Introduction:
2 Timothy 3 describes our world today. We live in perilous times where mankind is solely consumed with self. It was no different in the day of Christ. The Pharisees felt that their religion and traditions were greater than God Himself. Jesus used pictures from the OT to point to Himself. For Him to compare or even to contrast Himself with one of His own creatures is supreme condescension. He is greater!
The Word of God is full of Shadows; in the 12th chapter of Matthew, there are three mentioned. Any time you see a shadow, you know the substance is not far.
I. A Greater Provision - Mat 12:6
A. The Temple was a symbol of God’s presence
B. The Temple spoke of accusation
C. The Temple demanded that they do, Rom 5:1
II. A Greater Prophet - Mt. 12:41
A. A Greater Message
B. Greater Miracles, Mt. 12:15
C. A Greater Mission, Jonah 4:1, Luke 19:10
D. A Greater Mercy, Ro 5:8
E. A Greater Manifestation
1. Jonah suffered against his will, Christ willingly
2. Jonah’s suffering saved a small group, Christ died for the
entire world
3. Jonah suffered, lived, died, and was buried!
III. A Greater King Ruler Man - Mat 12:42, 1 Ki 10:8
A. Jesus is Greater in His Witness, 2Ch 9:23
1. Jesus was Conceived by a Miracle
2. Jesus was Cared for by a Virtuous Mother (unlike Bathsheba)
3. Jesus was Announced by Angels
B. Jesus is Greater in His Wisdom, Rom 11:33, 1Co 1:30
C. Jesus was Greater in His Walk, Solomon - 1Ki 11:4, 2Co 5:21, 1Pe 2:22, 1Jo 3:5
D. Jesus is Greater in His Wealth - 1Ki 10:21, Ps 24:1, Ps 50:10, Ps 89:11, Hag 2:8
E. Jesus is Greater in His Works
1.Solomon was great in Peace - no war during His time
a.Jesus has wrought out our redemption
b.Jesus was greater than Solomon in His peace giving power
2. Solomon was a great Engineer
a. Jesus was the builder of Creation, down to the smallest atom
b. Jesus is the builder of His Church - the author and finisher of our faith! It is:
1) Effectual - Eph 3:7
2) Eternal - Heb 5:9
3) Extravagant - Solomon kept it all- Jesus gave it all! 2 Cor 8:9
F. Jesus is Greater in His Worship - 2Ch 9:6, Eph 1:20
Conclusion:
Substance is greater than the Shadow. All three were shadows of the genuine Messiah, the provision for the salvation of mankind - yet most that saw Him, heard Him, witnessed his mighty works - rejected Him.
• They did not reject the symbol of the Temple
• The did not reject the story of a Prophet
• They did not reject the splendor of an earthly king
But they rejected the very SUBSTANCE of Salvation.
• He is greater and worthy of Praise.
• He is greater and worthy of our Surrender
Oh how I wish my mere words could describe Him to you.
Through Jesus Christ:
Live’s have been changed
Fevered brows have cooled
Blinded eyes have opened
Deaf ears have unstopped
Sin’s shackles have fallen away
Night has turned to day
Hope had replaced defeat
Saints have shouted
Angels have bowed
Devils have trembled
Sinners have broken
Lost men have been found
Defeat has been swallowed up in the jaws of victory
His name strikes fear in those that despise Him,
and DELIGHT in the hearts of those that love Him!
HIS NAME IS JESUS - and there is none greater!
Do you know Him?
Do you live in a way that honors the GREATEST of ALL!
What our world needs is Jesus, and a church that really believes that there is none Greater!
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own thoughts and work, and many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. I purposely include a skeleton outline, and not my full text, for this purpose. It is all for His Glory.
