Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 22 November 2020

Text: Matthew 11:1-15; Luke 7:18-35

Subject: Dealing with Doubts

INTRODUCTION

1. John the Baptiser

a) The forerunner of the Messiah (Mark 1; John 1; Matthew 3; Luke 3)

b) Ministry 

i) Preaching

ii) Baptizing

2. Assessment of Ministry

a) Huge crowds flocked to him

b) Many were baptised by him

c) An outstanding ministry

JOHN IMPRISONED

1. John was imprisoned (Matthew 11:2)

2. Explanation as to why he was imprisoned (Matthew 14:3-5)

a) John criticized Herod the tetrarch 

b) He had taken his brother’s wife

SENDING OF TWO OF HIS DISCIPLES TO THE LORD JESUS

1. John had heard about the works of Christ (Matthew 11:2)

2. He sent 2 of his disciples with this question

“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:3; Luke 7:19

3. John somehow became uncertain/ unsure

4. He had questions and doubts now when he was so certain before

THE ANSWER OF THE LORD JESUS TO THE DISCIPLES OF JOHN

1. Go and tell John what you hear and see (Matthew 11:4)

a) Information is important

b) Ignorance is not great

c) Instruction is vital

d) Inspiration must be found

2. List of things to share with John the Baptiser

a) The blind see

b) And the lame walk

c) The lepers are cleansed

d) And the deaf hear

e) The dead are raised up 

f) And the poor have the gospel preached to them (Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:22)

3. A further word of encouragement to John

“Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” Matthew 11:6

a) Offended

i) Stumbled

ii) Lose one’s footing

b) Because of Me

i) John knew that Jesus was the Lamb of God (John 1:29)

ii) He knew His greatness as the Messiah (Matthew 3)

iii) But John did not know everything about the Lord

iv) He had not yet stumbled though!

4. What may cause us to stumble in our faith in the Lord?

a) Harsh circumstances in life

i) Imprisonment

ii) Confinement

iii) Locked up indefinitely

iv) Feeling restless

v) Feeling useless

b) Lack of knowledge

i) What the Lord Jesus was doing

ii) What His ministry was all about

c) Possible questions

i) Why he was imprisoned

ii) Why the Lord had not visited him

iii) Why the Lord had not freed him

iv) Why the Lord had not used him to work alongside

CAN PEOPLE WHO START OUT WITH STRONG FAITH HAVE SEVERE DOUBTS?

1. Yes!

2. John the Baptiser had doubts

3. The Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ struggled with doubts too and often!

4. Anyone can be affected adversely

THE LORD’S GRACIOUS ANSWER

That very hour…

1. He cured many of infirmities

2. Afflictions

3. And evil spirits 

4. And to the blind He gave sight (Luke 7:21)

WHAT DO THESE THINGS MEAN?

1. Jesus was the Promised Messiah

2. He was The Coming One

3. The Miracles attest to this great truth

THE LORD’S RESPONSE TO JOHN

1. Understanding

2. Kindness

3. Graciousness

FINDING ANSWERS TO THE DOUBTS IN OUR HEART AND MIND

1. There are Answers

a) To be found in deepening our understanding

b) To be found in applying our Faith

c) To be found in a stronger Faith

2. Choosing not to be offended

a) We don’t have to stumble

b) We can choose to believe

c) We can choose to be unshakeable in our faith