Sermons

Week 34 – Matthew 11:20-30 – 9/29/24 How Do You Know You’ve Got it Right?

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Sermon Series: We are currently going through a sermon series in the Gospel of Matthew. Today, we’re talking about a passage where Jesus encounters someone who is doubting. 

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.[a] 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Last week we talked about John the Baptist, who had his faith in the right place, but started to doubt that he had it right. Now, Jesus turns His attention to others, who are in the opposite situation: they think they’ve got it all right, but actually don’t. By taking a look at this part of God’s Word, we can learn if we’ve got this whole faith thing correct or not. 

 

What Jesus Teaches His Original Audience

  1. Living for God doesn’t involve jumping through hoops, it involves a relationship with God

Matt. 11:20-21, 9:13, 1 Sam. 15:22-23, Hos. 6:6, Ps. 51:16-17, Prov. 21:3, Amos 5:21-24, Mark 12:33

  1. Greater revelation = a greater standard

Matt. 11:22, Luke 12:48, 16:10-12, James 3:1, John 15:22, Acts 17:30

  1. There will be varying degrees of judgement

Matt. 11:23-24, Rom. 2:5, Rev. 20:11-15, Luke 12:47-48,

 

   What Jesus’ Message Means for Us Today:

  1. We have an incredible amount of revelation

Rom. 16:25-26, Eph. 3:1-6, Heb. 1:1-3

  1. We will be judged at a very high standard

Matt. 11:22, Luke 12:48, 16:10-12, John 15:22, Acts 17:30

  1. God often chooses the unlikely 

Matt. 11:25-26, 1 Cor. 1:27-30, Rom. 12:16, Eph. 2:8-9

 

    What We Need to Do With This Information:

  1. Check your heart, and repent

Matt. 11:27, 1 John 1:9, Ps. 139:23-24, 34:18, Jer. 17:10

  1. Realize living for Christ is the most restful way to live

Matt. 11:28-30, Ecc. 2:22-23, Ps. 4:8, John 7:37, Gal. 5:1

  1. Go “all–in” for God

Matt. 22:37, 13:44-46, 10:38-39, 6:31, Phil. 3:7-9, Luke 14:33, 18:23-24

Reflecting on God’s Word

Getting Started

  • Take some time to read over Matthew 11:20-30 and pray. 
  • Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it? 
  • What surprised you as we talked about it?

Diving In 

  1. Read Matthew 11:20-24 again. Here, Jesus would have undoubtedly shocked His listeners, who thought their faith was in the right place, when it really wasn’t. Have you ever had that experience of being shocked to find out that there was something majorly lacking in your faith? If so, what was it, and what did you do about it? 
  • Jesus’ listeners in this passage would have probably thought about their faith through the lens of doing the right things, and jumping through the appropriate hoops. Have you ever made the same mistake, and thought about your faith like that?
  1. Today, we have the full revelation of Scripture, and amazing access to it as well. We also live in a period of time, in a part of the world that is extremely affluent, not only compared to other parts of the world, but also when considering what most people went through, throughout all of time. Scripture makes clear that to whom much is given, much is required. Spend some time thinking through and writing down all of the aspects of your life, and the things that you are blessed to have. 
  • As you look at the list of things that God has blessed you with, how can you be the best steward you possibly can with them? How can you use those things to build up God’s Kingdom better? Do you feel like you are wasting anything on your list? 
  • Read Matthew 11:25-26. Here, Jesus makes clear that God often chooses the unlikely to do amazing things for His Kingdom. This is also echoed throughout many parts of Scripture. How does that fact bring you hope for what God wants to do in your life?
  1. Read Matthew 11:27-30. Jesus makes clear that His audience has struggled with not repenting, and instead relying on their own righteousness. He says that instead they should repent. How do you think repentance would help your relationship with God? 
  • How do you think repenting, and relying on Jesus’ righteousness instead of your own, would help you to live in a more restful state?
  • How would your life look differently if you were “all-in” for God?

Applying the Scripture

What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word? 

  • What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture? 
  • How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord? 
  • Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?

Small Group Guide:

Open with prayer.

Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?

If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.

Prayer Time:

Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.

Staying Missional:

Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:

Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?

What’s next?

Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?