2.26.2017 Sermon Notes & Slides

Sermon Notes

The Destructive Nature of Ungrace
Matthew 11:12-24
Pastor John Sloan

Introduction: Generally speaking, Christians can be hard to please. We want what we want and we want it our way. Jesus warns against such a querulous mindset, namely, rejecting his salvation, and himself, in favor of a formula that leaves us more in control. Something less about grace, but something that gives us a little more leverage. Jesus reveals that the trajectory of ungrace is catastrophic.

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Questions for Discussion & Discovery

1. What is the “kingdom of heaven”? In what sense is it already here and yet still to come?

2. How is violence being done against the kingdom today (verse.12)?

3. Jesus says that “until John” the Law and Prophets prophesied (verse 13). How do the Law and Prophets point to Jesus?

4. How would you describe grace? What about ungrace? What are some ways that you have experienced both?

5. Where do you see unbiblical expectations at work in your own life and relationships?

6. In what ways has God demonstrated his faithfulness to you lately? How have you responded?

Sermon Slides

1. Read Matthew 11:12.
2. Future concrete realm
3. Present dynamic rule of God
4. “Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, [Jesus] answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” – Luke 17:20-21 ESV
5. 01. The value system of our culture will always violently clash with the value system of Christ’s kingdom.
6. Self-actualization
Human sufficiency
Personal autonomy
Revenge
Unbridled sexual freedom
Gender fluidity
Moral relativism
7. “We think the problem is out there and the solution is in here. But the truth is: the problem is in here, but the solution is out there.” – Al Mohler
8. Read Matthew 11:13-14.
9. “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’” – Galatians 3:10
10. 02. The prophets and law reveal the disease and lead us to the only remedy: the long awaited Jesus.
11. “Instead of being read as pointers to the incarnate Word, the law and prophets are read as pointers to the inchoate world. The OT is made a crystal ball instead of a Christ-pointer. But the law and the prophets do their work of prophecy only ‘until John.’ Any OT prophecy that goes around, over, and even through, but still past John and Jesus, and into modern events is not prophecy but voodoo. The OT is not about the late great planet earth or ‘the left behind’; it is all about the Messiah, come and coming.” – Frederick Dale Bruner
12. Read Matthew 11:16-19.
13. “Israel did not like the austere message of John, with its call to repentance, and they did not like the sweet message of Jesus, with its offer of grace. Nothing satisfied them.” – Daniel Doriani
14. GRACE
Undeserved Gift
Unconditional Love
Unmerited Favor
Performance-free Acceptance
UNGRACE
“You get what you deserve”
Conditional Love
Merited Favor
Performance-based Acceptance
15. Read Matthew 11:20-24.
16. 03. To reject grace is to cling to the worthless “solution” of human ability, which results in condemnation.