Pastor Teacher Evangelist Visionary Sermon Title: “What Other Signs Do You Need”? Matthew 16: 1-4

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and over cast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Matthew 16: 1-4 (cont’d) A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

Living Bible One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus’ claim of being the Messiah by asking Him to show them some great demonstration in the skies. He replied, “You are good at reading the weather signs of the skies - red sky tonight means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day – but you can’t read the obvious signs of the time! This evil, unbelieving nation is asking for some strange sign in the heavens, but no further proof will be given except the kind given to Jonah.” Then Jesus walked out on them.

Pastor Teacher Evangelist Visionary Sermon Title: “What Other Signs Do You Need”? Matthew 16: 1-4

Commentary At first glance of this scripture it seems as if Jesus is frustrated or agitated because the Pharisees and Sadducees ask him to perform a task that he is not able or capable of. But as we continue with hearing Jesus’ response, we come to understand that the request was not one of authentic inquiry, but a gesture to disprove his deity and divinity. They had heard and witness personally of the authority and power that Jesus proclaimed and demonstrated.

After all they believed that no one could do miracles but God. Yet because of their own agendas and hearts they choose to continue in disbelief. So Jesus dissed them! Jesus is saying “I really don’t have time to entertain these games. If you don’t believe in me, then at least you ought to at least believe in the miracles you see”! Especially if you say no one could do these things but God. Friends this is precisely the place where I struggle. If we believe in God and have been persuaded as we make

these sagacious claims, why do we constantly want a sign? I believe we sometimes like the Pharisees and Sadducees find ourselves asking for sign after sign when God has already demonstrated and done so much for us. It’s as if we have acquired amnesia when really we have determined that we are not ready to change.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were two opposing parties, and their views were diametrically opposed on any issues. But these two groups had a common enemy, Jesus. Their main purpose in asking for a sign from heaven was to try and explain away Jesus other miracles as a slight of hand, coincidence, or use of evil power; but they believed that only God could do a sign in the sky. Interesting! They said they knew that only God could perform such miracles.

We like the Religious leaders of that day, say we know that only God can perform the miracles that we have received, but continue to act as if he hasn’t done anything for us through our behavior and lifestyle. Jesus response was one of “since you have seen and you say you know God, then one more sign really won’t make a difference. In today’s terminology, if you don’t understand now then you need to get your heart right.

Jesus doesn’t waste any time entertaining the conversation. You see they did need another sign, they needed a change of heart and mind to receive the things of God. My friend, ‘do you need another sign? Have you understood that it was God all the time with you through those times and places? When things get better do you hold fast your position and increase your faith?

Or do you constantly ask God for sign after sign because you are not ready to change and commit to the truth? Dr. Janice Gilbert Senior Pastor – McKinney UMC

Pastor Teacher Evangelist Visionary Sermon Title: “What Other Signs Do You Need”? Matthew 16: 1-4

Life Application Statement: Have you become so polarized in your daily living that you can not stand firm in what you have seen, learned and been assured?

Life Application Principles 1. We don't need another sign but a change of heart. 2. God is not interested in how much we think we already know. 3. We are left to ourselves to make some decisions.