Jesus Has Done Enough

Sermon Scripture

Matthew 16:1 ESV

1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

Main Idea- What more must Jesus do for you to move in faith?

Based upon Jesus’ previous miraculous work, his sincere followers need not for Jesus to show them another sign in order for them to identify him as the Christ, the Son of God, trust him as their savior, and obey him as their LORD.

Introduction- Why Is It That Some People Can Never Be Satisfied?

In 2019, American Board of Professional Psychology certified, Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne,

conducted a study providing some possible reasons for

Why Is It That Some People Can Never Be Satisfied?

In Dr. Whitbourne’s research, she gives the example:

You’ve gone out of your way to do a huge favor for a friend—in fact, a favor that this friend requested you to perform. You don’t feel you have to be rewarded for every kind gesture, but this one took a considerable amount of effort. Expecting at least a courtesy email or text, your kind gesture was met with deafening silence.

Much to your dismay, a few days later, the ungrateful recipient finally acknowledges your help, but not in the way you expected. Perhaps the request was to give your friend a ride home during a rainy rush hour. The traffic was terrible, so you had to drop your friend off across the street instead of in front of the doorstep.

As the friend leaves your car, they frown at you through the window and slam the door, hard. Needless to say, they never thank you, and the next time you see the so called friend, they barely utter a greeting. Were you supposed to apologize? Was it wrong of you to "inconvenience" them?

How can you explain the fact that you’ve been made to feel guilty when you should feel acknowledged?

Why are some people so demanding that they constantly raise the ante in their requests that you cater to them? The answer might seem to be a simple case of narcissistic entitlement, and certainly, there is that piece to the puzzle.

However, according to this research, narcissism alone can’t explain some people’s lack of gratitude. There are researchers who believe some people just lack the personality quality of gratitude. These researchers note that as a trait, gratitude “is an experience of abundance, with awareness that one is the recipient of a good gift from a giver”. The researchers go on to define the experience of gratitude as a “deeply social emotion”.

If gratitude is a trait, it means that an ingrate or ungrateful person is likely to remain an ingrate for life. Additionally, people low in gratitude should also be chronically unhappy. Forever disgruntled, they can’t see a gift for what it is. They’ll be unable to experience that inner reward that comes from having a sense of abundance, and therefore, no matter what other qualities they have, they can never be truly happy.

In other words some people can never be satisfied

Transition To Body- What

More Does Jesus Need To Do In the Gospel of Matthew?

Jesus Heals Many

Matthew 8:16–17 ESV

16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

When John The Baptist heard about the deeds of the Christ

Matthew 11:2–6 ESV

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Micah 6:8 ESV

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Body- Jesus’ sincere followers need not for Jesus to show them another sign in order for them to:

Identify Jesus As The Christ

(which will influence how you approach Jesus)

Matthew 16:1 ESV

1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

Test- to obtain information to be used against a person by trying to cause someone to make a mistake—‘to try to trap, to attempt to catch in a mistake.’

Sign- a sign or distinguishing mark whereby someth. is known, sign, token, indication

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.477 σημεῖον, ου

as ‘sign’ might mean nothing more than a road sign or a sign on a building

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.477 σημεῖον, ου

an event which is regarded as having some special meaning—‘sign.’

John 1:11 ESV

11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

Don’t Put Your God To The Test

Matthew 4:5–7 ESV

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

You Shall Not Put The LORD Your God to the Test

Deuteronomy 6:13–17 ESV

13 It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. 14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you— 15 for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth. 16 “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. 17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you.

Pharisees & Sadducees Unusual Alliance

Matthew 16:1 (IVPBBC NT): 16:1. The Pharisees and Sadducees differed on most matters. The Pharisees had great popular support, whereas the Sadducees held political power. Together they could make a dangerous team.

The Alliance of Power & Popularity

They demand that Jesus accredit himself by performing some spectacular marvel. It might reasonably be argued that Jesus’ miracles of healing were signs from heaven, but that was not the way his enemies saw them. They wanted something spectacular, not healings that others also claimed to do such as Jesus’ disciples.

Crowds View of Jesus

Matthew 7:28–29 ESV

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Pharisees View of Jesus

Matthew 9:32–34 ESV

32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

Matthew 12:13–14 ESV

13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

Matthew 12:23–24 ESV

23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”

Matthew 12:38–40 ESV

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.

Hypocritically (Faithlessly) Asking Of Jesus What They Believe He Is Unable to Deliver

James 1:5–8 ESV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

But to those Who Can See with Spiritual Eyes

Matthew 15:36–38 ESV

36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 38 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

{

Identify Jesus As The Christ

which ought lead you to

}

Trust Jesus As Your Savior

Matthew 16:2–3 ESV

2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 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.

Illustration: Nikki & I discussing the Weatherman’s Confidence in his prediction

Interpret- to make a judgment on the basis of careful and detailed information—‘to judge carefully, to evaluate carefully

Hebrews 5:11–13 ESV

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.

Hebrews 6:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Hebrews 6:4–6 ESV

4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Pharisees Are Those Who Trust in Themselves

Luke 18:9–14 ESV

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

What does Trusting Jesus As Your Savior Look Like?

Trust in the LORD

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Trust in the Wisdom of the LORD

Proverbs 28:26 ESV

26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Walk by Faith, Not By Sight

2 Corinthians 5:6–10 ESV

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

The Work of God Is That You Believe

John 6:29–36 ESV

29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

Useful Faith is more than just believing

James 2:18–20 ESV

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

{

Identify Jesus As The Christ

which ought lead you to

Trust Jesus As Your Savior

with a grateful heart which leads you to

}

Obey Jesus As Your LORD

Matthew 16:4 ESV

4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.

Evil- pertaining to being morally corrupt and evil—‘immoral, evil, wicked

Adulterous- pertaining to being unfaithful to one’s earlier and true beliefs—‘unfaithful, adulterous.’

James 4:3–4 ESV

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 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.

John the Baptist View of the Pharisee & Sadducees

Matthew 3:7–12 ESV

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Jesus View of the Pharisees & Sadducees

Matthew 12:39–40 ESV

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.

If You Love Jesus, Then Keep His Commandments Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

John 14:15–17 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Something Greater Than Jonah Is Here

Matthew 12:41 ESV

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.

{

Identify Jesus As The Christ

which ought lead you to

Trust Jesus As Your Savior

with a grateful heart which leads you to

Obey Jesus As Your LORD

}

Transition To Close- He’s Done Enough (2007) by Beverly Crawford from Bobby Jones’ Gospel Showcase

If the Lord never does anything else for me

He's done enough

If the Lord never does anything else for me

He's done enough

He's blessed me once

and he blessed me twice

The Lord keeps on blessing me everyday of my life

Ohh if the Lord (if the Lord- doesn't do anything else for me...he's-- done enough--)

Ohh the Lord has been good to me...and the Lord

The Lord has made so many ways for me oh-

The Lord-- he's opened up so many doors oh-

Brand new mercies I see over and over and over again--

He blessed me once and he blessed me twice

ooo the Lord keeps on blessing me everyday of my life

Ohhh if the Lord (if the Lord- doesn't do anything else for me... he's-- done enough--)

Close- What Jesus Has Already Done In Salvation History

God Speaks To Us By His Son

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The True Light Who Came To His Own…

John 1:9–14 ESV

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus Said It Is Finished!

John 19:30 ESV

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Confess With Your Mouth That Jesus Is LORD…

Romans 10:9–11 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

If You Have Been Raised With Christ Who Is Your Life

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.