First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord’s Day January 11, 2004 Anno Domini

Matthew 12:38-45

The Sign of Jonah, the Queen of the South, and the Empty House.

  I.  The sign of Jonah.
 

      A.  A custom-made sign is demanded by the Jewish religious leaders.
      B.  An evil and adulterous generation. [ Hosea 3:1; Ezekiel 16:38. ]
        

Mt17:17; Mk 9:19; Mt 12:45; 16:4; Mk 8:38. Matthew 23:35-36.

      C.  God’s sign: three days and three nights in the heart of the
earth. [verse 40]
     

  II.  The men of Nineveh and the Queen of the South.
      A.  The Ninevites repented at the preaching of Jonah. [Jonah 3:5]
      B.    Jesus is greater than Jonah.
       

Three “greater than” statements: Matthew 12:6; 12:41; 12:42

     C.  The Queen of the South traveled far to learn from
Solomon. [1 Kings 10:9]
     D.  Jesus is greater than Solomon.
     E.  The condemnation of an evil and adulterous generation.
[Mt 11:16; Romans 3:1-4; 1Cor 6:2-3; Rev 3:2]
    

   III. The parable of the empty house: spiritual danger
multiplied.
     A.  The law of God, the preaching of the church, can elicit
repentance.
     B.  Unless the repentant heart is filled by the Holy
Spirit, wickedness will return with power.
     C.  Jesus’ warnings are compounded.
    

   IV. Jesus, faith, and life.
 

     A.  Is the sign of Jonah enough for you? [1Corinthians
15:3-9]
    

     B.  We have more evidence to show that Jesus is the Christ than even
the Jews had in his day.
    

     C.  God judges an evil and adulterous generation, but he
blessed the generation of the righteous. [Genesis 6:8 - 7:1;
1Peter 3:21-22; Psalm 14:4-5; Psalm 24:6; Psalm 78:8]
    

Pastor Christian Adjemian, Dipl.Div., Ph.D.

phone: 617.864.3185