Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev19960811.htm

MATTHEW: JESUS AS ISRAEL'S MESSIAH AND HIS MESSIANIC KINGDOM
Part IX: Christ's Messianic Kingdom Certified
F. Messiah's Predicted Withdrawal From Conflict Fulfilled In Jesus
4. The Sole Primacy Of Spiritual Relationship To Christ In His Kingdom
(Matthew 12:46-50)
  1. Introduction
    1. There are many worthy issues to which the Christian is often called to devote himself: taking a stand to promote a renewal of our cultural heritage by getting involved in tackling issues of abortion on demand , euthanasia, capital punishment, prayer in the schools all entice the believer to get involved. One can promote family values, seeking to get mothers and fathers back into their proper roles, and emphasizing a decent home life for America's children. One can promote good nutrition and decent human h ealth.
    2. However, there is an even higher focus God wants us to have, and it is presented in Matthew 12:46-50:
  2. The Sole Primacy Of Spiritual Relationship To Christ In His Kingdom, Matthew 12:46-50.
    1. When Jesus' mother and brothers came looking for Him, they stood outside a house where He ministered and sent word through the crowds to see Him, Mtt. 12:46-47 with Mark 3:31-35. We know from Mark's Gospel that they ca me seeking to take custody of Him as they thought Him to be insane, Mk. 3:21,31.
    2. When Jesus was informed about this request by His family, responded very calmly because He operated by a priority superseding even earthly family ties. He took the opportunity to rev eal that those around the room where He ministered who did the will of His heavenly father were spiritually closer in ties to Him than were His earthly family members outdoors, Mtt. 12:48-50.
    3. This insight revealed the sole primacy of one's spiritual relationship to Christ over other all other issues and relationships of this life as follows:
      1. It showed that to be a member of Christ's kingdom, one had to go further than external reformation and become related to Christ, MacArthur, Matthew 8-15, p. 339. In so saying, Jesus implied that external reformation will not usher in God's rule, for only internal regeneration will accomplish that, Jn. 1:12f.
      2. Also, even personal earthly family ties are second in importance to the spiritual ties formed by mutual faith in Christ, Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, ftn. to Mtt. 12:50! Since these are the closest ties one has on the earth, all ties take secondary import to the tie one has with Christ!
Lesson: (1) Spiritual relationship to Jesus is more important than addressing issues of society, for only by relationship to Messiah, not reformation, will God's perfect kingdom arise! (2) One's personal spiritual relationship to Christ is more im portant than all other earthly ties!

Application: (1) Though it is wholesome to promote a change in our culture, without a change in the heart of people, there will be no change of value in the culture. (a) Thus, in all of our striving for cultural renewal, we must FOCUS PRIMARILY on making disciples through the Local Church. (b) Working to overturn the Supreme Court's decision on abortion, to install laws against euthanasia, pornography, etc. all must take second place to promoting a personal spiritual relationship to Jesus Christ. F ailure to do so is a less-than-spiritual-ideal focus in life. (c) As such, one must make his ministry in the local church his primary focus if he really wants to promote the cause for a changed social order of any real or lasting value. (2) Spiritual relationship ties to Christ are closer than ALL other ties: (a) "obedience to God takes precedence over responsibilities to family" members, cf. Ryrie St. Bib., KJV, ftn. to Mtt. 12:50. (b) Also, what our earthly family members desire in us or from us must take second place to what are God's interests in our lives, Mtt. 10:37. (3) Doing the will of God takes precedence over doing any other party's will, whether it be our own will, the will of other people in general or the will of family members, Mtt. 12:50. (4) Thus, make a relationship to Christ and doing the will of God our UNCONDITIONALLY PRIMARY FOCUS in LIFE!