Notes
Introduction
Summary of Num. 13 (see also Deut. 1:22-23)
Caleb believed and was of a different spirit.
Separate from Wonders unto The Word
Num. 14:11-24 LSB
- Moses reminds God of His lovingkindness and forgiveness. – But that does not negate consequences.
- God asks, “How long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have done in their midst?”
- Israel never came to a place of genuine faith in the wilderness. Their faith rested in signs and not God Himself.
- This statement from Yahweh to Moses exposes one of the biggest deceptions in the Body of Christ today—the teaching that we must have signs and wonders.
Jesus’ Response to the Need for Signs and Wonders
Matt. 11:20-24 LSB
- John, chapter 6: People followed Jesus because of His signs and left Him because of His words (vv.2, 66).
- We need to ask ourselves a question: If people won’t believe the preached word, will they believe it because they see a miracle?
- Our answer: Lk. 16:19-31 LSB
- “If they don’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be pursuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” (v. 31).
- How many modern-day ministries claim to raise people from the dead, yet there is no proof? We don’t even have to go that far; they claim minor miracles of all kinds; in this day and age, when everyone has a cellphone, meetings are live-streamed, and there is still no actual evidence of healings and miracles.
- It is not a sign of unbelief to ask questions; after all, in the last days, there will be many false signs and wonders (Matt. 24:24; 2 Thes. 2:9; 2 Pt. 2).
- Matt. 16:4 LSB “An evil and adulterous generation eagerly seeks for a sign [an attesting miracle]; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” – The sign of Jonah is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
- Jn. 20:30-31 LSB “Therefore many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
- The only miracles necessary to convince someone of the truth of the gospel are the miracles written in Scripture.
- Can and does God perform miracles today? Yes. But do you have to see a miracle to be convinced of the gospel? No.
- Do you have to perform miracles to preach the gospel? No.
What is the Gospel?
1 Cor. 15:1-8 LSB
1 Cor. 1:8-2:2 LSB
Punishment for Disobedience and Help to Obey
Num. 15:32-41
- In Jewish law, there had to be two witnesses of someone breaking a command.
- The person breaking the command had to be given an opportunity to repent.
- The fringes in this passage can be equated to the use of the WWJD bracelet in the nineties.
- Jn. 16:7-14
Resources
The Gospel According to Jesus: John MacArthur
Ashamed of the Gospel: John MacArthur
Steve and Paulette Kozar’s response videos playlist to Brown and Storms
Casey D. Bell 