"Certainty in the Midst of Doubt”

Text: Matthew 11:1–6, NKJV

Invocation Prayer

Heavenly Father, As we open Your Word today, we ask that You would open our hearts to receive it. Write this truth on our hearts, not just for knowledge, but for transformation. May we not only hear Your Word but live it, apply it, and boldly proclaim it. Help us to see Jesus clearly, to trust Him fully, and to walk faithfully. Let this message settle in our spirits, stir us from idleness, and inspire us to action. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction

In Matthew 11, we encounter a pivotal moment of doubt—not from a skeptic or an enemy of Christ—but from John the Baptist, the very forerunner of Jesus. This passage reminds us that even the strongest among us can question when circumstances seem overwhelming. Yet Jesus does not rebuke John. Instead, He lovingly points him—and us—back to the unshakable truth of Scripture.

Body

I. Train, Send, and Go (v.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.”

Jesus modeled the pattern of ministry: He trained His disciples, sent them out, and continued the work Himself. He did not stop once the disciples were sent—He kept going. It is not enough to just to teach Sunday School, to tell a few people about Christ when you first begin your walk with Jesus – we must continually make and send disciples while being a sent disciple.

Exposition:

This is a continuation of the mission set forth in Matthew 10. “Behold, I send you out as sheep amongst wolves… whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.”

Jesus is not idle; He is actively teaching and preaching—demonstrating to the Church that our calling is not just to send others, but to remain engaged ourselves. The great commission reminds us that we are to make disciples and that Jesus is always with us.

Illustration:

Like a good coach who not only trains the team but runs drills beside them, Jesus stayed in the field—always teaching, always leading, and he is with us know through the Holy Spirit, still leading and teaching through us.

II. Idleness Breeds Doubt (vv.2–3)

“And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’”

Exposition:

John is in Herod's prison. His active ministry has stopped. He is sidelined.

In his confinement, idle and perhaps discouraged, John begins to doubt. The same man who once said, “Behold! The Lamb of God…” (John 1:29) now asks, “Are You the One?” I can imagine we have all been there, if a pillar of our faith can doubt, then surely we can as well.

Idleness is the tool the devil uses here, and he still uses it today; it is, after all, an effective tool or him to try and cause division between us and God through doubt.

Illustration:

Think of being idle, of just lying around like an unused tool; it begins to rust. Likewise, a faith not exercised is prone to corrosion. But if we pick it up, touch it, use it, keep it clean, it will last a lifetime.

Modern Parallel: John was spiritually Idle and doubted, we get that way too and it causes havoc in our lives.

Home: Spiritual idleness causes relational tension, selfishness, and disengagement.

Work: Slackness and spiritual detachment invite discontent and moral compromise.

Marriage: Neglect breeds mistrust; Satan exploits inaction to divide. If you ignore your spouse long enough, and they might just be gone.

III. Jesus Answers with Scripture and Evidence (v. 4–6)

“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things which you hear and see...’”

Exposition:

Jesus doesn’t say, “Yes, I am the Messiah,” in plain terms. Instead, He quotes Scripture through His actions:

The blind see (Isaiah 35:5)

The lame walk (Isaiah 35:6)

The lepers are cleansed (Leviticus 14)

The deaf hear (Isaiah 35:5)

The dead are raised (Acts 26:8)

The poor have the gospel preached to them (Isaiah 61:1)

Jesus reminds John—and us—that fulfilled prophecy is the answer to doubt. He draws John’s attention to what the Word has already declared.

Illustration:

A lighthouse doesn’t chase ships; it stands firm and shines. Jesus doesn’t chase John’s emotions; He shines the light of the Word.

Application

1. Continue the Mission Jesus modeled what it means to make disciples. We are called not just to send others, but to stay in the work. Evangelism is not a task for pastors alone—it’s for every believer.

2. Stay Spiritually Active Just as John’s doubt came in a time of stillness and suffering, we too can waver when our spiritual disciplines falter. Stay in prayer, the Word, and fellowship.

3. Trust the Word of God Jesus pointed John to the Scriptures. That’s where our answers lie. When doubts come, run to God’s Word, not away from it.

Conclusion

John the Baptist—bold, fiery, faithful—still found himself in doubt. But Jesus didn’t shame him. Instead, He lovingly redirected him to the truth.

There are two choices in our doubt:

Doubt that drives us away from Jesus.

Or doubt that draws us back to the Scriptures and solidifies our faith.

Let your doubts become doorways to deeper faith. Jesus still points us to His Word—the blind still see, the lame still walk, and the gospel is still preached. And He ends with a gentle encouragement:

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

Let us not stumble over Jesus but stand firm in Him.