sf175 - The Measure Of Real Faith (Matthew 16 1-12)

Matthew 16:1-12

Introduction

The events of Matthew 16 began just after the Lord crossed the Sea of Galilee from the Gentile area of Decapolis, where He had miraculously fed “four thousand men, besides women and children,” and came to the Jewish “region of Magadan,” on the western shore (Matt. 15:32-39).

The exact location of Magadan, which Mark refers to as Dalmanutha (8:10), is unknown, but Jesus’ opponents came there as soon as they heard He had arrived.

In 16:1-4, Matthew records Jesus’ final invitation to those religious leaders; and by their persistent rejection of Him they confirmed themselves as among the spiritually blind who have a false faith.

In 16:5-12, Matthew records Jesus challenging His disciples to increase in there faith.

1A. An Example of False Faith (16:1-4)

1B. False faith will try to test God (16:1a)

Luke 4:12 “And Jesus answered and said to him, It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.”

Who are you to test God?

2B. False faith is based on sight. (16:1b, 4)

2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Signs are never the basis of real faith.

Matthew 24:24 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Seeking after a sign is an indication of a lack of real faith. (16:4)

3B. False faith is worldly minded. (16:2-3)

1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Ephesians 4:18 “having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart”

False faith is focused on…

Ø Possessions

Ø Performance

Ø Pleasure

2A. An Exhortation for Real Faith (16:5-12)

1B. Real faith can and will falter. (16:5-7)

The disciples made two mistakes

Ø They focused on the physical not the spiritual. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Ø They depended too much on human reason. (16:7; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25)

2B. Real faith can and should be strengthened. (16:8-10)

Jesus gently rebukes them for there lack of faith (16:8)

Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

Little faith (Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31)

Ø The most important thing is the object of our faith not the amount of it.

Jesus clearly reminds them of His faithfulness (16:9-10)

2B. Real faith can and must be protected. (16:11-12)

The danger of legalism (the Pharisees)

Ø The error was that they added to Scripture.

Ø They sought to live by the law not by grace.

Ø Although they believed the Scriptures, they added human understandings to them.

Ø Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their adherence to the traditions of men rather than the Scriptures (Matthew 15:8-9))

Ø Legalism focuses on man’s performance not God’s grace.

Ø Legalism binds, blinds, and destroys. (Matthew 23:13-15)

The danger of liberalism (the Sadducees)

Ø They took away from Scripture.

Ø They rejected everything supernatural.

Ø They were rationalist who focused on expediency.

Ø They were pragmatist whose motto was “the ends justify the means.”

Ø Liberalism focuses on man’s pleasure not God’s standards.

Ø Liberalism steals, chills, and kills.

Application

Recognizing the times…

We live in an evil age.

Galatians 1:4 “who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father”

We live the age of grace.

2 Corinthians 6:2 “For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

We live in a time of impending judgment.

Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”

Now is the time to repent!

1 Corinthians 7:29 “But this I say, brethren, the time is short”

Matthew 16:1-12

1A. An Example of __________________ Faith (16:1-4)

1B. False faith will try to _____________ God (16:1a; Luke 4:12)

2B. False faith is based on _____________. (16:1b, 4)

2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Signs are never the basis of real faith. (Matthew 24:24 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

Seeking after a sign is an indication of a _______________ of real faith. (16:4)

3B. False faith is worldly minded. (16:2-3; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 4:18)

False faith is focused on…Possessions; Performance; Pleasure

2A. An Exhortation for ___________ Faith (16:5-12)

1B. Real faith can and will ______________. (16:5-7)