1. Leaving The House Empty Matthew 12:38-45

2. Introduction  Many lessons from parables Reveal and conceal (Matthew 13:10-17) Reveal and conceal (Matthew 13:10-17) Questioned by His enemies Questioned by His enemies  Object of the lesson was Israel Most rejected Jesus Most rejected Jesus Their conditioned worsened Their conditioned worsened

3. Analysis  Painful comparison to Nineveh A pagan city A pagan city Jonah sent to preach there (v. 41) Jonah sent to preach there (v. 41) Even the Queen of Sheba came to hear the wisdom of Solomon (v. 42) Even the Queen of Sheba came to hear the wisdom of Solomon (v. 42) They had the Son of God in their midst They had the Son of God in their midst

4. Analysis  A man who was healed Unclean spirit was gone (v. 43) Unclean spirit was gone (v. 43) Then it returned and found it swept (v. 44) Then it returned and found it swept (v. 44) Took with him seven more evil spirits and inhabited the house (v. 45) Took with him seven more evil spirits and inhabited the house (v. 45) Last state was worse than the first Last state was worse than the first

5. Analysis  Application was for Israel Had a great advantage in the Scriptures (Romans 3:1, 2) Had a great advantage in the Scriptures (Romans 3:1, 2) Yet, they distorted the message of the kingdom Yet, they distorted the message of the kingdom Thought of it as physical, political, and social Thought of it as physical, political, and social

6. Why Did The Evil Spirit Return?  He found a house void of good When men have an opportunity to improve and don’t, they get worse When men have an opportunity to improve and don’t, they get worse This describes Israel This describes Israel Christ came but they had their own false ideas Christ came but they had their own false ideas

7. Why Did The Evil Spirit Return?  We must replace the old man of sin Avoid evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22) Avoid evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22) Be filled with good works (Titus 3:8; Hebrews 13:21; James 1:27) Be filled with good works (Titus 3:8; Hebrews 13:21; James 1:27) Filled with the Spirit (Romans 8:11-13; Ephesians 5:18, 19) Filled with the Spirit (Romans 8:11-13; Ephesians 5:18, 19) Filled with knowledge (Colossians 1:9) Filled with knowledge (Colossians 1:9)

8. Why Did The Evil Spirit Return?  Requirements Study (2 Timothy 2:15) Study (2 Timothy 2:15) Grow (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:17, 18) Grow (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:17, 18) Diligence (2 Peter 1:5-11) Diligence (2 Peter 1:5-11)

9. Why Did The Evil Spirit Return?  Last state is worse than the first Worse off than before (v. 45; 2 Peter 2:20-22) Worse off than before (v. 45; 2 Peter 2:20-22) Evil people get worse, not better (2 Timothy 3:13; Hebrews 6:4-8) Evil people get worse, not better (2 Timothy 3:13; Hebrews 6:4-8) How many have we known who have fallen away? How many have we known who have fallen away?

10. So It Was With Israel MMMMain application was for them Temple destroyed in AD 70 Individuals, groups, and nations fall SSSSame thing repeated everyday People allow Satan to control them Be on guard (Hebrews 3:12) Take advantage of our opportunities

11. Conclusion  Identify what is right and follow it  Stand up for what is right