Matthew 16:5-12…..Ready

Matthew 16:5-12…..Ready

16:5 When they went across the lake (Possibly to prevent the disciples from being influenced any further by the religious leaders-(New) the disciples forgot to take bread.  (We’ve all left our lunch at home and thought my days ruined. But for the disciples it was much more serious with limited places of access in that culture. It’s not like they could just stop off at the corner market.) 6 “Be careful,”  Jesus said to them. Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” (Took it as a warning against using their own special yeast.) 8 Aware of their discussion, (Jesus uses their lack of understanding as an object lesson and teachable moment. While Jesus may have overhead them, the idea seems to be that in His omniscience He knew what they were really thinking.-(New) Jesus asked, “You of little faith (Overly concerned, anxious, fearful. Notice Jesus doesn’t stamp out what little faith we have. But being a compassionate God, He wants to kindle and grow that faith.) why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember (This is not Jesus shaming or accusing. But rather He’s trying to kick start and jog their memory a bit)  the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered.. 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast (What is all-pervasive, effecting everything else, either for evil or good-(New)) the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching false doctrines, of the Pharisees and Sadducees.(For additional Expository Notes see Book)

Extended Sermon 

“Warns how being preoccupied with worldly concerns can cause us to miss the spiritual lesson God is trying to teach us.” → This is not saying worldly concerns are not valid. It’s reasonable to concern oneself with what you’re going to eat, how you’re going to pay the rent. But when we become overly focused on the daily worries and responsibilities of life—such as finances, work, relationships, or personal ambitions—it is easy to lose sight of the spiritual truths and warnings that God is presenting to us. Oftentimes our minds are so clouded by worldly concerns, the daily struggles, trails, and issues of life we can’t hear what God is saying. How often do we hear the word of God preached and proclaimed. We’re reading it. We’re encountering it. But we’re missing it. Because we’re interpreting signs through worldly filters instead of faith. As result we we end up interpreting signs through a bad eye rather than a good eye.  Our minds can become so cluttered with the way the world operates that we’re unable to recognize the ways in which God is speaking, guiding, or cautioning us. This preoccupation creates a barrier to spiritual discernment, leaving us vulnerable to missing important lessons or corrections the Lord intends for our growth and well-being. It is essential, therefore, to set aside time for reflection, prayer, and study of scripture, making space in our lives to hear from God. By doing so, we are better able to discern His voice above the noise of worldly concerns, respond to His warnings, and walk in the direction He desires for us. Recognizing and addressing the influence of worldly distractions is a vital step toward deepening our relationship with God and remaining attentive to His guidance.

“Warns how quickly we can forget the faithfulness of what God has done for us in the past and only focus on the present.” ⇒ How many times have we fallen into spiritual amnesia, when it comes to God’s faithfulness. How often do we forget what God has done for us; three months ago, six months ago, a  year ago. Think about all the times God has been there for you. Think about all the times God has come through for you. All the times God has met your needs. All the times God has answered your prayers. All the times when your back was up against the wall and God came through for you in that challenge. Remember when you were so broke that you couldn’t decide to buy groceries or  pay the rent. And you decided to pay the rent and God showed up the next day with a bag of groceries sitting on your doorstep. Do you remember when you had no money in the bank and you’re trying to figure out what you were  going to for you family. And a guy walks up to you and gives you a Pentecostal handshake with $300 dollars in it, just enough for you to go buy food for your family. Do you remember when you had no money for ministry and some guy calls and cuts you a check for &30,000 dollars so you can open your church.  Often we are just like these disciples. The Lord has done so much for us, but when the next crisis arises, we react in fear “Oh, no what are we going to do” instead of faith.

“Warns of the subtle influence that false teachings can have in corrupting our faith and undermining our beliefs “ ⇒  We’re all influenced by something and someone in one way or another. The philosophies of the world, the perspectives of a culture, the ideas of society, the spirit of the age, all compete for our mind’s attention. And they are being presented to us all the time in unwitting ways. Without us even knowing it, the movies we watch, the songs we sing along with, the books we read for enjoyment impact us and evangelize us in ways that go against Jesus. As believers we need to be pay careful attention because it can be catastrophic to our spiritual life.  As followers of Christ Jesus we need to guard against skeptic attitudes that can be toxic to our faith and walk with God. We need to be aware of the company we’re hanging out with or they can have a negative influence on our walk with the Lord. The disciples at this time were still trying to work out who Jesus is. Even young Christians and new converts are especially venerable and can be tossed about by every wind of doctrine.-(Eph. 4:14-16) We need to be careful of the ungodly culture and society we live and the things that are being thrown at us, be it on the internet; social media, You tube, Facebook, Twitter, etc. or it can start to lead us away from Jesus. We need to be aware of the friends we keep or they can start to corrupt our faith and morals.

“Even today, the Yeast of the Pharisees & Sadducees can be found in a “Prosperity Gospel” of health and wealth. The Yeast of the Pharisees & Sadducees can be found in a “Work based Gospel” of  good deed plus grace Saves. The Yeast of the Pharisees & Sadducees can be found in a “Self-help Gospel” of becoming a better and more improved you. The Yeast of the Pharisees & Sadducees can be found in a” Universal Gospel” that an all loving God Saves everyone regardless of faith, sin, or repentance.” → The Yeast of the Pharisees & Seduces can be found even in our lives. The sins we once thought of as bad, we now see as harmless and no big deal. Over time, what was considered serious or sinful becomes normalized, and we start to excuse or overlook behaviors that previously convicted us. The Yeast of the Pharisees & Sadducees can be found in which scriptures we decide are valid and which are not. Instead of accepting the whole counsel of God’s Word, we pick and choose passages that fit our preferences or justify our actions, disregarding others that challenge us or call for change. This selective approach undermines the integrity of our faith and opens the door to compromise. The Yeast of the Pharisees & Sadducees can be found in the mistaken belief that a loving God does not send anyone to hell. Thinking this can lead us to living immoral lives. It ignores the truth of scripture and the seriousness of sin, distorting the nature of God’s love and justice. By allowing these subtle influences to take root, we risk drifting from genuine faith and spiritual discernment.

Additional Notes & Applications

Displays how oftentimes God’s faithfulness gets overshadowed by our present worries and needs. (We’re living down here when God wants living up here.)  

Teaches worrying has no place as Jesus can abundantly provide for all our needs.

Calls for recognizing the weak spots others might be susceptible to by reminding them what the bible say on those issues.

Teaches instead of looking to ourselves, we ought to be looking to Jesus.

Comforts believers in knowing we’re not alone when we don’t get it, for Jesus’ own disciples didn’t get it at times either.

Calls for spiritual discipline in not allowing other influences to pull us away from Jesus.

Teaches how perception and understanding often corresponds with remembrance, bringing better clarity of were presently going through.

Warns how a little man-made teaching can spread quickly and corrupt.

Warns against allowing others to make you think you didn’t do enough, that there’s something more you need to do to be Saved

Note: This is not saying Saved believers can be lost due to false teachers, since the Lord has already Saved us forever. But we can be spiritually harmed in leading us astray.

Note: Yeast/Leaven is a live culture/fungus used in baking to make bread rise. Yeast has been present in the world for hundreds of millions of years. Humans “domesticated” yeast through bread and beer-making. Yeast can also be used for beer, wine and other tasty foods thanks to its ability to enable natural fermentation. Yeast or Leaven is normally taken from another loaf of bread and mixed into new loaf. The yeast then begins to ferment, releasing gases that causes  the bread to expand and rise.  A small amount of yeast is sufficient to transform a dense ball of dough into a loaf of light and fluffy bread. It works its magic by spreading throughout the dough and impacting all it comes into contact with. Yeast/Leaven is commonly, although not always, used in a negative sense for the corrupting influence of evil and sin. Yeast/Leaven can also be sued in a positive sense as in Jesus’ parables of the kingdom of God as compared to yeast working its way through a ball of dough. In this passage, it is being compared to the teaching of the primary religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Teachings that they are to be on their guard against.

Note: If believers are going to guard against the Yeast of the Pharisees & Sadducees we need to know the Word of God. When we know scripture we’re less likely to be taken in by smooth talkers. The primary way we do this is to compare their teachings with the Word of God. If what they are saying does not line up with what the Bible teaches, they are false teachers. Not only must we be rooted in the word of God, but rooted in a church that teaches sound principals and doctrine. A good rule of thumb in spotting false teachers is that any preacher who makes little of Scripture and much of everything else is not to be trusted. They may use good language and sound convincing, but they are not to be trusted. A good practice to adopt is, before joining a church find out what they’re statement of faith is. As an example “Do they believe the Bible to be the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. Do they believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Do they believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth. Do they believe in Jesus’ vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, and His bodily resurrection from the dead.” [Note: It is important to point out the difference between false doctrine and denominational disagreements. Different congregational groups see secondary issues in Scripture differently. These differences are not always due to false doctrine on anyone’s part. Church policies, governmental decisions, style of worship, etc., are all open for discussion, since they are not directly addressed in Scripture. Even those issues that are addressed in Scripture are often debated by equally sincere disciples of Christ. Differences in interpretation or practice do not necessarily qualify as false doctrine, nor should they divide the Body of Christ.]

HOW TO GUARD AGAINST THE YEAST  OF THE PHARISEES & SADDUCEES 

• Watch What You Listen To: Evaluate every podcast, sermon, and religious leader against the full counsel of Scripture. If a teaching shifts focus from grace to performance, it is “yeast”!

• When you hear teachings—Don’t simply accept something because it’s popular or makes you feel good; test everything against the Bible.

• Evaluate your entertainment choices—movies, music, and social media—and ask whether they encourage attitudes or behaviors contrary to biblical values.

• Notice when you rationalize or minimize actions that once troubled your conscience. Ask yourself why your standards may have shifted and whether it aligns with God’s Word or with cultural trends.

• Be wary of “Cafeteria Christianity”—only accepting scriptures that feel comfortable and dismissing those that call for change or conviction.

• Study the Scriptures Diligently:  Know the Word of God for yourself. This prevents you from being swayed by teachers who twist Scripture.

• Ask God to reveal areas in your life where your compromised: Invite God to show you these areas clearly, so you can address them and pursue a life of greater integrity and faithfulness.

• Focus on the Heart, Not Just Rules. Legalism focuses on external regulations. True faith focuses on heart transformation by the Holy Spirit

HOW TO SPOT FALSE TEACHERS 

• False teachers are carnal driven

• False teachers are power and control driven

• False teachers are money driven

• False teachers are popularity driven

• Fales teachers are acceptance driven

• False teachers are greed driven

• False teachers are pride driven

• False teachers are prosperity driven

• False teachers are unscriptural

YEAST OF THE PHARISEES & SADDUCEES IN THE CHURCH TODAY

• Jesus Christ is not God or divine

• The Holy Spirit is not a person but a force

• The Trinity is not biblical (It is not found in scripture)

• Salvation is based on works not just faith

• Godly living brings wealth & prosperity

• God does not judge or condemn people

• Repentance not needed to be Saved

• Baptism Saves a person

• Sabbath observance is still required

• Altar Calls and saying the sinner’s prayer Saves you

• Once Saved always Saved (deliberate/wanton sinful behavior)

• Satan is just a myth

• God will never give you more than you can handle

• God helps those who help themselves