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In this twelfth installment expounding the book of Matthew, John Ritenbaugh insists that the ability to do miracles or perform signs does not identify a speaker as a representative of God, especially if in the aftermath of these signs there is an enticement to depart from the Word of God. Substantiation for both the second and third resurrections is found in Matthew 12:42-43. Jesus warns that if we ask God for protection from demonic influence, we cannot sit back passively; Satan always counterattacks. Evil absolutely must be displaced with good. Doing good (doing the will of God) blots out doing evil. Jesus encourages us to develop spiritual family relationships within the Church of God coupled with common experiences (striving to keep God’s laws and ideals) to reinforce godly behavior. Generally, we cannot expect this kind of special reinforcement from our blood relatives or physical friends. The parable of the sower reflects the various levels of receptivity (ranging from closed-mindedness, shallowness, moral weakness, immaturity, spiritual timidity, lack of commitment, excessive diversions-crowding out communication with God) and conversion among people who are exposed to the Word of God. Matthew 13:22-23 seems to be aimed at the ministry, providing encouragement (like a faithful farmer) to keep plugging away despite some abortive or un-germinated seed. Like a farmer, the minister must learn patience before results (or fruit) are realized. After one has been called, and revealed knowledge has been given) Christianity can only be understood from the inside out. We must use and develop what God has given or it will dissipate- like learning a foreign language. The study concludes with an exposition of the tares (Darnell) and wheat parable, indicating that Satan has planted false brethren that are hard to distinguish from the real. God is the only one fit to judge.[NB: This series of Bible Studies from 1981-82 is incomplete.]

Alcoholism analogy Calling Cares of life Christmas and Easter Closed mindedness Counting the cost Darnell Demons Doing good Drunkard analogy Expectations Experiences Healing Impulse to drink Impulse to smoke Lying wonders Men of Mysteries Nineveh Miracles of Jesus Job Parables Parable of the mustard seed Parable of the sower Parable of the wheat and tares Purpose of parables Queen of the South Revealed knowledge Reunion Satan�s counterattack Shallow-mindedness Signs Sign of Jonah Spanish language analogy Spiritual gift Spiritual growth Stony places Third resurrection Wheat berries Wicked generation

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