Generation of Vipers - RBSM

GENERATION
OF VIPERS

Oluwatobi S. Adewuyi

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 Generation of Vipers - RBSM

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 Generation of Vipers - RBSM

Topic:
GENERATION OF VIPERS

Bible Text: Matthew 3:1-8

Prayer

Our Heavenly Father we thank you for the gift of life and another
opportunity to study at your feet. Lord grant us an understanding heart and
retentive memory to assimilate your word in Jesus Mighty Name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
You are all welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I hope you all had
a lovely day. Today's study is one that needs to call for a sober reflection for
everyone of us to look into our lives. Whether married or not, this is why we
must follow it carefully.
Bible Text
Matt.3.1 - In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness
of Judea,
Matt.3.2 - and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
Matt.3.3 - For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make His paths straight."'
Matt.3.4 - Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt
around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Matt.3.5 - Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan
went out to him
Matt.3.6 - and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
Matt.3.7 - But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to
his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from
the wrath to come?
Matt.3.8 - Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,

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Study
John's ministry started in the wilderness of Judea after he went into a
period of total consecration. He began preaching right from the Wilderness,
and all Jerusalem, Judea, and the regions around the Jordan went out to
meet him to be baptized by him. There was no special message John was
preaching; it was the message of repentance, but one that came with power,
just as Paul the Apostle said in 1 Corinthians 2:4 KJV: "And my speech and
my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power."
Paul preached by the demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power, providing
proof that the Spirit and power of God were operating in him. This was what
brought people down to their knees. Similar to John's message, it was the
power of God working in him that drew people from the city to the
wilderness to hear his message and repent from their sins. Despite the
messages not being enticing and consisting of crude warnings about the
impending judgment of God against sinners, people came to him. It was
surprising that even the Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized,
leaving their positions. However, they could not deny the power of God by
which John ministered, convincing them that he was indeed the prophet
Isaiah spoke of, as in Isaiah 40:3 KJV: "The voice of him that crieth in the
wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a
highway for our God." Since they understood the Scriptures, their hearts
compelled them to subject themselves to the truth of it. John was not a
flamboyantly dressed man; he did not concern himself with the position or
prestige of others. He was a man who delivered his message directly about
God. When he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he
was not afraid to call them out, as seen in Matthew 3:7 KJV: "But when he
saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto
them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to
come?"
John's statement was a reflection of the Pharisees' lack of full belief in the
scriptures prophesying about Christ, leading them to live contradictory
lives. Jesus often referred to them as hypocrites, and John, recognizing
their deceit, called them a "generation of vipers" due to their deceptive
nature.
Who were the Pharisees?
The term "Pharisee" originates from a Hebrew word meaning "separated."
They constituted a specific faction within the Sanhedrin, holding a minority
of positions as priests. The Sanhedrin, comprising 70 seats, included both
Pharisees and Sadducees. Despite their minority status, the Pharisees

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exerted significant influence due to popular support. The Pharisees

accepted the written word as divinely inspired, primarily the Old Testament
during Christ's earthly ministry. However, they elevated oral traditions to
equal authority with the written word (logos), deviating from the written
word. This practice drew criticism from Jesus, as seen in Mark 7:7 KJV:
"Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men."
They were known for preaching without practicing, advocating the
observance of over 600 laws of Moses but failing to uphold these
themselves. Jesus criticized them in Matthew 23:3-4 KJV, saying, "For they
say, and do not... they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay
them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one
of their fingers."
The harsh characterization by John, referring to them as a "generation of
vipers," underscores their deceitful teachings that could lead unsuspecting
souls astray, akin to a venomous bite with perilous consequences. Within
the Pharisees, there were scribes whose responsibility involved studying,
transcribing the law, and writing commentaries on it. While all scribes were
Pharisees, not every Pharisee held the role of a scribe.
Who were the Sadducees?
The Sadducees, sometimes called "Zadokites" or "Tzadikim," derived from
the Hebrew word "sadaaq" meaning "to be righteous." They constituted a
religious-political group with significant influence among the Jews in Israel
during Jesus Christ's time. Associated with the aristocratic class, they held
powerful positions and were deeply connected to temple affairs in
Jerusalem. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees were wealthier but
struggled to relate well with the masses. They formed the majority in the
Sanhedrin, the ruling council with 70 seats. The Sadducees prioritized the
authority of the written word of God, particularly the books of Moses
(Genesis through Deuteronomy). While many Sadducees were priests, not
all belonged to this group. Initially indifferent to Jesus during his early
ministry, they later became concerned about potential Roman attention and
interference. Due to their focus on political matters, they exhibited
rudeness, arrogance, and a hunger for power. Quick to dispute with those
who disagreed, John, recognizing these traits, added "generation of vipers"
to his description, emphasizing their problematic nature regardless of their
status.
Errors of the pharisees and Sadducees

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1. The Pharisees gave oral tradition equal authority to the written word of
God.
b. The Sadducees were extremely self-sufficient to the point of denying
God's involvement in everyday life.
2. a. Pharisees often resisted Hellenization. i.e not wanting to have anything
to do with non-jews (the Greeks)
b. The Sadducees denied any Resurrection of the dead which was why
they denied the fact that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead.
3. a. The Pharisees did not practice what they preached.
b. The Sadducees denied the afterlife holding that the soul perishes at
death, no punishment, no reward after death
4. a. The Pharisees were self-righteous thinking they were righteous
because they kept the law or part of it so they did not measure up to God's
standard of holiness.
b. The Sadducees denied the existence of a spiritual world i.e Angels and
demons
5. a. The Pharisees love to be called Rabbi in their pride.
b. The sadducees were proud, rude, and power hungry.
John did not spare their hypocritical lifestyles but pointed it out point
blank by calling them a brood of vipers asking them why they took
warnings to flee from the wrath to come. Assuming it were today, had John
made such statements, many would have risen to accuse him of condemning
people, claiming he was not behaving like Christ. However, the Pharisees
and Sadducees humbled themselves and repented, even though it is evident
that many of them did not truly repent, continuing to withstand Christ
during His earthly ministry. Many accepted the ministry of John the Baptist
but rejected the ministry of Jesus Christ, the one whose way was prepared
by John, just because they held their own beliefs in their hearts.
Unfortunately, we are in a generation filled with vipers who will not heed
warnings to flee from the wrath to come. Looking at the errors of the
Pharisees and the Sadducees, it is clear that many today operate under the
spirit of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. These are those who teach
doctrines as commandments of men, neglecting the true commandments.
They believe in a sort of superstition and will by no means forsake it. They
hold onto oral traditions passed from one generation to another, embracing
fables. As Titus says in Titus 1:14 KJV, "Not giving heed to Jewish fables,
and commandments of men, that turn from the truth," it is made clear that

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these commandments of men are from individuals who turned away from
the truth.
Today, we have those who have also turned away from the truth and given
in to things that do not amount to righteousness, failing to encourage godly
lives. Now is the time to check your life. Are you not also one of the
generation of vipers? Are you living hypocritically? Do you still hold onto
cultural beliefs in place of biblical truths? Some claim Christianity does not
forbid participation in rituals rooted in their traditions. These are a brood of
vipers that must repent.
The word of God supersedes any tradition and culture of men. Beware!
We have come to the end of this study. Please attempt the following
questions if you understood the teaching
1. How did the Pharisees and Sadducees respond to John the Baptist's
strong statements, and what was the underlying issue with their
repentance?
2. In what ways do modern-day individuals exhibit behaviors similar to
those of the Pharisees and Sadducees, as highlighted in the teaching?
3. According to Titus 1:14 KJV, what warning does the apostle Titus give
regarding certain teachings and commandments prevalent during his time,
and how does it relate to contemporary issues discussed in the teaching?

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Invitation

If you know that you are still living in sin and you are ready to repent and
begin to live your life in strict obedience to God so that you can overcome
every sin in your life to make heaven, please place your right hand on your
chest and say this prayer with your mouth.

Say,

"Lord Jesus, I accept You as my personal Lord and Savior. I believe that You
died for me and took away my sins so that I will not face the penalty of
them. I surrender my life to You today, and I make a decision to obey and
follow You. Come into my life now and accept me as Your child. Thank You
for saving me, in Jesus Christ's name I pray, Amen."

Congratulations, now you are saved. If you prayed this short prayer, please
WhatsApp +2347067511039 and let me know that you have just been saved. I
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 Generation of Vipers - RBSM

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