Matthew 22:15-23:39

Homiletics                                                      Study – Matthew 2021-2022

Lesson     23                                                     Passage: Matthew 22:15-23:39

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Jesus foils questions of taxes and resurrection (Matthew 22:15-34) a. Pharisees try to trap Jesus in words – first with compliments (15-16) b. Pharisees ask Jesus opinion of paying tax to Caesar (17) c. Jesus knows evil intent, challenges them calling them hypocrites (18) d. Jesus uses a coin to illustrate responsibility pay  (19-22) e. Sadducees question Jesus about resurrection and wives (23-28) e. Jesus replies with the declaration that they don’t know scriptures or power of God (29) f. Jesus declares no marriage at resurrection but like angels (30) g. Jesus addresses Sadducees theology “God is not of the dead but living” (resurrection to life) (31-32) h. Crowds astonished and silenced critics (33-34)

Jesus describes greatest commandment; then asks Pharisees lineage of Messiah  (Matthew 22:35-46) a. Expert in law asks Jesus which is greatest commandment in law  (35-36) b. Jesus tells love God with everything you have (heart, soul, and mind) (37-38) c. Jesus extends answer to second command to Love neighbor as self; this is it (39-40) d. Jesus asks Pharisees, whose son is the Messiah with their reply son of David (41-42) e. Jesus questions, why does David speak in Spirit call Him Lord (43-44) f. Jesus challenge question how can the Messiah be his son? They didn’t reply (45)

Jesus sets out attitude servanthood and woes to hypocrites (Matthew 23:1-39) a. Jesus tells followers to be careful in everything teachers of law tell you; they don’t practice what they preach  (1-4) b. They want to be seen and recognized as important (5-7) c. Jesus tells followers are not after titles but humble servants  (8-12) d. Woes to hypocrites  (13-32)  - Shut door of heaven in people’s faces  - Make converts children of hell  - Blind guides, but blind yourself  - Swearing of oaths is meaningless  - Give a tenth, while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness  - Look good on the outside but unclean on the inside.  - Look religious but spiritually dead  - Truly father’s son’s and murderous like them. e. Jesus condemn the wicked (33-36) f. Jesus tells of His wish but they have been unwilling; pointing to future judgment (37-39)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Jesus foils questions of taxes and resurrection	Matthew 22:15-34
Jesus describes greatest commandment; then asks Pharisees lineage of Messiah	Matthew 22:35-46
Jesus sets out attitude servanthood and woes to hypocrites	Matthew 23:1-39

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Jesus answers challenging questions, declaring greatest commandment, and pronounces judgment

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all you have and to love others as yourself. Kingdom service is humble and gracious.

Specific Application Questions

In what ways is God living in you?

How is your love for God being lived out in love for your neighbor? What needs to change reflect God in you?

In what ways are you serving as a humble kingdom servant?

Principles to Remember

God is not of the dead but living

Living faith is a visible loving faith

Followers of Jesus are humble servants

Characteristic of God

Righteous Judge

Theme

Our challenge is not of God but to self to live wholeheartedly in love first with God and then to others.

God’s Word  - What’s happening?

God’s Heart – What does God care about?

Today’s World – How does this connect to what is happening in my world today?