Good Evening, Greetings… Series of “Lessons From Matthew.” (SLIDE) Last week we examine “Worst Than The First” wherein the unclean spirit left only to return with other demons and make that person their habitation once more. When we purge sin we must then fill the void with righteousness and thus transform the heart! (SLIDE)

Good Evening, Greetings… Series of “Lessons From Matthew.” (SLIDE) Last week we examine “Worst Than The First” wherein the unclean spirit left only to return with other demons and make that person their habitation once more. When we purge sin we must then fill the void with righteousness and thus transform the heart! (SLIDE)

My True Family Matthew 12:46-50 This week we are going to discuss what Jesus had to say about his “brethren” which He calls His “family.” With this in mind let us examine our lesson for today. (SLIDE) Matthew 12:46-50

The Background My True Family While Jesus was still illustrating His point to the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders Jesus learns that his family is asking for Him. Jesus’ biological family consisted of… Brothers – James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55). Sisters – Not named specifically (Matthew 13:56) Mother – Mary (SLIDE)

“While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47 Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” Matthew 12:46-47

“And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” Mark 3:31-32 As we can see, the people clearly thought Jesus would stop what He was doing to go and talk with His family. After all they have come to see Him. However, Jesus was never interested in “conventional thinking” rather He was interested only in the spiritual thinking. Jesus’ response bears this out, as He goes on to tell those listening who His “true family” are (SLIDE).

True Family My True Family “Family” as we think of it typically is defined as the parents and children of a home. After that you have what we call “extended-family.” However in the first century the word is usually more generic. In fact the primary Greek word used for “family” literally means house or as we would say “household.” Mark 10:29 “…Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters…” (SLIDE)

“But he replied to the man who told him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’ ” Matthew 12:48-50 Have you ever heard the phrase “blood is thicker than water?” The idea, of course, is that biological/physical family is stronger than other “relationships.” Jesus, not taking the conventional path blows up that idea here that blood is thicker than water. Jesus says those that our “spiritual family” is more important than our fleshly family. For a moment let us examine what a true family, a spiritual family, looks like. (SLIDE)

True Spiritual Family Obeys The Will Of God

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’ ” Matthew 12:50

“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7

True Spiritual Family Obeys The Will Of God Is There For Each Other

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another…” Romans 12:15-16

Obeys The Will Of God Is There For Each Other Loves Each Other True Spiritual Family Obeys The Will Of God Is There For Each Other Loves Each Other

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God…11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7, 11

My True Family Matthew 12:46-50 Our True Family… Obeys the will of the Father. Is there for each other. Loves each other. Matthew 12:46-50

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7