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Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth 04Introduction:
1. As we study and teach the Scriptures we are responsible for "rightly dividing [accurately handling] the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). 2. We are examining several principles that will help us to fulfill this responsibility. 3. The Scriptures teach that we must: a. consider all that the Bible teaches on a subject to know the truth (Psalm 119:160) b. not participate in activities just because they seem right to us (Proverbs 14:12) c. avoid human traditions and commandments (Titus 1:13-14). 4. The theme for this lesson: Questions designed to contradict the truth must be avoided. Discussion: I. THIS PRINCIPLE IS ADDRESSED IN THE LETTERS TO TIMOTHY AND TITUS A. 1 Timothy 6:3-4, 20-21 B. 2 Timothy 2:23 C. Titus 3:9 II. THIS PRINCIPLE IS ILLUSTRATED IN MARK 12:18-27 A. (vs.18) On this occasion the Sadducees approached Jesus. 1. Basically, the Sadducees were wealthy Jewish political leaders. a. (Acts 4:1) They are mentioned with the priests and the captain of the temple. b. (Acts 5:17) They are mentioned with the high priest. 2. The Sadducees had some peculiar doctrines. a. They claimed to follow the 5 books written by Moses. b. However, they said: "there is no resurrection." c. (Acts 23:8) They also denied the existence of angels and spirits. d. They believed that all life ends with the grave. e. Perhaps this will help us to understand why Jesus told His disciples to beware of the "leaven" [doctrine] of these people (Matthew 16:6, 12). B. (vs.19-22) The Sadducees presented a hypothetical situation to Jesus that involved the law given in Deuteronomy 25:5-6. C. (vs.23) The Sadducees asked Jesus whose wife this woman would be in the resurrection. D. (vs.24-27) Jesus answered this question. 1. Jesus told these people they were wrong in that they did not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 2. (vs.26) Jesus quoted a statement from Exodus 3:6 to show that there is life after death. a. God was speaking to Moses from the burning bush. b. God identified Himself by saying: "I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." c. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been dead for years, but when God said, "I am," He implied that they were somehow still alive. 3. (vs.27) Jesus concluded by saying: "He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living." E. Although the Sadducees asked a foolish question designed to support their belief, . . . III. THE SCRIPTURES REVEAL THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RESURRECTION A. The Scriptures declare that the dead will live again (John 5:21, 25). B. The Scriptures declare that the resurrection will occur "at the last day" (John 6:39-40, 44, 54). C. The Scriptures supply additional details that relate to the resurrection. 1. The resurrection will include "the just and the unjust" (Acts 24:14-15). 2. The resurrected body will be a spiritual body that pleases God. a. 1 Corinthians 15:35, 38, 42-44 b. Philippians 3:20-21 3. Anticipating the resurrection should affect our service to the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). | ||