Sunday Sermon Outline: Behold My mother and My brothers

Behold My mother and My brothers!
Matthew 12:46-50

Introduction: 
     Matthew 12:46-50, “While [Jesus] was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. [47] Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.” [48] But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” [49] And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! [50] For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.””

     “a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

I. Spiritual Relationships
     “I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation” (Psalm 119:99).
     “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
     “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— [13] for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:12-14).
     “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; [52] for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. [53] They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law” (Luke 12:51-53).

II. Spiritual Leadership
     John 7:1-5, “Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. [2] Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. [3] Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. [4] For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” [5] For not even His brothers were believing in Him.” 
     “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
     “Obey your parents in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:1).

III. Spiritual Priorities
     “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and ... run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
     “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37).
     “Keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them” (Romans 16:17).

Conclusion:
     “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).
     “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Luke 12:13-21

“How Soon We Forget”
Luke 12:13-21

Introduction: Proverbs 23:7


I.  While thinking of the gifts, he forgot the Giver. vs. 16-18
     “And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. [17] “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ [18] “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.'” 

James 1:17


II. While thinking of himself, he forgot his neighbor. v. 19
     “‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’””

Matthew 10:8


III. While thinking about his body, he forgot about his soul. vs. 20-21
     “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ [21] So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” 

Hebrews 9:27


Conclusion: Luke 12:34; 1 Peter 2:24


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Examine your congregational priorities

If “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4), then why is that which is being produced by the churches – sermons, lessons, members, music and youth – focused more on the flesh and less on the Spirit? Prayer times are spent listing out physical concerns rather than spiritual ones. Sermons and lessons are preferred which are 'relevant to real life,' rather than relevant to “the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Any shepherding of the flock that is actually accomplished seems to be focused on feeding the ego more than nourishing the soul. Music is selected because of its ability to tug at the heartstrings or cause the toe to tap rather than for doctrinal words which teach and admonish (Colossians 3:16). And our youth are submersed in 'activities' rather than taught that which will cause them to grow “in favor with God and men” (1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:52).

The warning has been given on so many occasions. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). “Do not be worried about your life” (Matthew 6:25). “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Paul taught, “If you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). Peter taught, “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). “I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). John taught, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

If the body of Christ is to grow … if it is to achieve “the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13) … then there must be less attention given to the world, and more attention given to Christ. It should be every Christian leader's first priority to weed out that which is worldly and temporary within their congregations and replace it with that which is heavenly and eternal. If those who lead us follow a Biblical pattern - “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30) – then that which is of man should never outweigh or obscure that which is of God.