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Sunday 24 April 2011

Matthew 16:1-4 - Unbelievers

The Pharisees and Saducees actually hated each other, but they came together for the purpose of trying to trap Jesus. They demanded a "sign from heaven" that He truly had authority.
Now, as we often see in the gospels, Jesus turns the tables on them. They thought they were putting Jesus to the test, but they were the ones who were on trial. Exactly the same applies today. The question is not whether we can convince Richard Dawkins that God exists. God has absolutely no need to prove Himself to Dawkins or anyone else. But Dawkins does need to respond to Christ. God is God and Christ is Lord regardless of what Dawkins says, but Dawkins' eternal destiny depends upon whether or not he will believe in Jesus Christ. 
Remember this when any atheist or humanist berates your faith. They are the one who needs to respond to Christ, not Christ to them. Do not do this in a proud way, but with love.
Jesus mocks the Pharisees and Saducees. They could read the weather, but failed (or refused) to read the obvious signs of what Jesus was doing. 
When people demand a sign they are usually not looking for proof so that they can believe, but looking for an excuse to justify not believing.

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