The Signs of Unbelief
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Exploring the dangers of seeking signs while ignoring the clear revelation of the Word of God.
Text: Luke 11:29-32
Date: 08/20/2023, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 117
Description:
Millions of Christians every day seek for signs or try to interpret their circumstances to help them make decisions. Is this an indication of an exalted spirituality and faith, or actually a sign of unbelief? When accused of casting out demons by the power of satan, a crowd demanded that Jesus provide an even greater sign that would prove He wielded the power of God. Jesus very firmly responded that He would not reward unbelief with a sign other than the "sign of Jonah". We will carefully analyze what He meant by this and why He would not provide them with a validating miracle. Then using two Old Testament illustrations, Jesus made it clear that God truly reveals Himself through the Wisdom and Teaching of His Authoritative Word. Without diminishing His Power and Presence, we will explore the dangers of seeking signs and ignoring the clearer revelation that God provides in His Scriptures. Ultimately we will find ourselves once again in a discussion of the importance of sanctification through the means of grace as the solid rock upon which to build spiritual discernment-- rather than the signs of unbelief.
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I. Introduction, John 1:4-5, 8:12, 12:35, Matt. 5:14, Luke 11:28.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 11:29-32.
A. Context, Luke 10:42, 11:14-16.
B. The dangers of seeking signs.
1. Seeking a sign, vs. 29.
a. The increasing crowds.
b. The evil generation, Matt. 12:39.
i. Probing the meaning of "generation".
ii. Probing the meaning of "evil".
c. Seeking a sign.
i. Probing the meaning of "sign".
ii. Why seeking for a sign is "evil".
d. No sign will be given, John 21:25.
e. Principles from the text, Luke 16:29-31.
2. The sign of Jonah, vs. 30.
a. A sign of judgment. Jonah 1:2, 3:4-5.
b. A sign of redemption.
i. Judgment for evil, Luke 11:20, John 12:31.
ii. Redemption for the elect, Luke 19:10, Psa. 68:18, Mark 1:15, John 3:17.
iii. The sign of the Resurrection, Matt. 12:40.
c. An interesting comparison, Jonah 3:1-2, John 1:1,14.
3. The judgment of unbelief, vs. 31-32.
a. The queen of the South, vs. 31.
i. Who was the queen of Sheba? Kings 10:1,5,8-9.
ii. Rising up in judgment.
iii. The reason for the condemnation, Luke 12:48.
iv. Something greater then Solomon.
b. The men of Nineveh, vs. 32.
i. Jonah's audience.
ii. Rising up in judgment.
iii. The reason for the condemnation, Jonah 3:5,8-9.
iv. Something greater than Jonah.
III. Application
IV. Conclusion, John 12:46-48, Luke 11:28.
