Matthew 22

Matthew 22:1-14

• In this parable, the slaves who did the inviting were the apostles and those who were invited first were the Jews. The wedding feast represented reconciliation with God (salvation). Others who were invited later were the Gentiles.
• This parable may also be prophesying of the persecution of the apostles and the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 22:6-7).
• Matthew 22:11-13 – We must be properly prepared to enter God’s kingdom. This shows God’s great anger when we sin.

Matthew 22:15-22 – Jesus is questioned about paying the poll tax

• Matthew 22:16 – Disciples are learners who are committed to a teacher. Jesus was surely not impressed with their flowery speech here.

Matthew 22:23-33 – The Sadducees question Jesus about marriage and the afterlife

• Jesus refused to directly answer hypothetical questions. Be careful and avoid answering them if people ask them of you.
• Matthew 22:32 – Jesus made a point from the tense of the verb!
• We will continue to live when we die on earth, but we will not still be married to our spouse. That is an earthly relationship.

Introduction

• Matthew 22:37

I Thessalonians 5:15 – Be nice.

• Do not repay evil for evil.
• Matthew 5:38-42
• It’s okay to get help!
• Be nice even to the unpopular kids.
• Matthew 5:43
• Seek good for others. Help their souls.

James 4:4 – Be different.

• Don’t be a friend of the world. Be different from the world.
• James 4:1-3
• Romans 12:2 – Our job is to be transformed.
• I Peter 2:21 – We are trying to walk in Jesus’ steps.
• Philippians 3:17

Colossians 3:23 – Have a good attitude.

• Colossians 3:22-24
• Even slaves should work with good attitudes.
• We must decide to have a good attitude.
• Proverbs 17:22

John 6:27 – Feed your soul.

• Spiritual food is even more important than physical food.
• John 6:35, 45 – Spiritual teaching is spiritual food.

Believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and Christ, the son of God

• Mark 16:15-16

One must sincerely believe (not just know the facts).

• Acts 8
• Acts 17:11-12 – They were examining the scriptures daily.
• Romans 10:9-10 – “Believe in your heart”
• Acts 2:14-16, 21-38 – Peter convinced them and they developed sincere belief.

One must believe in Jesus.

• Mark 1:1; 16:15
• John 20:30-31 – He is “the Christ, the Son of God.”
• Acts 9:22
• Acts 17:1-4 – Paul reasoned with them, explaining and giving evidence.
• Acts 18:28 – “Jesus was the Christ”

One must not only believe the truth about Jesus, but be willing to confess it.

• Romans 10:8-10
• Other types of confessions:
  • Romans 14:10-12
  • James 5:16
  • I John 1:9 – confession of sins
• Matthew 26:63
• Acts 2:36
• I John 4:15
• John 12:42-43 – These people refused to confess Jesus out of fear.
• This is not a one-time thing. It is a way of life.
• Matthew 10:6, 27-33
• Mark 8:38

Repent

• Acts 2:37-38

It’s more than just being sorry

• II Corinthians 7:8-10

Introduction

• Genesis 6:14
• Genesis 7:12
• Genesis 7:11; 8:13-18 – They were on the ark a year and ten days.

Scared!

• Genesis 7:11, 18-24 – God’s power was on full display.

Marine fossils are also found high in the Himalayas, the world’s tallest mountain range, reaching up to 29,029 feet (8,848 m) above sea level.3 For example, fossil ammonites (coiled marine cephalopods) are found in limestone beds in the Himalayas of Nepal. All geologists agree that ocean waters must have buried these marine fossils in these limestone beds. So how did these marine limestone beds get high up in the Himalayas? – answersingenesis.org

• God is great and I am small.
• Amos 4:13
• Revelation 20:11-15
• There were people in Noah’s day who flaunted their sin before God until they died. There are people today who are doing the same until judgment comes.

Sad

• Genesis 5:28-32 – Noah’s father died five years before the flood, but it’s possible Noah had siblings that died in the flood.
• Genesis 6:5-8 – It is a tragedy that so many died in the flood, but what was worse was that they had turned their backs on God.
• I Peter 3:20
• Genesis 6:3, 6
• We would probably grieve for those who were not on the ark.

Validated

• Hebrews 11:7 – By building the ark and obeying God, Noah condemned the world.
• Noah had to live in the sinful world for 600 years!
• II Peter 2:5-9 – Noah was a preacher of righteousness.
• II Peter 3:3-9
• Matthew 24:38-39 – They were all just living life until the flood came.

Grateful

• Genesis 6:13-14, 17; 7:1
• Genesis 6:9 – Unlike the rest of the world, Noah was trying to walk with God.
• Genesis 8:18
• II Timothy 3:12; 4:14, 18

Matthew 21

• Matthew 21:5 – This is quoted from Zechariah 9:9. See Psalms 24:7-10. The picture is of the Lord coming into His city as a king.
  • Isaiah 61:1-2 – Jesus read this scripture in Luke 4:18-19 and applied it to Himself.
  • Isaiah 62:4, 1, 10 – Zion was downtrodden but would rejoice.
• Matthew 21:9 – See Psalms 118:19-24. Compare Luke 19:37-38. The occasion was the Passover festival.
• Matthew 21:15-16 – See Luke 19:39. The quote is from Psalms 8:2. Compare Matthew 18:3; 19:13-14 regarding children.
• Matthew 21:12-13 – Jesus drives out the people who had turned the temple into a market. The traders were using the arrangement for sacrifices God had set up under the Law of Moses to take advantage of others.
• Matthew 21:19-22 – This was the season for figs produced from old growth. Jesus is making the comparison to the Jews who should have believed in Him but did not. The “old growth” was not bearing fruit as it should.