Matthew 12:38………Ready

Matthew 12:38………Ready

12:38 Then (after miraculously healing the man who was blind & mute-(!2:22-23) some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, (A polite comment of respect meant to butter Jesus up when they were really out to trap Him) we want to see (Not just looking to observance something, but to insist and demand as a ground for faith) a miraculous sign (Sign from heaven-(Luke 11:6) from you. (For Complete Expository See Book) 

Extended Sermons

“Teaches those who have hardened their hearts no amount signs is going to convince them or make them believe” → If you were to sit down with someone, lets’ say a neighbor or a co-worker and adequately and thoroughly answer every single intellectual, historical, philosophical question they had with clear, compelling, and convincing arguments. They still would not believe because the problem is not an intellectual one, but a matter of the “heart & will” that doesn’t want to believe no matter how compelling the evidence is presented to them. The challenge is not simply providing information or explanations; it is overcoming a volitional resistance. When someone is entrenched in their position, they cannot be objective or fair no matter convincing the evidence may be. No amount of reasoning or proof will persuade them to believe and become a Christian if their heart is unwilling to change. The heart’s posture matters more than the mind’s readiness. When someone is unwilling to believe, no amount of facts or explanations will sway them; their resistance isn’t just about information, but about the willingness to accept what those answers mean for their lives. This kind of entrenched unbelief remains even in the most convincing evidence because the person has already decided not to believe or surrender. It’s not that the evidence is lacking—it’s that the heart remains closed, determined to justify its stance no matter what is presented. A hardened heart will always find ways to explain away even the clearest signs, evidence, or testimonies. Faith is not simply a matter of intellect, but of openness and humility. Until someone is willing to let go of their defenses and genuinely seek truth, the evidence will never be enough.

“Teaches those who have already made up their minds are only looking to justify their unbelief”→ Those who have reached a made up their minds and reached a final decision no amount of evidence, reasoning, or persuasion is going to convince them People who have this mindset tend to filter every experience and message through their predetermined beliefs, dismissing anything that challenges their views. This is why, even when confronted with miracles or clear signs, they may rationalize or explain them away rather than consider them honestly. Their responses are less about the lack of proof and more about an unwillingness to change and surrender. This is a reminder that faith requires an openness to truth and a willingness to let go of preconceived notions. Until a person is ready to genuinely seek and accept truth, it is unlikely that anything—no matter how convincing—will persuade them. The challenge for us is to keep our hearts soft, receptive, and willing to respond when God speaks, rather than seeking reasons to resist or delay belief.

“Even today, people will say “God if you would give me a sign or do this for me.” Then I’ll know your real. When God has already spoken clearly through His word, providence, and inner conviction. The real issue is that they don’t want to surrender or submit” → Since God already speaks to us through the clear teaching of scripture, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, the guidance of wise counsel, and lessons from our past experiences. It isn’t a lack of evidence or clarity. The real issue lies in the unwillingness to surrender and submit to what God has already revealed. For some people the beauty, vastness, order, and fine tuning of the Universe is not enough, they chalk it up to chance. For some witnessing miracles, healings, and transformed lives is not enough, they explain it away as “power of suggestion”. For others the stirring of conscience is not enough — they explain it away as emotion. For other people a lifetime of protection, provision, and open doors is not enough. They were just at the right place at the right time. If we keep demanding signs or clearer answers, we can miss what God is already saying through His Word, His Spirit, and the people He’s placed in our lives. Christian comedian Ken Davis tells a story about a man waiting for a sign form God: “A Christian gets on an empty city bus and goes to the rear of the bus and sits down and he prays “Lord if you want me to speak to someone about you, please send me a sign. At the next stop another passenger gets on the bus and sits right down next to him, turns around and says ”Do you know anything about Jesus”? The Christian excuses himself for a moment and slowly bows his head once again and says “Lord if you really want me to  talk to this stranger I just need one more sign, please turn the bus driver into a armadillo”.  How many of us are praying for Armadillos when God’s “go” is all around us. Instead of waiting for a miraculous moment, we’re invited to respond to what God has already revealed. True faith is not about seeing more, but about believing and acting on what we’ve already received. The question isn’t “Has God spoken?” but “Are we willing to listen and obey?” Will you pray: Lord, help me stop waiting for more signs when You’ve already spoken. Give me the courage to act on what I know, the humility to repent where I’ve resisted, and the faith to trust You even when obedience feels costly. Make my heart more like the Ninevites—quick to respond, quick to surrender, quick to believe.

“Asking for a “sign” from God is not wrong. Throughout Scripture Moses, Elijah, Gideon, and the early church asked for signs.” →   The Bible clearly doesn’t condemn sincere seeking. What Jesus confronts in Matthew 12:38 is a demand for proof from a heart that has already decided not to believe or is looking for a loophole not to obey. A sign can confirm faith, but it cannot create faith in a heart that refuses to believe. So what does this mean for us today? You can ask God for clarity. You can ask for confirmation. You can ask for direction. What we shouldn’t be asking for is for signs while ignoring the ones already given. Demanding proof instead of offering trust. Or using “I need a sign” as a way to delay obedience.

Additional Notes & Applications

Teaches those who are not open to the truth no amount of proof  or explanation will persuade them.

Teaches how with some people even after witnessing miracles all around them it’s not enough, they still want more.

Teaches how faith grows when we act on what we already know, not when we wait for more.

Warns how building our faith on miracles will always leave us wanting something bigger and better.

Displays how many are a wait and see type of people who want to wait and see if it pans out first before they respond.

Teaches how many will use “show me a sign” as a shield against surrender and accountability.

Teaches when someone is ready to believe, even the smallest whisper from God is more than enough.