In Doubt
Notes
Transcript
The Report
The Report
John the Baptist is in Herods dungeon
his disciples are reporting to him all about what Jesus is doing
so what did they report this time?
go back to V 14-18
so John V 19.
why did John send these men to ask this question?
there are at least 2 different possibilities
the first is there are still a lot of men still following John
John’s ministry is over
like Paul who said I have fought the good fight
God has put John aside because his race is finished
and he has done a good job
remember what John said
“He must increase, but I must decrease.
these men are following the forerunner and not the Messiah
so he sends them to investigate the matter
to see for themselves that Jesus is the one they should be following
John is sending these men to Jesus
THE OTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT THIS PASSAGE IS
John is in doubt
this is the direction we will take this morning
read Luke 7 18-28.
Having Doubts
Having Doubts
John the baptist is sitting in prison
the Messiah who he has paved the way for is not acting as expected
He is not the
Isaiah 9:6–7 (LSB)
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will accomplish this.
Micah 5:2 (LSB)
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from everlasting, From the ancient days.”
Jeremiah 23:5 (LSB)
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares Yahweh, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and prosper And do justice and righteousness in the land.
Jesus is not doing these things promised in the the prophesies
is here 2 Messiahs?
If you are the ruler of the world like the prophets say
why am I still in Jail
why is Rome still dominating Israel
why are you not setting up your kingdom?
why are you not doing what I prophesied about you
John answered, saying to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water, but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the strap of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
“His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
where is the indwelling Holy Spirit?
where is the judgement with fire?
Doubts, doubts.
we have doubts
If I am a child of God why am I going through this...
why aren't you protecting me?
Psalm 23
Why are Christians around the world being persecuted?
why am I being persecuted?
You promised to return for me Lord Jesus...
am I truly saved?
If I am a new creation why do I still sin?
doubts doubts doubts
Jesus’ Answer
Jesus’ Answer
V 18-20
V 21 Jesus continues to heal
Jesus is demonstrating the signs of the Messiah
found in the prophets
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
Isaiah 35:6 (LSB)
Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy.
For waters will break forth in the wilderness
And streams in the Arabah.
Isaiah 61:1 (LSB)
The Spirit of Lord Yahweh is upon me Because Yahweh has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim release to captives And freedom to prisoners,
Jesus answer to John was compare what is going on to the scriptures
compare me to what the Holy scriptures says what the Messiah will do
don’t be in doubt
satisfy the hunger of doubt with a good dose of what God has to say about this circumstance
doubt is a good thing if you go to the source of knowledge
it causes us to find out the truth
when we find the truth it increases our faith
the more we know of God’s word the more we can trust in Him
V 23
when we have our doubts
when we are afraid
when we don’t see any good resulting ...
we can be blessed if we just cling to our Lord for safety
take encouragement in Jesus when doubts are clouding the sky
Speaking Well Of The Doubter
Speaking Well Of The Doubter
V 24-25
why did you go out to the wilderness?
who did you go to see?
V 26
some one better than a prophet
V 27 the forerunner of the Messiah
the one to prepare peoples hearts for the Kingdom of Heaven
V 28
John was able to both prophesy and see the fulfilment
no other prophets were able to do this
but John was not able to see the fulfilment
he died before the crucifixion
was Jesus critical about the doubts of John
no He told everyone of John’s greatness
John came to the source - Jesus with his doubts
Jesus pointed out the scriptures
did Jesus say where is your faith?
you should blindly have faith
Jesus gently pointed John in the right direction
We also should come to Jesus with our doubts
Jesus will gently providentially move us to the source of faith
as we listen to the voice of God through his word
our doubts will be replaced with truth
Having doubts tell Jesus be honest
He knows already so don’t think you are hiding anything
Having doubts about your salvation
lets look at what a christian looks like
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
start here does this reflect your life?
does these describe you?
over the years do you see yourself by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit being changed in these areas?
do you hate your sin?
or are you indifferent to your sin?
these are all valid questions a person should ask themselves
if you honestly answer in the negative you should be in doubt
Pray