This past weekend at Eastbrook, as we continued our preaching series, “Who Do You Say I Am?”, Fred Pierce preached on an interesting passage from Matthew 16:1-12. This begins with the religious leaders’ request for a sign from Jesus and then veers into a discussion with the disciples about their missing the point of what Jesus is doing.

Here’s a line from the message that really stuck with me: “Whatever we treasure our prioritize will captivate our hearts.”

This message is part of the sixth part of our longer series on Matthew, which includes “Family Tree,” “Power in Preparation,” “Becoming Real,” “The Messiah’s Mission,” and “Stories of the Kingdom.”

You can find the message video and outline below. You can also view the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“‘Why is it you don’t understand that when I told you, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, it wasn’t about bread?’ Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the leaven in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:11-12)

Jesus tested by Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:1)
They were Jewish religious groups who did not have much in common
They disagreed about significant theological matters
The only thing that they agreed on was not liking Jesus

Jesus responds to their questions (Matthew 16:2-4)
Jesus uses a simple parable about the sky
Jesus calls them out as evil and adulterous
They missed the Kingdom of God through Jesus Jesus speaks of the greatest sign that would be given
Reflect on Matthew 12:39-40
Jesus left

Jesus warns the disciples about the Pharisees/Sadducees (Matthew 16:5-12)
The disciples were worried about their bread
Jesus warns the disciples of the leaven
The disciples were seeing the natural/not the spiritual
The disciples were missing what was right before them
The disciples were falling into a similar trap (vss8-10)
Watch out for self-righteous religion that pulls away from relationship with Jesus

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Dig Deeper:

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Meditate on the message of Jesus in Matthew 16:11-12
• Journal or reflect about times when you have allowed the systems and norms of this world to distract you from what the Word of God says.
• How can you grow deeper in relationship with Jesus this week?
• Read more about this weeks message in the following passages:
  • Matthew 12:39-40
  • Matthew 28:11-15
  • Acts 23:7-8
  • Romans 10:8
  • Hebrews 12:18
  • 1 Corinthians 10:9
  • Proverbs 26:5
  • Isaiah 1:3
  • Jeremiah 8:7