Signs of the Times

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. – Hebrews 13:8

Text: Matthew 16:1-3

Summary: Jesus is waiting for you to trust him as your Savior. The Bible is more important than today’s newspaper.

Props: a newspaper and your Bible

This newspaper is full of current events. I can read who won the game in sports. I can read what the weather is going to be today and tomorrow. I can even read the comic strips. But this is no joke: did you know the Bible is more current and more important than today’s newspaper? Let me explain with a passage where Jesus tells us that it is important for us to realize who he is.

(Read Matthew 16:1-3.)

The Pharisees and Sadducees were teachers (of what God said in the laws given to Moses). They saw Jesus do many miracles, yet they did not believe he was sent from God. They wanted Jesus to give them a demonstration, like a magician doing a wonderful trick, to prove he was more than a great teacher. Jesus replied by pointing out that they were able to tell what the weather was going to be by looking at the sky, but they could not tell that they were living in the time when God’s only Son was among them.

The newspaper is full of stories about what happened yesterday. The Bible is full of stories about events that happened a long time ago. But it is also full of stories that show you how to live your life today. It even has stories about what will happen in the future! Jesus has never changed (see Hebrews 13:8). He is the same God that created everything, that lived among men on earth, and is sitting on his throne in heaven right now, ruling the universe! He is King of kings, and Lord of lords!

The teachers did not believe Jesus and he called them hypocrites. (A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another.) They were supposed to help others follow God, but they did not follow Jesus. Many people did not believe God would send a flood, but only Noah and seven other members of his family got on the ark (and the animals of course!). A lot of people missed the boat and it cost them their lives. They never had a chance to change their minds once the flood came.

The sign of our time is the cross of Christ. The news in this newspaper is not nearly as important as the good news in this Bible. It is important to accept Jesus as your Savior. What will you do with your chance to go to heaven? Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven. Jesus is waiting for you to trust him as your Savior.

©2002 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.

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