Matthew: Signs, Self Help, Family

Text: Matthew 12:38-50

Title: Signs, Self-Help, Family

 

Reading: Matthew 12:38-50

 

“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.” (Matthew 12:22-24)

 

“The tendency of the human heart is always to deal with its spiritual bankruptcy in human terms rather than God’s terms.” (Michael Andrus)

 

“The Gentiles in Jonah’s and Solomon’s time believed after hearing God’s “lesser” spokesmen, while “this generation” refused to believe even after hearing “one greater” (Craig Blomberg)

 

“He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him." (John 1:10-11)

 

Nothing in my hand I bring
Simply to Thy cross I cling
Naked, come to Thee for dress
Helpless, look to Thee for grace
Vile, I to the fountain fly
Wash me, savior, or I die
(Rock Of Ages)

 

“It is not enough to clean house; we must also invite in the right tenant. The Pharisees were proud of their “clean houses,” but their hearts were empty! Mere religion, or reformation, (self-help) will not save. There must be regeneration, the receiving of Christ into the heart.” (Warren Wiersbe)

 

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism 

"about providing therapeutic benefits to its adherent. ” Less about a God who calls us to faith and repentance and more "like a combination Divine Butler and Cosmic Therapist: he's always on call, takes care of any problems that arise, professionally helps his people to feel better about themselves, and does not become too personally involved in the process." (Christian Smith, Melinda Lundquist Denton)

 

Questions:

Are you a member of the household of God?

Seeking a sign?

Clean house rather or Christ’s reign?