Guess Who’s Coming Back (Who’s House Is It?)

Introduction- Vacant Homes vs. Homelessness & the dangers of leaving properties empty

According to study published by the United Way of the National Capital (Washington, DC) Area on March 28th of last year:

For many Americans, finding affordable housing continues to be a challenge, whether you’re renting or buying. In today’s real estate market, many overpriced homes sit vacant while populations experiencing homelessness continue to grow.

While both terms, “homeless” and “unhoused,” are used interchangeably, the preference often lies with “unhoused” as it emphasizes the temporary circumstance rather than defining an individual by their lack of shelter. It seeks to humanize the situation and underscore the systemic issues contributing to housing instability, fostering a more compassionate and respectful discourse.

Key Findings of the United Way’s Study:

Over 580,000 Americans are experiencing homelessness

There are 28 vacant homes for every one person experiencing homelessness in the US

Detroit, MI tops the list with 116 empty homes per unhoused person

And Syracuse, NY cones in second with 110 vacant homes per unhoused person

With Gen-Zers, our younger generation, there are 85 of them unhoused for every 100, 000 residents in San Jose, CA

Pacific Islander and Black Americans are the populations most at risk to experience homelessness

4 Biggest Risks For Vacant Properties (& Why Is Is So Important to Keep Your Property Occupied?)

Theft & Vandalism

Squatters- since nobody is residing at the home, they can take over. Hard to remove squatters. Certain city laws actually protect squatters! When they won’t depart, you have got an issue. You would most likely need to get the courts involved

Water damage- happens during the winter when the pipes freeze and burst. A hot water heater can burst or leak, flooding the home. If home is empty, your water issue might be going on for some tone until you detect the damage

Fire- Arson is a frequent issue with properties that are vacant. Or when not arson, injuries can occur from unwanted “guests,” lighting candles at a vacant house with no power. Fires may also break out from a heating system which isn’t maintained.

Transition To Body- Unclean Spirit Returning to Squat in an Empty Heart

Unclean Spirit Returned to “His” Empty House?

Matthew 12:43–45 ESV

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Last Week

We Introduced God, the LORD’S Chosen Servant (who is revealed to be Jesus Christ as prophesied in the book of Isaiah in chapter 42)

Matthew 12:15–21 ESV

Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Now for the remainder of chapter 12 in the Gospel of Matthew, we are presented the hearts of Jesus’ listeners, who would consider themselves religious, by examining how they respond to God, The LORD’S Chosen Servant

Body- Appropriate Response To God, The LORD’S Chosen Servant

(we are inspired to)

Honor The Holy Spirit Within Our Hearts (Matt. 12:22-32)

Matthew 12:22–32 ESV

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

“…Knowing their thoughts, he said to them…”

We trust that God alone knows a person's heart.

Colossians 3:16 ESV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Acts 17:28 ESV

for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

(which challenges us to)

Examine The Spiritual Health Of Our Hearts (Matt. 12:33-37)

Matthew 12:33–37 ESV

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

In verses 33-37 Jesus spoke of a principle that we see all over Scripture: Our words reveal our hearts.

We must realize that the unforgivable sin is primarily a sin of the heart, not the lips.

Platt, David. Exalting Jesus in Matthew (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Book 2) . B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

(which ought lead us to)

Respond To Gospel Preaching With Repentant Hearts (Matt. 12:38-42)

Matthew 12:38–42 ESV

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just 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 at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Danger of only looking for signs..

Matthew 12:38 ESV

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”

Jesus is the Greater Prophet!

John 1:1–2 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

Jesus is the Greater King!

Matthew 12:42 ESV

The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 12:23 ESV

And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?”

(which should motivate us to)

Let Faith In Jesus Fill Our Hearts (Matt. 12:43-45)

Matthew 12:43–45 ESV

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Jesus is telling us here what we don't need: an empty religion consumed with outer reformation.

Platt, David. Exalting Jesus in Matthew (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Book 2) . B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Transition To Close

History behind the Hymn ~ Fill My Cup, Lord

Life was never to be a bed of roses for Richard Blanchard.

A severe lung problem developed, and Blanchard was left with one-third of his lung capacity. But a diminished physical well-being did not stop young Blanchard.

In 1953, he became the pastor of a church in Coral Gables, Florida, and one day, was asked by a young couple to perform their marriage ceremony. However, the couple was quite late for their counseling appointment.

Blanchard told his secretary, I will wait for thirty minutes and I’m leaving. He then went to a nearby Sunday school room and sat down to play the piano for a while.

He later said, When I was not in the mood to be used of God, God was in a mood to use me. In less than thirty-minutes, as he waited for the young couple, God gave him the inspiring song Fill My Cup, Lord.

Verse 1:

Like the woman at the well, I was seeking For things that could not satisfy. And then I heard my Savior speaking— “Draw from My well that never shall run dry.” 

Chorus:

Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up Lord; Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more. Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

Verse 2:

There are millions in this world who are seeking For pleasures earthly goods afford. But none can match the wondrous treasure That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

Verse 3:

So my brother if the things that this world gives you Leave hungers that won’t pass away, My blessed Lord will come and save you If you kneel to Him and humbly pray—

Close- Seek First Jesus

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

In Christ You Have Been Filled

Colossians 2:8–10 ESV

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

If We Confess Our Sins

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And the Peace of God…

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Let the Peace of Christ Rule In Your Hearts

Colossians 3:14–15 ESV

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Let the Word of Christ Dwell..

Colossians 3:16–17 ESV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

God’s Word Will Succeed!

Isaiah 55:11 ESV

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

In The Beginning Was The Word…

John 1:1–2 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

And the Word Became Flesh

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

From His Fullness We Have Received…

John 1:16 ESV

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.