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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 67 : A query from John the Baptiser

Text: Matthew 11
4 June 2023

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 4 JUNE 2023
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 11

Subject: A query from John the Baptiser

1Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Matthew 11:1-6

1. Instruction of the Disciples

a) This was captured in Matthew 10
b) This was noted as “Commanding His twelve disciples”

2. The ministry of the Lord Jesus

a) To teach
b) To preach the gospel
c) In the cities

3. A query from John the Baptiser

a) John was imprisoned by Herod Antipas
b) He still had faithful disciples
c) He sent 2 of his disciples to raise this question to the Lord Jesus
“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
Matthew 11:3
4. Why was this question raised up?
a) John was languishing in prison
b) He had proclaimed the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God
c) He knew the Lord Jesus as the Son of God
d) But being in prison:
i) Doubts arose
ii) Faith was shaken somewhat

5. John the Baptiser and his ministry

a) He had been strong
b) He had been successful
c) He had been faithful
d) But doubts still came

6. The answer of the Lord Jesus Christ

4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Matthew 11:1-6

a) The disciples were told to tell John what they saw
b) The ministry of the Lord Jesus
i) Mighty
ii) Miracles were performed
iii) Meaningful confirmation of the Ministry of the Lord Jesus

 

7. A word of encouragement to John the Baptiser

a) To stay “blessed”
b) To not become “stumbled” because of the Lord Jesus
c) The sign-miracles must help John to continue:
i) To trust
ii) To fight doubts
iii) To avoid being stumbled (“offended”)

CONCLUSION

1. Deal with doubts when they come up

2. Determine not to be stumbled

3. Dare to exercise even greater trust in the Lord when facing problems in life