I am currently the Youth Pastor for The Church Next Door in Prescott Valley, AZ. On Sunday, August 11, 2019, I took over teaching the adult Sunday School class (the foundation of why we learn from history) before the regular service. (If you find yourself in North Central Arizona, specifically the Prescott Valley area, come join in from 8:45 to 9:45 AM, and then stay for the singing and sermon at 10!)

The second and third lessons were combined in the post two weeks ago, with a look at when the Church was founded and the various forms of leadership Jesus dealt with. Previous was a look at how he rebuked those in leadership.

Again, here are my notes:

Nothing New: The Importance of Church History

Lesson 5: Christ and the Church’s Foundation – Modern Comparisons

The leadership in the time of Jesus included the entirely secular yet pagan Roman Empire, the hyper-religious Pharisees, the super-compromised Sadducees, the fastidious Essenes, and the rebellious Zealots.

Briefly, how do we see nothing new in our leadership?

Modern comparisons:

• Rome: Previously we looked at Roman government versus that of today.

• The Divided leadership (remember that there can be bleed-over from group to group):
  • Pharisees – Got a lot right, but added a lot.
    • Legalism – Follow our rules our way, or you are a heathen
      • Matthew 15:1-9 (quoting Isaiah 29:13)
      • Colossians 2:4-10
    • Expected a Messiah to come, but they were willing to work with the government.
      • Many expected two messiahs: conquering king and reforming high priest
        • Think Ezra and Nehemiah as precursors
    • Very similar to Post-millennial Christians and wanting the religious leadership in charge.
    • Modern equivalents: Roman Catholic, some Lutheran, believers in “Federal Vision” (the Church runs the government), New Apostolic Reformation and their 7 Hills/Mountains