SF069 - RESPONDING TO CHRIST (Matthew 11 16-24)
Matthew 11:16-24
Introduction
Jesus’ words in verse 15 were a warning to the people to take seriously what He had just said about responding to John the Baptist: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
A fundamental teaching of Scripture is that God’s truth demands response.
In the present passage Jesus continues to deal with various responses of men to Himself.
John’s questioning had reflected honest doubt. For the various reasons already discussed, he came to have some misgivings; but his primary attitude was not doubt but faith, because even when doubts came he looked to Jesus to resolve them.
Now Jesus mentions two negative responses—criticism and indifference—that were much more serious than John’s, because they reflect basic rejection of Christ.
As is John’s case, honest doubt can come even to a believer.
But the criticism and indifference Jesus mentions here came from unbelief.
1A. The Sin of a Critical Spirit (11:16-19)
“But to what shall I compare this generation” reflects a common oriental expression used to introduce a parable or other illustration. In this tradition Jesus was saying, “How can I illustrate the responses of this generation?
1B. Jesus used a simple illustration (11:16-17)
The children
Ø They were at play in a public place – common occurrence
Ø They played two games , weddings and funerals
The criticism
Ø There were always those who wanted to play something else
Ø They were never happy with the present game
2B. Jesus applies the illustration (11:18-19)
John’s ministry was like a funeral
Ø Reflected in John’s manner
The way he dressed – rough clothing
Where he lived – dessert dwelling
How he behaved – austere lifestyle
Ø Reflected in John’s message
Repent, show fruit of repentance.
Jesus’ ministry was like a wedding
Ø Reflected in Jesus’ manner
His first miracle was at a wedding (John 2)
He lived a normal life
Ø Reflected in Jesus message
He was a friend to sinners!
2A. The Sin of an Indifferent Heart (11:20-24)
1B. The Lord’s indictment (11:20)
Their situation
Ø These were cities that had heard and seen the miracles of Christ.
He healed the Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13); Cured Peter’s mother-in-Law (Matthew 8:14-15); Cast out demons (Matthew 8:16); Healed a paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8); Raised a dead girl (Matthew 9:18-26); Restored the sight to two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31); Cast a demon out of a mute person (Matthew 9:32-33)
Ø The cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom were notoriously evil.
The people of Tyre and Sidon were descendants of the ancient Phoenicians, the renowned seafaring merchants. Both cities were typical seaports, noted for their immorality and godlessness and were deeply involved in the licentious Baal worship.
Sodom is a synonym for moral depravity and has the infamous distinction of lending its name (in sodomy) to the most extreme forms of homosexuality and sexual bestiality.
Their sin
Ø They ignored Jesus.
Ø They disregarded His word and His warning
Ø They refused to repent
Hebrews 3:8 DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS,
2B. The Lord’s judgment (11:21-24)\
Four lessons on judgment…
Ø The certainty of judgment
The Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
Ø There are degrees of punishment based on the amount of revelation.
The greater the privilege, the greater the responsibility; and the greater the light, the greater the punishment for not receiving it. (MacArthur)
Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
Ø The worst sin of all is unbelief
These people had not persecuted Christ or committed any hideous moral sin. They had simply lived their lives as if Christ did not exist.
They had refused to repent and turn to Jesus. Jesus said that sin made them worse than these notoriously evil cities.
Ø God does not owe salvation to anyone.
The fact is God did not perform those miracles in Tyre, Sidon, or Sodom and the people perished justly for their sins
“We think God owes us mercy, but if mercy were owed, it would not be mercy. The only thing God owes us is justice. (Boice)
Application
Are you guilty of the sin of criticism?
Are you guilty of the sin of indifference?
Will you repent and turn to Jesus now?
Matthew 11:16-24
1A. The Sin of a ___________________ Spirit (11:16-19)
1B. Jesus used a __________ illustration (11:16-17)
The _________________________
The _________________________
2B. Jesus applies the illustration (11:18-19)
John’s ministry was like a __________________
Ø Reflected in John’s ___________________
The way he dressed – rough clothing
Where he lived – dessert dwelling
How he behaved – austere lifestyle
Ø Reflected in John’s ___________________
Repent, show fruit of repentance.
Jesus’ ministry was like a __________________
Ø Reflected in Jesus’ manner
Ø Reflected in Jesus message
2A. The Sin of an __________________ Heart (11:20-24)
1B. The Lord’s _________________________ (11:20)
Their situation
Ø These were cities that had heard and seen the miracles of Christ.
He healed the Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13); Cured Peter’s mother-in-Law (Matthew 8:14-15); Cast out demons (Matthew 8:16); Healed a paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8); Raised a dead girl (Matthew 9:18-26); Restored the sight to two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31); Cast a demon out of a mute person (Matthew 9;32-33)
Ø The cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom were notoriously evil.
Their sin
Ø They ignored Jesus.
Ø They disregarded His word and His warning
Ø They refused to repent
Hebrews 3:8 DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS,
2B. The Lord’s judgment (11:21-24)\
Four lessons on judgment…
Ø The _____________________ of judgment
The Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
Ø There are _______________ of punishment based on the amount of revelation.
Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
Ø The worst sin of all is __________________
Ø God does _______________ owe salvation to anyone.