I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Christians naturally want to know all they can about God.  If we stop asking for wisdom and knowledge from our Lord and Savior, then something is wrong.

B.      Let us consider a time when the Sadducees and Pharisees stopped asking questions to our Lord, and then we will consider whether we have followed in their footsteps.

II.      THEY DARED NOT ASK HIM ANOTHER QUESTION

A.      Jesus put the Sadducees to silence.

                                                             1.      The Sadducees questioned Jesus in an attempt to justify their disbelief in the resurrection (Matt. 22:23-28; Mark 12:18-23; Luke 20:27-33).

a.       The Sadducees asked a hypothetical question that they thought Jesus could not answer.

b.       Their motivation was dishonest and evil.  They only wanted to trap Jesus and had no intention of changing their beliefs if He answered them well.

                                                             2.      Jesus answered them, saying, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God” (Matt. 22:29-33; Mark 12:24:27; Luke 20:34-38).

a.       The Sadducees were wrong about the resurrection, the endurance of marriage, and the afterlife.  The entire premise of their question was mistaken.

b.       Their mistakes are the sources of most errors in religion.  When men do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God, they always err.

                                                             3.      The Sadducees were put to silence by the Lord’s answer (Matt. 22:34).

B.      The Pharisees were not able to answer Jesus either.

                                                             1.      When the Pharisees heard that Christ had silenced the Sadducees, they asked Him a question, which He also answered (Matt. 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34).

a.       A lawyer of the Pharisees asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment, to which Jesus answered, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

b.       Jesus went even further and said, "The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

                                                             2.      Jesus also asked a question of the Pharisees (Matt. 22:41-45; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:39-44).

a.       He quoted from Psalm 110:1 and asked why David called the Christ "Lord” when the Christ was David’s son.

b.       To answer the Lord’s question, one would need a spiritual understanding of the Christ as the Son of God, which the Pharisees did not have.

                                                             3.      The result was that no one was able to answer Jesus (Matt. 22:46).

C.      No one dared to ask Jesus another question.

                                                             1.      Neither the Sadducees nor the Pharisees were able to cope with the wisdom of Jesus.

a.       Though they tried often, they were never able to trap the Lord in anything He said.

b.       They stopped asking questions because He always embarrassed them with His answers.

                                                             2.      Rather than seeing Jesus as a valuable source of answers, they considered Him to be an enemy.

a.       Their dishonesty and hypocrisy prevented them from seeing who Jesus really was.

b.       They were so deluded with pride that they refused to admit they were wrong and He was right.

III.   HAVE YOU STOPPED ASKING QUESTIONS?

A.      It is our responsibility to learn all we can about our Lord and His will.

                                                             1.      God created man with an innate desire to seek for Him (Acts 17:26-28).

                                                             2.      God expects us to learn about Him and His will.  Ephesians 5:17 says, "So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

B.      We learn about the Lord and His will by seeking answers from His word.

                                                             1.      The written word of God has all the answers we need.

a.       God has revealed His mind through His Spirit to the apostles and prophets, who have recorded these revelations in the Scriptures (1Cor. 2:6-16; 1Pet. 1:12; 2Pet. 1:20-21).

b.       The Scriptures are inspired by God, profitable for man, and able to make man adequate for every good work (2Tim. 3:16-17).

c.        He has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2Pet. 1:3).

                                                             2.      God assures us that we can understand the answers of His word.  Notice Ephesians 3:4-5 – "By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit…”

                                                             3.      Therefore, we must make every effort to study the Bible and understand the truth.  Notice 2Timothy 2:15 – "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

C.      Have you stopped seeking answers from God’s word and asking questions of our Lord?  If so, why?

                                                             1.      Have you stopped asking questions because you know all the answers?

a.       All the answers we need are in the Bible, but that does not mean that we know all of them.  Many people who own Bibles know very little about God’s word.

b.       If we think we know all the answers, then we are mistaken.  Even the most learned and experienced Christian has more to learn from God’s word (see Ps. 119).

                                                             2.      Have you stopped asking questions because Jesus does not have the answers?

a.       If God has the answers (which He does), then Jesus has the answers, "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Col. 2:9).

b.       Jesus Christ is now the source of answers from God, for in these last days His Father has spoken through Him (Heb. 1:1-2).  If we seek knowledge of the Father, then we can find the answers only in His Son (John 1:18; 14:6-7).

c.        If you are seeking answers from resources other than Christ (such as the wisdom of men – 1Cor. 1:18-31), then you need to redirect your efforts toward the Lord.

                                                             3.      Have you stopped asking questions because Jesus does not answer?

a.       The Lord has promised to answer our requests when we ask according to His will, and it is His will that should seek answers from Him (Matt. 7:7-8; 1John 5:14-15).

b.       God specifically promises to give us wisdom, for James wrote by inspiration, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (Jas. 1:5).

c.        If you are not receiving answers to your questions, then you need to consider whether you are asking according to God’s will.  Are you seeking godly wisdom, or something else?

                                                             4.      Have you stopped asking questions because you do not like the answers?

a.       Have you become like the Sadducees and Pharisees, who questioned Jesus only to justify themselves and prove Him wrong?

i.         Many people ask hypothetical questions in an attempt to disprove the truth and justify their own disbelief and disobedience.  Such evil intent is never rewarded.

ii.        When such people fail, they stop asking questions just like Christ’s opponents.

b.       Do you find yourself unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit in God’s word (like the Jews versus Stephen – Acts 6:10)?  Do you find yourself confounded by the truth of God’s word (like the Jews versus Saul – Acts 9:22)?  Have Christ and those who preach Him become your enemies because they tell you the truth (Gal. 4:16)?

c.        If any of these reasons have stopped you from asking questions and seeking answers through prayer and the word of God, then you need to repent and change your heart.

                                                             5.      Have you stopped asking questions because you are no longer interested in the answers?

a.       Some Christians begin with a fervent desire for the truth of God and then become disinterested.  Complacency develops in them over time, and they stop growing because they stop nourishing themselves on the word of God (1Pet. 2:2).

b.       Such persons become "dull of hearing” (Heb. 5:11) and lukewarm in their faith (Rev. 3:15-16).  They do not have enough spiritual curiosity to seek for answers from God.

c.        If you do not study God’s word simply because of apathy, then you need to repent and seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      We should never question the Lord to cast doubt on Him, to challenge His authority, or to justify our disbelief or disobedience.  If these are our motives, then let there be no more questions.

B.      However, all of us should question Him by asking for wisdom through prayer and seeking answers in the word of God as a way of obtaining knowledge.  If godly knowledge, wisdom, and understanding are our motives, then may our questions never cease until this life is over.