Pastor Lowell Nelson teaches through Mark 12:18-27: Skepticism or Sureness of Scripture on 7/12/2026 for our Sunday service.
Mark 12:18-27
The Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection
18 Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: 19 "Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 "Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. 21 "And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. 22 "So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. 23 "Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife."
24 Jesus answered and said to them, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know 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 "But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ? 27 "He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken."
When doubts about life after death or skepticism toward Scripture leave you uncertain about eternity, Mark 12:18-27 shows Jesus confronting those who deny the resurrection and revealing the sureness of God’s Word.
The Trap of Selective Scripture
The Sadducees used the levirate marriage law to argue that resurrection would create impossible confusion. They started with a fixed conclusion and twisted Scripture to support it. Believers today must guard against the same error: approaching the Bible with preconceived ideas instead of letting the whole of Scripture shape our understanding.
Knowing Both the Scriptures and God’s Power
Jesus declared they were mistaken because they did not know the Scriptures nor the power of God. True faith rests on both the written Word and the living power of the God who raises the dead. When anxiety about the future rises, return to the full counsel of Scripture and trust the God who is still able to do what He has promised.
The God of the Living
Jesus pointed to the burning bush passage where God calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, proving He is not the God of the dead but of the living. The resurrection is certain because God remains in covenant relationship with His people beyond the grave. This truth brings lasting hope and purpose even when this life feels temporary or fragile.
Final Summary
Jesus dismantles skepticism by anchoring hope in the full authority of Scripture and the power of God. Let this truth challenge you: stop settling for partial knowledge or cultural doubts. Know the Scriptures thoroughly, trust the God of the living, and live today with the confident assurance that the resurrection is sure.
