Mark 12:13-27 (ESV)

13 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?” 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. 18 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 wife.” 24 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 wrong.”

Intro: Let’s talk about ultimate issues: about authority, truth & power.

WHO’S IN CHARGE?
Why do we believe that there is good potential in human authority?

A VERBAL STREET BRAWL
What does it mean to live in pride and unbelief?

THE ONE WHO TRUSTS GOD’S WORD & POWER
In the gospel, how do we see God’s work, His promises and good design become entirely ours?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD for His goodness in all His ways. Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that in His authority, by His defining of all reality (truth) and His unrivaled power, that He is perfectly loving and just.

2 - How have you lived as if you are a law unto yourself and that others in authority are corrupt just because they tell you how to live? Confess your pride and unbelief to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you and heal your rebel heart.

3 - Give thanks to Jesus for His absolute integrity and goodness. Thank Him for being successful where Adam (and we) failed, and yet willing to bear the punishment we deserve for all of our corruption and sin.

4 - Who do you know that struggles with God’s authority? Pray for them, asking the Lord to make known to them both their lack of integrity and His trustworthiness, especially as Jesus was so willing to suffer to save our lives.

5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to work in you His fruit of love, goodness and faithfulness. Pray that vs. your pride, He would work into you Jesus’ very integrity to help you trust the Father’s authority, truth and power as He did.