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The Signs of God (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeJesus Christ, in Matthew 12:39, declares that an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, responding to the people's demand for a heavenly sign to test Him. Despite having performed numerous miracles, He refuses to indulge their whims, stating that if they do not believe His prior works, they should look to the sign of Jonah, tied to the timing of His burial and resurrection. Jesus is not opposed to signs, as the gospel of John is structured around eight significant signs, and the Old Testament is replete with them, revealing God and His faithfulness. However, He rebukes the hardness of heart that demands signs for entertainment or sensory thrill, noting that even a great miracle would not instill true belief. The Old Testament contains many God-given signs, which, if believed, could have helped the people of Christ's time recognize their Savior. When God gives a sign, He expects it to be carefully considered as a basis for future decisions, linking a lack of belief in His signs with rejection of Him. A sign, defined as a symbol communicating meaning, varies in significance; the Hebrew word 'owth translates to mark, miracle, and token. Not all signs are miraculous omens, but they often serve as symbols of divine communication. In Deuteronomy 11:18, God presents a major sign by instructing His people to lay up His words in their heart and soul, binding them as a sign on their hand and as frontlets between their eyes. The hand symbolizes activity and work, and binding God's instructions to it ensures that every action is guided by His words. This obedience becomes a sign, communicating a revelation from God about how to live, a reminder of His covenant of grace, and a testimony that there is a God who desires His people to learn to live as He does. Furthermore, binding His instructions to our hands signifies the pursuit of the goal to live like the Son of God, reflecting His holy character image.
The Signs of God
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeJesus Christ is not against signs; the book of John is structured around eight signs. The Old Testament is full of signs that the Pharisees missed.
The Signs of God (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod equates belittling His signs with rejecting Him. The signs of the weekly and annual Sabbaths are emphasized by God, but commonly cast aside by men.
The Signs of God (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeCorrect actions become a sign—a witness—even without any preaching, which is why God's words are symbolically bound to the hand rather than the tongue.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Eleven): Signs
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEver since the rainbow after the flood, God has been providing additional signs, particularly those that promise that He will provide a Savior and Redeemer.
The Rest of the Sign of Jonah
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeJonah likely drowned; the great fish was his coffin rather than his prison. While Nineveh repented and was spared, Judah did not repent when Christ preached.
Where Is God Working?
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeAre numeric growth or miraculous signs sure indicators of God's presence? Before trying to determine where God is working, we must understand what God is doing.
Matthew (Part Eighteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we ask God for protection from demonic influence, we cannot sit back passively; Satan always counterattacks. Evil must be displaced with good.
Back to Life (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAll of us who are called by God are so precious in His sight that Jesus Christ, before we were even born, died for us, saving us from oblivion.
Should All Believers Lay Hands on the Sick?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThere is a diversity of gifts, but not everyone in the Body has the same gifts. It is presumptuous to attempt to use gifts one has not received from God.
Is God a Magician?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTechnology makes us susceptible to the 'quick fix' mentality, expecting miraculous solutions to all problems, making us susceptible to false miracles.
John's Feeding of the 5,000
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughThe only miracle recorded in all four Gospels is the feeding of the 5,000, a profound sign that Jesus Christ exclusively is the Bread of Life.
John (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn presents Jesus, not as a phantom emanation, but as the reality, transcending the shadows represented by the temporal physical life.
Why 153?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe first sign in the book of John corrected the physical need for wine; the eighth sign of 153 fish corrected a spiritual need on the part of God's people.
John (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe book of John provides a plethora of signs corroborating Christ's authenticity and also shows how to live as God would live if He were a man.
John (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn and James were related, but still had to have the Messiah revealed to them. God is involved in the details of our lives as well as the great events in history.
Pentecost and Speaking In Tongues
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe apostle Paul teaches that tongues (languages) are only used to communicate intelligently, not gibberish. Tongues originally served as a sign for unbelievers.
John (Part Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus teaches the difference between works that cause burdens (work that profanes the Sabbath) and works that relieve burdens. The Father and Son never stop working.