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Matthew Chapter Twelve
Every Idle Word (12:36-37)
INTRODUCTION
1. The standards of God are much different than those of the world - cf. Isa 55:8,9 2. A striking example of this difference pertains to one's speech... a. The world thinks lightly of certain kinds of speech (e.g., allowing profane speech in the name of free speech) b. Whereas Jesus taught us to take all speech seriously - Mt 12:36-37
3. Speech is important, for it reveals the heart of man... a. Out of the abundance of heart the mouth speaks - Mt 12:34 b. Thus speech reveals the sort of treasure stored in the heart of man - Mt 12:35 4. For this reason... a. Our very words will be taken into account on the day of judgment! b. We ought to give careful thought concerning the words we use c. It is imperative that our speech be in keeping with God's standard and not the world's! [In this lesson, we shall review what the Bible teaches concerning acceptable and unacceptable speech. We begin by cataloging some typesof speech that are condemned in the Scriptures...] I. IDLE WORDS FOR WHICH WE SHALL BE JUDGED
A. SOME OBVIOUS EXAMPLES OF UNACCEPTABLE SPEECH... 1. Using the Lord's name in vain - Exo 20:7 a. That is, without an attitude of sincere reverence b. One can be guilty of this in two ways: 1) Using the Lord's name in swearing or cursing 2) Using vain repetitions of His name c. Applies also to the name of Jesus, for His name is to be held in honor - Ph 2:9-11 2. Words that are evil - cf. 1 Pe 3:10 a. Lying words, or those that cause trouble among brethren - Pro 6:16-19 b. Deceitful words - Ro 16:18 c. Filthy language - Ep 5:4 B. OTHER EXAMPLES OF UNACCEPTABLE SPEECH... 1. The overuse of words - Ja 1:26; Pro 10:19; 13:3 2. Words spoken in haste - Pro 29:20; cf. Ja 1:19 3. Speaking evil of others a. Of those in authority - Exo 22:28; Jude 8 b. Of those around us - Mt 5:21-22 -- Such speech is known as reviling, and is clearly condemned - 1 Co 6:9-10 4. Flattery - Psa 12:1-4; cf. Ro 16:18 5. Rash oaths - Mt 5:33-37; Ja 5:12 6. Any unwholesome word - cf. Ep 4:29 a. Including some euphemisms (An inoffensive expression substituted for one considered offensive) b. Some examples of euphemisms (darn, shoot, gosh, gee) c. What is wrong with such expressions? 1) They mean the same thing as the more offensive words 2) It is the same wrongful emotions behind the euphemism or its equivalent 3) They reflect an attitude of heart contrary to the proper spirit of Christian conduct - cf. Ep 4:31-32; Co 3:8-15 [Often our speech is one of habit...but such habits reflect "theabundance of the heart", i.e., what has been allowed to reside in the
heart and reveal the true nature of our hearts when so used. As weattempt to store up "good treasure" in our heart (cf. Mt 12:35), hereare...] II. SOME PRINCIPLES OF ACCEPTABLE SPEECH
A. TWO BASIC GUIDELINES... 1. Our speech should lead to edification - Ep 4:29 a. That which encourages and builds up b. That which extends grace to others - cf. Co 4:6 1) E.g., words which cool down heated conversations - Pro15:1
2) E.g., words that are a delight to those who hear - Pro15:4,23; 25:11
2. Our speech should be characterized with thankfulness - Ep 5:3-4
a. An attitude becoming of saints - cf. Co 1:12; 2:7; 3:15,17;4:2
b. While murmuring and complaining is not becoming - cf. Ph 2:14-15
B. SUCH SPEECH REQUIRES FORETHOUGHT... 1. The righteous will give careful thought to his speech - Pro15:28
2. The righteous will be concerned about what comes out of his mouth a. For he knows that his speech reflects the true condition of the heart - Mt 12:34-35; 15:17-20 b. And he looks to God for help, even accepting the rebuke of others - Psa 141:3-5 CONCLUSION
1. It has been my purpose... a. To remind us of Jesus' words in Mt 12:36-37 b. To raise our awareness of how easy it is to sin in our speech c. To remind us of the graceful speech that should proceed from our mouths 2. I hope I have stimulated your thinking to give careful consideration to God's standard; may each of us possess the same desire as that expressed in the prayer of the Psalmist: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."(Psa 19:14)
Condemned By Others (12:41-42)
INTRODUCTION
1. On the day of Judgment, we will all be judged by Jesus Christ... a. It is before Him that we must appear - 2 Co 5:10 b. It is by His words that we shall be condemned - Jn 12:48 2. But Jesus also spoke of some rising at the judgment and condemning others... a. The men of Nineveh day - Mt 12:41 b. Likewise the Queen of the South - Mt 12:42 3. This makes me wonder... a. Will there be some who will rise at the judgment to condemn us? b. What would the men of Nineveh about us? [Perhaps from Jesus' words in Mt 12:41-42 we can glean some points thatought to make us think soberly about our service to God, and whether wetoo will be "Condemned By Others". Let's first notice what is said about...] I. THE GENERATION OF JESUS' DAY
A. TO BE CONDEMNED BY THE MEN OF NINEVEH 1. This refers to the Ninevites in Jonah's day - Mt 12:41 a. To whom Jonah was sent with a message of destruction - Jonah 3:1-4 b. Who were quick to repent at the preaching of Jonah - Jonah3:5-10
2. They will rise to condemn the Jews of Jesus' day a. Because the Ninevites repented.... 1) And they were only given 40 days 2) While the Jews were given about 40 years (before the destruction of Jerusalem b. Because the Jews had one greater than Jonah preach to them... 1) Jonah was a reluctant prophet, who became angry when God relented of the destruction to come upon Nineveh 1:1-3; 3:10-4:3
2) Jesus was a compassionate prophet, who lamented over His people Israel B. TO BE CONDEMNED BY THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH... 1. This refers to the Queen of Sheba - Mt 12:42 a. Who traveled great distances ("from the ends of the earth") to see Solomon - 1 Kin 10:1 b. She brought a great caravan of spices, gold, and precious stones - 1 Kin 10:2 c. Who praised God for the wisdom given to Solomon - 1 Kin 10:3-9
d. Who honored Solomon with great gifts - 1 Kin 10:10 2. She will rise to condemn the Jews of Jesus' day a. Because the Queen was willing to travel... 1) A great distance to see Solomon 2) While many Jews were unwilling to follow Jesus b. Because the Jews had one greater than Solomon teach them... 1) Solomon certainly was the wisest man of his day - 1 Kin4:29-34
2) But Jesus possessed "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" - Co 2:3 [The Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba will judge the Jews of Jesus' daybecause they showed less interest and willingness to heed even thoughthey had a much greater opportunity. Again, this makes me wonder...] II. HOW ABOUT OUR GENERATION TODAY?
A. WILL THE MEN OF NINEVEH 1. They were quick to repent after hearing the one message of Jonah... a. How many sermons have we heard, yet failed to repent? b. 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... a. We have God's full and final revelation, written and preserved for us b. We have God's word, revealed through His Son and His apostles c. We have likely had the blessing of parents, teachers, preachers, and many other Christians encouraging us to live for God -- If we do not heed the message of Jesus Christ, don't you think the Ninevites will consider us foolish on the day of judgment? B. WILL THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH CONDEMN US? 1. She was willing to travel a great distance to hear Solomon... a. Have we been unwilling to travel a short distance to hear the words of Christ proclaimed? b. 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... a. Do we value the wisdom of the Son of God? b. Are we willing to offer the gifts of our time and energy to learn the wisdom of Christ as revealed in His word? -- If we are unwilling to learn the will of Christ for us today, will not the Queen of Sheba consider us foolish on the day of judgment? C. WILL EVEN MORE RECENT GENERATIONS CONDEMN US? 1. Think of those in the nineteenth century... a. Who often traveled by wagon or horseback for hours to hear God's word b. Who sat on logs, in brush arbors or under tents 2. Think of those in the first half of the twentieth century... a. Who sat in hot, un-airconditioned buildings b. Who went to protracted meetings every night, often for three or more weeks 3. Think of those who struggled to come out of Denominationalism a. Studying God's Word carefully to learn the simplicity of New Testament Christianity b. Often making the difficult decision to leave family and friends to follow the way of Christ -- If we balk at attending services regularly, taking advantages of gospel meetings and Bible studies offered in nice, comfortable buildings, will not those who preceded us think us foolish on the day of judgment? CONCLUSION
1. As Jesus said to His disciples on another occasion: "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, anddid not hear it." (Mt 13:17)
2. Indeed, we are richly blessed... a. We have the message of salvation offered by One greater than Jonah b. We have the wisdom of God taught by One greater than Solomon -- Don't you think that the Ninevites and the Queen of the South would have loved to have what we enjoy today? 3. Don't forget the maxim: "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, ofhim they will ask the more." (Lk 12:48)
Unless we wish to be "Condemned By Others" on the day of judgment, letus utilize the blessings given to us through Christ, and expend whatever effort necessary to learn and heed His wonderful message!
The Danger Of An Empty Home (12:43-45)
INTRODUCTION
1. In the text for our study (Mt 12:43-45), Jesus was describing the spiritual condition of the generation of His day... a. One already described as "evil and adulterous" - cf. Mt 12:38-39 b. One that would be condemned by the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba in the day of judgment - cf. Mt 12:41-42 c. One He now described as "this wicked generation" - Mt 12:45 2. Using the example of demon possession, Jesus warned it is not enough to go through an initial period of repentance and removal of sin a. Unless reformation continues and something positive is put in place... b. The end might prove worse than the beginning! 3. Such had been the case with the Jews of Jesus' day... a. Many had repented at the preaching of John the Baptist - Mt 3:5-6 b. Yet they eventually rejected Jesus and called for His crucifixion - Mt 27:20-26 -- For them "the last state" was truly "worse than the first" - Mt 12:45
[There is an important lesson to be gleaned that applies to Christiansas well. From what we learn here and elsewhere in the Scriptures, weneed to be aware of...] I. THE DANGER OF AN EMPTY HOME
A. OUR HEART IS LIKE A HOME... 1. In it can reside things that produce much harm - cf. Mt 15:19 2. But it can also be the source for much good - cf. Mt 12:35a B. WHEN WE COME TO CHRIST, OUR HOME IS CLEANSED... 1. For our heart is cleansed - cf. He 10:22; Ac 15:8-9 2. Our conscience is purged from dead works to serve God - He 9:14
C. WE ARE EXPECTED TO "FILL" OUR HOME... 1. Indeed, God gives us His Spirit to dwell in our hearts - Ga 4:6
2. Through faith Christ Himself is to dwell in our hearts - cf. Ep 3:17 3. God's peace and grace are to fill our hearts - Co 3:15-16 4. Even God's law is to be written in our hearts - He 8:10 D. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DO NOT "FILL" OUR HOME... 1. Remember the maxim: "Nature abhors a vacuum" a. If we do not make the effort to fill our home with good things b. Then evil things are likely to return, and with a vengeance! 2. Consider the example of the Corinthians a. They had been washed, sanctified, and justified - 1 Co 6:11 b. Yet later they were engaged in sinful conduct once again - 2 Co 12:20-21 3. Consider the example of the false teachers mentioned by Peter... a. They had been bought by the Lord, and escaped the pollutions of the world through Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 2:1,20 b. But they had become entangled again - 2 Pe 2:20 c. For them, "the latter end is worse for them than the beginning" - 2 Pe 2:20-22
E. HOW THINGS CAN BECOME WORSE THAN AT THE FIRST... 1. In the case of the false teachers, they had... a. Forsaken the right way - 2 Pe 2:15 b. Eyes full of adultery, hearts trained in covetousness - 2 Pe 2:14 c. Become "cursed children", "brute beasts" - 2 Pe 2:14,13 d. Even denied the Lord who bought them - 2 Pe 2:1 2. In our case... a. Our hearts can become "hardened" - cf. He 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 - cf. Mt 13:15 b. 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 - cf. He 10:26-29 c. 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 - cf. He 6:4-6 -- In such a case, how true the statement: "The last state ofthat man is worse than the first"!
[How important it is, then, that we do not let the home of our heartremain empty and thus invite worldly things to take up residence. To avoid this, here are some thoughts on...] II. FILLING THE HOME OF YOUR HEART
A. IN PRINCIPLE... 1. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts - 1 Pe 3:15 a. The word "sanctify" means to "set apart" b. 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 a. Set your mind on things above - Co 3:1-2 b. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly - Co 3:16 c. Follow the example of David - cf. Psa 101:3-4 d. Think upon things that are good and wholesome - Ph 4:8 -- Remember, transformation of character begins with renewing the mind - Ro 12:1-2 B. IN PRACTICE... 1. Utilize every opportunity to study God's word - cf. 1 Pe 2:1-2 a. Attend all services of the church b. Participate in the Bible study programs that are offered c. Read your Bible daily - Psa 1:1-6 2. Fill your heart with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs... a. For this is how you: 1) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly - Co 3:16 2) Allow yourself to be filled with the Spirit - Ep 5:18-19 b. Sing at church, at home, in the car; sing alone and with others 3. Let your mind dwell on things that are worthy of praise and virtue - cf. Ph 4:8 a. Be selective about what you watch on television and in the movies b. Choose your books, periodicals, magazines, etc., carefully 4. Choose your friends carefully - cf. 1 Co 15:33 a. They will either help you to be strong or hinder your efforts - Pr 13:20 b. We cannot have communion with darkness and expect the light of God to dwell in us! - cf. 2 Co 6:14-7:1 CONCLUSION
1. What is the condition of your "home" (heart)? a. Are you are filling your "home" things that are good? b. If not, then your heart becomes an abode for every evil thing ...and the condition of your heart may become seven times worse than before! 2. Have you experienced the initial cleansing of your "home" (heart)? a. Have you been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, so that you are washed, justified, and sanctified? b. If so, wonderful; but don't be deceived into thinking that you do not need to be concerned about filling that dwelling with the presence of God and all that is good! ...or it may one day be said of you: "the last state of that man isworse than the first"
If you have never been cleansed by the blood of Christ, then may thesewords spoken to Paul at his conversion move you to respond: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and washaway your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Ac 22:16)
The Family Of Jesus (12:46-50)
INTRODUCTION
1. A wonderful blessing is that of having a family... a. A source of love and acceptance b. A stronghold of support and encouragement 2. But we are not limited to the blessings of a physical family... a. Jesus hinted at the existence of an extended family - Mk 10:28-30 1) A benefit of leaving all to follow Him 2) Even if it meant leaving one's physical family b. He used another opportunity to describe that family - Mt 12:46-50 1) As His physical family sought to speak to Him 2) He described those who made up His "spiritual" family 3. In this study, I would like for us to... a. Review what we know about "The Family Of Jesus" (both physical and spiritual) b. Remind ourselves of the wonderful family we have in Jesus Christ [Let's start by reviewing what we know about...] I. HIS PHYSICAL FAMILY
A. HIS MOTHER, MARY... 1. A woman worthy of high esteem a. As praised by the angel Gabriel: 1) "highly favored one...blessed are you among women" - Lk 1:28 2) "you have found favor with God" - Lk 1:30 b. As praised by her cousin Elizabeth: 1) "blessed are you among women" - Lk 1:42 2) "Blessed is she who believed" - Lk 1:45 c. As she came to realize herself: "...henceforth all generations will call me blessed." - Lk 1:48 2. A mother of several children a. As implied in Mt 1:25 1) Joseph did not "know" (a euphemism for sexual relations) with her "until" the birth of Jesus 2) Jesus was her "firstborn Son", the term firstborn implying there were more b. As explicitly stated in Mt 12:46-47; 13:54-56 1) He had "brothers" and "sisters", the brothers being named 2) There is no indication in Scripture that these were cousins, or children of Joseph by a previous marriage 3. A mother who respected her Son a. She treasured His sayings in her heart - Lk 2:48-51 b. She respected His authority - Jn 2:5 c. She followed Him to the cross - Jn 19:25 d. She continued with the disciples after His ascension - Ac 1:14 (the last time she is mentioned in the Bible) -- She was the "only" person who really knew the identity of Jesus; that she let her Son die on the cross is evidence that He was truly the Son of God! B. HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS... 1. Mentioned in Mt 13:55-56 a. His brothers were James, Joses, Simon and Judas b. He had at least two sisters 2. His brothers (and likely His sisters) did not believe in Him at first a. They even challenged Him on one occasion - Jn 7:2-5 b. They thought Him crazy on another occasion - cf. Mk 3:21 3. Yet after His resurrection they came to believe a. He appeared to James - 1 Co 15:7 b. They continued with the disciples - Ac 1:14 c. His brother James: 1) Became a prominent leader of the church in Jerusalem - Ga 1:19; 2:9; Ac 15:6-21; 21:18-25 2) Is likely the author of The Epistle of James 3) Is said to have been martyred by being thrown off the pinnacle of the temple d. His brother Judas is considered by many as the author of The Epistle of Jude e. His brothers evidently were married and traveled about teaching - cf. 1 Co 9:5 -- The conversion of His physical brothers who were at first skeptical is additional evidence supporting the claim of Jesus as the Son of God [It must have been a wonderful privilege to be part of Jesus' physicalfamily, especially after they came to believe in Him. But according toour text (Mt 12:46-50), anyone can become a part of that family whichmeant the most to Jesus...] II. HIS SPIRITUAL FAMILY
A. HIS DISCIPLES... 1. Jesus used this opportunity to identify the disciples as His true family - Mt 12:48-49 2. He then described anyone who "does the will of My Father in heaven" as His brother, sister, and mother - Mt 12:50 3. Why would Jesus identify His disciples as His true family? a. Our physical families are only temporary 1) Begun at birth, ending at death 2) Just as death ends the marriage bond (cf. Ro 7:2-3), so it ends the familial tie -- Emotionally we might resist this notion, but the fact remains the same b. Physical unions do not always mean spiritual ones 1) At the time Jesus spoke, His brothers did not believe in Him 2) As often happens, family members do not always have the same interests, the same concerns 3) Jesus taught that physical relatives might not accept the truth - Mt 10:34-37 -- Thus the true "Family Of Jesus" are those who do His Father's Will B. THE CHURCH TODAY... 1. Jesus told Peter that His disciples would have "a hundredfold" brothers, sisters, and mothers in this lifetime - Mk 10:28-30 2. This is an allusion to the church, which is now "the household (family) of God" - 1 Ti 3:15 3. Jesus therefore offers those willing to "do My Father's will" the opportunity... a. To be born into the family of God - cf. 1 Pe 1:22-23 b. To enjoy God as our Father, Jesus as our "Elder Brother" - cf. He 2:11-12 c. To have countless thousands as brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers - cf. 1 Ti 5:1-2 d. To join a "family ring" which shall never be broken! 4. But the key is to "do the Father's will"! a. Not only to become a member of the family of Jesus b. But to enter the kingdom of heaven in its future glory - Mt 7:21-23 5. For it is serving God that ties us together in Christ... a. Bind us together in love b. Uniting us with the same purpose, goals, desires -- The church of Jesus Christ, then, is the true "Family Of Jesus" today, and forever! CONCLUSION
1. Who is our true family today? a. If it is only our physical family, we are setting ourselves up for a great disappointment b. If we want a family that will last for eternity, make sure that our bond is a spiritual one 1) Joined together by a mutual faith in Christ 2) Working together as we do the will of our Father in heaven -- Perhaps we can have the best of both worlds, where your physical family is also part of your spiritual family! 2. What have you done for your true family lately? a. Have you gotten to know your brothers and sisters in Christ? b. Are you growing in your love for them? c. Are you encouraging them to do the Father's will? -- May the teaching of Jesus in our text remind you who is truly your family! Are you in the family of Jesus? No matter what kind of physical familyyou may have been born into, you have the opportunity by God's grace tobe born into the wonderful family of God...!
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