Doubt

Luke 7:18–28 KJV 1900

18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

The Report

John the Baptist is in Herods dungeon

his disciples are reporting to him all about what Jesus is doing

so what did they report this time?

go back to V 14-18

so John V 19. Art thou He that should come? or look we for another?

why did John send these men to ask this question?

there are at least 2 different possibilities

the first is there are still a lot of men still following John

John’s ministry is over

like Paul who said I have fought the good fight

God has put John aside because his race is finished

and he has done a good job

remember what John said

John 3:30“He must increase, but I must decrease.

these men are following the forerunner and not the Messiah

so he sends them to investigate the matter

to see for themselves that Jesus is the one they should be following

John is sending these men to Jesus

THE OTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT THIS PASSAGE IS

John is in doubt

this is the direction we will take this morning

read Luke 7 18-28.

Having Doubts

John the baptist is sitting in prison

the Messiah who he has paved the way for, is not acting as expected

Micah 5:2 “2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Jeremiah 23:5 “5 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

Jesus is not taking over the Government and getting Israel out from under roman rule

If you are the ruler of the world like the prophets say

why am I still in Jail?

why is Rome still dominating Israel?

why are you not setting up your kingdom?

why are you not doing what I prophesied about you?

Luke 3:16–17 “16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.”

where is the indwelling Holy Spirit? we know

where is the judgement with fire? it coming

Doubts, doubts.

we have doubts

If I am a child of God why am I going through this...

why aren't you protecting me?

Why are Christians around the world being persecuted?

why am I being persecuted?

You promised to return for me Lord Jesus...

am I truly saved?

If I am a new creation why do I still sin?

doubts doubts doubts

Jesus’ Answer

V 18-20

Luke 7:21 “21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.”

V 21 Jesus continues to heal

Jesus is demonstrating the signs of the Messiah

found in the prophets

Isaiah 35:5 “5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.”

Isaiah 35:6 “6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, And the tongue of the dumb sing: For in the wilderness shall waters break out, And streams in the desert.”

Isaiah 61:1 “1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”

Jesus answer to John was compare what is going on to the scriptures

compare me to what the Holy scriptures says what the Messiah will do

don’t be in doubt

satisfy the hunger of doubt with a good dose of what God has to say about this circumstance

When you doubt go to the source of knowledge

it causes us to find out the truth

when we find the truth it increases our faith

the more we know of God’s word the more we can trust in Him

V 23

when we have our doubts

when we are afraid

when we don’t see any good resulting ...

we can be blessed if we just cling to our Lord for safety

take encouragement in Jesus when doubts are clouding the sky

Speaking Well Of The Doubter

V 24-25

why did you go out to the wilderness?

who did you go to see?

V 26

some one better than a prophet

V 27 the forerunner of the Messiah

the one to prepare peoples hearts for the Kingdom of Heaven

V 28

John was able to both prophesy and see the fulfilment John seen Jesus

no other prophets were able to do this

but John was not able to see the Crucifixion and resurrection

he died before the crucifixion-resurrection

was Jesus critical about the doubts of John

No He told everyone of John’s greatness

John came to the source - Jesus with his doubts

Jesus pointed out the scriptures

Did Jesus say where is your faith?

You should blindly have faith

Jesus gently pointed John in the right direction

We also should come to Jesus with our doubts

Jesus will gently providentially move us to the source of faith

as we listen to the voice of God through his word

our doubts will be replaced with truth

Having doubts tell Jesus be honest

He knows already so don’t think you are hiding anything