Teaching the Bible. Part 4, of Matthew. By Rev. A.R.Smith References or refereeing from one scripture to another is an important part in learning exactly what a verse means. Once you are used to looking up references, it will be easy for you to understand. I recommend, Strongs Concordnance, The Treasure of Scriptural Knowledge or just the index in the back of your Bible. If you need more help on how to reference scriptures, just contact me. Read Matthew 12:1 thru 8. Here, we deal with religion and Jesus. [Ref. Deut. 23:25, Isa.1: 11-17; Hos.6: 6; Mic.6: 6-8, “I will:” That is, Jesus desires, or requires, mercy, or acts of humanity, rather than sacrifice.] Mark questions if needed. Read Matthew 12:9 thru 14. Here, we deal with, temptation of Jesus by the Pharisees. [Ref. Exo.23: 4-5; Deu.22: 4.] [Note; The Pharisees were always looking to contradict Jesus concerning the Law. Now the “Law” that they are speaking about was the Mosaic Law, handed down to Moses from God. This is not only the Ten Commandments but also the Covenant (A binding agreement; a compact, a bargain. 2. Law, a. A formal sealed agreement or contract. B. A suit to recover damages for violation of such a contract. 3.In the Bible, God’s promise to the human race.) that came attached to them. Jesus in all His wisdom and Knowledge, turned the Law against His enemies.] [This Law can be seen in Exo. Starting with Cpt. 34.] [Ref. 1Ki.13: 4-6; Zec.11: 17] Mark questions if needed. Read Matthew 12:15 thru 21. Here we deal with prophecy. [Mat 12:18 - Behold: This prophecy is expressly referred to the Messiah by the Targumist, who renders, “Behold my servant the Messiah,” etc., ha avdi mesheecha; and it was amply fulfilled in the gentle, lowly, condescending and beneficent nature of Christ’s miracles and personal ministry, his perseverance in the midst of opposition, without engaging in contentious disputation, and his kind and tender dealing with weak and tempted believers. (T.S.K.)]
Please read the following references and see if you can assimilate the scripture with the references. [Ref. Isa.11: 10, Isa 49:5, Isa. 61:1-3, Lam.3: 31-34, Zech. 3:8 Zech. 9:9] Read Matthew 12:22 thru 32. Here we deal with, not only the healing power of Jesus but something more sinister and frightening, “The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.” Blasphemy, âëáóöçìéá [Strong’s G988], either from âëáðåéí [Strong’s G984], ôçí öçìçí, to hurt, or blast the reputation, or from âáëëåéí [Strong’s G906], ôáéò öçìáéò, to smite with words, or reports, when applied to men denotes injurious speaking, or calumny, and when used in reference to God signifies speaking impiously of his nature, attributes, and works. “Ascribing to Satan the work of the Holy Spirit.” To blaspheme the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, [ref. Luke 11:13, Eph 1:13, Eph 4:30, Mat 28:19, Jude 1:20] is an abomination to God and will not be forgiven in this world or at judgment. We must be careful not to be involved with people that will do such things. Read 12:33 thru 37. Here we deal with skeptics and things good and evil, parable from Jesus. Read 12:38 thru 45. Here we deal with unbelievers needing a sign for conformation and how judgment will come to them, unclean spirits, and the second state of man after turning back to his old ways. [Ref. 1st Kings 10: 1 thru 13, 2nd Ch. 9: 1 thru 12.] [Eze.16: 52, Mat. 11:20 thru 24.] For as JONAS was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. [Read, Jonah 1:1-2 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.” Jonah 3:9 “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?”] The next three verses are very controversial in nature. Depending on whom you may ask, you will get differences of opinion. Please read; Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Mat 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept,and garnished.
Mat 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.[Mat.24:13, Mark 13:13, 2Th.1:4, 2 Ti.2:10, Heb. 12:20, James 5:11] A doctrine of once saved always saved has risen in the last few years. They use a few scriptures to justify their belief, but the reference that you have just read contradicts their effort to preach and teach an unproved doctrine. Jesus in more places than I have listed has stated that a person that has been saved must ENDURE unto the end.Untill I am proven wrong I will teach it as Jesus taught. Remember that evil spirits are real, as real as Satan, they are not to be taken likely. Jesus has given us the power over these spirits and all we need to do is to command them, they must obey.[ Involking the Name of Jesus] Please read, [Ref.Acts 19:13 thru 16] The next verse is speaking of the evil spirit that had left, {“I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come“} The next verse is speaking of the new state of a new Christian needing to be filled with the word of God.{he findeth it empty, swept,and garnished}[Clean].“ The next verse is speaking of an individual that had no one to teach him and being empty of the Word, reverts back to his old way and he becomes worse. “the last state of that man is worse than the first.“ Lets put it more simply. If you have a clean glass that is empty, anyone could put anything in it unless you have filled it with what you desired.Its the same way with a young Christian, once saved, if he is not taught correctly he could be filled with false doctrine or confusion, so much that he decides to revert back to his old state. To survive or ENDURE unto the end, we must be filled with the Word of God and the Holy Ghost, which gives us the power to ward off attacks from the forces of Darkness. Note;[Later in these studies we will learn about the Spiritual Gifts and how to use them.] Read 12:46 thru 50. Here we deal with the true relationship of Christ to his true family. (Spiritually) Mat 12:50. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. In the preceding verse Jesus main concern was for all to do the will of the Father. And the will of the Father is to believe in the Son. This all ties in with the commandments of Christ. If we do the will of the Father then Jesus being our guide will Glorify the Father. One simple guide in understanding the scripture is this; John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
The Bible speaks in two forms Flesh and Spirit. Remember flesh is flesh and Spirit is spirit. Once you understand this concept then you will beginning on your way to clearer reading.
A.R.Smith Sermons International, A Voice for Christ.
