What is the Sign of the Prophet Jonah?

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THE SIGN OF THE PROPHET JONAH

MATTHEW 12:38-42

JESUS GAVE ALL SORTS OF SIGNS (Matthew 11:2-6; 12:13-15,22)

GOD LOVES TO GIVE SIGNS TO PEOPLE.

To encourage His leaders and to validate their call from God (Exodus 4:2-9; 16:38)

To encourage God’s leaders when they need to test His will (Judges 6:17)

To lead people to God (Deut. 4:34; 1 Kings 18:16-23; Isa. 7:14; Luke 2:12; 2:34; Gen. 1:14)

To remind of God’s provision (Genesis 9:12-17; Joshua 4:6)

To warn of coming judgment (Daniel 4:1; Matthew 16:1-4; 24:3)

JESUS PROMISES A SIGN FOR A WICKED AND ADULTEROUS GENERATION (Matthew 12:39).

THE SIGN OF JONAH IS PROOF TO THE SKEPTIC (Jonah 1:1-3,17).

JESUS OFFERED MANY CLAIMS OF HIS IMPENDING RESURRECTION.

“From that time Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day” (Matthew 16:21).

He claimed His future resurrection at least seven other times (Matthew 17:9; 22-23; 20:18,19; 26:32; Mark 9:10; Luke 9:22; John 2:18-22).

“Christ staked his whole claim to the credit of men upon his resurrection. When asked for a sign he pointed to this sign as His single and sufficient credential.” (B.B. Warfield)

THE SIGN OF JONAH IS THE MOST POWERFUL SIGN HE COULD EVER GIVE (Jonah 3:4-10).

What caused the turn around in this city? Jonah was no ordinary man. Not now anyway.

NOT EVERYONE BELIEVES WHEN THEY SEE A SIGN.

SOME BELIEVED.

1. They were desperate

2. They were honest.

3. They were helpless.

4. They were lonely.

5. They were scared.

AND SOME DID NOT.

1. They were self-satisfied “know it alls.”

2. They were selfish and without mercy.

3. They were self-righteous skeptics.

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS WILL CONVICT UNBELIEVERS AT A TRIAL BEFORE THE THRONE.

Nineveh will testify against our cynicism because Christ is greater than Jonah.

The Queen of Sheba will testify because she came from the ends of the earth to hear about God from Solomon and yet one greater than Solomon is here.

REMEMBER, NO ONE INHERITS FAITH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS BEFORE GOD (Matthew 12:46-50).

THE SIGN OF JONAH IS THE ACID TEST FOR EVERY MAN.

Some of us are waiting for a sign from God regarding our commitment to Him. Three days and three nights is a picture of Christ’s resurrection. That is all the sign anyone is guaranteed to receive. We had best take it.