"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW" The Danger Of An Empty Home (12:43-45) INTRODUCTION 1. In the text for our study (Mt 12:43-45), Jesus was describing the spiritual condition of the generation of His day... a. One already described as "evil and adulterous" - cf. Mt 12:38-39 b. One that would be condemned by the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba in the day of judgment - cf. Mt 12:41-42 c. One He now described as "this wicked generation" - Mt 12:45 2. Using the example of demon possession, Jesus warned it is not enough to go through an initial period of repentance and removal of sin a. Unless reformation continues and something positive is put in place... b. The end might prove worse than the beginning! 3. Such had been the case with the Jews of Jesus' day... a. Many had repented at the preaching of John the Baptist - Mt 3:5-6 b. Yet they eventually rejected Jesus and called for His crucifixion - Mt 27:20-26 -- For them "the last state" was truly "worse than the first" - Mt 12:45 [There is an important lesson to be gleaned that applies to Christians as well. From what we learn here and elsewhere in the Scriptures, we need to be aware of...] I. THE DANGER OF AN EMPTY HOME A. OUR HEART IS LIKE A HOME... 1. In it can reside things that produce much harm - cf. Mt 15:19 2. But it can also be the source for much good - cf. Mt 12:35a B. WHEN WE COME TO CHRIST, OUR HOME IS CLEANSED... 1. For our heart is cleansed - cf. He 10:22; Ac 15:8-9 2. Our conscience is purged from dead works to serve God - He 9: 14 C. WE ARE EXPECTED TO "FILL" OUR HOME... 1. Indeed, God gives us His Spirit to dwell in our hearts - Ga 4:6 2. Through faith Christ Himself is to dwell in our hearts - cf. Ep 3:17 3. God's peace and grace are to fill our hearts - Col 3:15-16 4. Even God's law is to be written in our hearts - He 8:10 D. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DO NOT "FILL" OUR HOME... 1. Remember the maxim: "Nature abhors a vacuum" a. If we do not make the effort to fill our home with good things b. Then evil things are likely to return, and with a vengeance! 2. Consider the example of the Corinthians a. They had been washed, sanctified, and justified - 1Co 6:11 b. Yet later they were engaged in sinful conduct once again - 2Co 12:20-21 3. Consider the example of the false teachers mentioned by Peter... a. They had been bought by the Lord, and escaped the pollutions of the world through Jesus Christ - 2Pe 2:1,20 b. But they had become entangled again - 2Pe 2:20 c. For them, "the latter end is worse for them than the beginning" - 2Pe 2:20-22 E. HOW THINGS CAN BECOME WORSE THAN AT THE FIRST... 1. In the case of the false teachers, they had... a. Forsaken the right way - 2Pe 2:15 b. Eyes full of adultery, hearts trained in covetousness - 2Pe 2:14 c. Become "cursed children", "brute beasts" - 2Pe 2:14,13 d. Even denied the Lord who bought them - 2Pe 2:1 2. In our case... a. Our hearts can become "hardened" - cf. He 3:12-13 1) Before, the gospel had touched our hearts, moving us to repentance 2) But once hardened, our hearts might not be willing to listen - cf. Mt 13:15 b. We can become so hardened through willful sin that we... 1) Trample the Son of God underfoot 2) Count the blood of the covenant a common thing 3) Insult the Spirit of grace - cf. He 10:26-29 c. We can even reach the point... 1) Where it become impossible to be renewed again to repentance 2) Where we are crucifying again the Son of God and putting Him to open shame - cf. He 6:4-6 -- In such a case, how true the statement: "The last state of that man is worse than the first"! [How important it is, then, that we do not let the home of our heart remain empty and thus invite worldly things to take up residence. To avoid this, here are some thoughts on...] II. FILLING THE HOME OF YOUR HEART A. IN PRINCIPLE... 1. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts - 1Pe 3:15 a. The word "sanctify" means to "set apart" b. Set a special place in your heart for God as the Ruler of your life 2. Be selective as to what goes into your mind a. Set your mind on things above - Col 3:1-2 b. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly - Col 3:16 c. Follow the example of David - cf. Ps 101:3-4 d. Think upon things that are good and wholesome - Php 4:8 -- Remember, transformation of character begins with renewing the mind - Ro 12:1-2 B. IN PRACTICE... 1. Utilize every opportunity to study God's word - cf. 1Pe 2:1-2 a. Attend all services of the church b. Participate in the Bible study programs that are offered c. Read your Bible daily - Ps 1:1-6 2. Fill your heart with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs... a. For this is how you: 1) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly - Col 3:16 2) Allow yourself to be filled with the Spirit - Ep 5:18-19 b. Sing at church, at home, in the car; sing alone and with others 3. Let your mind dwell on things that are worthy of praise and virtue - cf. Php 4:8 a. Be selective about what you watch on television and in the movies b. Choose your books, periodicals, magazines, etc., carefully 4. Choose your friends carefully - cf. 1Co 15:33 a. They will either help you to be strong or hinder your efforts - Pr 13:20 b. We cannot have communion with darkness and expect the light of God to dwell in us! - cf. 2Co 6:14-7:1 CONCLUSION 1. What is the condition of your "home" (heart)? a. Are you are filling your "home" things that are good? b. If not, then your heart becomes an abode for every evil thing ...and the condition of your heart may become seven times worse than before! 2. Have you experienced the initial cleansing of your "home" (heart)? a. Have you been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, so that you are washed, justified, and sanctified? b. If so, wonderful; but don't be deceived into thinking that you do not need to be concerned about filling that dwelling with the presence of God and all that is good! ...or it may one day be said of you: "the last state of that man is worse than the first" If you have never been cleansed by the blood of Christ, then may these words spoken to Paul at his conversion move you to respond: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Ac 22:16)Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
