Be careful and guarded against hypocrisy and learned-deception (Matthew 16:1-12)

 A) Jesus warned the confused disciples when the Pharisees and Sadducees asked for a sign. – Matthew 16:1-12 

1-3) Teacher test for a sign from heaven, Jesus literally talks about weather but goes deeper into the purpose of stars and time (sign from heaven)

• Gen 1:14 "And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years"

4) wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, only the sign of Jonah 

• Jesus already gave them this sign: Son of man in the earth, like Jonah (Matt 12:40)
• Three days belly of the fish (Jonah 1:17)
• Jesus provided another sign in the feeding of 4,000  who fasted 3 days (Matt 15:32)
• Jonah obeyed the word of the lord for three days (Jonah 3:3), a thousand years is as a day to the Lord (2 Peter 3:7-9). The Holy Spirit is come to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11)

5-6) "Be careful, guard against yeast of Pharisees and Sadducees"

7-11) Not about bread, about faith and remembering God's abundant provision

• Look at the birds (Matt 6:26), you are more valuable (Matt 14:13-21, 15:32-39)

12) Then they understood, be careful, guard against teaching of Pharisees and Sadducees

• Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise (Eph 5:15), see our group members real-life, true concerns (Proverbs 27:23), right regard not cruelty (Proverbs 12:10)
• Behold, I have put my words in your mouth (Jer 1:9), discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12), profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16)

Prayer: thank you Lord for healing my heart and showing me sin, teaching me to wash myself and others with care and confidence. Help me to walk wisely today. Courage to change the things I can, accepting the role you've given me in watering and allowing me to see your growth.