Roadposts:
This Gospel Must Be Preached II
~Danny Steyne~

 
“Danny, did you see all the signs in that meeting?” The question was rather a unique one, after all He was the One that put them there and the One who pointed them out to my dull mind. It was the next thing that threw me. “Signs are meant to be out in the world, not simply to be the focal point of conferences… Signs are simply road posts… they are what I said they were signs… pointers!” Sometimes the larger signs are simply those intended to capture our attention to move in a direction because something is about to happen!

Over the past several years there have been many “signs” that have occurred in our meetings. We have had the smells, the clouds, the gold, the rain, the lightning, the wind, fire, angelic visitors, and many of the other signs that seem to be occurring in ever increasing waves across our country. I enjoy it when Heaven dwells on earth… it’s wonderful to know that God has been where we are to set up the road posts to get us where we need to go! It’s almost like following a trail that He left us through the woods!

When Jesus indicated that signs would accompany those who believed in Him, He wasn’t indicating that they would focus on the signs. He was indicating that the Authority that was released through them would carry the numinous of God that would work through touch, atmosphere, sound, or event to demonstrate the Sonship we have in Him. The reason Peter’s shadow “worked” and healed people wasn’t because he focused on turning his shadow on, but rather he walked as a son before the Father and as a result the overshadowing of the Father worked through him.

If our focus becomes the signs… we may miss the main thing that God has for us. The Power of the Gospel to save and to heal. The Power to transform not meetings, but nations with Him. Signs are merely intended to capture the minds of unbelievers and cause them to become believers! When we focus on signs, we have conferences of signposts! All the signs are in the building… God wants the signs in the streets… pointing people to the Hope of their calling.

Exodus 33:16 shares a powerful understanding of the place of signs and wonders in a Biblical worldview. “How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"” The key to the Gospel is not the signs, but Him!

Having spent my early years in Africa, it was not uncommon to hear or see signs that were being done by those who didn’t know Jesus. As a young boy I watched men walk across fire, I saw demonic miraculous events. That changes the whole nature of everything… if we have to compete by signs we will end up like Moses with the Egyptian sorcerers who replicated many of the same signs. The heart of Moses in Exodus was Lord, we want you, not simply signs!

As Westerners we become enamored with the supernatural. Most Easterners are not so easily affected. One precious servant of Jesus from another part of the world shared with me that supernatural events are a common occurrence in their life, on a daily basis, but the focus is not on the supernatural events, but the demonstration of the Love of Jesus. I am grateful that His Shadow overshadows His People and He Releases His Signs everywhere… but I am more grateful to hear His Voice, see His Face, and have His Presence with me.

Signs don’t necessarily come with Love, But Love always comes with Signs… signs that transform people in His image, not sign-seekers. I was shocked about a year ago when I saw a picture with thousands of orbs at the sight of a Hindu festival. I asked the Lord what that was about and He responded to me, “If you look for signs you will see them everywhere, but if you look for me the signs will accompany first and foremost My Presence!” Now let me make it very clear I believe that signs SHOULD ALWAYS accompany His Presence, but they never need to be a focal point of the church. They are simply byproducts of His Presence!

The Gospel that we have been called to preach is one that is powerful. It is not in our picketing, demonstrating, legislating, or moral compassing that a nation will change… it is this Gospel that compels us with love! 2 Corinthians 5:14- "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." Nothing is more powerful, nothing more pervasive than a tongue loosed with His Words of deliverance, freedom, healing, and salvation!

If we go simply for signs… we can be deceived…. Matthew 24:24 – “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.” If we go for Him, we never will be disappointed!


Signs then are “markings” on the trees… Jesus has been here…. This is the way walk in it… as You pursue Him with all your heart! Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Signs are for unbelievers to turn to Him… not for saints to have parties over! We are partying around street signs when the King has just simply walked that way down the block! He demonstrates He is on us by these signs, but doesn’t leave us to simply hold a sign… He wants us to hold Him!

Pursuing yet more of Him!



For Further Study: (Notice that signs are sent to confirm the main thing: HIM!)

(Mark 16:20) Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

(John 2:23) Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.

(John 3:2-3) He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

(John 4:47-50) When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. 48 "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." 49 The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50 Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

(Acts 2:22) "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

(Acts 4:30-31) Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

(Acts 5:12-14) The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

(Acts 8:6-8) When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

(Acts 14:3) So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.

(Romans 15:18-19) I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done-- 19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

(1 Corinthians 1:22-24) Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

(1 Corinthians 14:22) Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.


 

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