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?

Matthew 21:18-22:14

 Homiletics                                                      Study – Matthew 2021-2022

Lesson     22                                                     Passage: Matthew 21:18-22:14

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Faith and Judgment - Fig Tree  (Matthew 21:18-32) a. No fruit – fig tree judgment (18-20) b. Jesus describes power of faith to move mountains (21-22) c. Priest and elders ask Jesus about His authority (23) d. Jesus responds to authority question John the Baptist – did he come from heaven or man (24-27) e. Jesus illustrates “saying and doing”  with parable of two sons requested to work in vineyard (28-31a) e. Jesus answers His question about John with judgment of priests and elders (31b) f. Jesus calls out priests and elders because they see but did not repent and believe (32)   Note: Audience is unbelieving Priests and Elders

Hostility and Judgment - Vineyard and Tenants  (Matthew 21:33-46) a. Jesus sets the scene using parable of landowner vineyard and harvest  (33-34) b. Landowner sends to collect fruit and they are mistreated and killed (35-36) c. Landowner finally sends son thinking the tenants would respect son but they killed him (37-39) d. Judgment of tenants described “unfaithful thrown out and new faithful tenants replace them” (40-41) e. Rejected stone is Lord’s cornerstone (42) f. Judgment – Kingdom will be taken and given to fruitful; those that fall will be crushed (43-44) g. Priests and Pharisees knew Jesus described them; plotting to arrest (45)

Invitation and Acceptance Contrasted - Wedding Banquet and Guests (Matthew 22:1-14) a. Jesus tells parable of son’s wedding feast but  invited guest refuse to come (1-3) b. King sends more servants telling of all the preparations but invited guest go off and do other things; seizing servants mistreating and killed them (4-6) c. King enraged sends his army and destroys them and burns their city  (7) d. King say to servant those invited did not deserve to come; go out gather all the people you can find for wedding feast.  (8-9) e. The wedding hall was filled with guests  (10) f. One man did not wear wedding clothes was questioned and thrown outside (11-13) g. Many are invited,  but few are chosen (14)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Faith and Judgment - Fig Tree	Matthew 21:18-32
Hostility and Judgment - Vineyard and Tenants	Matthew 21:33-46
Invitation and Acceptance Contrasted - Wedding Banquet and Guests	Matthew 22:1-14

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

Fig tree, vineyard and wedding feast illustrate opportunity and rejection.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT  accepting God’s invitation is the key to entrance into His Heavenly Kingdom

Specific Application Questions

How to you demonstrate your faith in difficult situations? Where is there doubt?

In what ways are you producing fruit for the kingdom?  Where are you rejecting the call to be fruitful?

What kingdom opportunities have you ignored?  How is God leading you to engage more fully?

Principles to Remember

Faith can move mountains

Jesus is cornerstone of faith

Invitation accepted demonstrates faith

Characteristic of God

Cornerstone of faith

Theme

God has provided the way to His kingdom; we must accept His invitation for entry.

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?