Matthew 11:20-30

Woe on Unrepentant Cities

Frankly, most of the people that came to see Jesus, came to see His miracles. The unfortunate part was that they, generally, ignored His message and didn't repent. Jesus then began to denounce the cities in which most of the miracles had been performed.

 

1. Even, if you are not familiar with the location or the stories associated with Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, what is one thing that these cities had in common?

2. What does an "unrepentant city" look like? 

-When we think, "unrepentant city," do we think of New York City or Las Vegas? What about Ames, Nevada, Story City, Boone, Gilbert or Ankeny? Are these "unrepentant cities?"

3. Jesus indicated that if the people of Tyre and Sidon had seen the miracles performed in Korazin and Bethsaida, they would have "repented in sackcloth and ashes." 

-As a side note...what are "sackcloth and ashes." Why would people in a repentant city put these on?

-If the city that you live in saw Jesus' miracles, what would its response be?

Rest for the Weary

 Jesus indicated, in v 25, that the things of God were being hidden from the "wise and learned" and were instead being revealed to little children.

1. Who were the "wise and learned?" 

-Why would God hide anything from these people?

-If they were so "wise," why didn't they figure out the things of God on their own?

-Who are the "wise" people of 2008? Are the things of God being hidden from them still?

2. Why would God reveal these things to little children?

-Wouldn't it make more sense for God to reveal His wisdom to those that were older or more "wise and learned?"

 

3. Review v 26

-Why would God find pleasure in hiding these things from the "wise" and revealing it to little children?

4. Review v 27

-Is Jesus really the only Way to God?

-What about Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam? Could you not use these ways to get to know God?

Jesus made an invitation to the overburdened around Him. Let's take a few minutes and discuss the invitation.

1. Review vs 28

-Have you ever felt weary and burdened? Is this a physical feeling? Or, does it have an emotional and spiritual component also?

-What were some ways in which you attempted to alleviate your weariness? Did you feel that your burden was lifted with those methods?

2. Review Jesus' invitation in vs 29 and 30

-How could Jesus' teachings give your soul rest?

-Have you experienced this rest that Jesus is offering you?

 

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Matthew 11: 20-30

Matthew 11: 1-19

Jesus and John the Baptist

(Suggested readings: Matthew Chapter 3 and 14: 3-6)

 Earlier in Matthew's narrative, John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the One who will baptize with Holy Spirit and fire. Later, apparently, John developed some doubts....

1. Review v 2 and 3

-What would be some of the things that John would hear about in prison? 

-Would these bring comfort to him? Excitement? Would he be discouraged in anyway?

-Why did doubt start to develop?

-What does this say about the humanity of John?

2. Review Jesus' response in vs 4 and 5

-If John had already heard these things while he was in prison, why would Jesus ask John's disciples to tell him again?

-In what way would Jesus' miracles support that He was the one that "was to come?"

3. Jesus added in v 6 that "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

-What does this mean?

-Would this statement have had any effect on John's disciples?

4. Review vs 7-16

-Why did Jesus contrast John against a "reed swaying in the wind?" How about His contrast of John against "those that wear fine clothes in king's palaces?"

-Why did Jesus have such a high opinion of John?

-If Jesus viewed John as a prophet, why did John need confirmation from Jesus about who He is?

5. In the final verses of this section, Jesus questioned the generation of John the Baptist. He pointed out that they refused to respond to the ministry of John as well as Jesus.

Review the last part of vs 19: "But, wisdom is proved right by her actions."

-What does this mean?

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt

Matthew 11: 1-19

NO WEEKEND SERVICES- Dec 13, 14

As a reminder, there will be no weekend services on Dec 13th and 14th due to Cornerstone's Christmas Production- Esmeralda

"Once upon a time, in a world very much like our own, there lived a young girl. Like all children, there was a time of year that she cherished above all. That time, of course, was Christmas. And so it was, that one Christmas she received a gift. Inside that gift lurked something dangerous, something that would change her life forever."

Production times: 

Tuesday December 9th, 7:30 pm

Wednesday, December 10th, 7:30pm: Sold out

Thursday, December 11th, 7:30pm

Friday, December 12th, 7:30pm: Sold out

Saturday, December 13th:

 2:00pm- Sold Out

 5:00pm- Sold Out

 8:00pm- Sold Out

Sunday, December 14th:

 11:00am

 2:00pm- Sold Out

 5:00pm

Over 5000 tickets have been sold for this production! The tickets for these last services are going fast!!!

  Invite your friends and family to Esmeralda to the remaining services!