Sign Language

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

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Matthew 12

Matthew 12: 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as 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. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 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.

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 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. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into a passage from Matthew chapter 12, focusing on the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time. Jesus warns the Pharisees about demanding signs to prove His authority, emphasizing that true belief goes beyond mere visual evidence. He uses the examples of Jonah, the queen of Sheba, and an unclean spirit to illustrate the importance of humility, repentance, and faith in following Him. The sermon underscores the need for a genuine commitment to Christ, acknowledging sin, and embracing the gospel without relying on external signs.

Key Points:

• Jesus confronts the Pharisees’ demand for signs to prove His authority.
• Belief in Christ transcends visual evidence and requires humility, repentance, and faith.
• Examples of Jonah, the queen of Sheba, and an unclean spirit highlight the importance of genuine commitment to Christ.
• The sermon emphasizes the choice between following Jesus or standing in judgment against Him.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 12:38
• Deuteronomy 13:1-5

Humor and Anecdotes:

• The sermon includes a humorous reference to fact-checkers in modern times, drawing parallels to the Pharisees acting as self-appointed fact-checkers in evaluating Jesus.

Key Quotes:

• “Seeing is not believing. Believing is believing.”
• “There is no neutral position. Are you with Him or are you against Him?”

Themes:

• The theme of belief beyond visual evidence: Jesus challenges the Pharisees to move beyond demanding signs and instead embrace faith in Him.
• The theme of humility and repentance: Examples of Jonah and the queen of Sheba highlight the importance of humbling oneself before God and repenting of sin.
• The theme of commitment to Christ: The sermon underscores the necessity of a genuine commitment to following Jesus, not just through outward actions but through a heart transformed by faith.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the concept of “seeing is not believing” apply to our modern-day faith journey? How can we deepen our belief in Christ beyond tangible evidence?
2. In what ways do we sometimes fall into the trap of being like the Pharisees, demanding signs or proof from God before fully committing to Him? How can we cultivate a heart of faith instead?
3. Reflecting on the examples of Jonah and the queen of Sheba, how can their responses to God’s message serve as a model for our own humility and willingness to listen to God’s word?

Metaphors and Stories:

• Jonah and Nineveh: Illustrates how the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah’s preaching without requiring signs, emphasizing the power of humble belief.
• Queen of Sheba: Highlights her journey to hear Solomon’s wisdom as a contrast to demanding signs, showcasing the value of seeking wisdom without external proofs.
• Unclean Spirit Parable: Symbolizes the danger of superficial cleanliness without true repentance and faith, warning against religious actions devoid of genuine transformation.