brought an interesting group of people with them. They brought the Herodians. Now the Herodians were a sect of Judaism that, believe it or not, were very fond of Herod.

Which is where they got their term, Herodians. They were a political group that found themselves aligning with Herod. Not only because they agreed with him, but because they wanted to curry his favor. And they felt like the best thing that they could do to curry the favor of Herod. Who, by the way, was the king Rome had installed over Israel at that point in time.

Not only did they support him, but they did everything that they could to curry his favor. And so, at that point in time, you've brought together two groups of people that would typically hate each other. You brought together conservatives. And liberals. To try to trap Jesus. Isn't it interesting how often times people can find themselves united against one common enemy?

Sometimes that can be for good. But often times it's for evil. And what we'll find as believers in Jesus Christ is that we will more and more become the common enemy. I shared the name of a book a few weeks ago with you. And I bought that book and have started reading it. It's very interesting. It's very good. It's called Being the Bad Guys. And it's all about how that's exactly what's happened in culture today.

Is that we as Christians, who at one point in time were to be the standard of what love and kindness and generosity looked like. Have now become bad guys. Not necessarily just because we struggle in those areas like every human does. But because if we're true Bible believing Christians, we stand on the truth of what the word of God has to say. Meaning that we stand against most of what's becoming cultural norms in our world.

Therefore, there is underlying beginning to be a uniting force against Christians. But really we have to remember it's not a uniting force against Christians. It's a uniting force against Christ. Because hopefully the things that we're teaching and the things that we're saying all align themselves with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Well, the scenario was no different in Jesus' day.

And the Herodians and the Pharisees find themselves coming together. To ask Jesus a question. Now of course they start off really well. They start off with what I would refer to as insincere flattery. Teacher, we know that you're truthful. And you teach the way of God in truth. And you defer to no one. And you're not partial in any way. Now all of those things are true.

They just didn't believe all those things. Therefore, it became insincere flattery on their part. And may I say. I appreciate that this did not get to Jesus' mind. He did not allow himself to be puffed up with the praises of those who ultimately hated him. There's a proverb that warns us against the snare of flattery. That we should beware of flattering words.

And may I say. If somebody comes to you and they begin overly complimenting you. You should do the same thing that I do when my daughter does this to me. I say, what do you want? If she ever comes to me and says, dad, you are the greatest. My favorite one was one time she came to me and she said, dad, your hair looks really good today. At that point in time, I knew whatever she's going to ask, I do not want to give in to.

Because that flattery was over the top. Right? I tell you this because words of flattery have stumbled many over the years. There is many a leader who has found themselves falling into the trap of pride. Falling into the trap of soft peddling the truth. Falling into the trap of compromise. Because they allowed themselves to believe the praise of insincere flattery.

Well, this is what they do to Jesus. They start off this way. And they say, since you are such a truthful man. Verse 17. Tell us then, what do you think? Is it lawful to give a poll tax to Caesar or not? Well, let's just spend a little bit of time talking about some historical context. For this tax. I'd like to read to you a couple of quotes that I pulled out of David Guzik's commentary of him quoting somebody else.

The first one is from William Barclay. It says, Barclay claims that there were three regular taxes. There was the ground tax. Which was a 10% tax on all grain production. And 20% tax on all oil and wine. There was an income tax. Which was 1% of a man's income. Which BT dubs, can we go back to Roman taxation. Wait, I'm talking bad about my government. And then there was the poll tax.

That was paid by every man from 14 to 65 years of age. And every woman from 12 to 65 years of age. The tax was a denarius a year. But to put a little more context on it. I'd like to quote D.A. Carson. He says, paying the poll tax was the most obvious sign of submission to Rome. Zealots claimed that the poll tax was a God dishonoring badge of slavery to the pagans.

So a little bit of a historical context on how the people felt about taxation at that point in time. A little bit of an insight into this particular tax that they had to pay. That insight lets us know just how hot button of an issue this was. Right? The wrong quote by Jesus will land him on Twitter going viral in the way he does not want to go viral. And so, they feel like they've laid the perfect trap for him.

But I want you to notice how Jesus responds to them. Because Jesus responds in such a masterful way. But first of all, he responds in what I would call a kind of harsh sort of way. Notice what he says. Jesus perceived their malice. And he said, why are you testing me, you hypocrites? We had a little bit of a discussion about this at men's breakfast yesterday.

When is it okay to speak out and when is it not okay to speak out? What does that look like? In what way do you speak out? And I am one who says there is no problem with telling people the truth. There's no issue with even calling out sin. Somebody said, so if I said this, that's probably not what Jesus would say. And I said, I don't necessarily agree with that.

I think Jesus very might well have said that. I think Jesus very might well have called out school boards and said what's going on is perversion. And used those exact words. I think Jesus very well might have called out churches who are soft peddling the word of God and called them hypocrites. I think Jesus very much would have said those words. You know how I know that?

Because Jesus just looked at a group of men who were trying to trap him with his words. And what did he call them? Hypocrites. I don't think there's anything wrong with calling out the truth. But I believe that when Jesus calls out the truth. When Jesus calls out the truth here. It is not simply to prove himself right. It is to change their hearts. You know how I know that?

Because many of those who were priests and Pharisees in the days of Jesus. Ended up getting saved in the book of Acts. Not the least of which was a guy named Paul. So if we're going to call things out. It must always be in a spirit of love. With a desire to see repentance. That's always the goal of us telling people the truth. But there is no issue with us standing up and being strong.

And calling things out the way that scripture and our savior would call them out. And so Jesus looks at them and says. Why are you testing me? You hypocrites. Show me the coin used for the poll tax. Now this is another instance where I think it's kind of interesting. Because Jesus did not have one with him. Right? But the Pharisees did. It's a sidebar note.

I don't think we need to build a whole case off of it. It's just kind of an interesting note to make. Jesus says show me the denarius. Whose inscription is on it? Whose likeness and inscription is this? And of course they look at it. And much like our money today. It had Caesar on it. Now our money today doesn't have Caesar on it. But it does have a lot of dead presidents on it.

Right? And so Jesus looks at them. And he said. Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. And to God the things that are God's. Now masterfully again he handles this. Because he holds up the coin and says. Whose face is this? And they say well that's Caesar. And he says. Why don't you give that to Caesar? But you should give to God the things that belong to God.

What does he mean by that? Who were you created in the image and likeness of? You bear the image and the likeness of God. Therefore you belong to God. Essentially he said this. Money is temporary. That king is temporary. Therefore give the temporary things to the temporary people. This is one of the places in scripture. Where we are reminded. That it is our duty as believers in Jesus Christ.

To be good citizens of the nation that we live in. I've made some really strong statements about the fact. That I do not believe that our goal as believers in Jesus Christ. Is to make a better America. Our goal is to spread the kingdom of God. To build the kingdom of God. However in that process. We would better be the best citizens of the country that God has given to us.

And we'd better support the country that God has given to us. As a matter of fact in multiple places in scripture. We are told that we are to respect the governing authorities. That we are to pray for the governing authorities. That we are to obey the governing authorities. Because all authority comes from God. And rebellion against authority. Is rebellion against God.

There are some and they're on the fringes. I will admit this. But there are some who say. I don't need to pay taxes to the government. My money belongs to God. I only answer to God. While it's true you do answer to God. He puts certain people in authority. And in the process of you answering to God. You will answer to those people that are in authority. And I think it's important for us to take note of the fact.

That when we stand before God. As believers in Jesus Christ. One of the things we'll have to answer to. In every commandment of his scripture. Is how well did you respect the governing authorities. Because listen brothers and sisters. It's part of our witness. Part of our witness is being good citizens of the nation. That God has given to us. The only time.

Where rebellion against governmental authority. Is okayed in scripture. Is when it violates the law of God. For instance. The apostles in the New Testament. In the book of Acts. Were commanded to stop preaching the gospel. And at that point in time they said. Whether it's right to obey you or God. You decide. We're going to continue to preach the gospel. Because at that point in time.

The law of God superseded the law of man. But we have to understand something brothers and sisters. That's a little bit few and far between. Because I fear that sometimes. All of us. As conservative Christians. Can find ourselves a little too opposed. To the authority of man. While embracing the authority of God. And so he tells them. Listen those temporary things.

Give them to the temporary king. The things that are eternal. Which is you. Not what's on the outside. But what's on the inside. The things that are eternal. That bear the image and the likeness of God. You render those things to God. Because brothers and sisters. We're citizens of two kingdoms. We're citizens of the kingdom of earth. Physically. But we're citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

Spiritually. And we are to dedicate ourselves. To God. Because. While we need to obey. What the government says. We also need to obey what God says. Is your life. Fully given over. To God? Is essentially what Jesus is saying. Because here they stand. Justifying themselves. And everything that they say. Meanwhile their lives. Are not fully committed to the God.

That they claim so much. So Jesus answers the question. On taxes. And of course this is how they react. Hearing this. They were amazed. And leaving. They went away. They were dumb struck. They listened to what Jesus said. And went. Well we can't do anything with that. Now can we? And they found themselves going away. Awaiting a more opportune time. To trick him again.

On that same day. Verse 23. Jesus answers a second question. And the question that Jesus answers. For the second time. Has to do with the resurrection. The Pharisees. Who say there is no resurrection. Came to Jesus. And questioning him. Asking teacher. Moses said if a man dies. Having no children. His brother as next of kin. Shall marry his wife. And raise up children for his brother.

Now there were seven brothers with us. The first married and died. And having no children. Left his wife to his brother. So also the second. And the third. Down to the seventh. Last of all the woman died. In the resurrection therefore. Whose wife of the seven. Will she be. For they all had married her. But Jesus answered and said to them. You're mistaken. Not understanding the scriptures.

Nor the power of God. For in the resurrection. They neither marry nor are given in marriage. But are like angels in heaven. In the resurrection of the dead. Have you not read what was spoken to you by God. I am the God of Abraham. And the God of Isaac. And the God of Jacob. He is not the God of the dead. But the God. Of the living. When the crowds heard this.

They were astonished. At his teaching. So now a second group of people come to him. We've talked about this group as well. These groups are known as the Sadducees. Again religious liberals of the day. They didn't hold the word of God. In the same sort of regard. That the Pharisees did. But they also did not believe in anything miraculous. Including resurrection.

In other words they believe that life on this earth. Is where it ends. This group is also going to spread their teaching. In other areas. Because we'll know that Paul is going to write. First Corinthians chapter 15. To deal with this sort of an idea. We'll reference that a couple of times. As we get into this. And they have a question for him. And they start off.

By talking about what's known as the. Leveret marriage law. They say teacher. If a man dies and has no children. His brother is next of kin. Shall marry his wife. And raise up children for his brother. Now that is from the book of Deuteronomy. Chapter 25 verses 5 through 10. We won't go there and look at it right now. Just might make a little note in your Bible.

That that's where that's found. The legitimate law. Because that was the way Jewish law worked at that point in time. Was that if a man dies. And he hasn't produced any sons to carry on the name. Then his younger brother. Since he is the oldest. Will then marry his wife to carry on the name. They said but there was this problem. And this is probably one of the talking points.

That they use to sort of mock. The idea of the resurrection. They said but here's the problem. A man married a woman. And then he died. He had six other brothers. And each of the six other brothers. Died also. Without producing any kids. So when we're in the resurrection. Since she's married all seven brothers. Kind of like a movie right. Except this time it's just one bride for seven brothers.

She's married all seven brothers. Whose wife will she be in the resurrection? I'm picturing nerd high fives. Going around all over the place. Because they knew they had him on this one. They're like this is a ridiculous thing. He's never going to be able to answer this. Bro if I'm Jesus right now. The first question I ask is. What was she cooking? Should someone have.

Should he have had a food taster? Bro once you go through seven husbands. Right. I'm going that's a lot. You know by husband number five. Of all the same family. You know the brothers going bro I don't want to man. Every single one of them. This is a bad situation. But I'm not Jesus thank God. Jesus handled it much more tactfully than that. But they ask him.

Hey so. Who's she going to be married to? Now again. This is a pretty good question. If they really knew what the scripture had to say. And so as they present this question to him. I want you to notice how Jesus responds. But Jesus answered and said to them. Verse 29. You are mistaken. Not understanding the scriptures. Nor the power of God. He essentially tells them three things.

You are mistaken. In other words. It's a really nice way of saying. You don't get it do you? You're not understanding what's going on here. And there's a lot of people that you'll talk to. That seem to have a handle on the word of God. But they just don't seem to get it. Have you ever had a conversation with one of those people? They have enough biblical knowledge to make themselves sound good.

But they still don't get the truth. I've talked to some people like this. And you always end up in a debate with them. Because they want to try to prove. What scripture says wrong. And they'll take some portion of God's word. And they'll twist it. And I'm always like man. I can't really put my finger on what's wrong. And then I read this verse and I was like.

Hey that is exactly what's wrong. You are mistaken. And may I say brothers and sisters. If there's ever a question of whether or not the word of God is wrong. Or I am wrong. I'm always the one that's mistaken. So Jesus looks at them and says. You're mistaken. Why? Because you don't understand the scriptures. You don't really understand. What the scriptures have to say.

You don't understand. That the scriptures. Talk about the fact that there is. A resurrection from the dead. That this is not a new concept. It's not a made up concept. The scriptures speak of it. So he says you don't understand. What the scriptures have to say. But then the third thing he says is. And you don't understand. The power of God. You don't understand how powerful God is.

Because if God. Is able to create life. Then God is able to. Recreate life. He is able to resurrect. Life. You see here's what they weren't understanding. They weren't understanding that the resurrected life. Is not just a continuation of the current life. That we live right now. And that's the mistake a lot of us. I think even in the church culture today. Can sometimes make.

It seem to be completely different. Paul describes it like this. He says in order for a tree to grow. A seed. Has to fall into the ground and die. It does not produce another seed. That looks just like it is right now. It produces a tree. It's two completely different bodies. And that's the way the resurrected life. Is going to be. The resurrected life is going to look completely different.

From the way that life looks. Right now. Because the body that we will have. The life that we will have. Will not be like this one. I have a really good friend. Who's very into outdoor stuff. And he always says. I just don't understand how I'm going to be able to enjoy eternity. If there's not hunting and fishing. While I'm there. And listen I can appreciate that.

I was mowing a yard yesterday. Believe it or not. And while I was mowing a yard yesterday. All I could think was. There's never going to be grass. There's never going to be crab grass. There's never going to be weeds. It's all going to be a perfectly manicured yard. And I won't have to weed eat. I'm just going to go out. And I'm going to stripe that thing. Like it is Kaufman Stadium.

Or whatever Kaufman Stadium is called now. I'm going to go out and stripe that thing. And it's going to be beautiful. And then I was reading this. And I was like. Huh. Probably won't be mowers in heaven. Probably going to be way different. Than what it's actually like. Matter of fact. Paul went on to say. Eye has not seen. Nor ear heard. Nor has even come into the heart of man.

What God has prepared for those who love him. I think we're going to spend about the first thousand years. Just walking around going. Huh. That is not what I saw coming. Right. Because that's kind of how heaven is going to be. That's how eternity is going to be. Right. He says. You don't understand. You don't understand what the scriptures say. And you don't understand the power of God.

And may I say. Many times we as believers don't understand the power of God. Some of you are here Wednesday night. But I shared this story Wednesday night. We've been taking our girls through the Our Daily Bread devotions in the evenings. At least three or four evenings a week. I don't want to make myself sound too holy here. At least three or four evenings a week.

And one of them was the story of Jonah. And we read the story of Jonah. And I just love my youngest daughter because she's just real. And she goes. I don't know dad. That's a hard story to believe. You really think there's a fish that could swallow a man? And honestly the more you think about it. The more you're like. That's a good call. I don't know how you've always pictured the story of Jonah.

But I've always pictured it kind of like that Disney movie. Right. Where the guy gets swallowed by the whale. And there's this big cavity within the whale. Right. Like he flicks a match. Lights a candle. And there he sits. That's how I've always pictured Jonah. You know what? Probably not the way it was. There's Jonah. Stuck in the belly of a whale. Until the thing vomits.

And she goes. Dad that's a really hard story to believe. And I said. I don't disagree. But we can know it's true for two reasons. We serve a very powerful God. I said. Do you know what it says in Genesis chapter 1 verse 1? And she said what? And I started to say it. And then she quoted the rest of it with me. I said in the beginning. She goes. God created the heavens and the earth.

I said Nora. If you can believe that. Nothing else is hard to believe. She still kind of went. Yeah but still. And that's the way these Sadducees were. Sometimes we go Lord. I think that's maybe too big for you. We never say it out loud. Because that's not the appropriate thing for a believer to say. But we feel it in our hearts. And the Sadducees had a very small God.

You know how I know they had a very small God? Because they don't believe in anything supernatural. They didn't believe in miracles. They didn't believe in the resurrection. He said your God's too small. And your Bible is something you haven't learned yet. So my challenge for people. Every time I talk about this verse is this. Number one. Get to know what the scriptures have to say.

Number two. Ask God to show you just how powerful he is. It's something I have to continue to challenge myself with. All the time. But then he goes on from there. To explain a little bit about resurrection. He says. For in the resurrection. They neither marry. Nor are given in marriage. But are like angels in heaven. He says the resurrection looks completely different.

Than what you're thinking. He says but. Regarding the resurrection of the dead. Have you not read what was spoken to you by God? I am. The God of Abraham. And the God of Isaac. And the God of Jacob. He's not the God of the dead. But the God of the living. Do you remember when. Moses met with God. For that very first time. And he told him that he'd heard. The cries of the children of Israel.

From Egypt. And that he was going to come deliver them. And Moses asked who he was. He said I am. I am the God of Jacob. Or of Abraham. Of Isaac. And of Jacob. It's important the phrase that he used there. Because he didn't say I will be. Nor did he say I was. He said I am. As if it was a current situation that he was in right then. Well by the time Moses came along.

It was Abraham. And I know Abraham lived a long time. But it wasn't that long. All those guys were dead and gone. And in the ground. And probably completely decayed by that point in time. Probably already returned to dust by that point in time. He said as far as the resurrection goes. I need you to know something. When God spoke to Moses. And he said I am right now.

The God of Abraham. The God of Isaac. And the God of Jacob. He said. He's the God of the living. And as I've mentioned before. Having lost a good number of family members. Performed a good number of funerals. That truth. That he is the God of the living. Is maybe one of the most encouraging things that I know. Because it gives all of us hope. Beyond this place right here.

It gives all of us hope. Beyond this life that we live in right now. And how you could live. A life not believing. That there is a resurrection. Not believing that there is hope. Beyond here. Paul said. If we have hope in this life only. We are of all men. Most to be pitied. And of course. My favorite cheesy biblical joke is. It truly would make us sad. You see.

There it is. That's right. I didn't come up with it myself. And so he explains. The importance of the resurrection. The resurrection is a legitimate thing. And he once again silences the Sadducees. Notice how they respond. Verse 33. But when they heard this. They were astonished. At his teaching. They couldn't believe it. They couldn't believe the wisdom that he had.

They couldn't believe how he had silenced the Sadducees. Well one more test. One more question. It says in verse 34. But when the Pharisees heard. That Jesus had silenced the Sadducees. They gathered themselves together. One of them. A lawyer asked him a question. Testing him. Teacher. Which is the greatest commandment in the law? He said to him. You shall love the Lord your God.

With all your heart. With all your soul. With all your mind. This is the great. And foremost commandment. The second is like it. You shall love your neighbor. As yourself. On these two commandments. Depend all the law. And the prophets. So as they test Jesus. This last time. One particular man from among the Pharisees. Arises. He's referred to as a lawyer. Which is an expert in the law.

He probably not only had copied it down a million times. But had studied it. And was one who when questions came up. They would come to him. To interpret what the law had to say. So this lawyer. Rises from the ranks of the Pharisees. And has one. One more question. Teacher. Which is the greatest commandment in the law. This wasn't something necessarily. That he had just come up with on his own.

It was an ongoing debate. Amongst those who had studied the law of God. What was the most important thing for them to keep? If you could. All up. What was the. This is the key to all of it. And there was great debating that took place. Amongst all of the religious leaders. All of the Pharisees. Undoubtedly the Sadducees. Found themselves involved as well. The lawyers.

The scribes. They all had these discussions. What's the most important? If we were to simplify it to one. What would it be? Why that Jesus doesn't rebuke. And in one of the other gospel accounts. Jesus actually praises. And I'll discuss that towards the end. I think this is a genuine question. That this guy wants to have answered. Because he has seen the people walk away amazed.

He has seen the people walk away astonished. He says this guy knows his stuff. I'm going to ask him my question. Teacher. Which. Is the greatest. Commandment. And I think Jesus sat back. With a little bit of a sly grin on his face. Perhaps a little bit of joy in his heart. And he looked at them and he said. You shall love the Lord your God. With all your heart.

With all your soul. With all your mind. And the gospel of Mark adds. And with all your strength. Jesus at this point in time. And this is a good one again. I think that you need to put down. In the margin of your Bible. In chapter 6 verse 5. The great Shema. Hear oh Israel. The Lord our God. The Lord is one. Moses in chapter 5 had just rehearsed. All of the law.

The 10 commandments for the children of Israel. And then as he moved into chapter 6. He talked about the importance of keeping the commandments. And as he talked about the importance of keeping the commandments. He moved into Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 5. Where he said. You shall love the Lord your God. With all your heart. With all your soul. With all your mind.

And with all your strength. Why? Because if I love God like that. Then all of the other commandments. Are going to find themselves taken care of. If I love God with all of my heart. Soul, mind and strength. I will have no other gods standing in his face. If I love the Lord with all of my heart. Soul, mind and strength. Then I will find my greatest rest. In him.

And if I love the Lord with all of my heart. Soul, mind and strength. Then I will never take his name in vain. Whether I take his name in vain through a swear word. Whether I take his name in vain. By making it flippant and easy. Or whether I take his name in vain. By living a hypocritical life. If I love the Lord with all of my heart. Soul, mind and strength.

Then I will find my greatest rest. In him. If I love the Lord with all of my heart. Soul, mind and strength. If I love the Lord with all of my heart. If I love the Lord with all of my heart. Because brothers and sisters. That's what the Lord requires of us. That's what the Lord requires of us. Is to give him every aspect. Is to give him every aspect. Of who I am.

It's all that he wants. And if we do that. We'll find that none of the other commands. Are hard to keep. Jesus goes on from there to say. This, verse 38. Is the great and foremost. Commandment. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor. As yourself. On these two commandments. Depend the whole law. And the prophets. Jesus says that's the greatest one.

Love God. But there's a second one that's really close to it. Right on track with it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. You know what most people don't realize? There's a quote out of the book of. Wait for it. Leviticus. Leviticus chapter 19 verse 18. Says you shall love your neighbor. As yourself. Wait Ryan. Love is the New Testament. Not the Old Testament.

Really? Because we just quoted the word love. Out of two different Old Testament books of the law. It's almost. Wait. Almost as if the New Testament. Confirms everything from the old. And the Old Testament leads us to. Everything that's in the new. It's almost like love's not really a new commandment. Because it's never been mentioned. It's almost like love is a new commandment.

Because there's a new character that's put upon it. Because of what Jesus did for us. Because listen. If I love my neighbor. Listen. He puts the qualifying phrase on it. Like I love myself. Again yesterday in men's breakfast. You know what everybody's favorite subject to talk about is? Them. Right? You know what my favorite subject to talk about is? Me. You're going to love it.

It's going to be great. I bet you're going to love it as much as I do. Right? Why? Because I love myself. And if I start looking out for you. The same way that I look out for me. Then that's going to change a whole lot of things. I am going to ensure. That I don't kill you. That I don't lie to you. That I don't steal from you. That I don't covet your things.

That I don't commit adultery. That I don't do any of those kinds of things. Why? Well because. I love you. And I care about you. And I want what's best for you. And none of those things. Are what's best for you. And none of those things. Are what's best for me. Just like none of those things. Are what's best for me. So if I love you. Like I love myself. Then I'm going to always be looking out for what's best for you.

Jesus says. On these two things. Depend or hang. All of the law and the prophets. We talked about this before. That there was what's referred to as the two tables of law. The first four. Have to do with our relationship with God. The last six. Have to do with our relationship with each other. Well. We can encapsulate the first table. With love the Lord your God.

We can encapsulate the second table. With love your neighbor as yourself. Now in the gospel of Mark's account. The guy says. That's right. Because to love God. And love your neighbor. Is greater than all of the sacrifices. And offerings. And Jesus looks at him. And says. You're almost in the door. Of eternal life. You're almost in the kingdom. You see. As he began to understand.

That what the law required. Was not just a list of do's and don'ts. But it was a heart of love. For God and for other people. He's right there at the edge of the kingdom. What made him right at the edge of the kingdom. And not quite into the kingdom. Well the fact that we can't do that. The fact that I can't do that. The fact that I can never produce. That kind of love in myself.

The fact that I don't have it in me. To love God. With all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. And the fact that I don't have it in me. To love my neighbor as myself. So what you're telling me is. This is what I'm supposed to do. But I can't do it. That's right. Only Jesus can do it through you. You see my greatest desire for myself. Is the same as my greatest desire for you.

To love my brothers and sisters in Christ. Who we are as people. Because if we're those things. Then not only is my relationship with God in a really good place. But my relationship with you is in a really good place. And I'm taking the word of God. Out to all of the people around me. Because remember. Who's my neighbor? Everybody's my neighbor. Right? And so I'm taking the truth of who God is to everybody around me.

But I don't have that in me. So how do I become that? Scripture tells us that. We love him. Because he first loved us. You see. As I come to Jesus. With all of my inability. As I come to him. With my desire to be who he's called for me to be. But all of my inability to be who he's called for me to be. I say Lord this is what I want. It's a million miles from where I am.

And I need your strength. I need your ability to do this. He not only comes in and makes me brand new. But he also. But he begins to reveal his own love. To me. Isn't that great? That's where God starts with every single one of us. You see. If I don't allow him to pour his love into me. Then I have nothing to pour into the people that are around me. So if you want to love God more.

Then you need to ask him to show you. How much he loves you even more. If you want to love people more. Then you need to ask God to show you. How much he loves you even more. Because we are responders to God's love. In our lives. As a matter of fact. In the book of Deuteronomy. Before Moses ever starts reminding the people. Of the commandments of God. He reminds them of the work of God.

In delivering them. From the nation of Egypt. It's all the work of God from start to finish. Well. He answers this question also. And as he answers this question. It says. Verse 41. While the Pharisees were gathered together. Jesus asked them. A question. Now this last section. Is literally just called. Jesus asks a question. I was out of creativity. So Jesus asked them a question.

What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he? They said to him. The son of David. And then he said to them. Then how does David in the spirit. Call him Lord. Saying the Lord. Said to my Lord. Give me my right hand. Until I put your enemies. Beneath your feet. If David calls him Lord. How is he his son? And no one was able to answer him a word. Nor did anyone dare.

From that day on. To ask him another question. I love it. Jesus has astonished. He has amazed and silenced. Every single one of his critics. And so finally they had stopped talking long enough. For him to ask them a question. He says. Hey guys. I have a question for you. Who is. Let me phrase this correctly. What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?

Well this is a pretty natural answer. Because everybody knew. And if we were to go back to the genealogy. That we discussed in the very first chapter. We would know that the Messiah was. Of the line of David. That's the promise. And they of course said. Well if David and Jesus. Knowing that that's how they'd answer. Because it's the right answer. Looked at them and said.

And how does David call him Lord? Because that would have never happened. Lord is the title of authority. Well if David is the father. Then the son would never be an authority. Over the father. He goes on to quote this Psalm. Where it says. The Lord said to my Lord. Sit my right hand until I make your enemies. Your footstool. And their little minds went. Because they had no idea how to answer it.

Because in their mind. The Messiah. Is still just another judge. He's still just another king. He's still just another ruler that comes. They weren't thinking about the fact. That he is the very son of God. Who though in the line of David. Was actually the creator. Of David. So they looked at him. And says no one. Was able to answer him a word. Nor did anyone dare from that day on.

To ask him another question. I've made this point before. But I think it needs to be made again. When did we as Christians stop asking hard questions? When did we as Christians. Start getting scared of the questions of other people. And stop being the one. Who asked the really hard questions in life. At some point in time. In our church culture. That's what's happened.

What if they ask me. A question that I can't answer. Well first of all. They're going to ask you a question that you can't answer. Because God's going to give you everything that you need. You may not be able to answer it right away. Because you're not Jesus. But if you are prepared. God is going to give you the things that you need. To answer every question that comes up.

Because that's how good God is. But instead of saying. What if they ask me a question that I can't answer. Why don't you start saying. A question they can't answer. Like. Where will you spend eternity. Do you consider yourself to be a pretty good person. Well let's see if you really are. Knowing that you. Battle with sin. What are you going to do. With your sin.

What are you going to do with Jesus. Start asking. Some really really hard questions. Listen. Not because you want to trip people up. But because you want to see their mouth silent. So that you can give them. The gospel. I shared this again. Yesterday. Actually I want to tell two little stories about this. The first has to do with. David Jeremiah. I was listening to him teach one time.

And he talked about flying to a conference. That he was supposed to speak at. And as he was flying to this conference. He was supposed to speak at. They messed his ticket up. He ended up in first class. As he ended up in first class. He said. I'm not going to give you their name. You would know exactly who I was talking about. But I told them I would not. So I'm not going to give you their name.

He said. But this famous person is very famously not saved. Once they found out I was a pastor. They wanted to ask me questions. To trip me up. He said. So I just kept going back to the same question. What are you going to do. With Jesus. He said. Eventually they said. I don't know. He said. And then I gave them the gospel. And I don't know what they'll do with it.

But that's the way the conversation ended. Brothers and sisters. You have the toughest question anybody ever has to answer. What are you going to do with Jesus. One more little story that I'll tell you along these lines. There's a singing group. Larry and Kathy Stewart. Used to come to Johnson County. They've come here a few times. Every year. And Larry Stewart pastored a church.

I believe it was in Oklahoma City. If I remember correctly. And he talked about the neighborhood that he lived in. Being a little bit rough. And he said. People had all kinds of crazy ideas about God. He said. So what I started doing. Is I started asking them. Tell me what you believe about God. He said. There was one young lady that I had this conversation with.

And I said. I don't know if you really understand. What you believe about God. Can I tell you what I believe about God. And she said. Yeah. So he laid out the simple gospel for her. She got saved right there in front of him. Because listen. Most people don't know how to answer that question. Most people don't know how to answer these things. And once their mouth is silenced.

They're completely ready to hear the truth of what God has to say. Questions can be hard. But Jesus has shown us. That if we use the word of God. And don't mind asking a few hard ones ourselves. That God just may use it. In a very powerful way. Amen. Let's all stand. And would you bow with me. Father we come before you. And Lord as we. Begin another week. Lord we ask that your grace would be upon us.

Lord we ask that your spirit would be upon us. And we ask that you would take the truth of your word. And may it be. That it would change the very fabric of who we are. Lord may we be. Those people who. Love with all of our heart. Soul, mind and strength. Not only you. But the neighbor that is around us. Father work in our hearts as you see fit. And we just praise you in Jesus name.

Amen. Be blessed.

Thank Andres for being a good person.

Be blessed. Amen. Be blessed. Be blessed. Amen. Be blessed. Be blessed. changed, that we would not be the same, Lord, that we would go out, Lord, and just proclaim your name, Lord, with power, God, and further your kingdom. Father, we love you, Lord. We praise you, and we thank you. We pray these things in your precious and holy name. And all God's people said,

amen. You guys have a wonderful week and be blessed.