Signs of Infection Travel

Matthew 16:1-12

I’ve entitled todays message, and I’m terrible at titles, Signs of Infection Matthew 16:1-12 Lets see if we can get through this section in time. First, we see all around us a failing world economy, geopolitical upheaval, the capturing of foreign leaders by a democratic state (USA) and world superpowers rattling their sabers and folks taking sides then changing sides. In our texxt, we see a challenge for a sign, then a warning of corruption or infection of a deadly doctrine - Hypocrisy the chief feature of progressive theology.

We are not to require ‘signs’, but we are to regard signs. They are not given to produce faith, but to inform faith.

Ian MacPherson

Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is Hideous. What cancer is to the body, hypocrisy is to the church. It is a killing agent. Unfortunately, hypocrisy is also addictive. And even though Jesus reserved His most severe words of condemnation for the hypocrite, we still seem to prefer that lifestyle to truth and authenticity. —John R. W. Stott, Sermon on the Mount

and…

Hypocrisy is the loudest lie.

George Swinnock

Signs of Leaven Matthew 16:1-12

Jesus knows, that they are out not just to discredit, but kill. I - Team Up 1, II - Signs of the Times 2-4, III - Infectious Doctrine

I - Team Up 1

Matthew 16:1  NKJV  “ Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.”

Pharisees believed in the entirety of the scripture and accepted literal heaven, hell, resurrection. Sadducees were pragmatist aristocrats, who used the law (Pentetuch, Torah) and treated the rest as not necessary for political control. They would have violent disagreements constantly.

For example: Acts 23:1–10  NKJV  they were trying to find paul guilty so that rome would kill him but, Paul made it about the resurrection and a fight broke out… “ …10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.”

So the argument being presented, is disingenuous, because they really aren’t looking for Messiah. The pharisees maybe, but def not the Sadds. So its a moot point. “The enemy of my enemy, is? My Friend.” Hate can bring enemies together even if only to destroy.

Sign - If you’re legit, show us a “sign”.

Both would say a prophet, would come with signs. Problem is they've dismissed every sign Jesus has given to this point.

They attributed the miracles to Satan and Jesus said, Matthew 12:31–32 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” Matthew 12:34 “ Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Their poison, their leaven is infectious (v5,6)

Jesus was constantly showing signs, turn to: John 7:25–31  “ Now some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill? 26 But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? 27 However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.” 28 Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. 29 But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.” 30 Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. 31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?””

Just take a few moments in John, you’ll see it over and over. Jesus also said that these signs testified of Him, turn to: John 5:36–40  “ But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” What the signs point to is not in the performance of Christianity or religion, but Christ Himself.

From heaven. Perhaps they meant like with Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, 1 Kings 18:20–40 fire fell down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. Its a standard of true prophetic, “sign/power”.

It also happens in - Gen. 15:17; Lev. 9:24; 10:1, 2; Judg. 6:21; 2 Kin. 1:12; 1 Chr. 21:26; 2 Chr. 7:1; Job 1:16 - Abrahams covenant, the consuming of the sacrifice at the tabernacle, the fire that consumed Nadab and Abihu, and so much more.

Matthew 16:2–3  NKJV  “ He answered and said to 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 foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”

Jesus uses a metaphor of what was considered common knowledge to say you’re missing the obvious. We do similar. When my leg aches, its gonna rain, Red skies at night, sailors delight, red skies in morning, sailor take warning. This is a legit thing! We’ll also attribute those to other things.

Light Scattering: Sunlight scatters off atmospheric particles; shorter blue/violet wavelengths scatter more, while longer red/orange wavelengths travel further. 

Morning Red Sky: A red sunrise means the sun in the east is hitting clouds and moisture already in the atmosphere to the west. 

Weather Pattern: Since weather often moves west-to-east, these clouds signal an approaching storm system or front, bringing rain or wind. 

Weather, isn’t the point though

The point is they (we) think they (we) have found wisdom. But they missed out on the understanding by not applying the same principles. Proverbs 4:7  NKJV  “ Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” if we don’t use the same principal its not just that we cannot but will not.

III - Here’s Your Sign 4

Matthew 16:4  NKJV  “ A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.”

Wicked and adulterous generation, the leaders thought they were true and righteous, much like Israel was, God even calling them whores at times. Proverbs 30:12  NKJV  “ There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.” we just saw in Matthew 15:8  NKJV  “ ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.”

This isn't the first time this was asked. A longer response is in Turn to Matthew 12:38–45  41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. 43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.””

thus the brevity of the response shown to us here.

Just to touch Jonah was a prophet, commanded by Yahweh to call the most powerful city of that age Nineveh, to judgement. When he got on a boat to go the opposite way because he was afraid they would repent, the Lord raged the sea and they ended up after Jonah said they should, throwing him overboard. Where: Jonah 1:15–17  NKJV  “ So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows. 17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

A person has been found to survive hours, but not days inside a large fish or whale or what not. Here though, the term isn't whale, but fish. Many scholars and rabbis, as well as fishermen would tell ya Jonah was dead and that it was impossible when vomited on the beach. He came to life again. By the way, he did preach and Nineveh did repent

Now, we’ll have to continue this later. In closing, this is simple this is complicated. But what we cant do is dismiss this. Jesus came to save everyone, and they would reject Him. The sign of Jesus rising from the dead, bringing many with him, was impacting to say the least. A sign that they had to, had to make a permanent choice.

V - Infectious Doctrine

Matthew 16:5–12  “Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed (head on a swivel/situational awarness) and beware (take care) of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

Take heed, beware: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” Lk 12:1. (v3)

Hypocrisy is often attractive. I had someone who was a hypocrite who enjoyed being taught the law, because that can be manipulated. These groups were expert at it.

The disciples show their intuitive minds by blowing it. Leaven is yeast which is a sugar-fungus. Its in essence a fungus we introduce into bread to eat the sugars generate gas and it reproduces, infecting every part of the dough its introduced into. Jesus implies their

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” LOL 8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?

Thats mind numbing. Imagine what Jesus would have said if he weren't so nice. But why would he say this? Why is there only the reason of men, and no faith in the capabilities of Christ?

9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

The same men and women who took up baskets and bushels of food, produced out of thin air by the Messiah seemed to have forgotten it all. Two things, understand/remember.

Proverbs 3:13  “ Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;” lets look at renewing our minds in Christ, and remembering what He has done before us and in us.

sometimes we get so “familiar” with Christ, we forget what a wondrous marvel He truly is. Psalm 77:11  “ I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.”

12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Remember how we said its fungus. There is another feature about it, its a dead fungus. Like the leaven of the Pharisees - its dead. The teachings/traditions of men.

Many of the things they taught were the law. But it was the inclusion (as we do at times) inserting the philosophies and speculation of men and counting it as authoritative.

Teaching, correct doctrine is important. Jesus said of their doctrine, Luke 11:39  “ Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.”

Now, I don’t have the time to go through correct doctrine with you but I’m sure you get that ministry from Pastor Bob, at least I hear it a bit on the radio show!

In Closing: Jesus first puts the hypocrisy of the P/s’s on display then gives and explicit warning about the dangers of Hypocrisy. He would later say, Matthew 23:1–12  NKJV  “ Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”