Mark 12 Mark 11:27-33; 12 :1-27 The authority of the King

wHO’S AUTHORITY?

Of course Islam is a way of life but in Malaysia it appears that individual Muslims are never allowed to think for themselves or find the way of life by themselves. Instead, the way of life must be taught by designated individuals from the religious departments who can speak some Arabic and who dress “appropriately”.

These officials will tell you that religion is “not easy” and that they have spent their lives studying it. Thus, the way of life can be discovered only through them: the way of life is in fact their way, and only by following exactly in their footsteps can Islam be a rewarding way of life for believers. This is total nonsense—though it is also a good business idea.

Testing his credentials And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do themAnd they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them (Mark 11:27-28 ESV)(Mark 11:27-28 ESV)

Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer meJesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me (Mark 11:29-30 ESV)(Mark 11:29-30 ESV)

And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him? ’ 32 But shall we say, ‘From man’?”— they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these thingsAnd they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him? ’ 32 But shall we say, ‘From man’?”— they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things (Mark 11:31-33 ESV)(Mark 11:31-33 ESV)

Their PROBLEM From Heaven From Man Why didn’t listen to him He too had no official credentials John testified about Jesus-Messiah Incur the wrath of the people

Jesus has effectively shown them that they are incompetent to judge him. If they focus so much on human education and the credentials process that they cannot discern the marks of the Holy Spirit on a person, then they have no way to assess John’s ministry or Jesus’.

Caesar or god?

How were they testing him? And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?

The trap Pay Taxes Don’t Pay Taxes Compromise Unpopular with people Rebel against government Sedition

” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him (Mark 12:13-17 ESV)(Mark 12:13-17 ESV)

Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of the divine Augustus Pontifex Maximus Chief priest

Render to caesar Tiberius Caesar Jesus Christ No Coin All Coins Caesars image God’s image Give TaxesGive Worship

Kingdom is based on You have to have themYou have to have them Life’s decisions based on themLife’s decisions based on them Despise those without themDespise those without them Power,Success,Comfort,Recognition

Tim Keller Every revolution in side the kingdom of man does not change anything.it only rearrange things.. Change the players…every revolution is about getting the power. The Opposition havent got it and want itEvery revolution in side the kingdom of man does not change anything.it only rearrange things.. Change the players…every revolution is about getting the power. The Opposition havent got it and want it

Real Revolution Tiberius CaesarJesus Christ Power,Success,Comfort,Recognition No Power,Success,Comfort,Recognition Climax – seize throne Climax -Executed Decisions not dominated Live to serve others Live to dominate others, decisions based on this Glory

rESURRECTION AND AFTERLIFE

Sadducees 150BC –ad 70 intellectual liberals, scientific and progressive, normally wealthy [aristoc ratic Jews

Sadducees 150BC –ad 70 “ The doctrine of the Sadduccees is this: souls die with bodies. ” (Josephus, Antiquities 18:1,4).

Pentateuch Historical Books Prophets Wisdom Sadducees

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise.Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light,For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the deadand the earth will give birth to the dead (Isaiah 26:19 ESV)(Isaiah 26:19 ESV)

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 (Daniel 12:1-3 ESV)(Daniel 12:1-3 ESV)

The trap And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. 21 And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. 22 And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wifeAnd Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. 21 And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. 22 And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife (Mark 12:18-23 ESV)(Mark 12:18-23 ESV)

Jesus anwser Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrongJesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong (Mark 12:24-27 ESV)(Mark 12:24-27 ESV)

And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of JacobAnd he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (Exodus 3:6 ESV)(Exodus 3:6 ESV)

“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another? (Matthew 11:3- ESV)“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another? (Matthew 11:3- ESV)

4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me (Matthew 11:3-6 ESV)(Matthew 11:3-6 ESV)

jOHN HEARS THE MESSAGE Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer,and the tongue of the mute sing for joyThen the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer,and the tongue of the mute sing for joy (Isaiah 35:5-6 ESV)(Isaiah 35:5-6 ESV)

jOHN REMEMBERS THE SCRIPTURE Say to those who have an anxious heart,“Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.He will come and save you (Isaiah 35:4 ESV)Say to those who have an anxious heart,“Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.He will come and save you (Isaiah 35:4 ESV)

wEAVES STRAW INTO GOLD

What will be like Like AngelsLike Angels Personalities intactPersonalities intact Heaven will be a world of love..marriage—training wheelsHeaven will be a world of love..marriage—training wheels

so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Godso as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10 ESV)(Colossians 1:10 ESV)