Greater Than

Who are the spiritual giants in your life? Those men and women who have gone before you, model by their lives, love, grace, mercy, faith, hope, perseverance, sacrifice, generosity, patience, and more.

I know for me, I think of the many biblical giants of the faith like Noah, Abraham, David, Elijah, Esther, and Mary, Peter, John, Paul, Timothy.

And then there are the more contemporaries, like John Calvin, John Wesley and in that same category I put guys like Dallas Willard and Billy Graham, Mother Theresa. Giants of the faith who have paved the way … but then there are those closer to home.

My friend’s father, George Wilson, who like was father to me when my father didn’t have the ability or capacity or faith. But George Wilson was a godly man. I went on vacations with them, he taught me how to start a fire, shot a gun, canoe whitewater and love his Lord, his family, his church, his community. He was a retired Navy guy who got me into Sea Cadets. He was a giant in my life.

Most of us in this room could think of men and women who have modeled faith for us. From the bible, history and from our own families. Mom’s Dad’s grandparents, teachers, close friends, …

We are standing on the shoulders on giants like John who paved a way for the King and His Kingdom!

This morning we begin a new series called a Greater Messiah. But who is the Messiah or Christ and what does that mean.

Slide Who is the Messiah or Christ?

"Messiah" comes from the Hebrew word "Mashiach.” In the Jewish tradition, the Messiah is the expected future anointed one who will fulfill specific roles, such as bringing peace, justice, restoration and redemption to the Jewish people.

The word - "Christ" comes from the Greek word "Christos," which also means "anointed one" or "chosen one." In our Christian theology, Jesus is referred to as "Jesus Christ," with "Christ" signifying that he is the anointed one, the Savior, and the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament

Messiah or Christ means …

Slide Chosen and anointed one!

Who will be the one who will restore, redeem, restore, return humanity to a right relationship to God? The very first verse in the New Testament tells us that Jesus is the Christ.

Slide The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1

The angels proclaimed him as the chosen and anointed one!

Slide For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Peter knew he was the chosen and anointed one …

Slide He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15–16

This declaration by Peter is a significant moment in the New Testament and underscores the identification of Jesus as the Messiah.

During a conversation with a Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus reveals himself as the Messiah,

Slide The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” John 4:25–26

Acts 2:36: In the book of Acts, the Apostle Peter, speaking on the day of Pentecost, proclaims that "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." This verse underscores the early Christian belief in Jesus as the Messiah.

Slide Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2:36

Jesus is the Messiah that is Greater Than…

Slide When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. Matthew 11:1

Slide He is greater than your doubts!

You may be sitting here this morning, wondering, doubting whether everything you have believed about Jesus is true. Maybe you find yourself in difficult circumstances, struggles, pain that cause you to question things that you have firmly believed. Jesus is faced with the questions that arouse from John and his disciples …

Slide Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Matthew 11:2-6

John the Baptist's decision to send his disciples to inquire if Jesus was the Messiah might seem puzzling at first, especially considering that John had baptized Jesus and had seemingly acknowledged His identity as the Messiah. To understand John's actions, we must consider the context and the broader theological and historical backdrop.

· Confirming His Ministry: John the Baptist, as a prophet and forerunner, had a specific role in preparing the way for the Messiah. His mission was to call people to repentance, baptize them as a sign of their repentance, and prepare them for the coming of the Messiah. Baptizing Jesus was part of this mission. However, John might have sent his disciples to confirm Jesus's identity as the Messiah to reassure his followers and affirm that his mission was indeed fulfilled through Jesus.

· Doubt and Uncertainty: It's possible that John had moments of doubt or uncertainty. The Gospels do not provide a detailed account of John's inner thoughts and feelings, but he might have faced challenges or moments of weakness, as any human being does. Sending his disciples to ask about Jesus could have been a way to alleviate any doubts he or his followers may have had.

· Teaching Moment: John's actions could have been a teaching moment for his disciples. By having them seek answers directly from Jesus, he allowed them to experience and witness the Messiah's teachings and miracles, deepening their faith.

In the end, the Bible does not explicitly state John's motivations for sending his disciples to inquire about Jesus. Still, it is likely a combination of these factors sand it underscores the complexity of John's mission and his relationship with Jesus as the Messiah. John's primary purpose was always to point people to Jesus, and sending his disciples to seek confirmation may have been another way of doing just that.

The truth is we all doubt. Doubting is actually part of our faith journey. We see it here with John the Baptist and like John we lay our doubts down at the feet of Jesus, we come to him to ask why?

Slide Lay down your doubts!

Doubting is not sinning if it leads you to seek God for greater faith, assurance, wisdom and understanding.

Like Thomas who is forever known as doubting Thomas, who just could not bring himself to believe something that he had not seen with his own two eyes and then Jesus appears. John 20 says …

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:27–29

Like Thomas, we may struggle with doubts in difficult seasons of life. But there is a Messiah, our Christ, the chosen and anointed One so …

Slide Take up belief and faith in Christ

Lay down your doubts, ask for wisdom, faith and belief because is the one that is greater than your doubt.

He is not only greater than our doubts but also greater than our expectations!

Slide He is greater than your expectations!

What do you expect from God? Our expectations act as a lens through which we view the world, affecting our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall life experiences. Recognizing the power of expectations and learning to manage them can have a profound impact on our well-being and success in various areas of life.

Jesus turns to the crowd …

Slide As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Matthew 11:7-10

Jesus is addressing the crowd and speaking about John the Baptist. He asks the people what they expected to see when they went into the wilderness to see John. Jesus then explains that John is not a reed swayed by the wind, meaning he is not easily swayed or influenced by the opinions of others. Nor is he a man dressed in fine clothes, as he lived a simple and austere life in the wilderness.

Instead, Jesus emphasizes that John is a prophet, and not just any prophet but more than a prophet.

Jesus is quoting an OT prophecy from the book of Malachi indicating that John is the messenger sent ahead to prepare the way for the Messiah, which is Jesus Himself.

Slide Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Malachi 3:1a

Jesus is affirming John the Baptist's significance in God's plan as the forerunner and herald of the Messiah, who played a crucial role in preparing the hearts and minds of the people for Jesus' ministry. This passage highlights the honor and importance of John's mission in paving the way for the coming of Christ.

In the Christian life there are certain expectations or beliefs that may not always be met in the way we hope or anticipate.

Divine Intervention in Troubles: Many Christians expect that God will always intervene to prevent or resolve personal or societal troubles. However, they may encounter situations where We experience suffering or unanswered prayers, leading to a crisis of faith.

Moral and Ethical Behavior: Christians often strive to live by a high moral and ethical standard based on their faith. They may expect themselves and other believers to consistently exhibit moral virtues and avoid sinful behaviors. However, people may struggle with sin, temptation, and moral failures.

Physical Healing through Faith: Some Christians expect that their faith and prayer will result in miraculous physical healing. While healing does occur, there are cases where individuals remain unhealed despite strong faith and prayer.

Prosperity Gospel Expectations: The prosperity gospel movement teaches that God's favor will lead to financial success, health, and happiness for believers. However, many Christians do not experience the level of material prosperity promised by this teaching.

Conflict and Persecution: Christians may expect a life free from conflict and persecution, but in reality, they may encounter opposition, discrimination, and hardship because of their faith. This is especially true in areas with religious diversity or hostility toward Christianity.

Immediate Answers to Prayer: Christians often expect that their prayers will be answered promptly and in the way they desire. Yet, they may encounter periods of waiting and uncertainty when their prayers appear to go unanswered.

Inner Peace and Happiness: Faith in Christ is often associated with inner peace and joy. However, many Christians still experience moments of doubt, anxiety, and unhappiness in their lives.

Clear Divine Guidance: Christians may expect to receive clear and direct divine guidance for major life decisions. In reality, they often face ambiguity and uncertainty when seeking God's will.

Come to Jesus with every unmet expectation and lay them down.

Slide Lay down your expectations!

Name them, God is not shocked that we are disappointed that our expectations for help, healing, or happiness have not been met and yet in that moment we must remember there is a Messiah, our Christ, the chosen and anointed One so …

Slide Take up trust and hope in Christ.

Come to him and give him your expectations and let him know that even though you may not fully understand, your foundation if firm in him and your hope is in the unshakable kingdom of God.

Not only our Messiah greater than our doubts or expectations …

Slide He is greater than your kingdoms and queendoms!

There is only one is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. All those giants of the faith in the past, present and future … are only giants in the kingdom because they point to the king who sits on the throne.

Slide Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 11:11-15

All the past is fulfilled in Jesus the Christ, the Messiah … John, amazing as he was had a singular purpose, prepare the way for Jesus … point others to the Messiah, the Christ who has come!The prophet Malachi wrote …

Slide Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction. Malachi 4:5–6

It is a challenge for all of us to make our lives not about us! It is not about my kingdom or queendom where I rule and reign. Where I get to call the shots and do what I want to do!

Jesus modeled this when he said, not my will but your will be down. When he prayed your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So …

Slide Lay down your kingdoms and queendoms!

Come to Jesus this morning, confessing your need, your desire to control your life, call the shots, sit on the throne … remember there is a Messiah, our Christ, the chosen and anointed One so …

Slide Take up the Kingdom of Heaven and follow Jesus the Christ!

step down, invite Christ to sit on the throne of your heart and rule over you as you follow him.

Not only our Messiah greater than our doubts, expectations, kingdoms and queendoms …

Slide He is greater than your judgements and critiques!

We learn at a young age that we have the power to give meaning to things. I get in yelled at … the meaning, I am a bad person or you can’t be trusted, or you don’t love me. We are always judging, critiquing and giving meaning to things that we don’t fully or can’t fully understand … Jesus says …

We have talked about this in the past … it is called the Fundamental Attribution Error.

Slide But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” Matthew 11:16-19

In this passage, Jesus is criticizing the people of his generation by comparing them to children playing in the marketplace. He points out their inconsistency in responding to both John the Baptist and himself.

The children in the parable are like the people, and the two different tunes they play represent the different approaches of John and Jesus:

"We played the flute for you, and you did not dance" - This refers to John the Baptist's ascetic and austere lifestyle. He came neither eating nor drinking and was seen as strict and separate from worldly pleasures. But when people didn't respond positively to his message, some criticized him and said, "He has a demon."

"We sang a dirge, and you did not mourn" - This represents Jesus, who came eating and drinking, and he interacted with a wide range of people, including tax collectors and sinners. Some criticized him for being too approachable and for his association with those considered sinful, calling him "a glutton and a drunkard."

In both cases, the people found reasons to criticize the messengers—John for being too strict and Jesus for being too sociable. Jesus concludes by saying, "Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds," meaning that the true worth of John and himself will be evident through the results of their ministries, regardless of the people's inconsistent and critical reactions. In other words, the effectiveness of their messages will become clear over time, regardless of the people's initial judgments.

So come to Jesus, lay down your judgements and critiques of

Slide Lay down your judgements and critiques!

remember there is a Messiah, our Christ, the chosen and anointed One so …

Slide Take up the joy of your salvation in Christ!

Keep you from focusing on Christ and the joy of your own salvation and relationship with Him.

Slide He is greater than your unbelief and the lack of repentance!

Jesus ends this passage by pointing to the cities who have doubted, been filled with disbelief, who have judged and critiqued his ministry wrongly …

Slide Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” Matthew 11:20-24

In this passage, Jesus is addressing the unbelief and lack of repentance in certain cities where he had performed miracles and preached. He denounces these cities, specifically Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, for their refusal to repent and accept his message despite witnessing powerful works.

Here's a breakdown of the key points in this passage:

Denouncing the Cities: Jesus begins by denouncing the cities where he performed many mighty works. He is disappointed by their lack of repentance, which was the response he sought from them.

Woe to Chorazin and Bethsaida: Jesus pronounces a "woe" or a judgment on the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida. He compares them to Tyre and Sidon, ancient cities known for their wickedness.

Jesus suggests that if the same miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, those cities would have repented long ago in a deep display of remorse.

Greater Accountability: Jesus warns the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida that their judgment will be more severe than that of Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment because they had witnessed his powerful works and still refused to repent.

Judgment on Capernaum: Jesus also pronounces judgment on Capernaum, a city where he spent much of his ministry. He rhetorically asks if Capernaum will be exalted to heaven, but he predicts its downfall to Hades (a reference to the realm of the dead). He again contrasts their situation with another notorious city, Sodom, known for its wickedness.

Severe Consequences: Jesus implies that if the same mighty works had been performed in Sodom, the city would have repented and survived, contrasting this with the unbelief of Capernaum. He concludes by saying that the judgment for Capernaum will be more severe than that for Sodom on the day of judgment.

Jesus is highlighting the seriousness of rejecting his message and the consequences of unbelief and lack of repentance. He uses comparisons to emphasize the greater accountability of those who witnessed his miracles and yet did not respond with faith and repentance.

Put pad on this slide

Slide Lay down your unbelief and lack of repentance!

Slide Take up confession and repentance as a way of living into your relationship with Jesus the Christ!

Accept, believe, receive, confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the anointed one who took your sin and my sin to the cross!

Pray … song God of the City

You're the God of this city

You're the King of these people

You're the Lord of this nation

You are

You're the light in this darkness

You're the hope to the hopeless

You're the peace to the restless

You are

Misc 1

There is no one like our God

There is no one like You God

Chorus 1

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things have still to be done

In this city

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things have still to be done here

Verse 2

You're the Lord of creation

The Creator of all things

You're the King above all kings

You are

You're the strength in the weakness

You're the love to the broken

You're the joy in the sadness

You are

Chorus 2

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things have still to be done

In this city

Where glory shines from hearts alive

With praise for You and love for You

In this city