Matthew 3:7-10 – Don’t Think That – Bible study

Matthew 3:7-10 Dont Think That Notice \#9\ John was saying "Dont think that!" Everything we do influenced by what we believe. Some easily fall for evolution because in their heart, they do not believe there is a God. Some think adultery is all right because they believe their happiness is more important than anyone elses. Some do not pray because they believe God is not going to answer them, and on the list goes. What we do is determined by what we believe. Of course God knows that about us. That is why He said, Pr 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Mt 12:34 for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Ps 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Here, Jesus was correcting a wrong thought that the people had. He corrected it very simply by saying, "Dont think that" and then He went on to describe their wrong thought. Lets consider some wrong thoughts this morning. I. Dont think we deserve an exemption from sin. A. This is the thought that Jesus was warning against in this passage. Mt 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 1. The context here is Jewish. 2. The Jews thought that because they were of Abrahams seed, they somehow deserved an amnesty for their sins. a. One of the reasons the Jews hated the preaching of Christianity was that it places all mankind under the same sin burden. b. How rude was the awakening of hearing a John the Baptist or Paul preach? Matt 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore EVERY tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Not just the Gentile tree!) Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Ro 3:23 For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; B. You might think it a foolish notion that anyone would believe they were exempt but many still do. 1. Some believe they are exempt because of their moral goodness. a. I do not question that some are good people; however, no person is good enough to get to heaven. b. The problem is mans morality and Gods sins are not always the same thing. (1) Morality is mans definition of right and wrong. (2) Sin is Gods definition. (3) Example – Marriage c. What is Gods definition? Lets go back to the beginning and the Ten Commandments. (1) Never told a lie? (2) Never disobeyed a parent? (3) Never said a bad word? (4) Never showed a selfish or a self-righteous moment? d. Someone says, "Those things are not so bad." (1) Sin is not a matter of number or degree. (2) In fact, God goes so far as to say that if we have ever committed a sin, in Gods eyes we are as guilty as if we committed every sin! James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. e. Why? Because it is not the individual ACTS of sin as much as our AFFLIATION. (1) When we choose to sin, we choose to break our affiliation with God. (2) We are saying we chose ourselves, our sins, our pleasures over You. (3) God does not base the judgment for sin on the number or the degree of our sin. It is based solely on the fact that we choose sin over God. Once that choice is made, the only hope for is redemption by God. 2. Some believe they are exempt because they are religious. a. There is no sin eraser. (1) Remember, this is not just a matter of the acts of sin but our broken affiliation with God. (2) Removing the sin would not restore the affiliation. (3) Besides religion, no matter how good, can do nothing for sin. (a) Some who belong to religioneven forms of Christianitysomehow think their church or religion can remove the sins. (b) No church died to pay our sins. (c) Accepting Jesus payment for sin is the only answer. b. The closest thing to removing sin was offering an Old Testament sacrifice. (1) However, God long ago condemned and replaced the animal sacrifices. Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. () When Gods Son came to offer Himself, the blood of those animals was no longer needed. 1Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 3. Some believe they are exempt because they have an elite status. The rich and the poor, nobility and paupers all go to hell. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 4. Some believe they are exempt because they think all religion is rubbish. a. You can dismiss religion, but you cant dismiss the creation that God made to prove He exists. b. It is amazing to me how some of the most educated and smart people can become so foolish as to believe everything that is just happened. c. Friend, that is not improbable. It is impossible. II. Dont think Christianity will bring peace to this world. Mt 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. A. Our Lord is NOT advocating a religious war. 1. In fact, He demanded that the Christians be peaceful. a. Jesus to Pilate John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. b. Jesus to Peter Matthew 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. c. Jesus to His followers Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. d. Jesus to His disciples Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: e. Paul to the Romans Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. f. Paul to the Corinthians 1Corinthians 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: g. Paul to the Thessalonians 1Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. h. Peters writings 1Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 1Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 2. So the strife between the world and Christianity will not come from the Christians but it will come none-the-less. 3. I have read of somes distain for religion. a. Some make this statement, "Religion is responsible for more wars, persecutions, and atrocities of mankind than any of his other whims." b. They may be right. (1) The four inquisitions of Catholicism from the 10th to 19th centuries persecuted and slaughtered millions of people. (2) Hitlers WWII was driven in part for his hate for a people of religion, the Jews. (3) The tragedy of 9/11 and every Islamic terrorist attack are part of the Muslims religious war. 4. However, Christianity is not merely religion. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ based on the Bible. a. Any true follower of Christ would reject the idea of religious warfare. b. Any individual, church, or religious order who claims Christianity and advocates the use of violence is proving by their actions that they are NOT Christian at all. B. Even so, Christianity seldom brings peaceful relations with others in this world. 1. Being faithful to Jesus often turns family members against you, causes your friends to forsake youmaybe even turn on you costs you opportunities at work, and makes you the butt of many jokes. 2. All of that can happen in a country like America where Christians are legally protected. Luke 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? 3. In other countries, trusting Jesus can cost you your job, your possessions, your inheritance, your family, even your freedom, health, and life. Hebrews 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. C. If that is so, why would anyone trust Jesus? 1. Because it is worth it. 2. Down through the ages, Christians have been slaughtered by the hundreds of thousands; yet they would line up to do it again if they had another life. D. If you trust or have trusted Jesus as your Savior, do not think the world will love you for they probably will not. III. Dont think Jesus will forget you.t want us to think that He wasnt coming back for us. Mt 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. A. There is a tendency in every generation to either think Jesus will never come back or, at the least, to think He will not come back right now. B. We do not know when Hell return but we do know that He will return. 1. Gods plan is not finished. 2. Jesus both left word and sent reminders about what would happen. a. There is going to be a time of falling away from the Bible. \#2Thess 2:3\ b. There is going to be a one-world government with 10 members \#Dan 2:40-44\. c. There is going to be a one-world leader (Rev 13) d. In between those events, the church will be raptured out. C. Sometime around there, there is going to be the return of Christ for His church. 1. When Jesus returns, His people are going with Him. 2. When Jesus returns, this world is going to be suffer. D. Where do you want to be when Jesus returns?