“The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.”
1. The Pharisees Reveal Their Hard Hearts
“The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.” -Mark 8:11
We all have a little Pharisee in us.
2. The Lord Is Grieved Over Their Hard Hearts
“And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”” -Mark 8:12
“There was a deep meaning in that sigh! It came from a heart which mourned over the ruin that these wicked men were bringing on their own souls. Enemies as they were, Jesus could not see hardening themselves in unbelief without sorrow.” -J.C. Ryle
“’Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’” -John 12:28
“Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him…” -John 12:37
Jesus will not DO everything to gain your love. Jesus has ALREADY DONE everything to give you life!
“What kind of Jesus do you want? Do you want the Prozac Jesus who will only make you feel good? He will be only your sovereign Savior King. Do you want the Suggestion Box Jesus whose law is more advice than command? He will be nothing less than your sovereign Savior King. Do you want the District Attorney Jesus who will get all the people that make your life hard? He will be only your sovereign Savior King. Perhaps you long for the Match.com Jesus who will give you someone to love. He will be what you need, your sovereign Savior King. Maybe you want the Neiman Marcus Jesus who will deliver all your golden dreams. He will be nothing less than your sovereign Savior King.” -Paul David Tripp
3. The Lord Rejects Them Because of their Hard Hearts
“And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.” -Mark 8:13
“Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools… So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired...” -Romans 1:21-22, 24a (NLT)
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.” -2 Corinthians 13:5-6
SERMON IN A SENTENCE:
A hard heart toward Jesus and His activity in my life can lead to an absence of His presence and power in my life.
“We must guard against reading a story like this and simply say to ourselves, ‘Oh, those bad Pharisees.’ When we do that, we are just like them. Rather, we should go to God in prayer and say: ‘O God, do not let me grieve You because my heart is hardened. Instead, tell me what You want from me. Give me ears to hear, and a heart open to embrace everything that You say.’” -R.C. Sproul
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