The Superiority Christ
The Superiority of Christ No. 1
Matt 12:38-41,Jonah 1,2,3,
The definition of Superiority:
Higher in Position, in Rank, in Authority.
Introduction: The Superiority of Christ is explained in this passages as a result of a request for a sign from Jesus Christ by certain of the scribes and Pharisees, but according to their request, the only sign that will be given was the sign of the prophet Jonas, a type of our Lord Jesus who would be buried after crucifixion, but be raised again after three days, Jesus said - For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and the nigh in the heart of the earth. In verse 41 Jesus made mentioned of the men of Nineveh who repented at the preaching of Jonah, and said behold a greater than Jonah is here, speaking of himself is greater than Jonah. Therefore we see.
The Superiority of Christ in relation to Jonah.
Matt. 12:38-41; Key word- A Greater than Jonah is here. But in what way was Jonah great, for in the book of Jonah chapter one we see:
1 Jonah: A disobedient Prophet Running away from God Jonah 1:1-17.
God had ask Jonah to go to Nineveh that great city and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. Vs 2, but Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, Jonah paid the fare vs.3, Jonah was fast asleep down into the sides of the ship vs 5, Jonah by his disobedience caused trouble for the people on the ship until they threw him overboard into the sea where he was swallowed by a great fish prepared by God.vs.5-17.
God Calls for both salvation and service, many are not obedient to the call of God, and by neglect we can suffer and cause others to suffer by our lack of obedience.
2. Jonah: A praying Prophet running back to God, chapter.2:1-10. Yes Jonah found himself praying in the belly of the fish, he realized he was in trouble. When disaster strikes many run to the church seeking God., but Jonah said Salvation is of the Lord vs. 9. In the book of Acts 4:12 we read Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. It is Christ and Christ alone.
3. Jonah: A Faithful Prophet: Running with God. Chap. 3.1-10 In verse 10 of chapter 2 we read –And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land The Lord can use anything to accomplish His purposes, He used a donkey to speak to Balaam the mad prophet, Numbers 22:28. Jesus can use a stone, he said in Luke 19:40 if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. In chapter 3 we find The same call, the same place, for the same reason, now Jonah arose, for though he failed before he did not stop there, Jonah was now obedient, this is what made Jonah great , his obedience. As a result the city of Nineveh was saved from destruction, God changed His plan. Obedience moves the heart of God..
God is calling Christians to be obedient, even though we have failed, there is mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me. You may be like Jonah, but you can be great by doing what the asked you to do. In Revelation 2:1-5 The church at Ephesus was admonished to returned to their first love, and so must we if we have left that first love for the Lord.
The superiority of Christ is seen by :
The greatness of His words Matt. 7:29.
The greatness of His love John. 15:13,John 10: 17-18.
The greatness of His Salvation. Heb. 2:1-3.
The greatness of a live in Him. A life of Holiness, Happiness, and Usefulness.