Matthew Sermon 50 – Mat 16.1-12 – The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

Intro

The theme of food continues in this passage from chapter 15 and continues to serve as a metaphor for God’s love and power. Jesus assures His disciples that He is the One who bring God’s love and power into the world and into people’s lives. But He also warns them that there is something that will undercut God’s love and power – not by nullifying or limiting them, but by souring people against Christ and thus against the love and power He brings. What could sour people in this way? Jesus calls it the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. It is unusual that Jesus should refer to leaven (singular), given that the Pharisees and Sadducees were polar opposites theologically. Jesus rightly discerns, however, that the Pharisees and Sadducees are linked together at a deeper level. That deeper level of commonality is what makes their leaven the same poison leaven. To learn more, inquire within. -Alan Burrow

Questions to answer while listening

* What theme continues from ch 15 into this passage?

* What does that theme signify?

* What does Jesus remind His disciples of in vs 9-10?

* What is the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and what does it do?

* What is unusual about Jesus referring to the “leaven” and the “doctrine” of the “Pharisees and Sadducees”?

* What question should we be asking

* Who were the Sadducees, and what did they teach?

* Who were the Pharisees, and what did they teach?

* What characteristic do the Pharisees and Sadducees share?

* What earlier passage is this passage parallel to, and what connects them?

* What does the “sign of Jonah” mean?

* What is the first characteristic that connected the Pharisees and Sadducees at a deeper level?

* What is the second characteristic that connected the Pharisees and Sadducees at a deeper level?

* What is the third characteristic that connected the Pharisees and Sadducees at a deeper level?

* What is the fourth characteristic that connected the Pharisees and Sadducees at a deeper level?

* What is the fifth characteristic that connected the Pharisees and Sadducees at a deeper level?