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Refusing To Listen

Refusing To Listen

Nov 24, 2024

Passage: Matthew 12:38-50

Preacher: Rob Holster

Series: Gospel of the Kingdom

Summary:

Last time we were talking about fruit. Jesus says in Matthew 12:33, "A tree is known by its fruit." And what he meant by that is the outward, visible works and words of a person are determined by what's on the inside. It's about identity and who we really are. Peach trees produce peaches because that's what they are––peach trees. Pecan trees produce pecans because that's what they are––they're pecan trees. In the same way a good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree produces bad fruit. It's a very simple concept. However, it's also hard to hear because we wonder about our own lives––what kind of fruit are we producing? What does it show about what's inside of us? What is ruling our hearts? It's the condition of our hearts that is the issue. Jesus was teaching that very concept to the Pharisees, whom he called "whitewashed tombs," meaning they looked beautiful on the outside, but inside they were dead bones and everything unclean. In the text for this week––Matthew 12:38-50––we're going to see them once again not understanding, and instead focusing on the outside. They're going to ask Jesus for a sign––something visible to prove that He was the Son of God. However, they had ignored the fruit of his life––his teaching, his healing, his love. They rejected that fruit. They refused to see. They refused to listen. So we're going to see what it means to see but not understand––to hear but not listen. That is, some refuse to listen. Even though something greater than the Prophet Jonah was standing right in front of them. And something greater than King Solomon was standing right in front of them––teaching them. People still reject Jesus today––they refuse to listen. God has spoken––we have His Word recorded for us in the pages of the Bible. Are we listening?

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