Matthew 12:38-45

An Evil Generation

In the last study, we read about the Jesus healing a man possessed with by an evil spirit that made him blind and dumb. When the pharisees heard about it they accused him of casting out demons by Satan's power. Earlier they watched HIM heal a man's withered hand. Yet in todays study we read about them asking Jesus for a sign that would prove he is the Messiah. So Jesus answers them by saying,

"An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12:39-42

With HIS answer HE rebukes the Pharisees for their insincerity and promotion of a false religion centering around their traditions. Learn the difference between the letter and the Spirit of GOD's undying Law!

Matthew 38-41 THE PHARISEES DESIRE A SIGN

1. Only sign Jesus will give them is the sign of Jonah 

1. Sent to Nineveh with a message of destruction - Jonah 3:1-4

1. They were quick to repent at the preaching of Jonah - Jonah 3:5-10

2. Warns them the Ninevites will rise to condemn the Jews of Jesus' day

1. Because the Ninevites repented....

1. And they were only given 40 days

2. While the Jews have been given 1500 years since they left Egypt

2. Now ONE greater than Jonah is among them and they still refuse to repent

1. Jonah was a reluctant prophet, who became angry when God relented of the destruction to come upon Nineveh - Jonah 1:1-3; 3:10-4:3

2. Jesus was a compassionate prophet, who lamented over His people Israel - cf. Matthew 23:37-38; Luke 19:41-44

Matthew 42 TO BE CONDEMNED BY THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH...

1. This refers to the Queen of Sheba - Matthew 12:42

1. She traveled great distance to see Solomon - 1 Kings 10:1

2. She brought a great caravan of spices, gold, and precious stones - 1 Kings 10:2

3. Who praised God for the wisdom given to Solomon - 1 Kings 10:3-9

4. Who honored Solomon with great gifts - 1 Kings 10:10

2. She will rise to condemn the Jews of Jesus' day

1. Because the Queen was willing to travel...

1. A great distance to see Solomon

2. While many Jews were unwilling to follow Jesus

2. Because the Jews had one greater than Solomon taught them...

1. Solomon certainly was the wisest man of his day - 1 Kings 4:29-34

2. Jesus possessed treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Colossians 2:3

HOW ABOUT OUR GENERATION TODAY?

1. Will the men of Nineveh condemn us?

1. They were quick to repent after hearing the one message of Jonah...

1. How many sermons have we heard, yet failed to repent?

2. They were given but forty days, how many years has God given us to repent?

2. They repented when all they had was a simple message...

1. We have God's full and final revelation, written and preserved for us

2. We have God's word, revealed through His Son and His apostles

2. Will the Queen of the South condemn us?

1. She was willing to travel a great distance to hear Solomon...

1. Have we been unwilling to travel a short distance to hear the words of Christ proclaimed?

2. She traveled on camels through desert for months at great risk, yet some won't travel in air-conditioned cars for an hour or less when there is only minimal risk

2. She highly valued Solomon's wisdom, giving great gifts to him...

1. Do we value the wisdom of the Son of God?

2. Are we willing to offer the gifts of our time and energy to learn the wisdom of Christ as revealed in His word?

3. We are called to study the Scriptures to be approved

1. Studying God's Word carefully to learn the simplicity of New Testament Christianity, like the Bareans, Acts 17:10-15

2. Often making the difficult decision to leave family and friends to follow the way of Christ

3. What must we do?

1. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts  1 Peter 3:15

1. The word "sanctify" means to "set apart"

2. Set a special place in your heart for God as the Ruler of your life

2. Be selective as to what goes into your mind

1. Set your mind on things above  Colossians 3:1-2

2. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly - Colossians 3:16

3. Follow the example of David  Psalm 101:3-4

4. Think upon things that are good and wholesome - Philippians 4:8

4. Remember, transformation of character begins with renewing the mind - Romans 12:1-2

1. Utilize every opportunity to study God's word. 1 Peter 2:1-2

1. Attend all services of the church

2. Participate in the Bible study programs that are offered

3. Read your Bible daily Psalms 1:1-6

2. Fill your heart with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs…

1. For this is how you:

1. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly - Colossians 3:16

2. Allow yourself to be filled with the Spirit - Ephesians 5:18-19

2. Sing at church, at home, in the car; sing alone and with others

3. Dwell on things that are worthy of praise and virtue Philippians 4:8

1. Be selective about what you watch on television and in the movies

2. Choose your books, periodicals, magazines, etc., carefully

4. Choose your friends carefully 1 Colossians 15:33

1. They will either help you to be strong or hinder your efforts Proverbs 13:20

2. We cannot have communion with darkness and expect the light of God to dwell in us! 2 Colossians  6:14-7:1

MATTHEW 43-45 THE DANGER OF AN EMPTY HOME

1. OUR HEART IS LIKE A HOME...

1. In it can reside things that produce much harm Matthew 15:19

2. But it can also be the source for much good Matthew 12:35a

2. WHEN WE COME TO CHRIST, OUR HOME IS CLEANSED...

1. For our heart is cleansed Hebrews 10:22; Acts 15:8-9

2. Our conscience is purged from dead works to serve God Hebrews 9:14

3. WE ARE EXPECTED TO "FILL" OUR HOME...

1. Indeed, God gives us His Spirit to dwell in our hearts Galatians 4:6

2. Through faith Christ Himself is to dwell in our hearts Ephesians 3:17

3. God's peace and grace are to fill our hearts Colossians 3:15-16

4. Even God's law is to be written in our hearts Hebrews 8:10

4. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DO NOT "FILL" OUR HOME...

1. Remember the maxim: "Nature abhors a vacuum"

1. If we do not make the effort to fill our home with good things

2. Then evil things are likely to return, and with a vengeance!

2. Consider the example of the Corinthians

1. They had been washed, sanctified, and justified - 1 Corinthians 6:11

2. Yet later they were engaged in sinful conduct once again - 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

3. Consider the example of the false teachers mentioned by Peter...

1. They had been bought by the Lord, and escaped the pollutions of the world through Jesus Christ 2 Peter 2:1,20

2. But they had become entangled again 2 Peter 2:20

3. For them, "the latter end is worse for them than the beginning" 2 Peter 2:20-22

5. THINGS CAN BECOME WORSE THAN AT THE FIRST..

1. Seven Spirits, Seven is the number of completion

1. Idolatry fully developed: abomination which causes desolation  Daniel 11:31; Matthew 24:15

2. Antichrist will command worldwide worship of his image in Jerusalem and defile the temple

1. "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive" John 5:43

2. If not busy in the Lord’s work,

1. You could forsake the right way 2 Peter 2:15

2. Eyes full of adultery, hearts trained in covetousness 2 Peter 2:14

3. Become "cursed children", "brute beasts" 2 Peter 2:14,13

4. Even denied the Lord who bought them 2 Peter 2:1

3. In our case...

1. Our hearts can become "hardened" Hebrews 3:12-13

1. Before, the gospel had touched our hearts, moving us to repentance

2. But once hardened, our hearts might not be willing to listen Matthew 13:15

2. We can become so hardened through willful sin that we...

1. Trample the Son of God underfoot

2. Count the blood of the covenant a common thing

3. Insult the Spirit of grace Hebrews 10:26-29

3. We can even reach the point...

1. Where it become impossible to be renewed again to repentance

2. Where we are crucifying again the Son of God and putting Him to open shame Hebrews  6:4-6