Seeking Signs vs. Embracing a Relationship with Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Redemption Church! Today, we delved into Matthew 12:38-42, exploring the theme of seeking signs versus seeking a relationship with Jesus. I began by sharing a personal story about how my family and I came to Redemption Church, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God's signs in our lives. We often find ourselves in situations where we demand signs from God before taking action, much like the Pharisees who asked Jesus for a sign despite witnessing numerous miracles.
I shared a humorous yet poignant story about a man who drowned while waiting for a divine sign, ignoring the help God had already sent. This story illustrates our tendency to overlook God's provisions because they don't match our expectations. We then transitioned to the text, where Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their hardened hearts and their demand for a sign, calling them an "evil and adulterous generation." Jesus points out that they have already seen enough evidence to believe, yet they refuse to accept Him.
We discussed how Jesus compares Himself to Jonah and Solomon, emphasizing that He is the greater prophet and king. Jonah's simple message led the people of Nineveh to repentance, and the Queen of Sheba traveled far to hear Solomon's wisdom. Yet, something greater than Jonah and Solomon is here—Jesus Himself. Despite this, the Pharisees' hearts remained hardened.
I challenged us to reflect on our own lives, asking if we have committed spiritual adultery by seeking signs instead of a relationship with Jesus. Do we recognize Jesus' authority as the greater Jonah and Solomon? Does our life reflect this recognition? I shared a personal story about confessing my wrongs to my son, highlighting the importance of humility and repentance.
Finally, I urged us to live in a way that we become the signs people are searching for when they seek answers about eternity. What would Lakeland look like if we all lived as true followers of Christ, being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community?
### Key Takeaways
1. Recognizing God's Signs: Often, we demand specific signs from God before taking action, much like the Pharisees. However, God frequently provides what we need in ways we might not expect. Our challenge is to recognize and act on these signs rather than waiting for something more spectacular. [06:07]
2. Spiritual Adultery: Every time we prioritize something over our relationship with Jesus, we commit spiritual adultery. This can be anything from work to leisure activities. We must constantly evaluate our priorities to ensure Jesus remains at the center of our lives. [15:25]
3. Jesus as the Greater Jonah and Solomon: Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the roles of prophet and king. His resurrection is the ultimate validation of His claims and promises. Recognizing His authority means trusting in His wisdom and guidance over our own. [18:38]
4. The Importance of Repentance: True repentance involves a radical change of heart and behavior. The people of Nineveh repented at Jonah's simple message, and we are called to do the same at the words of Jesus. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry but about turning away from sin and towards God. [24:47]
5. Living as Signs for Others: We are called to be living signs of God's love and truth. Our lives should reflect the gospel in such a way that others see and are drawn to Jesus. This involves living counter-culturally and prioritizing our faith in all aspects of life. [38:28]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:13] - Personal Story: Journey to Redemption Church
[06:07] - The Man on the Roof: Recognizing God's Signs
[08:35] - Spiritual Adultery: Prioritizing Jesus
[11:12] - Context: Pharisees and Signs
[13:53] - Jesus' Response: An Evil and Adulterous Generation
[15:25] - Seeking Signs Over the Savior
[18:38] - Jesus as the Greater Jonah and Solomon
[20:11] - Jonah's Message and Nineveh's Repentance
[24:47] - Jesus' Compassion vs. Jonah's Reluctance
[26:30] - Judging Others: The Pharisees' Hypocrisy
[29:38] - The Queen of Sheba: Seeking Wisdom
[37:10] - Confession and Repentance: Personal Story
[38:28] - Living as Signs for Others
[39:09] - Conclusion: Responding with Repentance
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 12:38-42 (ESV)
- Jonah 3:4 (ESV)
- 1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV)
### Observation Questions
1. What was the Pharisees' request to Jesus in Matthew 12:38, and how did Jesus respond to it? [12:37]
2. How does Jesus compare Himself to Jonah and Solomon in Matthew 12:41-42? [18:38]
3. What was Jonah's message to the people of Nineveh, and how did they respond? [20:11]
4. According to 1 Corinthians 4:5, what will happen when the Lord comes?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Jesus call the generation "evil and adulterous" for seeking a sign? What does this reveal about their hearts? [13:53]
2. How does Jesus' resurrection serve as the ultimate validation of His claims and promises? [17:06]
3. In what ways did the people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba show a different response to God's message compared to the Pharisees? [18:38]
4. How does 1 Corinthians 4:5 challenge us to think about our hidden actions and the true intentions of our hearts?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you asked God for a sign before taking action. How did that situation turn out, and what did you learn from it? [07:18]
2. Have you ever prioritized something over your relationship with Jesus, committing "spiritual adultery"? What steps can you take to re-center your life around Him? [15:25]
3. Jesus is described as the greater Jonah and Solomon. How does recognizing His authority impact your daily decisions and trust in His guidance? [18:38]
4. True repentance involves a radical change of heart and behavior. Is there an area in your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? What practical steps can you take this week? [24:47]
5. How can you live in a way that reflects the gospel and becomes a sign for others seeking answers about eternity? Think of one specific action you can take in your community. [38:28]
6. Consider the story of the man waiting for a divine sign while ignoring the help God had already sent. Are there ways you might be overlooking God's provisions in your life? How can you become more aware of and grateful for these provisions? [06:07]
7. How does the idea of being accountable for every action and word on Judgment Day affect your current lifestyle and choices? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with God's will? [29:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Signs
Often, we demand specific signs from God before taking action, much like the Pharisees. However, God frequently provides what we need in ways we might not expect. Our challenge is to recognize and act on these signs rather than waiting for something more spectacular. The story of the man who drowned while waiting for a divine sign, ignoring the help God had already sent, illustrates our tendency to overlook God's provisions because they don't match our expectations. We must learn to see God's hand in the ordinary and trust that He is guiding us, even when it doesn't look like what we imagined. [06:07]
Matthew 16:2-3 (ESV): "He answered them, 'When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.'"
Reflection: Think about a recent situation where you were waiting for a clear sign from God. Can you identify any ways God might have been guiding you that you overlooked? How can you be more attentive to His subtle signs in the future?
Day 2: Spiritual Adultery
Every time we prioritize something over our relationship with Jesus, we commit spiritual adultery. This can be anything from work to leisure activities. We must constantly evaluate our priorities to ensure Jesus remains at the center of our lives. The Pharisees were rebuked by Jesus for their hardened hearts and their demand for a sign, despite having witnessed numerous miracles. This serves as a reminder that our faith should not be contingent on constant signs but should be rooted in a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. [15:25]
James 4:4 (ESV): "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
Reflection: What are some things in your life that you might be prioritizing over your relationship with Jesus? How can you reorient your daily routine to ensure that Jesus remains at the center?
Day 3: Jesus as the Greater Jonah and Solomon
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the roles of prophet and king. His resurrection is the ultimate validation of His claims and promises. Recognizing His authority means trusting in His wisdom and guidance over our own. Jesus compares Himself to Jonah and Solomon, emphasizing that He is the greater prophet and king. Jonah's simple message led the people of Nineveh to repentance, and the Queen of Sheba traveled far to hear Solomon's wisdom. Yet, something greater than Jonah and Solomon is here—Jesus Himself. [18:38]
Hebrews 3:3 (ESV): "For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust Jesus' wisdom and guidance over your own? What steps can you take to surrender these areas to His authority?
Day 4: The Importance of Repentance
True repentance involves a radical change of heart and behavior. The people of Nineveh repented at Jonah's simple message, and we are called to do the same at the words of Jesus. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry but about turning away from sin and towards God. This involves a deep humility and a willingness to change our ways. Reflecting on our own lives, we must ask if we have committed spiritual adultery by seeking signs instead of a relationship with Jesus. [24:47]
Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
Reflection: Is there a specific sin or behavior in your life that you need to repent of? What practical steps can you take today to turn away from this sin and towards God?
Day 5: Living as Signs for Others
We are called to be living signs of God's love and truth. Our lives should reflect the gospel in such a way that others see and are drawn to Jesus. This involves living counter-culturally and prioritizing our faith in all aspects of life. Imagine what your community would look like if everyone lived as true followers of Christ, being the hands and feet of Jesus. Our actions and attitudes should serve as a testament to God's love and draw others to seek Him. [38:28]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you be a living sign of God's love and truth in your community today? What specific actions can you take to reflect the gospel to those around you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're like, okay, I could potentially be convinced to do that, but I just need to see something first, right? Like I just need to see, I just need to know for sure. I need to know that God's doing this. It reminds me of the story. I've heard this story many times over the years, but of this fella, he was stuck up on the roof of his house and it was flooding, right? And he was like, oh, I need to know for sure. I need to know that God's doing this. And he couldn't get in his car and leave. The water was too high. So as he's on the roof of his house, he's praying, right? He's praying. God's going to save me." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I think it's only a problem doing this. And I, I think it really only applies when it comes to our faith because at the core, right at its core, we know the gospel is true, but we just resist it. We just push back. And so what I would say is the problem is not your head. It's your heart, right? The problem isn't the knowledge. It's the heart response to it. And so what happens is our head invents these reasons to not believe, right? Because our heart doesn't want to believe." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We commit spiritual adultery every single time we take something and we make it more important than our relationship with Jesus. Well, can't go to church today. My can't make it to small group tonight because that's my only night that I'm off work. I'm not working and I just need to veg out and watch Netflix. Well, I can't serve today because today is father's day and I want to go fishing. I just want to go out on my boat. I just want to go swimming, grilling, golfing, whatever. We are guilty of this." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Friends, we have to start prioritizing Jesus above all else, because when we don't, when we don't do that, we become the evil and adulterous generation Jesus is speaking to here. As we keep reading in verse 40, it says for justice, Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish. So will the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Redemption Church exists to see every man, woman, and child come to know the gospel. Hear the gospel and come into a saving relationship with King Jesus. So this is the last question. We're going to leave it up for you. But friends, what would Lakeland look like if we all lived in such a way that we were the signs people are searching for when they seek answers about eternity?" (27 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I think it's interesting that we tend to only take this approach of like needing this sign before we take action in our faith. I'll give you an example. So my wife and I, we've been married, uh, 21, 21, 21 years. Gosh, boy. Okay. 22 years, 22 years in December. She was in first service. It's fine. Um, so we've been married 22 years and we have this fun game over laundry. Most of our houses revolve either around laundry or my bathroom time. That's it. Pretty much the Burke's household in a nutshell." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I think it's easy for us to look and read this and say, oh man, look how sinful they are. They were bad. Glad I don't do that. Right? But the reality is we do this. We do this. We do. We commit spiritual adultery every single time we take something and we make it more important than our relationship with Jesus. Well, can't go to church today. My can't make it to small group tonight because that's my only night that I'm off work. I'm not working and I just need to veg out and watch Netflix. Well, I can't serve today because today is father's day and I want to go fishing. I just want to go out on my boat. I just want to go swimming, grilling, golfing, whatever. We are guilty of this." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And then Jesus starts talking about this judgment, right? This judgment that's coming. And for us, there's not a number attached, right? We don't have a number like 40 days. We don't have a date on the calendar to circle and say, I better make sure I'm good for then. But make no mistake, friends, like judgment day is coming for each and every person. And on that day, you and I will be brought into accountability for every single action that we've taken, every single word that we have spoken, every single relationship that we have done, every single sin that we have committed, every choice that we have made, good, bad, indifferent, in between. We are going to be called into accountability for those choices." (46 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I think we can read this passage today and I think you can look at the people, the Pharisees here and think, well gosh, but how could they have not believed? How could they have not believed? They had Jesus right there. He was in the flesh. He was literally standing there, speaking to them, quoting scripture, doing miraculous signs. How could they not have believed? And yet I would say to us, friends, we have the word of God. We have the actual written words of God himself. We have it in printed version, in digital version. We have it in any way you could possibly want to read it. We have access to more information, especially the Bible at our fingertips than any generation before us. Yet we still question God. We still demand signs. We still ask to see something more." (46 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so I want us to sit and think through a few questions this morning. The first would be this. Have I committed spiritual adultery by seeking signs from Jesus instead of a relationship with him? Again, every time we take something and we put it into the place that only Jesus is meant to fill, we're committing spiritual adultery. We're saying, I know more. This idol is better. This thing is better. Whatever it is, it's better for me. Jesus, you don't really know. Have I done that?" (46 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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