CHRIST’S APPROACH TO WIN SINNERS TO THE KINGDOM: Text: Matthew 11: Intro: Boxing needs various approach or techniques Upper cut, body punches, etc. Basketball needs various players Outside shooter, under goal, assists, penetrators, etc. It is so with God’s kingdom

AIM: For us to learn and adapt every approach possible to win sinners to God’s Kingdom. I. CONTEXT Jesus was praising John saying, “Among those born of women there has not arisen one greater than John the Baptist…” Despite John’s righteousness the Scribes and Pharisees particularly did not repent Mat 21:32"For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw [it], you did not afterward relent and believe him.

II. JESUS USED A PARABLE TO THEM To what shall I liken this generation? It is like little children sitting in the market places, who call to the others We have played the flute to you, and you did not dance We have sung a dirge, and you did not mourn It’s just like the world’s song, I started a joke and it made the whole world crying… He liken that generation to little children particularly toddler in a !NO, NO stage” Those children were in the marketplaces and not in the Lord’s vineyard

Those people whom He was talking about could have been busy to their own business or the cares of this life Luke 8:14 "Now the ones [that] fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. Worst of it was they usually do the opposite ones. There was a children play for Jewish people imitating grown up at marriages and funerals.

III. THE PURPOSE AS TO WHICH THE PARABLE WAS INTENDED. He was referring to those unrepentant people who neither heed John nor Jesus. For John came neither eating nor drinking, they say he has demon. Jesus came eating and drinking, they say he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Both approaches failed, whether it was a funeral or wedding approach. The issue wasn’t on the occasion or approach but the “HEART ISSUE”. Which approach do you think would be more effective, funeral or marriage?

IV. SOME ISSUES TO BE CLEARED: Is it acceptable for Christians to drink? YES If Christ was eating and drinking, there’s nothing wrong with it. John 13:14"If I then, [your] Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. John 13:15"For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Jesus is perfect, without sin. It doesn’t mean that because we drink we are not perfect, we are compromising, we are sinners, we are sub-standards.

Illustration: Jesus turned water into wine The occasion: Wedding Jesus and His disciples were invited Mary was there as well They ran OUT of wine Jesus turned the six pots of water into wine (20 or 30 gallons each pot) He told them to draw some out and take to the master of the feast-John 2:8 When the master of the feast tasted the water which had become wine said to the bridegroom, “EVERY MAN SETS OUT THE GOOD WINE FIRST, AND WHEN THEY HAVE DRUNK FREELY, THEN WHICH IS WORSE.”

You have kept the good wine until now. This tells us that the people have drunk a lot already. Despite that fact, Jesus chose to provide them more wine to drink. He didn’t say, “THOU SHALL NOT DRINK” He neither say, “THE WINE IS FOR YOUR EYES ONLY”. Display it on the shelves. Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything. Ezekiel 44:21 "No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.

V. HOW ABOUT THE CRITICISM OR CONROVERSY? Was Jesus concern about it? Did He say, Opps! My mistake I forgot about the critical, they might get offended? We can please all the people some the time Some of the people all the time But not all the people all the time John 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of Him.

John 9:16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them. VI. I THOUGHT WE SHOULD NOT USE OUR FREEDOM IF IT OFFENDS OTHERS? 1Cr 8:9But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. The context was eating food prohibited in the Old Testament or offered to idols.

1Cr 8:7However, [there is] not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat [it] as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 1Cr 8:8But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. Eating and drinking with the sinners to win them is not about freedom but purpose. Luke 19:10 "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” For fishermen to catch fish they need to be in the water.

VII. THE USE OF WISDOM IN WINNING SOULS FOR CHRIST AND/OR GOD’S KINGDOM-V 19 Jesus was alleged to be friend of tax collectors and sinners but it was wisdom It will be justified when these sinners come to repentance and be won in the kingdom of God There are mental barriers to God ‘s Word 2Cr 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 2Cr 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

2Cr 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

2Cr 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to [preach] Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, In other words, Jesus was establishing a rapport with them for the gospel to be heard. CHALLENGE: What approach have you got, Funeral or wedding? CONCLUSION: Mat 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."