October 17, 2010
Evening Service

Matt. 11:16-30

 

Review:

1.      This morning Jesus confirmed His coming as the Messiah to John Baptist.  John is in prison, and sent two of his disciples to Jesus and ask Him if He was the one to come, or should they look for another.  Jesus said look at what I am doing, these works verify who I am.

2.      Then Jesus gave John praise for who, and what he did.  John fulfilled the scripture that told of one coming to prepare the way of the Lord.

3.      Jesus also said that John was the one Malachi told about, coming in the Spirit of Elijah, before that great, and terrible day of the Lord.  Jesus said John fulfilled that scripture also.  I commented that many have come since, with this Spirit on them, turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers.

4.      I think we can all agree that this is a much needed thing today.  We have stood by and allowed the ungodly to take God out of the schools, and allowed them to take away public prayer.  We have turned this world over to satan, and we wonder why things are as bad as they are.  We haven’t seen anything yet.  It is only going to get worse, until Jesus comes back after the church then all hell will break loose.

 

Let’s finish the rest of chapter 11;

 

After telling them that John had the Spirit of Elijah resting on him, and that he had fulfilled this scripture of Malachi, Jesus said, “Mat 11:14-15  And if ye will receive it, this is Elijah, which was for to come.  (15)  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Then He says:

Mat 11:16-30  But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,  (17)  And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.  (18)  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.  (19)  The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. 

• You people are as fickle as a pickle.  You don’t know what you want.
• You don’t like John because he comes as a celibate, and you don’t like Me because I drink a little wine, and eat with sinners.  What do you want?

(20)  Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:  (21)  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  (22)  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 

• Chorazin and Bethsaida - These were towns not far from Capernaum, but the precise situation is unknown.  Bethsaida means literally a “house of hunting” or “a house of game,” and it was probably situated on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, and supported itself by hunting or fishing. It was the residence of Philip, Andrew, and Peter, Joh_1:44.  Jesus did many wonderful works in their presence.
• We don’t know what Tyre, and Sidon problems were.  But Jesus is just making the case, they would’ve repented if I would have preached to them, and you haven’t.
• These illustrations are for us, and what remaining generations there will be until the Lord returns for the church.  The Gospel is being preached all over the world for a witness, and Jesus will soon return for the church.
• It’s exactly like it was in the days of Noah, he preached 120 years that God was going to destroy the earth, and no one would listen.  Same as today.  No fear of God.

 

 

• Are we showing the earnest concern, and showing forth a certainty of our belief that this is really going to happen?  Are we being that good and faithful witness to the world?
• Are we putting forth what James called pure religion, and undefiled before God.  Jam 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
• Every church house in Mitchell should be filled this evening.  People should be coming out to the house of God in groves.  Repenting of the way they have treated His goodness, and mercy.
• All I can say is God help us.  We are so wrapped up in the things of this world that we can’t see the importance of being faithful to God.
• I ask you this evening, what is more important than being in the house of God this evening, in the presence of God Himself, and His people?  I can’t think of a thing.  Can you not pray with me one hour?  Sunday is the Lord’s day.  He gives us 6 days to make a living, and use for ourselves, all He asks is one day of devotion, actually a couple of hours.  I don’t think that is too much to ask for.
• If we are going to help the lost, we have got to get our own priorities straight. 
• Oh man, it’s time for the evening oblation, or sacrifice.  I want to be there, and offer Him my thanks, and praise.  Jesus will be there, and I want to give Him my best.

(23)  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  (24)  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judgment, than for thee. 

• Jesus is saying that Sodom would have repented of their evil deeds had the works that He was doing had been done there. 
• And Capernaum is a prosperous city, wealthy, and exalted, and is where Jesus did many wonderful works of miracles.  They did not repent as a whole.

(25)  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 

• This is a sad truth;  1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
• And you are called by the gospel.  The wise, the mighty, and the noble will not accept this glorious gospel, of love, mercy, grace, and salvation.  Jesus said they have been hid from them.
• But revealed unto babes.  1Co 1:27-28  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  (28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are:

(26)  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.  (27)  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.  (28)  Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

• Jesus has revealed these truths to His disciples whom we are.  We have the revealed truths of God, hidden from ages past to be revealed in these last days.

(29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

• What an invitation to a world that is fast being destroyed by people lusting after the things of satan.  Are you burdened down with care?  Do you want to make a difference?  THEN POINT PEOPLE TO THE LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.