Something Greater Has Come
Matthew 12
Chris Seidman
Part of The Gospel of Matthew—King & Kingdom
February 20, 2022

The Gospel of Matthew — King & Kingdom

Something Greater Has Come
February 20, 2022
Chris Seidman, Lead Minister, The Branch Church


Matthew 12:3-8 (NIV)
… “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread – which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

“If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”


Matthew 12:14 (NIV)
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.


Matthew 12:18 (NIV)
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.”


Matthew 12:19-21 (NIV)
“He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”


Matthew 12:24-29 (NIV)
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out?

“So then, they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.”


Matthew 12:30-32, 36-37 (NIV)
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come.”

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”


1 Timothy 1:13-14 (NIV)
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.


Matthew 12:41b, 42b (NIV)
“… and now something greater than Jonah is here.”

“… and now something greater than Solomon is here.”


Matthew 12:46-50 (NIV)
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.”

He replied, “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.”

We Clearly See Three Things In What Jesus Says:

  • Jesus has a family.

  • Jesus considers “family” those who are His disciples – that’s who He points to.

  • The will of God is for people to be His disciples.


Matthew 12:49 (NIV)
Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.”


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

Two Questions

  • When it comes to His power, is there something in particular that you need to see Jesus as greater than?

  • When it comes to His priority, is there something that you need to confess Jesus as greater than?


Communion

  • When it comes to His power, is there something in particular that you need to see Jesus as greater than?
  • When it comes to His priority, is there something that you need to confess Jesus as greater than?