Building from Jesus’ great Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49) we begin to understand that Jesus comes in the tradition of the great teachers of Israel, even becoming a new Moses. He answers the questions of the religious leaders and pushes them into territory they do not understand from Luke 20.
SERMON OUTLINE
He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Luke 20:25)
Pharisees vs. Jesus Showdown (Luke 20:20-26)
- Pharisees underestimate Jesus
- Attempt to trap Jesus
- The response of Jesus
The New Moses (Luke 20:27-40)
- Sadducees joining forces in opposition of Jesus
- Sadducees misunderstand eternal life
- The response of Jesus
Jesus Turns the Table on Opposition (Luke 20:41-44)
- Opposition denies the truth
- The truth: Jesus is the Messiah
Jesus Teaches the Disciples (Luke 20:45-47)
- A warning
- A call
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- We continue the series “Crossroads” this week by looking at the interactions Jesus has with religious leaders in Luke 20:20-47. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you from His Word, and then read that passage aloud.
- In Luke 20:20-21, we see that the Pharisees have spies in and around Jesus, even questioning Jesus. By sending spies, how might they have been underestimating Jesus? What is their goal in spying? How aware do you think Jesus was of this ploy?
- The Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus by putting him in a no win situation. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that appears to be no win? How did you respond?
- The response of Jesus in verses 23-25 is actually “good news” to people. What is valuable to Caesar? What is valuable to God? How can that be “good news” to us today?
- In the next section, we see the Sadducees team up in opposition of Jesus? How do you react when you feel like people are teaming up against you? How is the reaction of Jesus different?
- In verses 28-33, how do the Sadducees view eternal life? How does the response of Jesus give both hope and silence the opposition?
- The people that oppose Jesus deny the truth that he is the son of God. How does denying that truth influence their actions in this story? What problems do we encounter when we deny God’s truths?
- Jesus ends this passage (verses 45-47) by warning his disciples and people close to him. How might that warning be important today?
- What is the difference between living religiously and living righteously?
- Identify one way that God is speaking to you personally through this study. If you’re on your own, write it down and share it with someone later. If you are with a small group, share it with one another to end your group time.