Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Ministry of John the Baptiser

a) He had a brief ministry

b) His work was to be a forerunner for the Messiah

c) After he identified the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God, his work was done

2. Languishing in Jail

a) Herod arrested John and jailed him

b) His public ministry had come to an end

c) His faith in the Lord Jesus began to falter

DOUBTS ABOUT THE LORD JESUS AROSE

1 Now 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?”

Matthew 11:1-3

1. John sent two of His disciples to see the Lord Jesus

2. He had a query

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

3. John began to have doubts if the Lord was truly “The Coming One”

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 11:4-6

21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.

22 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Luke 7:21-23

1. The Disciples would see what the Lord Jesus could do

2. The Miracles of the Lord Jesus

a) Spontaneous healing

i) He cured many of infirmities/ afflictions

ii) He cast out evil spirits

iii) He gave sight to the blind

b) Summary of what the Lord had done

i) The blind see

ii) The lame walk

iii) The lepers are cleansed

iv) The deaf hear

v) The dead are raised

vi) The poor have the gospel preached to them

3. A word of encouragement

a) Don’t be offended

b) Be blessed through holding fast to faith

A COMMENDATION OF JOHN THE BAPTISER

7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

10 For this is he of whom it is written:
‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Matthew 11:7-15

1. What John was not:

a) Not a reed in the wilderness

b) Not a rich man in soft raiment

2. What John was

a) A prophet

b) A great prophet

c) Comparable to Elijah the prophet

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To have genuine Faith

2. To hold fast to Faith

a) Amidst suffering

b) Against doubts

3. To refuse to be stumbled

a) By dark thoughts

b) By doubts

4. To cultivate

a) A true Faith

b) A triumphant Faith