February 27, 2022

Pastor Zac Clark

Matthew 22:34-46

• Pastor Zac opened his message by praying from Piercing Heaven.  The prayer is on Page 248 and entitled: 'To approach an infinite God".  Open your time together in thoughtful prayer.  Share what helps you to have a fruitful prayer life and what hindrances you from having a fruitful prayer life. 

• We listened to Pastor Zac's review of the last few weeks of messages regarding the teachers of the Law and their continuing trend to test and trap Jesus Christ.  What was your biggest take-away?  

• In verse 34, we see an escalation.  Why did the Pharisees, Sadducees and teachers of the Law hate Jesus so much?  

•  In verse 37, Jesus quotes Dt. 6:4-9.  Pastor Zac stated that Jesus "sums up the first half of the 10 Commandments." in his answer to the Pharisees and Sadducees.  In verse 39, Jesus gives the second half of this answer which sums up the last six of the 10 Commandments, and also references Leviticus 19:18. Is the Shema (Dt. 6:4-9) or the 10 Commandments part of your home life, work life, family life?  What relationships would benefit from your familiarity with these verses?  How did the commitments you planned and met this week evidence your love of Christ?  What did you do to serve the body of Christ this week?  

• Considering Luke 10 and the parable of the Good Samaritan, Pastor Zac remarked that "everyone is our neighbor.", and we are to give generously without expectation of return to our neighbors.  Have you avoided a neighbor this week?  For what situation, do you need to ask God to give you a new heart for His creation, His image bearer?

• In verses 41-46, Jesus turns the tables on the Pharisees and asks them questions.  In today's message, Pastor Zac shared that "Christ was the fulfillment of the coming Messiah.", referencing Ps. 110, Mt. 1:1-17, Romans 1:1-3, Rev. 22:16.  The Pharisees were blinded by their pride.  "A wise person recognizes when they're wrong."  What is your response to Jesus?  Do you reject Jesus' Messiah-ship?  Does it lead you to love Him and to hold complete allegiance to Him?  How would your daily life bear out one or the other?

Other reference material mentioned by Pastor Zac:

Frederick Buechner: The Magnificent Defeat

Dennis Cornish: Matthew: A Parascriptural Gospel Narrative.  Available in the MBC Cafe!

R.C. Sproul: "Why Did the Pharisees Hate Jesus So Much?"  Ligonier.com

Nate Wright: December 8, 2018 message: Matthew 1:1-17