Responding to the King: Faith Over Signs
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the Gospel of Matthew, specifically focusing on the third book, which emphasizes how people respond to the King, Jesus. We explored Matthew 12:38-45, where the religious leaders demand more signs from Jesus, despite having witnessed His miracles. Jesus rebukes them, stating that an evil and adulterous generation seeks signs, and the only sign they will receive is the sign of Jonah. Jonah's story is a powerful illustration of repentance and God's mercy, and Jesus uses it to highlight the importance of responding to His message.
Jesus contrasts the responses of the Queen of the South and the people of Nineveh, both Gentiles, who responded to lesser evidence with repentance and seeking wisdom. In contrast, the Jewish leaders, with greater evidence, still reject Jesus. Jesus emphasizes that He is greater than both Solomon and Jonah, bringing a better kingdom and a more profound message.
We also discussed the danger of ignoring Jesus' work. Jesus uses a parable about an unclean spirit leaving a person, only to return with more spirits to an empty, though clean, house. This illustrates the peril of moralistic, therapeutic deism—a belief system that prioritizes being good and feeling good over genuine spiritual transformation. Jesus warns that merely cleaning up one's life without filling it with God leaves one vulnerable to greater spiritual danger.
Finally, we examined how Jesus remained unswayed by flattery, fear, or criticism, embodying a non-anxious presence. This differentiation allows us to engage the world without being captive to it. The true gospel humbles us by revealing our deep sinfulness and exalts us by showing us God's immense love. This dual realization equips us to live confidently and humbly, fully trusting in Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Demand for Signs: The religious leaders' demand for more signs from Jesus, despite witnessing His miracles, reveals a deeper issue of unbelief. Jesus rebukes them, stating that an evil generation seeks signs and points to the sign of Jonah as the only sign they will receive. This highlights the importance of faith and repentance over seeking miraculous proofs. [33:24]
2. The Greater Wisdom and Kingdom: Jesus contrasts the responses of the Queen of the South and the people of Nineveh, who sought wisdom and repented with less evidence, to the Jewish leaders who reject Him despite greater evidence. Jesus emphasizes that He is greater than Solomon and Jonah, bringing a better kingdom and a more profound message. This calls us to recognize and respond to the greater wisdom and kingdom Jesus offers. [37:31]
3. The Danger of Ignoring Jesus: Jesus warns about the danger of ignoring His work through a parable of an unclean spirit returning to an empty, though clean, house. This illustrates the peril of moralistic, therapeutic deism—a belief system that prioritizes being good and feeling good over genuine spiritual transformation. Merely cleaning up one's life without filling it with God leaves one vulnerable to greater spiritual danger. [43:45]
4. Non-Anxious Presence: Jesus remained unswayed by flattery, fear, or criticism, embodying a non-anxious presence. This differentiation allows us to engage the world without being captive to it. By holding onto the gospel, which humbles us by revealing our deep sinfulness and exalts us by showing us God's immense love, we can live confidently and humbly, fully trusting in Jesus. [01:04:21]
5. True Gospel Transformation: The true gospel tells us that we are worse than we think, as our sin required the death of the Son of God, but also that we are more loved than we could ever imagine. This dual realization equips us to live confidently and humbly, fully trusting in Jesus. It calls us to give up our self-salvation projects and transfer our trust to Christ, enabling us to engage the world with peace and wisdom. [01:07:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[31:47] - Introduction to Matthew's Third Book
[33:24] - Demand for Signs
[34:49] - The Sign of Jonah
[36:14] - Jesus' Challenge to the Religious Leaders
[37:31] - Greater Wisdom and Kingdom
[39:17] - Jesus as the True and Better Solomon
[40:57] - Jesus as the True and Better Jonah
[42:32] - The Danger of Ignoring Jesus
[43:45] - Parable of the Unclean Spirit
[45:18] - Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism
[48:21] - False Gospel vs. True Gospel
[51:13] - The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
[54:10] - The Call to Genuine Faith
[55:34] - Trusting Jesus Fully
[01:04:21] - Non-Anxious Presence
[01:07:20] - True Gospel Transformation
[01:14:10] - Conclusion and Invitation to Communion
[01:30:51] - Benediction and Farewell
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 12:38-45
- Jonah 3:1-10
- 1 Kings 10:1-13
### Observation Questions
1. What did the religious leaders demand from Jesus in Matthew 12:38, and how did Jesus respond to their request? ([33:24])
2. How does Jesus use the story of Jonah to illustrate His point to the religious leaders? ([34:49])
3. What is the significance of Jesus mentioning the Queen of the South and the people of Nineveh in His response? ([37:31])
4. In the parable of the unclean spirit, what happens to the person after the spirit leaves and then returns? ([43:45])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus refer to the generation seeking signs as "evil and adulterous"? What does this reveal about their faith? ([33:24])
2. How does the story of Jonah serve as a "sign" for the people Jesus is addressing? What parallels can be drawn between Jonah's mission and Jesus' ministry? ([34:49])
3. What does Jesus mean when He says that something greater than Solomon and Jonah is here? How does this statement challenge the religious leaders' understanding? ([37:31])
4. How does the parable of the unclean spirit illustrate the dangers of moralistic, therapeutic deism? What does it say about the importance of genuine spiritual transformation? ([43:45])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you sought a sign from God instead of trusting in His word. How did that affect your faith? What steps can you take to cultivate a faith that does not rely on signs? ([33:24])
2. Jesus highlights the repentance of the people of Nineveh and the Queen of the South's pursuit of wisdom. How can you actively seek wisdom and repentance in your daily life? ([37:31])
3. The sermon warns against the dangers of moralistic, therapeutic deism. Are there areas in your life where you prioritize being good and feeling good over genuine spiritual transformation? How can you address this? ([43:45])
4. Jesus remained a non-anxious presence despite flattery, fear, or criticism. How can you cultivate a similar non-anxious presence in your interactions with others? ([01:04:21])
5. The true gospel reveals our deep sinfulness and God's immense love. How does this dual realization impact your daily life and interactions with others? ([01:07:20])
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you have tried to "clean up" without inviting God into it. What steps can you take to fill that area with God's presence and guidance? ([43:45])
7. When was the last time you took a risk for Jesus? What is one specific action you can take this week to step out in faith and follow Jesus more closely? ([55:34])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Over Signs
Description:
In Matthew 12:38-45, the religious leaders demand more signs from Jesus, despite having already witnessed His miracles. This demand reveals a deeper issue of unbelief and a desire for proof rather than faith. Jesus rebukes them, stating that an evil and adulterous generation seeks signs and points to the sign of Jonah as the only sign they will receive. Jonah's story is a powerful illustration of repentance and God's mercy, and Jesus uses it to highlight the importance of responding to His message with faith and repentance rather than seeking miraculous proofs. Jesus emphasizes that true faith does not rely on constant signs but trusts in God's word and His revealed truth. [33:24]
Bible Passage:
"For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:22-24, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a time when you sought a sign from God to confirm your faith. How can you shift your focus from seeking signs to deepening your trust in God's word and His promises today?
Day 2: Recognizing Greater Wisdom and Kingdom
Description:
Jesus contrasts the responses of the Queen of the South and the people of Nineveh, who sought wisdom and repented with less evidence, to the Jewish leaders who reject Him despite greater evidence. The Queen of the South traveled a great distance to hear Solomon's wisdom, and the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah's preaching. Jesus emphasizes that He is greater than Solomon and Jonah, bringing a better kingdom and a more profound message. This calls us to recognize and respond to the greater wisdom and kingdom Jesus offers. We are invited to seek Jesus' wisdom and embrace His kingdom, which surpasses all earthly wisdom and power. [37:31]
Bible Passage:
"The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here." (Matthew 12:42, ESV)
Reflection:
In what ways can you actively seek the wisdom and kingdom of Jesus in your daily life? How can you prioritize His teachings over worldly wisdom and values?
Day 3: The Peril of Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism
Description:
Jesus warns about the danger of ignoring His work through a parable of an unclean spirit returning to an empty, though clean, house. This illustrates the peril of moralistic, therapeutic deism—a belief system that prioritizes being good and feeling good over genuine spiritual transformation. Merely cleaning up one's life without filling it with God leaves one vulnerable to greater spiritual danger. Jesus teaches that true transformation comes from a relationship with God, not just moral behavior or self-improvement. We are called to invite God's presence into our lives, allowing Him to fill and transform us from the inside out. [43:45]
Bible Passage:
"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order." (Matthew 12:43-44, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on areas of your life where you may be relying on self-improvement rather than seeking God's transformative presence. How can you invite God to fill those areas today?
Day 4: Embracing a Non-Anxious Presence
Description:
Jesus remained unswayed by flattery, fear, or criticism, embodying a non-anxious presence. This differentiation allows us to engage the world without being captive to it. By holding onto the gospel, which humbles us by revealing our deep sinfulness and exalts us by showing us God's immense love, we can live confidently and humbly, fully trusting in Jesus. This non-anxious presence enables us to navigate life's challenges with peace and wisdom, grounded in our identity in Christ. We are called to emulate Jesus' example, remaining steadfast in our faith and not allowing external pressures to dictate our actions or emotions. [01:04:21]
Bible Passage:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify a situation in your life where you feel anxious or pressured. How can you practice being a non-anxious presence in that situation, trusting in God's peace and guidance?
Day 5: True Gospel Transformation
Description:
The true gospel tells us that we are worse than we think, as our sin required the death of the Son of God, but also that we are more loved than we could ever imagine. This dual realization equips us to live confidently and humbly, fully trusting in Jesus. It calls us to give up our self-salvation projects and transfer our trust to Christ, enabling us to engage the world with peace and wisdom. True gospel transformation involves recognizing our deep need for God's grace and responding to His immense love with faith and obedience. This transformation empowers us to live out our faith authentically, impacting those around us with the love and truth of Christ. [01:07:20]
Bible Passage:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on an area of your life where you have been relying on your own efforts rather than God's grace. How can you surrender this area to Jesus and experience true gospel transformation today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The kingdom of God is here in a new way, and in this third book, there's a kind of an accent or an emphasis on responding. How do they respond to the news of this king? And so today, we're going to look at eight verses towards the end of Matthew chapter 12, and we are going to see the demand for more signs, the danger of ignoring, and the differentiation of Jesus." [31:47] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus is showing them that he's the only true king with the only true kingdom. The person is better. Jesus is better than Solomon, but the whole thing is better. Jesus is better than Solomon, but the entire situation that Jesus is bringing is better. He's bringing a whole kingdom. That's what he has been preaching since he showed up on the scene. The kingdom of God is at hand." [39:17] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are built to follow Jesus with everything we've got. To see him as king, and to trust him to call the shots. We are built for adventure with Jesus. To step out of this life, to step out in risk, to step out in curiosity, to step out into the unknown, to follow Jesus wherever he wants to lead us." [52:31] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The gospel tells me that I am worse than I think I am. That my sin is so bad, that somebody had to die for it. And not just anybody. The Son of God had to die for it. That's how the gospel starts. That's the gospel news, is that you got a problem. You're in trouble." [07:20] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The gospel tells me I'm worse than I think I am. It tells me I'm far more loved than I could have ever dared to hope. Listen, if you will let that pierce your soul, then it offers the resources to be both humble and confident at the very same time. And I think this is the road to being a non-anxious presence." [01:08:53] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Jesus is saying that although this man had experienced an act of God, the removal of the evil spirit, he didn't respond to God at all. He didn't respond to God at all. God emptied out the house, and he cleaned it, but he didn't fill it with anything. Nothing like the repenting and the listening in Nineveh or the Ethiopian queen. He did not do anything truly spiritual." [45:18] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you think the message of the gospel is turn over a new leaf, if you think the message of the gospel is just stop drinking so much, if you think that the message of the gospel is just get your relationships sorted out, if you think that's the gospel, you are actually in more danger than you were before." [49:42] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We have so many ways, and so many of our churches are guilty, of this. So many sermons that I have preached and others have preached have been guilty of this, where we have given you the impression that the goal here is for you to have a cleaned-up life, for you to have some sort of a moral life, and that is a false gospel. That is not the goal. That is not what Jesus is ultimately most fundamentally after." [54:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When's the last time you've taken a risk for Jesus? Even moderate ones, like committing to a spiritual practice for 30 days in a row. Just saying, I'm going to give 15 minutes to Jesus every day for the next 30 days. And like, keep your word. Committing to rhythms of worship with your church family on Sundays and in small groups in a way where that is unassailable, where it's just blacked out on your calendar." [01:00:09] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you've given up your self-salvation projects, if you've actually transferred trust from yourself to Christ, so when your identity is rooted in the gospel, then you can engage the world without being captive to it. You can be present, but not so ingrained that you can't see it. You can actually have differentiation so that when these moments happen in your life, you can actually respond with peace, with wisdom." [01:11:51] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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