Category: 2016 Sermons

Sermon Audio: Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 20:27-40
Duration: 23:04
Size: 10.5 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection
Luke 20:27-40

As God revealed truth to his people, they came to understand that there is indeed life after death.

However, not all people in Jesus’ day believed in life after death.

I. The Approach of the Sadducees

Since they rejected any existence after this life, the Sadducees focused all their efforts and attention on the affairs of this present life.

Consistent with their denial of any future life, the Sadducees lived life as if there were no tomorrow.

II. The Absurdity of the Resurrection

The Sadducees began their question by introducing levirate marriage.

III. The Answer of Jesus

Jesus’ answer contains several truths about the resurrection that I would like to go through this morning.

First, there is no marriage in the resurrection.

Second, there is no death in the resurrection.

Third, we will be like angels in the resurrection.

Fourth, the resurrection was taught by Moses in the Pentateuch.

Jesus powerfully used Moses to teach the Sadducees that there is indeed a resurrection.

IV. The Astonishment of the Crowd

In our Scripture today Jesus is of course addressing the issue of being resurrected to everlasting life.

Sermon Audio: Paying Taxes to Caesar
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 20:19-26
Duration: 22:45
Size: 10.4 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Paying Taxes to Caesar
Luke 20:19-26

My point is simply to say that it is difficult to understand the relationship between politics and religion.

I. The Setting

No country rabbi from the backwoods of Galilee was going to upset their good life.

At this point Jesus was still extremely popular with the people, and so if anything were to happen to Jesus the people would rise up against their own leaders.

II. The Question

Anyway, the spies were flattering Jesus because they wanted to set him up for their trap.

They decided that the question the spies should pose to Jesus should be answered only in one of two ways – just like the one Jesus gave to them!

If Jesus told people to go ahead and pay the tax, many Jews would consider him a traitor to the cause of his people.

A man who told people not to pay their taxes would be swiftly arrested and severely punished.

III. The Answer

Instead of giving a yes/no answer, Jesus really gave the spies two answers.

And Jesus says it is not only lawful, it is in fact obligatory, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s”.

We must resist the authority of the government when asked to violate a command of God.

The coin belonged to Caesar because it bore his image, and we are God’s because we bear his image!

IV. The Reaction

One cannot match wits with Jesus and come out on top!

Sermon Audio: The Authority of Jesus Challenged
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 20:1-18
Duration: 24:27
Size: 11.1 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Authority of Jesus Challenged
Luke 20:1-18

As Jesus’ ministry and mission was coming to its climactic end in Jerusalem, the religious rulers did not believe that Jesus was sent by God.

I. The Ensnaring Question of the Rulers

Jesus’ authority did not rest on other human teachers; his authority came directly from God himself.

II. The Counter Question of Jesus

This was so clever! Jesus wanted them to affirm to the people what they thought about John the Baptist.

III. The Dishonest Answer of the Rulers

So, now, in the midst of the crowds in the temple, it would be foolish to say that John’s authority was self-derived.

IV. The Concluding Response of Jesus

V. The Pointed Parable of Jesus

Jesus used an image in this parable, usually called “The Parable of the Wicked Tenants“, that was readily understood by everyone.

Every part of the parable symbolized something or someone. Therefore, the man = God, the Father; the vineyard = Israel; the tenants = Israel’s leaders; the servants = the prophets; and, finally, the son = Jesus.

A. The Work Agreement Between the Man and the Tenants

Jesus’ point is that God established Israel as his vineyard. The tenants he put in charge of the vineyard were the religious rulers.

B. The Wickedness of the Tenants

Jesus’ point was that Israel’s leaders had become successful from the fruit of the vineyard, and they wanted to keep the bounty for themselves.

Jesus’ point in the parable is that the leaders would go as far as murder in order to maintain their position, status, and authority.

C. The Wrath of the Man

They could not fathom that God would destroy them.

D. The Warning to All

Jesus was saying that he is the cornerstone. And Israel was rejecting him.

Sermon Audio: Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 19:45-48
Duration: 28:13
Size: 12.9 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Luke 19:45-48

We live in a day in which there is massive confusion about how to worship God.

Well, Jesus raised a voice against the distortion of worship he found at the temple in Jerusalem.

I. Jesus Was Zealous for the Pure Worship of God

Therefore, his ministry always focused on the kingdom of God and true worship of him.

What was happening in the Court of the Gentiles made Jesus righteously angry.

The worshipful atmosphere that was appropriate for the temple, the symbol of God’s presence, was missing.

It is apparent that God’s people are guilty of all manner of sin, yet they believe that they are exempt from divine judgment because of the presence of God’s temple in their midst.

Jesus is zealous for the pure worship of God, and he pronounces God’s judgment on false worship.

II. Jesus Was Passionate about the Clear Teaching of God’s Word

He wanted people to know how to come into a right relationship with God, which was through faith in him and repentance of sin.

Do we think that God will accept us and our worship simply because we go through the act of worship?