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2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 2 Corinthians 5:7, According to His Word., According to the scripture, Are we seeking God's way or our own., Compromised., Hebrews 11:1-6, Jesus calls us to follow Him not the world., John 14:6, John 8:42-45, Listening to God or man?, Matthew 12:34-42, Matthew 16:1-4, Matthew 6:24, Romans 11:36-12:3, Seeking for a sign., Signs of the times?, Truth IS Truth--Jesus Is Truth
Seeking For A Sign??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #206
We live in a culture, even much of our Christian culture, that seems to be fixated on signs! Not the signs that we are called to observe (the signs of the times that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 23-25, as well as other places) but seeking proof of God’s presence, His work, and often just to prove a point—Jesus makes it clear that there are “signs of the times”, but He also makes it clear that “seeking signs” is a different thing! I just want us to consider what Jesus says, in deference to what men may say.
As Jesus spoke to the religious leaders, He didn’t mince words—He never does! And I don’t think He’s mincing words as He speaks to us today if we’re willing to hear Him!
“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came,
and tempting
desired him
that he would shew them a sign
from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them,
When it is evening, ye say,
It will be fair weather:
for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning,
It will be foul weather to day:
for the sky is red and lowring.
O ye hypocrites,
ye can discern the face of the sky;
but can ye not
discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation
seeketh after a sign;
and there shall no sign be given unto it,
but the sign of the prophet Jonas.
And he left them, and departed.” Matthew 16:1-4
Jesus talks about this again in Matthew even with a bit more information; He tells us what the “sign of the prophet Jonas” was referring to; for they were demanding that He prove Himself with “a sign” just for them. What are you asking God to prove to you? How shall we find the purposes of God? In Jesus, and by abiding in Him, not looking inside of ourselves as many are promoting these days; our culture, including many Christians, who are turning to pantheistic self-improvement from within ourselves! I challenge you to find self-improvement in scripture; God’s Word is replete with reminders that “all have sinned” and only Jesus can, will and does provide salvation to those who believe in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—a transforming power. Paul says it better than I can, we must be transformed by the work of Jesus’ saving power and grace, not self-improvement, or the world’s message to look inside of yourself. Oh, my friends, only Jesus can change hearts and lives by the blood that He shed for you and me; and three days in the grave from which He arose victorious over sin, death, and hell! Don’t be like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and reject the only true salvation. You cannot do it yourself!
“For of him,
and through him,
and to him,
are all things:
to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy,
acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove
what is that good,
and acceptable,
and perfect,
will of God.
3 For I say,
through the grace given unto me,
to every man that is among you,
not to think
of himself more highly
than he ought to think;
but to think
soberly,
according as God hath dealt
to every man
the measure of faith.” Romans 11:36-12:1-3
So, back to the words of Jesus, that we may hear truth from Him who IS truth—The Only Way to God—Jesus!
“Jesus saith unto him,
I am
the way,
the truth,
and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me.” John 14:6
On to Jesus’ truth about signs!
“O generation of vipers,
how can ye,
being evil,
speak good things?
for out of the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man
out of the good treasure of the heart
bringeth forth good things:
and an evil man
out of the evil treasure
bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you,
That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof
in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified,
and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,
Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them,
An evil and adulterous generation
seeketh after a sign;
and there shall no sign be given to it,
but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights
in the whale’s belly;
so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights
in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh
shall rise in judgment with this generation,
and shall condemn it:
because they repented at the preaching of Jonas;
and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
42 The queen of the south
shall rise up in the judgment with this generation,
and shall condemn it:
for she came from the uttermost parts of the
earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” Matthew 12:34-42
And my friends, we must examine the things that we allow into our lives to see whether they be of God or of the world. As Hebrews chapter 11 puts it so concisely, we must come to God by faith, and then live by faith. Are we walking by faith or filling our lives with the faulty solutions of the world; we must look unto Jesus “the author and finisher of our faith”!
“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”. 2 Corinthians 5:7
“Now faith is
the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen…
…. 6 But without faith
it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is,
and that he is a rewarder
of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:1 & 6
In closing, remember to measure things by God’s yardstick and not the world’s. Satan, the great deceiver is a master of deception and deceit; don’t fall for his lies.
“For such are false apostles,
deceitful workers,
transforming themselves
into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel;
for Satan himself
is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing
if his ministers
also be transformed
as the ministers of righteousness;
whose end shall be
according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Be sure you’re lining up with Jesus and not His enemy; for you can’t ride the fence and not be in danger of falling off on the wrong side.
“No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other;
or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
“Jesus said unto them,
If God were your Father,
ye would love me:
for I proceeded forth
and came from God;
neither came I of myself,
but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech?
even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil,
and the lusts of your father
ye will do.
He was a murderer from the beginning,
and abode not in the truth,
because there is no truth in him.
When he speaketh a lie,
he speaketh of his own:
for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth,
ye believe me not.” John 8:42-45
I pray that we will all hear the “truth” speaker, Jesus, and align our lives with His Word and His ways—not fall for the lies of the enemy of our souls. I pray that this will be received in the love with which I write it!
Amen and Amen!!!
Bible Ballistics 