fromthepreacherspc

THE EMPTY HOUSE
Matthew 12:43-45

INTRODUCTION
A. In Matthew 12:43-45 we will find Jesus describing the spiritual condition of the generation of His day
1. He had just described them as “evil and adulterous” (Mt 12:38-39)
2. He also described how they would be condemned by the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba in the Day of Judgment (Mt 12:41-42)
3. In our present text of study, they are described as “this evil generation” (Mt 12:45)
B. Using the example of demon possession, Jesus warned it is not enough just to go through the process of having one’s sins forgiven
1. Unless reformation continues and something positive is put in its place – the end might prove worse than the beginning
2. Such had been the case with the Jews of Jesus’ day
3. There is an important lesson to be gleaned that applies to us today as well:
a. It is a lesson on the evils of “neutrality” or disinterest
b. We must replace evil with good
C. Matthew 12:43-45
DISCUSSION
A. THE DANGER OF AN EMPTY HOME
1. Our heart is like a home
a. In it can reside things that produce much harm… Matthew 15:19
b. But it can also be the source for much good… Matthew 12:35a
2. Our house can be cleansed
a. For our heart is cleansed
1) Hebrews 10:22
2) Acts 15:8-9
b. Our conscience is purged from dead works to serve God ? … Hebrews 9:14
3. We are expected to “fill” our home
a. Through faith Christ Himself is to dwell in our hearts… Ephesians 3:17
b. God’s peace and grace are to fill our hearts… Colossians 3:15-16
d. Even God’s law is to be written in our hearts… Hebrews 8:10
4. What happens when we do not fill our home?
a. Remember the maxim: “Nature abhors a vacuum” … This idiom is used to express the
idea that empty or unfilled spaces are unnatural as they go against the laws of nature and physics
b. If we do not make the effort to fill our home with good things, then evil things are likely to return, and with a vengeance!
c. Consider the example of the Corinthians:
1) 1 Corinthians 6:11 … They had been washed, sanctified, and justified
2) Yet later they were engaged in sinful conduct once again… 2 Corinthians 12:20-21
d. Consider the example of the false teachers mentioned by Peter:
1) 2 Peter 2:1… (“the Lord that bought them”). They had been bought by the Lord, and escaped the pollution of the world through Jesus Christ
2) 2 Peter 2:20… But they had become entangled again
3) 2 Peter 2:21-22… For them, “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning”
5. How do things become worse than at the first?
a. In the case of the false teachers, they had…
1) Forsaken the right way (2 Pt. 2:15)
2) Eyes full of adultery, hearts trained in covetousness (2 Pt. 2:14)
3) Even denied the Lord who bought them (2 Pt. 2:1)
b. In our case…
1) Our hearts can become “hardened” … Hebrews 3:12-13
2) Hebrews 10:26-29… We can become so hardened through willful sin that we trample the Son of God underfoot and count the blood of the covenant a common thing and insult the Spirit of grace
3) Hebrews 6:4-6… We can reach the point where it become impossible to be renewed again to repentance and where we are crucifying again the Son of God and putting Him to open shame.
4) In such a case, how true the statement: “The last state of that man is worse than the first!”
5) How important it is, then, that we do not let the home of our heart remain empty and thus invite worldly things to take up residence.
6. To avoid this, here are some thoughts on…
B. FILLING THE HOME OF YOUR HEART
1. Filling it in principle…
a. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts… 1 Peter 3:15
1) The word “sanctify” means to “set apart”
2) Set a special place in your heart for God as the Ruler of your life
3) We must regard Christ as holy in our hearts
b. Be selective as to what goes into your mind a.
1) Set your mind on things above… Colossians 3:1-2
2) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… Colossians 3:16
3) Follow the example of David… Psalm 101:3-4
4) Think upon things that are good and wholesome… Philippians 4:8
c. Remember, transformation of character begins with renewing the mind… Romans 12:1-2
2. Filling it in practice…
a. Utilize every opportunity to study God’s word… 1 Peter 2:1-2
1) Attend all services of the church
2) Participate in the Bible study programs that are offered
3) Read your Bible daily… Psalm 1:1-6
b. Fill your heart with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
1) For this is how you:
a) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… Colossians 3:16
b) Allow yourself to be filled with the Spirit… Ephesians 5:18-19
2) Sing at church, at home, in the car; sing alone and with others
c. Let your mind dwell on things that are worthy of praise and virtue… Philippians 4:8
1) Be selective about what you watch on television and in the movies
2) Choose your books, periodicals, magazines, etc., carefully
d. Choose your friends carefully… 1 Corinthians 15:33
1) They will either help you to be strong or hinder your efforts… Proverbs 13:20
2) We cannot have communion with darkness and expect the light of God to dwell in us!… 2 Corinthians 6:14
CONCLUSION
A. What is the condition of your “home” (heart)?
1. Are you are filling your “home” things that are good?
2. If not, then your heart becomes an abode for every evil thing, and the condition of your heart may
become seven times worse than before!
B. Have you experienced the initial cleansing of your “home” (heart)?
1. Have you been cleansed by the blood of Jesus in baptism?
2. If so, wonderful; but don’t be deceived into thinking that you do not need to be concerned about filling that dwelling with the presence of God and all that is good!
C. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16)

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

COMPLAINTS IN THE CAMP**

INTRODUCTION
A. When Daniel Webster wanted to give a person the impression that he remembered him, but could not recall his name or where they had met before, he would ask, “Well, how is the old complaint?” And nine times out of ten this worked. The person would begin to unfold some grievance that he had discussed with Mr. Webster on a former occasion, and thereby identify himself. (Wilbur E. Nelson)
B. Sometimes it seems we would have nothing to say if we didn’t have something to complain about. We complain everywhere we go: in line at the store, waiting in the doctor’s office, in the car, at work, at home, and even on vacation.
C. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-11, Paul tells us of the lessons we are to learn from Israel’s mistakes, one of which was complaining.
D. Let’s examine why they complained.

DISCUSSION
A. ISRAEL COMPLAINED WHEN TIMES GOT ROUGH
1. Exodus 15:22-26
2. They complained because their water was bitter.
a. This going to the Promised Land idea wasn’t as easy as they thought.
b. At every bad turn and disappointment they complained.
3. These complaints arose because they did not believe God… Psalm 106:24-25.
a. They didn’t believe God when He told them He would take care of them.
b. They didn’t believe God when He told them He would bring
them into the Promise Land.
4. When our lives get tough, we too may complain because we do not believe God.
a. Matthew 6:25-34… We often gripe, worry, and complain about life
b. 1 Corinthians 10:13
5. Hard times are no excuse for complaining.
a. If we truly believe God we will not feel the need to complain – we will feel the need to pray.
b. Someone once said: “When in deep water, it’s a good idea to keep your mouth shut.”
6. Complaining is only going to make a bad situation worse.

B. ISRAEL COMPLAINED WHEN THEY LOOKED BACK
1. Exodus 16:2-8
2. Again they hit a rough spot, but this time they looked back.
a. They remembered the good things about Egypt – they had food to eat.
b. The reward of the Promised Land was growing hazy in their minds.
c. They were complaining about God.
3. People complain when they look back, because they have lost sight of the progress they have made.
4. We also may complain when the Christian walk grows hard.
a. Luke 9:62
b. When you look back after you start plowing you get crooked lines. When you look back after becoming a Christian you get crooked lives.
5. When we complain about how things used to be, we fail to see the growth and changes in our lives – we lose sight of the goal.

C. ISRAEL COMPLAINED WHEN THEY DIDN’T GET WHAT THEY WANTED
1. Numbers 11:1-9
2. It was not that they were lacking food, it was that they were lacking the kind of food they wanted.
3. They complained because they were getting tired of God’s blessings… Numbers 21:4-7
4. Sometimes we complain when God doesn’t give us what we think we deserve… Matthew 20:1-16
5. If we do not get what we want, we should not complain. Instead, we should be thankful for what God has given us.
6. Dr. David Soper, in God Is Inescapable, suggests that basically the difference between a prison and a monastery is just the difference between griping and gratitude. Undoubtedly this is true. Imprisoned criminals spend every waking moment griping; self-imprisoned saints spend every waking moment offering thanks. Dr. Soper says that when a criminal becomes a saint, a prison may become a monastery; when a saint gives up gratitude, a monastery may become a prison. (Ray O. Jones)

D. ISRAEL COMPLAINED WHEN THEY WERE SICK OF GOD’S LEADERSHIP
1. Numbers 12:1-9
2. Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses’ marriage in an attempt to discredit him as a leader.
a. His family that should have been helping him and standing for him, turned against him.
b. They thought they could do the job just as well… Numbers 16:1-7
3. People turn from God’s leadership when they know longer want His will to be done. Instead, they want their own will to be done.
4. Today, many Christians want to turn away from God’s word so they can have their religion their way.
a. Some want to turn away from Apostolic authority
1) The apostles spoke and wrote the commands of the Lord…
1 Corinthians 14:37.
2) The apostles expected Christians to follow their example…
a) 1 Thessalonians 1:6
b) 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9
b. Some will still attack God’s servants to discredit those who want to hold on to the truth.
c. There is an old story:
A farmer advertised a “frog farm” for sale, claiming that he had a pond that was thoroughly stocked with fine bullfrogs.
A prospective buyer appeared and was taken late one warm evening to the pond that he might hear the frogs. The “music” made so favorable an impression on the buyer that the sale was made.
Soon afterwards the purchaser proceeded to drain the pond in order to catch and market the frogs. To his surprise, when the water was drained out of the pond, he found that all the noise had been made by one old bullfrog.

Sometimes it seems like there are major problems, but often it is just the complaints of a few old bullfrogs

5. We must not complain about God’s way and God’s leadership. It is our place to obey, not to change God’s Word.

CONCLUSION
A. We need to do everything we can to avoid complaining…
Philippians 2:14
B. Complaining shows:
1. A lack of trust in God
2. A failure to see good in our lives
3. An attitude of selfishness
4. A desire to go our own way
C. Complaining is a sin and can lead to our destruction
D. 1 Corinthians 10:6, 10

** I got the info for this sermon from Jeremy Sprouse from Dublin, Texas

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/
http://www.parkheightscoc.com