INTRODUCTION
A. Matthew 11:5; Acts 10:36-38
Jesus is famous for working miracles. He restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and life to the dead. He cast out demons. He changed water to wine. He walked on water. He fed thousands with a few fishes and loaves.
B. 1st Corinthians 1:22-23
Even so, Christ is not what everyone wants Him to be. Those who expect signs from Him will stumble at the reality.
C. Mark 8:11-12
In fact, Jesus said that “no sign shall be given” those who demand one.

I. HE GAVE NO SIGN WHEN SATAN TEMPTED HIM
A. Matthew 4:1-7
Two of Satan’s three attacks on Jesus in their wilderness encounter involved the Tempter demanding miracles, neither of which the Lord would do.
B. Hebrews 2:17-18; 7:15
The Son of God overcame temptation just the way any person would, without miraculous intervention. Doing so, He proved His sympathy with man.
C. 1st Corinthians 10:13; Matthew 6:13; Psalm 119:11
There is a “way of escape” from every temptation. It involves prayer, and it involves memorization of Scripture, which is what Jesus used.

II. HE GAVE NO SIGN WHEN THE SAMARITANS REJECTED HIM
A. Luke 9:51-56
His disciples wanted to rain fire down from heaven on a certain Samaritan village that rejected Him, but He refused.
B. John 3:17
His purpose on earth was salvation, not condemnation.
C. John 12:47-48; Acts 17:30-31; 2nd Corinthians 5:10-11
There will come a time when He judges all men, and the words He spoke will be the standard.

III. HE GAVE NO SIGN WHEN LAZARUS WAS SICK
A. John 11:21, 32, 37
Both of Lazarus’s sisters, as well as his neighbors, knew full well that Jesus could have saved Lazarus from death, He could have cured the man.
B. John 11:15, 43-44
The Lord saw an opportunity for faith building by not being there, though. He performed a greater work than healing! He resurrected His friend with a word!
C. John 5:20-21
Sometimes, when God chooses not to do something awesome for us, it’s only because He has something awesomer in store!

IV. HE GAVE NO SIGN WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED, TRIED, & KILLED
A. Matthew 26:47-54; Mark 14:65; Luke 23:8-9; Matthew 27:39-43
He declined to summon an angelic army to defend Him from arrest, He didn’t respond to demands for prophecy by those who struck Him, He ignored King Herod’s expectations that He would work a miracle, and He refused to come down from the cross.
B. Matthew 16:21; John 10:17-18
He knew what He was about. He gave His life willingly.
C. Romans 4:25
Everything about man’s salvation was dependent on Christ’s death.

V. HE GIVES NO SIGN NOW THAT SCRIPTURE IS COMPLETE
A. 1st Corinthians 13:8-13
Inspiration foretold that spiritual gifts would cease.
B. John 20:29-31; 2nd Corinthians 5:7
We are blessed if we will believe without seeing, trusting in the record of miracles written in Scripture.
C. Acts 2:22; Hebrews 2:1-4
Signs, wonders, miracles, gifts of the Holy Spirt – the purpose was always to verify that Jesus, and His apostles and prophets, were spokesmen from God. If God has already confirmed His word thereby, what further need is there for modern miracles?

By Bryan Matthew Dockens

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