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 6: 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.
  • Sadducees – The compromised
    • Basically only used the Torah/Five Books of Moses
    • Messiah – Essentially, did not care
      • Maybe it was a real person, maybe it was Israel, maybe it was whoever was in charge.
        • The government could handle everything.
        • As long as they were in charge, more or less, of what the people believed, they were okay.
    • Resurrection?
      • Not a thing. This life is basically it.
      • Essentially, they were Deists
    • See Mark 12:18-27
    • Modern comparisons:
      • Much of this will come back up with Gnosticism
      • Functionally, atheists and agnostics, which leads to …
      • Science-ism – The belief that we can know/learn everything about the physical universe from science. No god needed.
      • Union Theological Seminary (ultra-left in every way)
      • Liberal denominations/churches – Spectrum, may be any to all of the following:
        • Inerrancy – Ideas/thoughts in the Bible are inerrant, if that
        • Lifestyle: Nothing inherently wrong with homosexuality, transgenderism, or most other ways of living (usually in committed, monogamous relationships … usually …)
        • Believe good people go to heaven. (For rebuttal, see Romans 3:23 and John 6:44-66 & 14:6)
        • God, if he or she exists, is all about love and freedom. Sin is at worst done away with, at best not real.
        • Science and the government are in essence more compelling than scripture, because our understanding has evolved over time. (Just like us)
      • New Apostolic Reformation and other ultra-/super-charismatic churches and movements
        • Yes, they are under this list, too. Watch the next two lists for Essenes and Zealots, as well!
        • We know more things from special revelation through modern apostles and prophets, even those who occasionally get it wrong.
          • Yes, even things that contradict Scripture.
        • Redeeming the things of the world and the occult for Christ.
          • Yes, even the things Scripture specifically calls wicked/evil/abominations
      • Many who attend church, Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, or whatever. (So-called “Carnal Christians” and “Chreasters”, those who only attend on the holidays)
        • The people who attend church to be good, get that checkmark, or for family/friends, but they are just like anyone else who does not attend church.