Matthew 12: 22 – 50

Matthew 12: 22 – 50

22 A man controlled by demons was brought to Jesus. The man was blind and could not speak. Jesus healed him. Then the man could speak and see. 23 All the people were amazed. They said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

24 The Pharisees heard this. So they said, “This fellow drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons.”

25 Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “Every kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. Every city or family that is divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he fights against himself. Then how can his kingdom stand? 27 You say I drive out demons by the power of Beelzebul. Then by whose power do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But suppose I drive out demons by the Spirit of God. Then the kingdom of God has come to you.

9 “Or think about this. How can you enter a strong man’s house and just take what the man owns? You must first tie him up. Then you can rob his house.

30 “Anyone who is not with me is against me. Anyone who does not gather sheep with me scatters them. 31 So here is what I tell you. Every kind of sin and every evil word spoken against God will be forgiven. But speaking evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. A person like that won’t be forgiven either now or in days to come.

33 “If you make a tree good, its fruit will be good. If you make a tree bad, its fruit will be bad. You can tell a tree by its fruit. 34 You nest of poisonous snakes! How can you who are evil say anything good? Your mouths say everything that is in your hearts. 35 A good man says good things. These come from the good that is stored up inside him. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is stored up inside him. 36 But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, everyone will have to account for every empty word they have spoken

37 By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty.”

The Sign of Jonah

38 Some of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law came to Jesus. They said, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

39 He answered, “Evil and unfaithful people ask for a sign! But none will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 Jonah was in the belly of a huge fish for three days and three nights. Something like that will happen to the Son of Man. He will spend three days and three nights in the grave. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And the Ninevites will prove that these people are guilty. The men of Nineveh turned away from their sins when Jonah preached to them. And now something more important than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And she will prove that they are guilty. She came from very far away to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. And now something more important than Solomon is here.

43 “What happens when an evil spirit comes out of a person? It goes through dry areas looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives there, it finds the house empty. The house has been swept clean and put in order. 45 Then the evil spirit goes and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and live there. That person is worse off than before. That is how it will be with the evil people of today.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside. They wanted to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside. They want to speak to you.”

48 Jesus replied to him, “Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?” 49 Jesus pointed to his disciples. He said, “Here is my mother! Here are my brothers! 50 Anyone who does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother or sister or mother.”

 1. The Story

2. Our Words Will Be Judged

3. A divided kingdom cannot stand. 

Question 1:

Are there people who, no matter what they do or who they are, you would never:

• Accept?

• Respect?

• Trust?

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt rejected?

1. The Story

A sick man was healed, and the Bible says he was then able to see and speak. His blindness was caused by a demon, and Jesus cast it out through prayer.

Instead of thanking Jesus, the people accused Him—even claiming He was working by the power of the devil. Jesus then had to defend Himself. In His defense, He warned that speaking against the Spirit by whom He worked would bring serious consequences from God.

31 So here is what I tell you. Every kind of sin and every evil word spoken against God will be forgiven. But speaking evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. A person like that won’t be forgiven either now or in days to come. Matthew 12:31 -32 (NIRV)

He had to prove Himself and also reprove them for their words;

 

'But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, everyone will have to account for every empty word they have spoken. By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty.'

Matthew 12:36, 37 (NIRV)

He was disappointed with them, because even the people he expected to trust Him—the Christian leaders, pastors, and priests who should know the prophesies—did not believe in Him.

The sign that he will give you is what has been done in thee past & nothing new – verse 39 He answered, “Evil and unfaithful people ask for a sign! But none will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Matthew 12:39 (NIRV)

Even His own family did not believe in Him, and He had to say that His true family are those who obey God—that He was sent by God.

48 Jesus replied to him, “Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?” 49 Jesus pointed to his disciples. He said, “Here is my mother! Here are my brothers! 50 Anyone who does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother or sister or mother.” Matthew 12: 48 – 50 (NIRV)

Have you ever been in a situation where your best was still doubted, or criticized?

What did Jesus do?

A. He was not offended and remained humble.

32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. A person like that won’t be forgiven either now or in days to come.

It is not about Me that I am concerned about, but about you sinning against the Holy Spirit who is speaking through Me. If your insult is directed at Me, you will be forgiven.

B. He kept His focus on His purpose—why He was on earth and who He is.

40 Jonah was in the belly of a huge fish for three days and three nights. Something like that will happen to the Son of Man. He will spend three days and three nights in the grave.

42 The Queen of the South will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And she will prove that they are guilty. She came from very far away to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. And now something more important than Solomon is here.

Keep your focus on your purpose, not on the approval of society. Do not be distracted, so that you can fulfill your calling.

C. God will vindicate you as you remain focused on your purpose.

41 The men of Nineveh will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And the Ninevites will prove that these people are guilty. The men of Nineveh turned away from their sins when Jonah preached to them. And now something more important than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And she will prove that they are guilty. She came from very far away to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. And now something more important than Solomon is here.

God will judge between us on the last day, determining whether what you are doing is right or wrong.

Question 2:

If you had to choose one word to describe the words that come out of your mouth or your conversations, what would it be?

For example: peace, possibility, kindness, etc.

2. What you say will be judged 

36 But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, everyone will have to account for every empty word they have spoken 37 By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty.”

A. What you say reflects what is in your heart – so fill your heart with good things, especially the Word of God. If what is inside you is wrong, what comes out will also be wrong.

B. Speak good things to yourself each morning. Declare what the Bible says: I am blessed, I have overcome the world, I am a winner, etc.

An elderly woman at 103 years.

Question 3:

What are the consequences of a divided kingdom?

3.  A divided Kingdom cannot stand. 

25 Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “Every kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. Every city or family that is divided against itself will not stand

We come from different earthly cultures, but we are one in Christ—children of the same Father, God.

Let us not live as Africans, Asians, Europeans, or any other nationality, but as Christians!

Christianity is about love, selflessness, and service.

Let us be one; God wants the whole world to believe in Him.

But if we remain divided, we cannot see this world transformed.