RELATED TO Jesus
1. This morning I want to concentrate our attention on
Mt. 12:50.
2. This verse is familiar to most who are here, but we
can still learn some things from it.
3. The information in Mt. 12:46-49 sets the stage for
the conclusion in verse 50.
4. Members of the Lord’s earthly family had come to see
Him.
5. Jesus used their presence to teach that He has an
extended family.
IN MT.
A. We often hear how Jesus is our mediator. He is our savior. Jn. 1:1 says He is God.
B. From Jn. 5 we learn He has been appointed as the end
of time judge.
C. Mt.
D. He can be our brother.
E. Those who are of the feminine gender can be a sister
to Him.
F. Jesus even used the word “mother.”
2. I have never heard any Bible believing person say,
“I am a brother to Jesus of Nazareth.”
3. This type of pronouncement would probably shock us.
4. We might look at someone who said this and think
they need professional help.
5. Jesus said that certain people are His brothers,
sisters, and mothers.
6. This language, if course, is figurative, but it
teaches an important lesson.
7. Those who are members of Christ’s body are closely
attached to Him.
8. They are members of His spiritual family.
9. Jesus is the head of this family and this should
comfort us.
A. As the head of His family the Lord will protect His
family members.
B. He will provide love and care for His brothers,
sisters, and mothers.
C. The members of His family will not be abandoned.
10. When we think about who Christians are, Mt. 12:50
provides us with an encouraging description:
11. We are part of Jesus’ family.
12. Not only are we in the family, we have a prominent
place.
13. Instead of being likened to an aunt, uncle, or a
distant cousin, we have the closest possible relationship with Him.
14. The saved are compared to brothers, sisters, and
mothers.
15. What follows is in no way designed to lessen the
deity of Jesus.
16. Rather, this material is designed to bring out a
point which is often not taught.
17. We can have a relationship with Jesus which is so close,
it is like He is a close relative.
18. TO
THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD THIS DESCRIPTION SHOULD BE APPEALING. FOR THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN THIS TYPE OF
RELATIONSHIP IS VERY, VERY GOOD.
A. If this relationship is desired by us, how does it
work? How does it operate?
B. In the world a family relationship begins by birth.
C. This is also true for the spiritual realm.
D. There must be a birth.
E. Jesus alluded to this in Jn. 3.
19. Listen to Jn. 3:3 – READ.
20. Unless a person is “born anew” he/she will not have
a part in the kingdom.
21. The kingdom of God is where the Lord’s spiritual
relatives are.
22. If we are not born anew (again), we cannot be His
brother, sister, or mother.
23. We were born once into the world but we must be born
a second time to enter into the kingdom.
24. Jesus added to the thought in verse 5 – READ.
25. How do enter into the kingdom and the Lord’s
spiritual family?
26. We must use the Spirit. The Holy Spirit has given us words from God
(the Bible).
27. In this book we are told what we must do to become a
brother or sister to Jesus.
28. The final step, as Jesus noted in Jn. 3:5, involves
“water” (baptism).
29. We are “baptized into Christ” (Gal. 3:27) for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
30. After baptism we are “added to the Lord” (Acts 2:47,
KJV)—His family, the church.
31. When we are added to the Lord, Jesus is our
spiritual kin.
32. SOMEONE MIGHT ASK IF BAPTISM IS REALLY THAT IMPORTANT. IS THE WATER JESUS DESCRIBED IN JN. 3:5 TRULY ESSENTIAL TO BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE LORD’S FAMILY?
A. Mt. 12:50 provides us with the answer.
B. The first part of this verse contains several key
thoughts.
C. The first term to look at is the word “will.”
D. The “Father” has a will (plan).
E. What is this plan?
It is given in Jn. 3.
F. God has a kingdom.
He wants people to be members of this kingdom.
G. Those who are members of the kingdom are the Lord’s
spiritual relatives.
H. The way to enter into this kingdom consists of doing
what God’s word says; this includes baptism.
33. This information is clear, but who is entitled to
become a citizen of the kingdom?
34. In Mt. 12:50 Jesus tells us. Notice the word whosoever.
35. “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father.”
36. Anyone interested in becoming the Lord’s brother,
sister, or mother is permitted to do so.
37. The offer is open to all people.
38. There is, however, a condition.
39. JESUS SAID PEOPLE MUST DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER.
A. When we look at the Bible we find references to
different wills.
B. God the Father has a will but He is not the only
one.
40. Let’s look at some additional passages.
41. The first is found in 1 Cor. 9:17.
42. Paul had thought about the word will.
43. He recognized that humanity has a will.
44. Human will may or may not be consistent with God’s
will.
45. Human will is well demonstrated by children.
46. A child may or may not have the same will as his
parents.
47. Paul spoke of a similar thing in 1 Cor. 9:17 – READ.
48. Paul was able to make up his own mind about
things. He had a will.
49. The same is true for everyone else.
A. At the present time there is a lot of emphasis on
what people want in the realm of spiritual matters.
B. It is not uncommon to hear, “I want/would like/expect/need
to have this, that…in worship.”
C. In religion the focus is often more entered on self
than God.
50. This is a popular approach, but it will put us in
the wrong spiritual family.
51. Who is Jesus’ brother, sister, and mother?
52. The Lord said “those who do the Father’s
will.”
53. For a time Paul did what he believed to be best.
54. He lived a life which was his will.
55. During this time he was outside the family of God.
56. He was not a brother to Jesus because he was doing
the wrong will.
57. It was only after Paul heard the word and was
baptized that he was in the Lord’s family.
58. Our personal will (actions) can keep us out of God’s
family.
59. Another will which keeps us from the Lord’s spiritual family is described in 2 Tim. 2:26.
60. Here Paul said Satan has a will.
A. This will “snares” people.
B. In other words, if we are involved with Satan’s plans, we are also outside the family of God.
C. Here is how 2 Tim. 2:26 reads – READ.
D. There are still people—even religious people who are “captives” of Satan’s will.
E. There are good people who are doing Satan’s will.
F. If we are not following the will of the Father (Mt. 12:50), we are not with God.
G. If we are not with God, Jesus said in Mt. 12:30 that we are against God.
61. This passage is too important to not read – READ Mt. 12:30.
62. Jesus presented this information in a way where there are only two choices.
63. We are with Him or “not with Him.”
64. The people in this second category are completely disassociated with Him.
65. There is absolutely no fellowship between Him and them so there can be no spiritual kinship.
66. The other category is described by Mt. 12:50.
67. If we do the Father’s will we are His brother, sister, and mother.
68. We have a close and constant connection with Him.
69. These two categories are extremes.
70. I am persuaded that most, however, want to be in-between these two places.
71. A side by side relationship with Jesus is not desired, but neither is a complete rejection wanted.
72. Many want a half heart faith and commitment.
73. The idea of straddling the fence has been around a long time.
74. Jesus spoke of it in Mt. 12:30 and said it wouldn’t work
75. Christians in Laodecia tried it.
76. They didn’t want to be hot or cold.
77. Hot would have made them brothers and sisters; cold would have meant they rejected the Lord.
78. These people said “We will find a nice place in-between these two extremes and everything will be okay.”
79. Jesus said to them: I hate you. You make me so sick I want to vomit.
80. “I will spew you out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:16b).
81. Jesus said these people were miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
82. He also used the word repent.
83. Jesus insists on being close to His people.
84. If we are not willing to accept this, He on the role of judge and punisher.
85. One of the greatest descriptions for a Christian is found in Mt. 12:50:
86. We are like brothers, sisters, and mothers if we are faithful Christians.
87. What is our relationship with Jesus?
88. Are we hold or cold? Are we on fire or burned out?
89. There is no middle ground.
90. If you are not actively trying to serve the Lord, Jesus says it is time to repent.
91. Repentance applies to both Christians and non-Christians.
92. Can we help you?