In my most recent sermon, I was preaching through Matthew 10:7ff, in which Jesus is giving instructions to the 12 disciples before sending them out to the House of Israel.
At one point, He tells them to: 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
One might ask: how come our preachers do not do this today? It’s a good question.
Matthew Henry answers the question by stating that the sign gifts were given to help authenticate the message being preached in order to lay the foundation of the Kingdom. Now that the canon of Scripture is closed, giving us all we need for faith and practice, there is no longer a need to lay the foundation again.
In fact, Henry says to ask for such signs, is an attempt to relay the foundation of the church that is already laid, and worse, tempting God.
We tempt God when we doubt in the provisions He has blessed us with. We are, in effect, saying that the preaching of God’s word is not sufficient when we ask for miracles, or even add to the worship, things not prescribed.
We need to trust in the means of grace that He has given to us: the preaching of His word, the sacraments, and prayer. These are the tools given by the Holy Spirit. Let us use them by faith to extend His Kingdom.
You can listen to the full sermon HERE.
That... Which Matters Most 
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