Discernment In The Days Of Deception – A Spiritual Warning From Matthew 16:1-12 Series

2025.06.22 Sermon Notes. DISCERNMENT in the DAYS of DECEPTION – A SPIRITUAL WARNING PART 1_ Matthew 16:1-12

WILLIAM AKEHURST, HSWC

BIG IDEA: JESUS issues a warning, a spiritual alert to HIS disciples and for us today. A wake-up call to stand firm in sound doctrine, to test all things, and to hold fast to the truth of God's Word.

Scriptures: Matthew 16:1-12, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, 1 Timothy 4:1, Matthew 24:24, 1 John 4:1, 1 John 4:3, Titus 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, Romans 12:2, Romans 10:9, John 14:6, Joshua 1:8-9

PART 1: 1-12 DISCERNMENT in the DAYS of DECEPTION – A SPIRITUAL WARNING

PART 2: 13-28 THE CHRIST, THE CROSS, THE CALL

"Who Do You Say Jesus Is? Confessing, Following, and Carrying the Cross"

Matthew 16:1-12 is a passage that may seem simple at first glance, but it is deeply relevant to our time. Jesus issues a warning, a spiritual alert to His disciples and to us. He tells them to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

In a world full of religious noise, twisted truth, cultural compromise, and half-gospels, this warning is not only timely - it’s vital.

I. A SIGN-SEEKING GENERATION (1–4)

The Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign (Mark 8:11–13; Luke 12:54–56)

1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

KEY VERSE

"Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven."

The Pharisees and Sadducees were strange allies. Normally, they were religious rivals.

• Pharisees were strict legalists of the law, obsessed with outward purity.

• Sadducees were more political and liberal; denying the resurrection, angels, and miracles.

But here, these enemies unite in opposition to Jesus. Isn’t that interesting?

A common enemy can create strange alliances.

Even today, people with opposing worldviews unite in resisting the truth of Christ.

“Give us a sign,” they said.

Not just a miracle, but a heavenly sign—like fire from the sky, a cosmic wonder.

“Show us a sign from heaven…”

KEY POINT: The Pharisees and Sadducees weren’t seeking truth—they were testing Jesus with hardened hearts.

They came not to learn, not to repent, but to test—to trap Jesus.

JESUS RESPONDS

“You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”

They could forecast the weather but couldn’t recognize the Son of God standing in front of them. That’s spiritual blindness.

“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

WHAT IS THE SIGN OF THE PROPHET JONAH?

• The Sign of Jonah points to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

• Three days in the belly of the fish; three days in the tomb. That’s the ultimate sign—and it still is.

APPLICATION

• Many today still seek “proof” while ignoring the cross and the empty tomb.

• People say, “I’ll believe if God gives me a sign.” He already has: the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• Be careful not to substitute spiritual curiosity for saving faith. Faith doesn’t demand signs—it trusts God’s Word.

• True faith is not built on sensationalism but on the Word of God and the resurrection of Christ.

***THOUGHT FOR TODAY***

With the things and events happening in our world today…

Are you discerning the signs of the times today?

GOD’S WORD is true, and we are watching it unfold before our very eyes!

We are living in the last years/days before Christ’s Promised Return!

II. A MISUNDERSTOOD WARNING (5–7)

5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”

Now the scene shifts.

KEY VERSE: “Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.”

It’s almost comical.

They’re worried they forgot snacks.

But Jesus uses the moment for a deeper lesson.

“Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

What’s their response?