1. Breaking Through To Freedom Part 6 “Missed Opportunities” Matthew 12:38-50

2. The privileged seek experiences to compensate for their inadequacies Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” - Matthew 12:38 (NIV)Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” - Matthew 12:38 (NIV) The Pharisees begin this part of their attack against Jesus with sarcasm.The Pharisees begin this part of their attack against Jesus with sarcasm.

3. The privileged will be condemned because they were privileged and did not believe He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. – Matthew 12:39 (NIV)

4. The privileged will be condemned because they were privileged and did not believe Jesus did not deny their request – He told them they already had their sign – but they rejected it.Jesus did not deny their request – He told them they already had their sign – but they rejected it.

5. The privileged will be condemned because they were privileged and did not believe The people of Nineveh, when they saw Jonah and heard his message believed and repented.The people of Nineveh, when they saw Jonah and heard his message believed and repented. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish,

6. The privileged will be condemned because they were privileged and did not believe The people of Nineveh, when they saw Jonah and heard his message believed and repented.The people of Nineveh, when they saw Jonah and heard his message believed and repented. so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

7. The privileged will be condemned because they were privileged and did not believe The people of Nineveh, when they saw Jonah and heard his message believed and repented.The people of Nineveh, when they saw Jonah and heard his message believed and repented. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it;

8. The privileged will be condemned because they were privileged and did not believe The people of Nineveh, when they saw Jonah and heard his message believed and repented.The people of Nineveh, when they saw Jonah and heard his message believed and repented. for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. – Matthew 12:40-41 (NIV)

9. The privileged will be condemned because they were privileged and did not believe The Queen of Sheba, when she heard about God wisdom traveled a distance to listen.The Queen of Sheba, when she heard about God wisdom traveled a distance to listen. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it;

10. The privileged will be condemned because they were privileged and did not believe The Queen of Sheba, when she heard about God wisdom traveled a distance to listen.The Queen of Sheba, when she heard about God wisdom traveled a distance to listen. for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom,

11. The privileged will be condemned because they were privileged and did not believe The Queen of Sheba, when she heard about God wisdom traveled a distance to listen.The Queen of Sheba, when she heard about God wisdom traveled a distance to listen. and now one greater than Solomon is here. – Matthew 12:42 (NIV)

12. The privileged will be condemned because they were privileged and did not believe The Queen of Sheba, when she heard about God wisdom traveled a distance to listen.The Queen of Sheba, when she heard about God wisdom traveled a distance to listen. “All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” (v.23)“All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” (v.23)

13. The privileged never enjoyed their privilege because they refused to repent

14. “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.

15. The privileged never enjoyed their privilege because they refused to repent Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” – Matthew 12:43-45 (NIV)

16. Jesus redefines “family”. While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

17. Jesus redefines “family”. He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” – Matthew 12:46-50 (NIV) – Matthew 12:46-50 (NIV)

18. Jesus redefines “family” And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, "He is out of his mind." – Mark 3:21 (ESV)And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, "He is out of his mind." – Mark 3:21 (ESV) Jesus is inside, and His family is outside.Jesus is inside, and His family is outside. Human kinship does not take priority over spiritual kinship”Human kinship does not take priority over spiritual kinship”

19. Bottom Line: The truly privileged are those who can walk away from everything to follow God!The truly privileged are those who can walk away from everything to follow God! What does it mean to “do the will of God”?What does it mean to “do the will of God”?

20. For the “Not Yet Followers” checking out the Christian faith: There are eternal dangers for rejecting the reality of Jesus Christ!There are eternal dangers for rejecting the reality of Jesus Christ!

21. For the Jesus followers trying to live a Jesus-centered life: Recognize that Christ is the answer for your inadequacies.Recognize that Christ is the answer for your inadequacies.

22. For the Jesus followers trying to live a Jesus-centered life: Recognize that Christ is the answer for your inadequacies.Recognize that Christ is the answer for your inadequacies.

23. For the Jesus followers trying to live a Jesus-centered life: Recognize that Christ is the answer for your inadequacies.Recognize that Christ is the answer for your inadequacies.

24. For the Jesus followers trying to live a Jesus-centered life: Recognize that Christ is the answer for your inadequacies.Recognize that Christ is the answer for your inadequacies.

25. For the Jesus followers trying to live a Jesus-centered life: Jesus-centered living requires repentance of your sins!Jesus-centered living requires repentance of your sins!