In Matthew 12:22-32 Jesus’ healing of a demon-possessed man prompts three different responses.

1. The crowd responds to the healing with amazement (vv. 22, 23).
2. The Pharisees respond to the crowd with an attack (v. 24).
3. The Messiah responds to the Pharisees with a sermon.
1. His introduction: Your premise is absurd.
1. Because it violates common sense (v. 25).
2. Because it is not how Satan operates (v. 26).
3. Because by it you stand judged (v. 27).
2. His main point: I am Messiah and My kingdom has come upon you with power (vv. 28, 29).
3. His conclusion: Your continued rejection of Me will result in your eternal judgment. (vv. 30-32).

1. The God of the despairing is a God with attributes
1. He is the God of the Psalmist’s salvation (v. 1)
2. He hears prayer if He chooses to do so (v. 2)
2. The Psalmist sees no difference between his plight and death
1. His soul has nothing but troubles; he draws near to Sheol (v. 3)
2. Others see him strength wasting away as if he were dying (v. 4)
3. He has no power or choice (v. 5a)
4. It is as if God no longer remembers him (v. 5b)
3. God has sovereignly and righteously brought this affliction upon the Psalmist
1. God has placed him into this dark place (v. 6)
2. This is a natural consequence of God’s wrath, and it overwhelms those who are not blind to it (v. 7)
3. The crutches of companionship are removed, and the author is alone (v. 8a)
4. Nothing the Psalmist does avails (v. 8b)
5. His joy and zest for life are flickering and going out (v. 9a)
4. God hears the prayers of His people
1. Daily the Psalmist calls upon God, offering nothing to Him (v. 9b)
2. In the despair of death, the Psalmist questions whether God can do anything for the dead (vv. 10-12)
1. Miracles?
2. Love declared?
3. Righteousness?
3. Every morning the Psalmist cries out to God (v. 13)
5. The Psalmist has faith in God’s love and mercy
1. God “hides His face” and “casts his soul away” — implying that if God faced the Psalmist, He would show mercy (v. 14)
2. The Psalmist’s need is a chronic one, but he knows it is from the Lord (v. 15)
3. The Psalmist admits that God’s wrath is backing him into a corner (vv. 16, 17)
4. No human is left who can be of any comfort (v. 18)
6. Light from the New Covenant
1. Our high priest can sympathize with our weakness (Heb. 4:14-16)
2. God laid His wrath upon Christ (Is. 53:4-6, 10, 11)
3. Power to overcome despair is from God (2 Cor. 4:7-18)
1. The treasure that we carry in these jars of clay is the gospel (vv. 3-7)
2. If we are speaking from faith, then we have an eternal hope that conquers death (vv. 13-15)
3. Afflictions are external only; the inner man can be renewed daily, as we focus on the cross of Christ and not our own lives (vv. 16-18)
4. Jesus Christ is the revelation that causes Psalm 88 to make sense, and to be hopeful; the Psalmist described the imperative without having the complete indicative revealed. Because Christ has come, we can be renewed daily; the wrath falls, not on us, but on Him.

Still, I hope to get both of these up next week. Sorry about the delays.

Note: the audio died after about half an hour. Sorry about that.

1. Exclusivity: the “place where God’s name dwells” (Deut. 12:1-7)
1. You may not worship wherever you like, but only in the place God chooses (vv. 1-4)
2. Seek the place He chooses (v. 5)
3. Make your sacrifices there (v. 6)
4. Eat and rejoice (v. 7)
2. Worthiness: “your Son shall build my house” (1 Kings 8:15-21)
1. No city from the tribes of Israel was chosen (vv. 15, 16)
2. David chosen to be king, but not chosen to build God’s house (vv. 17-19a)
3. Solomon chosen to build God’s house (vv. 19b, 20)
4. A place for the covenant to dwell (v. 21)
3. Shadow: Solomon’s Temple (Psalm 122)
1. Joy (v. 1)
2. Stability and security (vv. 2, 3)
3. God’s kingdom, partially fulfilled (vv. 4, 5)
4. Peace to God’s seat of government for the sake of Israel (vv. 6-8)
5. The chosen place of worship as the center of God’s kingdom (v. 9)
4. Fulfillment: Jesus (John 2:13-22)
1. Zeal for God’s “shadow” house demonstrated (vv. 13-17)
2. God’s real dwelling place among His people proclaimed in His death and resurrection (vv. 18-22)
5. Already and not yet: The Church (Rev. 21:1-4, 22-27)
1. The church as the Bride (vv. 1, 2)
2. The church as the dwelling place of God in Christ (vv. 3, 4)
3. Christ as the Temple (v. 22)
4. Illuminated by Christ, peaceful, secure (vv. 23-27)
6. Christ in us, the hope of glory (Psalm 122)
1. We find our joy in seeking Christ (v. 1)
2. We find security in Christ (vv. 2, 3)
3. We long for God’s kingdom, perfect with Christ on the throne (vv. 4, 5)
4. We pray for peace in the church for the sake of brothers and sisters in Christ (vv. 6-8)
5. We act in the best interest of the church for Christ’s sake (v. 9)

In Matthew 12:15-21, as Jesus is withdrawing from the plotting Pharisees and healing the many (vs. 15-16), Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment (v. 17) of the first of Isaiah’s servant songs by applying 7 characteristics of God’s Servant to Jesus.

1. Jesus is God’s chosen Servant (v. 18a).
2. Jesus is God’s beloved Servant (v. 18b).
3. Jesus is God’s Spirit-filled Servant (v. 18c).
4. Jesus is God’s Servant on mission (v. 18d).
5. Jesus is God’s humble Servant (v. 19).
6. Jesus is God’s compassionate Servant (v. 20a, b).
7. Jesus is God’s salvation Servant in Whom the nations hope (vs. 20c, 21).

In Matthew 12:1-14 Jesus is accused by the legalists of violating 2 tenets of their man-made Sabbath laws.

1. Violation #1: Reaping, threshing & winnowing.
1. The Act: Picking grain to eat (v. 1).
2. The Challenge: “It is not lawful” (v. 2).
3. The Response: “I am Lord of the Sabbath.”
1. Exhibit A: David broke temple & Sabbath laws but was innocent (vv. 3-4).
2. Exhibit B: Priests broke Sabbath laws to serve in the temple but were innocent (v. 5).
3. Exhibit C: The Pharisee’s misunderstood intent of the Sabbath (v. 7).
4. Conclusion: Jesus is greater than the temple & Lord of the Sabbath (vv. 6 & 8).
2. Violation #2: Unnecessary healing on the Sabbath.
1. The Setting: A synagogue on the Sabbath (vv. 9-10a).
2. The Challenge: “Is it lawful?” (v. 10b).
3. The Response: “Yes! Doing good on the Sabbath is lawful.”
1. Exhibit A: You would save the sheep from the pit, wouldn’t you? (v. 11).
2. Conclusion #1: Man is more valuable than a sheep (v. 12a).
3. Conclusion #2: Doing good on the Sabbath is good (v. 12b).
4. The Act: Jesus heals by His word (v. 13).
5. The Rejection: We must kill Him! (v. 14).

In Matthew 11:25-30 Jesus reveals two truths about His Kingdom.

1. The revelation of the truth of His kingdom is sovereignly controlled by God.
1. The truth is hidden from the self-sufficient ones (v. 25a).
2. The truth is revealed to the dependent ones (v. 25b).
3. The truth is revealed in a way that pleases God (v. 26).
4. The truth is centered on Christ (v. 27).
2. The offer of the kingdom is to rest.
1. Rest for those who are weary and burdened who come to Christ (v. 28).
2. Rest for those who take Christ’s yoke and learn from Him (vv. 29, 30).

In Matthew 11:16-24 Jesus pronounces judgment on two types of rejection of Christ.

1. Jesus pronounces judgment on those whose rejection of Christ takes the form of unbelieving criticism.
1. “We don’t like Your rules!” (vv. 16-17).
2. “We don’t like Your deeds!” (vv. 18-19).

The judgment: The wisdom of one’s claims will be proven by one’s deeds.

2. Jesus pronounces judgment on those whose rejection of Christ takes the form of unbelieving indifference (vv. 20-24).
1. The enunciation of the judgment (vv. 21a & 23a).
2. The explanation of the judgment (vv. 21b & 23b).
3. The extent of the judgment (vv. 22 & 24).

In Matt. 11:7-15 Jesus makes four statements about true greatness:

1. Jesus commends the greatness of John the Baptist.
1. Because of his convictions about Christ (vv. 7-8).
2. Because of his message about Christ (vv. 9-10).
2. Jesus commends the greatness of New Covenant believers.
1. Because of their relationship with Christ (v. 11).
2. Because of their testimony about Christ (v. 11).
3. Jesus commends the greatness of Himself.
1. Because of the triumphant advancement of His kingdom (v. 12).
2. Because of the completeness of His revelation (v. 13).
4. Jesus invites the crowd (and us!) to greatness (vv. 14-15).

In Matthew 11:1-6 we observe 3 actions that reveal the faithfulness of God in the face of the doubt of a believer.

1. Jesus ministers: Revealing His faithfulness (v. 1).
2. John the Baptist questions: Revealing his doubt (vs. 2-3).
1. Doubt rising from circumstances.
2. Doubt rising from confusion.
3. Jesus encourages: Revealing His compassion.
1. Encourages with an answer (vs. 4-5):
1. Observe My works.
2. Listen to My words.
2. Encourages with a rebuke (v. 6).

[Note: I had the wrong connection on the recording computer and lost the first couple of minutes, then we had to fix the volume. Sorry for the poor quality.]

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Paul reveals to us five principles that help us to avoid covetousness (v. 5) and give generously.

1. The Principle of Increase: The key to our reaping (v. 6).
2. The Principle of Intent: The key to our bountiful sowing (v. 7).
3. The Principle of Immediacy: The key to our giving generously (vv. 8-10a).
4. The Principle of Immensity: The key to understanding our harvest.
1. A harvest of righteousness (v. 10b).
2. A harvest of thanksgiving (vv. 11, 12).
3. A harvest of glorifying God (v. 13).
4. A harvest of prayer (v. 14).
5. The Principle of Inversion: The key to our humility while giving (v. 15).

In 1 Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Paul gives seven characteristics that will mark our giving when it is motivated by the grace of God.

Giving that is motivated by God’s grace will be:

1. Regular (1 Cor. 16:2).
   

   “First day of every week”

2. Unconditional (2 Cor. 8:1-2)
   

   “Their poverty did not matter!”

3. Proportional (8:3a)
   

   “According to their ability”

4. Sacrificial (8:3b)
   

   “Beyond their ability”

5. Voluntary (8:3c)
   

   “Of their own accord”

6. Enthusiastic (v. 4)
   

   “Begging & urging to give”

7. Secondary (v. 5)
   

   “First they gave themselves”

In Matthew 10:34-42 Jesus reveals two more characteristics of a true disciple.

1. A true disciple will have Christ as a priority above everything else in their life.
1. Christ will be a priority over family (vv. 34-37).
2. Christ will be a priority over life itself (vv. 38-39).
2. A true disciple will be rewarded with Christ Himself (vv. 40-42).

In Matthew 10:24-33 Jesus reveals four characteristics of a true disciple:

1. A true disciple will become like his teacher (vv. 24, 25a).
2. A true disciple will be persecuted like his master (v. 25b).
3. A true disciple will not fear men:
1. Because God will vindicate His disciples (vv. 26, 27).
2. Because God is more powerful (v. 28).
3. Because God values His disciples (vv. 29-31).
4. A true disciple will confess Christ before men rather than fear them (vv. 32, 33).

In Matthew 10:16-23 Jesus reveals 5 aspects of his character as He continues commissioning His 12 disciples.

1. His grace is revealed to the nations (v. 16).
2. His provision is revealed to His missionaries (vs. 17-20).
3. His righteousness is revealed to the world (vs. 21-22a).
4. His salvation is revealed to those who endure to the end (v. 22b).
5. His justice is revealed to Israel & the nations (v. 23).