Matthew 12:43-50

Pastor Brian McGuffin

November 3, 2024

Scripture

Matthew 12: 43 - 50  ESV

Return of an Unclean Spirit

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Jesus' Mother and Brothers

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Discussion Questions

1. a) As we've been going through the Book of Matthew at LSA over the past months, you are likely forming an opinion about the Pharisees. How would you describe them in your own words?

    b) You likely have come up with some unpleasant words/ideas, but surely they can't be completely bad. What do you think they  might do well? 

    c) Why do you think most of the people of Israel did consider them to be their leaders?

2. a) Think about some people who are non-Christians, yet you consider them to be very nice, good people.  What do you like or admire about them?

    b) If you were to ask them why they don't go to a church or take Christianity seriously, what do you think they would say?

    c) If you were to ask them what characteristics/qualities are really important for living a successful life, what do you think they would say?

3. What is a Christian? How do you define that word?

4. Think about some Christians who you really respect? People who you think live and behave like a Christian should. Don't name them; just say what it is that you respect/like so  much.

5. a) There are some verses in Galatians that we've looked at before, but they are a concise picture of what Christians are like - so let's look again.

            Galatians 5: 22 - 26  ESV

            "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,  faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

            25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

    b) In your own words, what should a Christian be like?

    c) Is that what people in our culture see? What do they say?

6. a) Are Christians perfect? Can they make mistakes? Be unpleasant people? 

    b) How does a Christian become more like Jesus?