Luke 7.18-35

Luke 7:18-35

Luke (a year and a half)… You read things you didn’t expect… off-guard… don’t like… confusing…

What do we do when Jesus does or says something we weren’t expecting? Scripture says something…

What do you do with this? Confusion… anger… doubt… disagree… (Deconstruction/Leave the church)

You remember JTB? Prepared way for Jesus/Baptized Jesus… In prison (Herod)

He’s heard all about Jesus’ ministry (teachings, healings, gospel of the kingdom)… he’s confused…

Read Luke 7:18-20- John is confused by what he has heard about Jesus’ ministry.

John preached on judgement/repentance/bearing fruit… Healings? Eating with tax collectors?

Romans are still in power… Religious leaders are still the establishment… Herod in comfort…

Naturally, JTB asks the question… “Are you the one… or should we look for another?”

Jesus does not condemn JTB for his question or his doubt- Read Luke 7:21-22

Go tell John what you see… Evidence… fulfillment of prophecy. (Isa 26, 29, 35, 61)

Jesus even preaches from Isaiah 61 in Luke 4- Read Luke 4:16-21

Jesus wants John to see that he is doing the work that the OT promised He’d do.

John’s doubt is understandable… Jesus lovingly reminds him…

Compare Jesus response to the religious leaders- Read Luke 7:29-35- They reject Him (not doubt)

Lose/Lose situation… JTB didn’t eat or drink= has demon/Jesus ate and drank= glutton and drunkard

They treat Jesus like he was in the circus… dance… WHAT THEY WANTED JESUS TO BE AND DO…

Build-a-Bear… (animal, size, stuffing, clothing…)

JTB- Confusion/doubt/question… Religious leaders- It had nothing to do with Jesus… it was about them…

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO… Read Luke 7:23- “Offended”

“Skandolon”- Stumbling block/offense- Read 1 Corinthians 1:22-23

The difference between “doubt” AND “offense” is POSTURE: Who determines what God must be like?

We have doubts/confusion about Scripture (…Why?)

Local church preferences: This preaching/This music/This kids ministry/This student ministry (consumerism)

Too conservative- Talks about salvation and hell… Not enough about Social Justice…

Too Liberal- Talks about love of enemies, humility, sacrificial love… Not enough about pol. overhaul of evil now…

We will often just overlook the parts we don’t like… Jesus is soft, pushover OR Political warrior

Sometimes our life’s circumstances lead us to doubt: spouse, kids, career, evil in world, cultural pressure

Unmet expectations: Some will reject if he doesn’t met their expectations/Some will submit and learn

Jesus delivers on every promise made… We are not promised spouse, kids, career, no evil, well-like by world…

Confused at times/uncomfortable/disagree?… that should encourage you… you didn’t make it up.

You and I are NOT GOD… If we never feel uncomfortable, uneasy, confused… then we’ve made up this god…

Difference between JTB and the religious leaders: JTB= confusion/genuine question… Rel Lead= rejection

Jesus doesn’t want anyone present to misunderstand JTB- Read Luke 7:24-28a- The greatest

No doubt, questions, confusions changed this!!!!

Do you have doubts and confusion? Frustrations? Take them to the Lord/community… ask… but posture yourself properly…

Church, be encouraged! We are not saved the intensity of our faith, but by the object of our faith (his work).

We have something far beyond anything JTB had… Read Luke 7:28b- We have seen cross and resurrection

The Lord wants to reveal Himself to us… give us confidence… HE’S GIVEN US HIS FULL COUNCIL!!! HIS SPIRIT!!!

We know things that JTB never did… Moses never did… Isaiah never did… Abraham never did…

The Lord has graciously revealed Himself to us… in His Word… Let’s use it… Let’s trust it… Let’s posture ourselves under it…

Mk 9- “I believe, help my unbelief…”

Frustrated? Confused? Doubting? Hurting?- Invite you to pray with an elder after service

Read Psalm 121