“Are You Looking for A Sign?”

We are continuing with our series this Sunday entitled “I'm a Believer” from the book of John. Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? Last week we talked about Jesus’ important conversation with a religious ruler by the name of Nicodemus. This week we are moving on to Chapter 4 and the conversation that Jesus has with a nobleman. But first in Ch. 4, Jesus encounters the woman and the well, and He tells her all about her past; the fact that she had and 5 husbands and that the present “live-in “wasn’t a husband either. And because of this supernatural knowledge, this “sign”, she believed! And when she told others they believed too! But there were still others who listened to Jesus teach, and they too became believers, without the need of a “Sign”. And the Bible says about them: John 4: 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

So, we see here that many believed in Christ because the “sign” that was given to her brought them into a place of belief. Then we see that many more believed because they listened to Jesus speak and they heard His teaching and because of His word they believed in Him. It's great when people hear the word and believe; this is what God desires; but unfortunately, many need to see the evidence; they need to “see the money.” I'm speaking figuratively here.

So, when Jesus met the nobleman in Galilee, He understood that there would be many in His hometown who would not believe, who would not take Him at His word, who would demand a “Sign”- a miracle. John 4:48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” And Jesus is saying through this statement that there is a difference between knowledge and belief that leads to faith; because faith is trusting, it's believing without seeing. It's not enough just to know something, you have to rely on it; you have to act on it. Are you willing to trust Me without seeing the proof?

There are a number of reasons why people need to “see the money” before they believe. For some they need to: Substantiate - they need a miracle to confirm what God has said; for others it’s a matter of being: Stuck - people are stuck in their unbelief so they ask for a sign….other reasons for needing a “sign” include: Smokescreen - some look for a sign in order to excuse their unbelief, Seekers -they're looking for a miracle - a sign “thrill”, and finally some are: Selfish - they are looking for a sign for their own selfish interests.

If you look closely at your life, you realize that God has done a lot of miracles. He's given a lot of signs along the way. Are you still looking for God to show you the evidence? Is your attitude: Show me the money and I might believe? God wants us to be people of faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word. He desires for us to be people who will simply say “Lord I receive it by faith. I don't need a miracle. I don't need anything in my life, I just need you!”

Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “Are You Looking for A Sign?”

Blessings,

Kevin