Jesus Taught the Sadducees about the Resurrection (John 5:28-29)
Introduction:
1. In these verses Jesus taught that all the dead will be raised and be judged. 2. This morning we studied passages from the Lord's word that teach us the truth about the resurrection. 3. This evening we are examining the occasion when "Jesus taught the Sadducees about the resurrection." 4. This event is recorded in Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-38. Discussion: I. ON THIS OCCASION THE SADDUCEES APPROACHED JESUS
A. Basically, the Sadducees were wealthy Jewish political leaders. 1. In Acts 4:1 they are mentioned with the priests and the captain of the temple. 2. In Acts 5:17 they are mentioned with the high priest. B. The Sadducees had some peculiar doctrines. 1. They said, "there is no resurrection." 2. According to Acts 23:8, they also did not believe in angels or the spirit. 3. They believed that all life ends with the grave. 4. This should help us understand why Jesus told His disciples to beware of the "leaven" [doctrine] of these people (Matthew 16:6, 12). II. THE SADDUCEES PRESENTED A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION TO JESUS
A. The situation presented by the Sadducees: 1. was based on the law given in Deuteronomy 25:5-6 2. involved 7 brothers who had the same wife. B. They wanted Jesus to tell them whose wife this woman would be in the resurrection. III. JESUS ANSWERED THE SADDUCEES' QUESTION
A. Jesus first told these people that they were wrong -- they erred greatly. 1. They did not know the Scriptures or God's power. 2. Marriage is a relationship associated with life on earth -- not in heaven. B. Jesus next quoted a statement from Exodus 3:6 to show that there is life after death. 1. God was speaking to Moses from the burning bush (vs.1-5). 2. 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." 3. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died many years earlier, but when God said, "I am," He implied that they were alive somewhere. C. Jesus concluded by saying: "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living" [in other words, there is life after death]. Conclusion:
1. This is another occasion when Jesus was asked a question that was designed to entrap Him. 2. In His response, Jesus: a. demonstrated His great wisdom and knowledge of Scripture b. revealed important information about the resurrection for our benefit.
