God's Grace through the Greater Jonah

Overview of Dead Come Alive Rap

-Let me take a little second to tell you as we see a prophecy that came true You see we need to believe that He literally bled through The clothes on His back His sweat the day was just like crimson rain Crimson stains tide bounty and the devil can't wash these stains away Who's He you ask, He's a friend of me Cause my inability He was sent from me I hear birds and trees they're all telling me It's a good thing He won Gethsemane Cause this enemy is too much for me And this flesh and world is triple teaming me It seems to be the very end I scream please oh please pass this cup from me! The thing is it did pass And it passes every day He took my cup from me and gracefully He drank the grave And I don't mean to speak of blasphemy when I say But I am speaking of the day when my God passed away, Okay? No wait wait wait no that's not it no that's not all I don't wanna leave you hanging This stories banging Against my throat and against these walls It can't be contained no it won't stay in here it will thrive Cause stories just don't die when the dead come alive

You’re the miracle that makes the dead come alive........

Il. What we celebrate on Easter (The reality that our God died, but did not remain dead, He lived and by his life and resurrection we too may live. )

In an age consumed by the here and now we are transported today backward, and in doing so we look forward, for the resurrection of of savior was a single point in time some 2000 years ago that lives on into eternity, and it is within this eternity that we find our hope, both now and into that future.

Over the last month we have spent some time in a different section of scripture with a man most of you whether you go to church or not are familiar with: Jonah

(overview Jonah)

TR: Some of you may Ask why is Jonah important to Easte Sunday.... Well because Jesus Felt Jonah’s story was the perfect illustration of what was to befall him on that Holy weekend:

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.

I. Those Who Lack for Faith demand further evidences (38-39a)

-Turning to brings us back to the ministry of jesus Before the events of Holy eek

-Before the palm branch and cheering crowds, before the Last supper with his disciples, before the prayer in Gethsemane. Before the Betray;l of Judas, before the trial and the beatings, before the cross

-Here we see Jesus and a small segmant of the religious leaders of his day getting into another discussion: this time though they as for a sign or symbol to prove his authenticity:

Yet in just this one chapter the Pharisees have seen Jesus heal a man with a withered hand and cast out demons from a man who was blind and mute, (after both events they were left more hardened towards jesus

Now they want further proof: not miracles and healing something spectacular: we want Elijah type fire

-Jesus here sets the stage for the rest of human history:

“An evil and wicked generation demands a sign”

-This may sound harsh, but when the evidence is overwhelming (as jesus has shown) the further evidence is only another opportunity for you to damn yourself further

-How many books are written on the historicity of Christ probably millions over the generations from believers and skeptics, yet still the debate rages on

-We have more accurate and plentiful copies of the Scriptures than any other work of the ancient world, the earliest copy of john dates back to early 120 (based on copying this was probably a copy of the original, and yet it is rejected by those who want more)

-Timothy Keller wrote a wonderful One-Two punch set of Books in: Reason for God and Prodigal God to answer all these questions along with the philosophical and ethical implications of faith and reason

-Jesus point lies in the reality all the evidence exists for those who which to see and hear the truth of God, but for those who who do not which to see or know your searching is in vain

Now this is not a critique on those whoa re actually searching for the truth, but rather against those who claim to be seeking, but in actuality are simply look to destroy:

For what we see in scripture and where the text takes us to the reality of who Jesu really is and the true sign that for those who seek will see and understand, It isn’t a lighting bolt form heaven that will destroy their enemies, but rather a risen savior that will destroy sin and death.

Acts 2:22–23 ESV

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

TR: So after pointing out the true motive of the heart he turns now and does provide an opportunity for them to see a sign that will soon be at hand, one they still don’t understand.

-The sign of Jonah For:

II. Christ’s Resurrection is the True Sign of Salvation(39b-40)

Matthew 12:13–40 ESV

Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. 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.” 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. “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.” 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.

Matthew 12:39–40 ESV

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.

Matthew 12

Matthew 12:

- The Sign of Jonah Points to the reality of the Passion narrative (Jonah 1:17-2)

Quick rehash of Jonah 1

Jonah 2:10 ESV

And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

Jonah 2:9–10 ESV

But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

-Highlight Jewish idiom 3 days three nights means any part of 3 days

-Hot potato, barking up the wrong tree, burning the midnight oil, devil’s advocate

For we know that Christ died and was buried and rose on the Lord’s day, he was swallowed into the heart of the earth just as Jonah was swallowed by the fish,

-Jesus death though was a reality (not a head fake like Jonah)

-Jesus Death was not for Sin that he had done

-Jesus death though did bring life (while Jonah being flung into the see brought life to the sailors Christ death at the hands of Rome who save generation upon generation)

-Jesus wasn’t vomited out of the earth after he repented

-Jesu rose victoriously conquering sin and death for he is God

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

1 cor 15:

-The reality of the Empty Tomb is the reality of Christ’s Work

Matthew 28:1–10 ESV

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

-Here we see the fulfillment of the very event Jesus long before his death pronounced would take place

-All the events that took place took place because God had ordained them to be.

(let the reality of the Resurrection sink in)

1 Corinthians 1:23 ESV

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,

(But when we look back at jesus statement it doesn’t end with the event of the Resurrection alone, but with the evidence that it proves the message)

III. Christ’s Message is the Lasting Sign of Hope (41-42)

Matthew 12:41–42 ESV

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.

A. Christ’s words will have a far greater impact than the words of Jonah (Greater Prophet)

Jonah 3:4 ESV

Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

-Jesus preached from the beginning:

Mark 1:15 ESV

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

-the message is the same but the impact and effect is far greater, for jesus message isn’t for one city or people but for all nations

1 cor

1 Corinthians 1:23 ESV

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,

B. Christ’s Wisdom will be far more eye opening than the Words of Solomon (Greater King)

1 Kings 10:1–13 ESV

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her. And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a very great amount of almug wood and precious stones. And the king made of the almug wood supports for the house of the Lord and for the king’s house, also lyres and harps for the singers. No such almug wood has come or been seen to this day. And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what was given her by the bounty of King Solomon. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.

This is Jesus the hope for all mankind

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.”

Gospel Presentation.........And the Joy of the greater prophet and King