Matthew 11:23-24……Working

Matthew 11:23-24……Working

23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. (Some see this fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in A.D. 70.) If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.  24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (For Compete Expository Get the Book)

Extended Sermons

“Warns against delaying obedience, assuming you have endless time to take God’s grace seriously.” → If you sense God prompting you to change an attitude, heal a relationship, or leave behind a habit, do it immediately. Delayed obedience can harden the heart and make it easier to ignore His voice. Responding quickly, however, shows humility, faith, and a sincere desire to walk in His ways.

“Warns against confusing familiarity and knowledge of Jesus with response to Jesus.”⇒  Don’t confuse attending church with a response to Jesus. (Although God willing one will lead to other) Don’t confuse growing up in a Christian home with a response to Jesus. (Although God willing one will lead to other). Don’t confuse going through youth and adult classes with response to Jesus. (Although God willing one will lead to other). Don’t confuse serving in ministry, volunteering, or being active in church life with a response to Jesus. (Although God willing one will lead to the other.) Don’t confuse knowing Bible stories with knowing Jesus personally. (Although God willing one will lead to the other.) Don’t confuse admiring Jesus with surrendering to Jesus. (Although God willing one will lead to the other.) Don’t confuse being emotionally moved in a service with repentance before Jesus. (Although God willing one will lead to the other.)Don’t’ confuse being convicted by truth with actually responding to truth. (Although God willing one will lead to the other.) Don’t confuse hearing the Gospel repeatedly with embracing the Gospel personally. (Although God willing one will lead to the other.) Don’t confuse being taught about repentance with actually repenting. (Although God willing one will lead to the other.)

Additional Notes & Applications

Note: Gives pause for thought, that out of the all the sins in the world, including homosexuality, rape, murder, etc. The greatest sin in God’ eyes is to remain indifferent to His Saving mercy & grace.

Note: Interesting that there is not anything in the other Gospels about Capernaum ever being hostile to Jesus. They never tried to throw Him off a cliff as they did in Nazareth-(       ) They never tried to run Him out of town. They never tried to beat Him or chase Him away. They never mocked Him, ridiculed Him, or slandered Him. If fact they tolerated Him. But yet they were indifferent to Him. Which goes to show that indifference is just as damnable as hostility. To reject the Gospel will make you just as guilty as if you pounded the nails into Jesus’ hands!

Note: Interesting thing about the city of Sodom, not only was it already judged by God when He destroyed it with fire & brimstone from heave,-(Gen. 19:1-29) But Sodom will also face an afterlife judgment as well.  Jesus by talking about a future judgment of Sodom means there is a afterlife judgment to come as well. Some people want to say that the judgment of God is really just the negative effects of our sin in our earthly life. Or that we paid our sins debts already.