Matthew 11:16-19……Working

Matthew 11:16-19……Working

11:16 “To what can I compare this generation? (How can I characterize the danger and foolishness of people fighting and resisting the Kingdoms arrival) They are like children sitting in the market-places (58-Greek “agora” “to gather in public”.) calling out to others: 17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge  and you did not mourn.18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon. (crazy) 19 The Son of Man (Expresses a Messianic title signifying the Messiah’s human & divine nature.-[Dan. 7:13)  came eating and drinking, (Does not mean Jesus was a alcoholic, or all He did was party) and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners”.’ (misfits, losers. Tax collectors were often grouped with sinners due to their corruption, extortion, uncleanness, and collaboration in working for a pagan Roman government.) But wisdom is proved right by her actions.” (Modern cliche “The proof is in the pudding.” You can argue with someone’s ideas, but you can’t argue with their fruit. You can question their choices, but you can’t deny the outcome. You can doubt their path, but you can’t ignore the results.) (For Complete Expository Get the Book)

Extended Sermons

“Teaches no matter what you say or do, nothing is ever good enough”⇒ Have you ever meant people who are always critical. That no matter what you say or do they’ll always find something to criticize.  Or if they don’t like something your saying they’ll try to find flaws or something to fault you with. If your successful, they’d assume you worked too hard and criticize you for having no life. If your beautiful, they’d assume you were vacant and criticize you for being vain. If your well off, they’d assume it was handed to you and criticize you for being entitled. Being critical allows people to distance themselves from having to accept whatever your saying and doing. It allows people to think it’s O.K. I don’t need to listen to you or your message because you have faults of your own. Know that just criticizing something isn’t enough to prove that your right because if you look hard enough you’ll always find something or someone to fault. There’s a big difference between criticizing and being critical. Don’t mistake critical thinking for criticism. Critical thinking can be good and something we should grow in. Critical thinking is the ability to weigh the evidence and look at the information that is in front of us and come up with a practical and reasonable solution. To be a critical thinker is not to be a critical person. A critical thinker means to be able to asses rightly what your facing. To be a critical person is to have an attitude that is just flat-out negative about the things of life.

“Teaches people who are not open to the truth will always find something to criticize.”⇒ In their desire to escape the truth people will mischaracterize who you are. They just don’t reject the messenger, they reject the message. The only way to avoid the truth is by tearing down the messenger. If people can criticize you effectively and find enough faults it helps deflect they’re responsibility in having to receive anything you have to say. If a spiritual truth makes you uncomfortable, it is easy to find fault with the person delivering it. Have you ever dismissed a spiritual truth, a sermon, or correction because you didn’t like the personality or presentation of the person delivering it? Will you ask yourself: “Am I rejecting this truth because of how it is packaged, or because I simply do not want to change?

“Calls for moving from being critical spectator to real fellowship, obedience, and participation in what God is doing.” → Are you treating faith like a game or bystander sport? Just sitting on the sidelines judging, or are you actively participating in what God is doing? Faith is not meant to be watched from a distance. It invites us into commitment, humility, and action. Instead of standing back and evaluating everything from the outside, We’re called to step forward in trust and join the work God is already doing. The real question is not whether you can analyze what is happening, but whether your willing to obey, belong, and participate.

“Calls for embracing diverse ministries, that God can use different personalities and methods to reach people.” → Do you expect every believer or ministry to look, act, and operate exactly like you do. Don’t judge unconventional ministries if the truth is going out and people are being Saved.  People are wired differently. Some are serious and highly disciplined, they pray quietly, they wear the right clothes to worship, while others are joyful, yelling, shouting, throwing their hands up during worship. As believers we need to avoid criticizing others just because their ministry, personality, or lifestyle doesn’t fit your personal preferences. There’s different styles of ministry and different styles of preaching. Do you dismiss a sermon, a book, or a Christian peer because their personality, style, or politics do not fit your exact cultural preference? Are you judgmental of others just because their personal style of ministry doesn’t agree with yours. Or the bible you use or the music you listen to. Or the way you dress. You could be missing the work of God because your getting caught up in things that are not sinful.

Additional Notes & Applications

Teaches how it’s not about God dancing to our tune, were here to dance to His tune. (Jesus isn’t here to fit around our expectations, it is us who are to fit around Him.)

Teaches regardless of how loving and convincing you present  the Gospel people will never be satisfied.

Teaches rather than become cynical or critical when our comfortable, safe, and secure lives are challenged, have the courage to change.

Prepares how some will see our devotional commitment as too over the top, that we’re too fanatical or too radical in our Christian faith.

Calls for accepting God’s methods of revelation whether or not its agreeable to us.

Calls for wanting a preacher who tells it like it is, and not one who always makes you feel comfortable and secure in your sin.

Teaches how being famously known as a “friend of tax collectors and sinners” Christ’s was willing to step into messy, marginalized spaces despite societal criticism.

Warns against thinking if you just live a winsome and joyful life people will think well of you.

Displays how people will often judge you by the company you keep.

Teaches how real proof of character is seen in the fruit produced in a persons life. (Time and truth walk together) (V. 19)

Note: “Weddings and funerals” was a Palestinian game Jewish children played. The origin of the game had arisen from the social custom that mandated bystanders join in any bridal or funeral processions that came by. Today we find a similar example as when kids play Cowboys & Indians, some would will not play according to the rules. That when you shot them with a cap-gun or a rubber arrow their supposed to play dead. But they’ll say “you missed me, you missed me”.

Note: Believers are not to get discouraged when sharing the Gospel with someone and their rejecting you. Know that it’s not because of your method, bible knowledge, and finesse. But rather its because of a hard heart that does not want to believe or face the truth about themselves!