Four Points Church

Jesus has already taught us that there is no such thing as a fruitless Christian (Matthew 13:8). We also know that we will be rewarded for our fruitfulness (I Corinthians 3:14-15). This is why Paul can rightly teach the church at Corinth to not just compete, but run to win the prize (I Corinthians 9:24). However, we must also notice that there is something Jesus adds that is not a reward, but instead an inheritance. Eternal life is never a reward to be earned, but a gift to be received. This proper understanding can now lead us to effectively interpret the parable that Jesus tells next.

We begin our study today with two big words. One word is what we attempt to do every Sunday. The other is a trap that many well-meaning people fall into. We study this today because our text begins with a story that many claim is proof that Jesus wants us to baptize babies. Now if you read verses 13-16 and didn’t see that thought anywhere in the text… you would be right. However, if you had been raised within certain denominations you would clearly see how this text defends your tradition.

To be God’s people we cannot look for loopholes to do what we want.  We need a new heart.  Jesus wants to give His people a new heart that hates sin and loves God (Ezekiel 36:26, Romans 2:29).  Jesus again silences the Pharisees by exposing their wickedness instead of falling into their theological trap.

One fact the Bible makes abundantly clear is that we are sinners who need a savior. Christians who have experienced the grace of God have no trouble admitting that reality. Where situations tend to get sticky is when someone else confronts us on our sin and how it is affecting them. We all tend to have a hard time with someone else putting their finger in our chest and calling us out. However, it is a very loving and gracious thing to gently and Biblically help another believer see their shortcomings and how they negatively affect others in the body of Christ.

Listen to our Easter message from Philippians 3.

We have seen Jesus command His disciples not to tell anyone who He was (Matthew 16:20). However, the time for silence is now over. Jesus is ready to reveal Himself to His people. The significance of the triumphal entrance of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem cannot be understated. It is mentioned in all four of the gospels (Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-19). Matthew, in writing to Jews, primarily focuses the account on the fact that Jesus, as the messiah, is fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. He is the only eyewitness who quotes from Zechariah 9:9. He does this to help his audience realize that Jesus was the foretold humble king coming into His kingdom spoken of 500 years earlier. This is why people were rejoicing. They were watching ancient prophecies being fulfilled before their eyes.

The next conversation the disciples want to have with Jesus is about which one of them is the best. Luke tells us this is more of an argument than it is a conversation (Luke 9:46). Our accomplishments usually drown out our failures. No one thinks of the excuses of Moses, or the murderous adultery of David, or the depression and lack of faith of Elijah (Exodus 3:11; 4:1, 10, 13; 2 Samuel 11; I Kings 19:4). Instead we focus on Moses leading the exodus, David defeating Goliath, and Elijah calling fire down from heaven. One thing that is so great about the Bible is that it shows how even the best men that God used have failed. Our questions should never be about us. Our hope always lies elsewhere… in Jesus and Him alone.

Matthew doesn’t record the conversation between Jesus and the father of the sick boy, but Mark does (Mark 9:21-24). It is important to our understanding of the text. Faith matters! Jesus is God and the crowds witnessing His ministry don’t believe it and neither does this father. Anything is possible for the one who believes in Jesus! Don’t miss that faith is never about the mountain… but it is always about Jesus!

Jesus may not look like much to you in vintage church publications and picture Bibles.  However, one day we will also see Him in His glory (Revelation 1:16-18).  That will be the day when we watch every knee bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11; Romans 14:11).

We find in this text the first reference to the church in the New Testament. It comes to us directly from the lips of Jesus. The church was not something that mankind dreamed up after the ascension of Christ. Rather, the church was God’s idea. It was something that Jesus said, “He would build.” The gates of hell will never prevail against the will and plan of God. He wants His church. He is building His church. No power can stand against His church. We should be incredibly thankful to be a part of what Jesus Christ is doing in this world. Praise God we are members of His church!