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When Jesus Shows You Who He Is, Believe Him

One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. MATTHEW 16:1 NLT

“People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. ACTS 2:22 NLT

He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! MATTHEW 16:2-3 NLT

But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. JOHN 12:37 NLT

Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away. MATTHEW 16:4 NLT

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. MATTHEW 12:40 NIV

Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. MATTHEW 16:5-12 NLT

I MUST BEWARE OF LOOKING TO THE CREATION TO HEAR FROM THE CREATOR

“Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it.  For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. MATTHEW 24:23-25 NLT

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. HEBREWS 1:1-2 NLT

I MUST READ THE SCRIPTURES, NOT SIGNS

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. PSALM 119:105 ESV

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. ISAIAH 30:21 ESV

BEWARE OF FINDING SIGNS TO VALIDATE MY SINS

This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ JEREMIAH 6:16 NLT 

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? ROMANS 8:32 NLT

I CAN TRUST JESUS WITH MY DAILY NEED, BECAUSE HE HAS MET MY GREATEST NEED

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon and choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: What do you typically go to God for in prayer? Do you find it’s more about everyday life or life emergencies?
  2. START HERE: If you’ve ever asked God for a sign, what were you hoping He would do? How did that request reflect your level of trust at the time?
  3. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 16:1-12 (NLT). ​​Why do you think people struggle to trust what Jesus has already revealed about Himself?
  4. KEEP GOING: What makes you tend to forget God’s past faithfulness when you’re facing a new problem?
  5. KEEP GOING: What subtle beliefs, habits, or messages have been creeping into your life that risk pulling you away from fully trusting Jesus?
  6. KEEP GOING: God is not the only spirit that’s speaking to you. How do you recognize which voice you’re hearing?
  7. KEEP GOING: What do you rely on most when trying to hear from God: scripture, feelings, circumstances, or other “voices.” How has that source shaped your faith?
  8. KEEP GOING: In what ways are you most tempted to bend God’s truth to fit what you want rather than seek what He wants?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Believing that Jesus has already met your greatest need through the cross, what is one practical step you can take this week to trust Him with your daily needs?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Do you have a simple, everyday plan that helps you rely on Scripture instead of searching for signs? You can find your daily rhythm on the Sandals Church app: sandalschurch.com/app