The Sign of Jonah.

Opening:

Good morning again Connection Church. It is good to be gathered together with you this morning. As I’m sure all of you know by now, I greatly value being able to gather together on the Lord’s Day. “No way” you might say in a sarcastic tone. But I hope that I have communicated clearly why it is such a beautiful thing. We don’t gather because we want to pad our numbers for a news letter somewhere. This isn’t a way for me to sit at a table with my pastor friends and say “look how great I’m doing at church planting.” In complete honesty, most of the church planting world looks at me and scratches it’s head, wondering what kind of coo-coo bird I am.

We also don’t gather to simply be a social club. If that’s all we are doing, we might as well just go over to Jailhouse Taps and play darts. The “water” over there tastes a lot better than it does here. No this isn’t just a social club where we rub elbows and talk about how great or terrible life is.

We also don’t gather because we want a bunch of money. This isn’t just some scheme to make me rich so I can afford my lavish lifestyle. We do want to be able to rent a more established location, and that does take money. However, this is not why we gather.

We gather today, on the Lord’s Day, to worship God. While yes, we do worship by reaching more people and seeing this community grow. And yes, we do worship through fellowship together. And again, yes we do worship through our tithes and offerings. However, these are not the ends. These are acts of worship. And on the Lord’s Day, we set aside any other goals and we fully commit to worshipping God. That is the primary aim of this gathering. I pray that all we do on this day is our sacrifice of worship to our great God!

He has given us so much. It is only fitting that we should worship Him. It is the aim of our lives. Glorifying God is our purpose. And today we have the express honor of just focusing on that together! And we don’t just worship in one way, we worship Him in multiple ways.

We worship God on The Lord’s Day through fellowship, singing praise, giving of our tithes and offerings, the learning of truths, the reading and preaching of God’s Word, and the gathering around the Lord’s Table.

Introduction of the Text:

With all of this in mind, we are now transitioning into our time of worship where we will read God’s Word together and hear it preached. So will you open with me to Matthew 12:38-50. If you do not have a bible, there are bibles on the table by the door. If you do not own a Bible, please keep that one as our gift to you.

Many of you have heard it said by others or myself that the three most important rules of interpreting Scripture are “Context, Context, Context.” This is why I start my sermons by giving a brief recap of what we have covered in the book of Matthew, and in the previous passages. This helps us to understand what we are reading and learning.

Let’s do something we haven’t done in a while. Pop quiz!

Who wrote the book of Matthew? Matthew, the Apostle.

Who did he write this book to? A Jewish Audience.

What was the purpose of his writing this epistle? So that the audience would know who Jesus is. That He is the fulfilment of prophesy. That He is the Messiah.

Good job! Specifically in the previous passages we have seen the conflict between Jesus and the pharisees. The pharisees hated Jesus and were secretly planning to kill Him. Jesus knew their plan and was continuing His ministry. In this conflict with the pharisees, Jesus has been rebuking them. He has called them snakes, and has shown how terrible they were. The pharisees had twisted and added their own laws to God’s Word. Jesus had no love for that.

So with this in mind, I would ask the congregation to stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.

Reading of the Text:

Matthew 12:38-50

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 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. 40 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. 41 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. 42 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.

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 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. 45 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.”

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Let he who has ears to hear, hear The Word of God.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day that we are able to worship You together on. May we rejoice at the blessing that it is to worship You. Please accept our worship as a fragrant offering.

Lord, we ask that You would work in us this morning. Convict our hearts of the sin we are guilty of. Help us to confess it and repent of it. Lord, I ask that You would turn our hearts toward You. Sanctify Your saints here and save the lost as only You can.

We long to see people saved here. We want to see You move. So we ask you to move. Draw in the lost people. Help us to be bold in sharing the gospel with them. Let us be a light in this community. We long to see the truth of the gospel go out in this area, Lord. Use us to be a light for Your name here.

Lord, I ask finally for myself. As I am here to preach Your Word today, I ask that you would guard my mouth. Do not let me speak any lies, or anything against You or Your Word. Please help me to speak the truth and speak it well. Stop my lips if I were to speak anything untrue.

We ask these things in Jesus name. Amen.

Transition:

As we open this text we see first off that the pharisees demand a sign.

The Pharisees Demand a Sign.

Explanation:

Now, Luke’s Gospel seems to indicate that these are different pharisees than the ones who had accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebul. However, it is likely that these two groups of scribes and pharisees were all together for the whole situation. Either way, they were obviously of the same mind and heart because Matthew does not call out any separation or distinction between these groups of pharisees.

The scribes and pharisees answered Jesus’ previous teaching by asking for a sign. This is bizarre, is it not? Jesus has performed many signs. It is still the same series of events where Jesus has healed the man with the lame hand, and has cast out the demon from the possessed, blind, and mute man. These were incredible signs. So why were these signs not enough for these men?

Well, they wanted a sign from Jesus proving He is from God. They do not accept these previous signs. They want a clear sign from Him demonstrating who He is. This is why I say that these men were at the very least of the same mind as the group of pharisees who had accused Jesus of working His previous miracles by the power of Satan.

They did not accept Jesus’ statements about being from God. They did not accept Jesus’ teaching that the Kingdom of God had come. They are in essence saying to Jesus, “prove it!”

Illustration:

Aren’t those people just the worst? I think we all have been around those people who make that demanding statement, “prove it!” It is almost a playground motto, isn’t it? If your formative years on the playground were anything like mine, you heard that said quite often.

Someone would make a boisterous statement, and inevitably someone would demand proof. Often I was the smug kid demanding evidence. Someone would make a claim and I would instantly doubt it, or think they were overstating their case. They would claim some insane ability and I would be that jerk who demanded them to provide proof.

Now, I would do this because I did not believe them. And often, I was right. They would shrink back and him and haw at their previous statement. But sometimes I would be forced to eat humble pie, because they were not over-exagerating their case. However, the statement of “prove it” is a statement of doubt.

Argumentation:

And that is what the pharisees and scribes are here indicating. They are openly doubting Jesus’ previous teaching and statements. They are demanding proof. They want Jesus to perform some miracle on demand for them to prove who He is. They want Him to prove His identity to them.

They did not accept His previous works as evidence. They want some clear signs from Him at their own chagrin. They want Him to perform like a trained dog. “Oh, you say this and that, huh? Well, prove it Jesus.”

But that’s not how God works. He is not a lap dog. He is the creator of the universe. He is the one who is the reason for the air in your lungs. He is sustaining all of creation by His sovereign will. He doesn’t do tricks.

Transition:

But Jesus answers them. Jesus uses the example of Jonah.

Jesus Uses the Example of Jonah.

Explanation:

Jesus doesn’t perform the signs that these wicked men are demanding. Instead, He answers them. He says to 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. 40 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.” in verses 39-40

What a response this is! Jesus tells them no. He calls them an evil and adulterous generation. This is honestly an apt description. They are evil. They are adulterous. Jesus has been healing the sick, even raising the dead. What more could they ask for? And yet they demanded more.

But they would get more. Jesus promises them the sign of Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days. Jesus is here foretelling His death and resurrection. Jesus says that this will be the sign to them.

Argumentation:

This is huge. Jesus is here in a very specific way foretelling His death and His resurrection. He says that just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days, so will He be in the earth for three days. Jesus knows where He is headed. He is willingly following the Father’s will and plan. The cross was not a shock or surprise to Christ. He knew where He was going. He knew why He was going there.

Jesus refuses to perform a sign for these people but tells them that the key sign of His identity and mission is His death and resurrection. This is true. Jesus raising from the dead is the principle sign to His accomplished mission. It gives us hope. It gives us peace. It gives us life. We are so close to Easter, and if we are not careful, we can see the death and resurrection of Jesus as a small, or unimportant thing.

Nothing could be further from the truth! Listen to the Apostle Paul’s statement on this. 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 “14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

We are to most pitied. What an accurate description. Without the resurrection for the dead, we have no hope. If the resurrection of Christ from the dead is not a true and accurate historical event, then we should go home and weep. We should get up and walk out that door, get in our cars, go home, and weep for sorrow. There is no hope. We are still in our sins. We are lost. Those who have gone before are not in heaven. They are dead and gone. If the resurrection is not real, then life is worthless and meaningless.

Weep for sorrow. Abandon all hope. Wail in the streets. Mothers cling to your little ones. Men hold your wives. If Christ did not raise, then there is no hope. But what if Christ did raise?

Listen to what Paul has to say. 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 “20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

Praise God! There is hope! Christ did raise from the dead! He will rule and reign until all His enemies are put under His feet! And in the last, even death shall be destroyed! So hear this, not only did Jesus raise from the dead, but He is also victorious over all! How often do we really think about this? How often do we weep for sorrow over our sins, and then weep with joy over the victory of our savior! Give me some Christians who weep over the gospel.

Oh Lord, Give us hearts to weep! Give us hearts to feel something over the resurrection of Christ from the dead! Give us Hearts to actually care about the gospel! Forgive our lack of love and worship of You! Do not strike us dead for our lack of worship over this, even though we know that we deserve it. Forgive us, oh Lord.

Transition:

This is why Jesus gives the warning that He does. He says that Nineveh and the queen of the south will judge the generation of Jesus’ day.

Nineveh and the Queen of the South Will Judge the Generation of Jesus’ Day.

Explanation:

Jesus uses these two examples to explain the utter depravity of this generation. Nineveh was the country that Jonah went to preach to. Jonah preached on sermon to this people and they repented. They truly repented. They begged God to forgive them. They fasted, they put on sackcloth, they sat in ashes. They repented. The queen of the south was the queen of Sheba. She traveled far to see Solomon. She had heard of his wisdom from God and traveled to see Him.

Jesus tells them that He is greater than Jonah, and yet they have not repented. Jesus tells them that He is greater than Solomon, but they do not seek Him or marvel at Him.

What a statement of doom over these people. They will be judged on the last day by this pagan, wicked city that did repent. They will be judged on the last day by this pagan queen because they did not seek God. This statement should shatter our hearts in fear. This is clearly a pronouncement of doom and judgement upon these people.

Argumentation:

These people had Jesus in their midst. Nineveh has Jonah. Jonah could not even be compared to Jesus. Jonah was flawed in great ways. Jesus is the eternal Creator God. Jonah was merely a prophet. Jesus is God the Son. Jonah preached one sermon. Jesus was among the people, preaching for three years.

Solomon was not a great man in many ways. Jesus was perfect. Solomon also was flawed greatly. Jesus is God. Solomon’s best quality was his wisdom, given to him by God. Jesus was the one who gave him that wisdom. Compared to Jesus, Solomon had the wisdom of a stick of gum.

These people had Jesus among them and they did not repent. They did not turn from their sins. They did not marvel. They rejected Him. This is the worst thing imaginable that they could do.

Transition:

And Jesus emphasized this point by telling a parable. Jesus uses a parable about the return of a demon.

Jesus Uses a Parable About the Return of a Demon.

Explanation:

Look with me again at verses 43-45. “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 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. 45 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.”

This may be a confusing parable, but those last words should clue us in to it’s meaning. “So also will it be with this evil generation.” In His pronouncement against these wicked people, he compares them to this example. And this would be a very vivid example for these people. Remember, Jesus has just cast out a demon. This was also something He had done many times.

He likens that generation to one who had been freed from a demon. The demon is passing through arid places, away from the one it had been driven out of. That person is now put in order. But the demon decides to return and it finds everything put in order, so it gathers seven more demons and destroys the person.

Argumentation:

This is a graphic picture. We hear this story and should cringe for that poor person. They were tormented with one, found relief, and then is tormented by eight demons. Truly Jesus words are true; “The last state of that person is worse than the first.”

Much has been made of this passage that shouldn’t be. Many have tried to identify the location that spirit’s go to when they are cast out. This misses the point. The point is the plight of this poor person. But people speculate on this passage to no end. They suspect that perhaps if a person accidentally stumbles into this secret location that evil spirits go when they are cast out, it will be easier for you to be possessed or oppressed. They twist and manipulate it to say things it never intended. However, if you are wondering, “waterless places” could simply be a reference to spirits being sent back to hell.

But as I said, the main point of this parable is the fact that the final state of this person is so much worse than it was at the start. This is what Jesus compares the generation He is addressing to. This does not bode well for them. As I was studying this passage this week, it is clear that we don’t understand all the implications of this passage. Theologians speculate what each detail could mean, but answers are not given.

It is likely that Jesus is using the imagery of the demon possessed because He had just driven a demon out of a man. It was a vivid picture to the current audience. It is also clearly given in light of the pharisees and people’s rejection of Christ. Because they rejected Christ, they were showing themselves not to be children of God. A common picture in scripture for those who are not children of God is that of those people being children of Satan.

But one implication that I and others have seen in this passage is the empty nature of the house when the demon returns. Christ, before He ascended, promised to send the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit fills and indwells the believer. Upon salvation, a person is filled and empowered by the Spirit. The Spirit is the one who regenerates our hearts, gives us faith to believe, and then continues to sanctify us. The empty nature of this house shows one who was freed, cleaned, and put in order. But this was not one who had real heart change. This person was freed, but was not saved. Therefore, the end state of that person is worse than the first.

Transition:

However, while Jesus is teaching, He is visited by His Mother and Brothers.

Jesus is Visited by His Mother and Brothers.

Explanation:

As Jesus is teaching, Mary and His brothers come to speak with Him. A man tells Jesus this, and Jesus stretches his hand towards the disciples and identifies them as His family. He then says that whoever does the will of the Father is His brother, sister, and mother.

This is an incredible statement. But why was His family there? We don’t know. We know that His brothers did not believe in Him. (John 7:5) Mark 3:21 says this, “21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” It is clear that they were not here to worship Jesus. They thought Jesus was insane. It is likely this is why they were here, and it is likely why Jesus does not directly address them.

Argumentation:

It is very heartbreaking to think of Jesus being rejected by His family. This is a pain and a grief that Jesus bore. But we know from the rest of the New Testament that their rejection of Jesus was not permanent. They did come to faith in Him. Acts 1:14 says “14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” Mary and Jesus’ brothers were there at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came. James, the brother of Jesus was a leader in the early church and wrote the letter of James.

But what of the positive affirmation in this passage? Jesus may be at this point being rejected by His family; however, He points to the disciples and calls them His family. First, notice that He points at them. As one commentator has pointed out, this is vivid language. This is the language of an eye witness. And then He calls them His family. This is a clear statement of love. But He does not just limit this to His present disciples. He says “whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Those who do the will of God are the brothers of Christ. This is echoed in Hebrews 2:11. “11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,” This is a beautiful statement. For surely those who are His brothers do the Father’s will. Through salvation, we are adopted as children of God. We have Christ as our Blessed older Brother. And displayed in last week’s text about fruit. As Christians we will bear fruit of obedience.

Transition:

But let us now look at the applications of this passage.

This text has many implications, but first is that we must compare ourselves to the pharisees and that crooked generation. Do you demand signs?

Do You Demand Signs?

Explanation:

Still to this day, many demand signs. Some more blatantly than others. Some ask God for very obvious and clear signs. Some are constantly looking for smaller signs in everything they do. Beloved, this is not necessary. This is in fact wicked. We do not need a sign. The clear sign has been given. Christ was crucified for the sins of those who would place their faith in Him. He was buried. He was in the earth for three days. He raised Himself to life and appeared to many who wrote down the account of it.

The death and resurrection of Christ is one the most attested to events in human history. This was the sign. This was the seal of His ministry. He is who He claims to be. Do not demand a sign, place your faith in Him. Trust Him. Listen to how J.C. Ryle puts it. He says, “There are many in the Church of Christ, who are exactly in the state of these Scribes and Pharisees. They flatter themselves that they only require a little more proof to become decided Christians. They fancy that if their reason and intellect could only be met with some additional arguments, they would at once give up all for Christ’s sake, take up the cross, and follow Him. But in the mean time, they wait. Alas! for their blindness. They will not see that there is abundance of evidence on every side of them. The truth is, that they do not want to be convinced.”

Beloved, do not let this be you! Trust in Christ and be saved!

Illustration:

Do not be like Pliable. You all know my deep love for John Bunyan’s classic, Pilgrim’s Progress. In the beginning of that book, shortly after Christian has set out on His journey of faith, he is joined by two men, Obstinate and Pliable. Obstinate has come to dissuade Christian in his journey. Pliable, being a week willed man, has accompanied Obstinate. However, Obstinate fails in his quest to turn Christian back to the city of destruction.

Having heard Christian’s arguments, Pliable decides to join Christian on His journey. As they are journeying together, they encounter the Slough of Despond. This is the first real difficulty they encounter. They both find themselves in this muck and mire. Then Bunyan recounts this.

“At this Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said to his fellow, Is this the happiness you have told me all this while of? If we have such ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect between this and our journey’s end? May I get out again with my life, you shall possess the brave country alone for me. And with that he gave a desperate struggle or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the slough which was next to his own house: so away he went, and Christian saw him no more.”

Pliable was not a firm believer. He was merely following along.

Argumentation:

I fear that this may be some of you. Perhaps you are here and you are just following along in the motions, pretending to be a Christian. You are willing to be one, should you be convinced of it. But you are happy to bide your time here. But will you be like Pliable? Will you turn back when the mire and the muck of this life begins to rise? Doubtless there were many who followed Christ simply because of His miracles. They were false followers.

Beloved, only a full hearted commitment will do. Do not think that you are a Christian if you are only committed to Christ in word. If you are here, waiting to be convinced, repent and trust in Christ. He is your only hope. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks a sign. Christ rose from the dead. Follow Him.

Transition:

Next we must ask, what spirit lives in your house?

What Spirit Lives in Your House?

It is clear that the house in Jesus’ parable was the soul of man. Because the man was empty after he was freed, he was in danger of being worse off through more possession. This would not have happened to this poor soul had they placed their faith in Christ. Had they surrendered themselves to God, they would have remained free.

So here is the real question, are you like the generation of Jesus’ day? Are you rejecting Christ? Do not reject Him. Follow Him!

The only real peace we can have in this life is found in the arms of Christ. There is peace and eternal safety there. We must surrender to Him. For in a man that is saved is the Spirit of God. No demon could ever enter there to torment a man. This is safety.

So do you have the Spirit? If you are trusting in Christ, then you have the Spirit within you! All Christians have the Holy Spirit. This is not a separate event to salvation. The Bible is clear on this. But just listen to Romans 8:9 “9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

This is very clear. All who belong to Christ have the Spirit. So fear not. If you are saved, you have the Spirit of God within you. He is our great comforter.

Are You a Brother or Sister of Christ?

Finally we come to the last section. Are you a brother or sister of Christ? Jesus says that those who do the will of the Father are His true family. Do you do the will of the Father? Last week I challenged you to examine the fruit of your life. What were the results? Did you see evidence of fruit of salvation in your life? If you are a follower of Christ, you will obey Him.

Because of this, we are now going to transition into our time of communion. If you are not a follower of Christ, I challenge you to make that right. Repent of your sins. Turn away from them, and turn to Jesus. Right now, I beg you to surrender your life to Christ. We are going to take a few minutes to examine ourselves. If you are not a Christian, now is the time to pray and ask for forgiveness. Trust that Jesus died for your sins, and you will be saved.

If you are a Christian, take a few moments and ask God to reveal where you are not following Christ. Ask Him to show you where you are still in sin. Then confess it to Him. Repent of it, and embrace His forgiveness.

Take time to pray and confess sins, then close out in prayer:

Beloved, it is my assurance to you that I cannot forgive your sins, but if you confess your sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive you! Embrace His forgiveness! If you are a Christian, I invite you to come and take the elements of the Lord’s Table.

English Standard Version Chapter 26

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Closing Hymn:

Closing prayer:

Closing Benediction:

It is my prayer that the Lord will bless you. That the Blessed Holy Spirit will continue to sanctify you! May God watch over us until we meet again. Amen.