Recognizing the Kingdom in an Unlikely Messenger

Text: Matthew 11:7–18 (NKJV)

Theme: Christ affirms John the Baptist’s prophetic role and rebukes the generation that rejects both the message and the messenger. Audience: Believers needing discernment and faith to recognize God's work, even when it doesn't meet their expectations.

Invocation Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the truth of Your Word that challenges us, corrects us, and comforts us. Today, as we look to the testimony of John the Baptist and the words of our Savior Jesus Christ, help us to discern Your voice and Your work in our lives. Write this Word upon our hearts, that we may live it, proclaim it, and share it with a world so desperate for Your grace. May we not be like the generation that saw but did not believe, that heard but did not repent. May we respond with faith, obedience, and joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Sermon Outline

I. John the Baptist: A Prophet Without Equal (vv. 7–11)

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?” (v. 7)

Exegesis:

Jesus addresses the crowd’s expectation. John was not weak or wavering (v.7), nor luxurious or worldly (v.8).

He was a prophet, and more than a prophet—he was the forerunner of the Messiah.(v.9-10, cf. Malachi 3:1).

Jesus declares John the greatest "born of women," yet even the least in the kingdom is greater (v.11)—a clear contrast between the Old and New Covenants.

We are greater than John in the Kingdom of God, we who profess a Christ as Lord and Savior are the greatest in His Kingdom. This turns every other religion on its head, including Judaism; Jesus removes the sanctity of the prophets and puts it on the average believer. That is revolutionary, and He does this because He came for the whole world and not just the few, each person is as special to GOD as the Prophets He uses to further His will, and His will is to reconcile us to Him. To God all people are precious in His sight (Is. 43:4).

Notice that Jesus says John is the “greatest of those born to women” Jesus separates Himself from John here, because though Jesus was born to Mary, scripture denotes in Matthew 1:20, NKJV, that Jesus is “of the Holy Spirit.” John was greater than all but Jesus!

Illustration: Imagine expecting a king to be announced by royalty in gold robes, but instead, God chose a haggard preacher in camel’s hair shouting in the wilderness like a madman. God’s messengers often come in untidy, unexpected packages, but bring forth greatness.

Application: Don’t judge God’s work by appearance. God uses the humble, the bold, and the faithful—even when their methods are unconventional and/or uncomfortable. Are you listening for truth, or just looking for what suits your particular preferences?

II. The Kingdom of God Advances Forcefully (vv. 12–15)

“The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” (v.12)

Exegesis:

The verse is difficult but likely refers to the intensity with which people were pressing into the kingdom—either with eagerness or opposition.

John represents the culmination of the Law and Prophets (v.13); the transition to the gospel era is dramatic and not without conflict. Change is often violent and real change is really violent.

Jesus affirms John as “Elijah who is to come” [(v.14) fulfills Malachi 4:5], but calls for ears to hear (v.15), means to respect the person and receive their message.

Illustration: Revival meetings and gospel movements rarely come quietly. Whether it’s a crowd thronging John’s baptism or multitudes following Jesus—God’s kingdom shakes the status quo.

Application: Are you earnestly seeking the kingdom? The gospel is not passive—it demands a response. Press in with urgency. Are you willing to lay aside comfort and press into Christ? Are you willing to face and endure violence for the sake of Christ?

III. A Generation That Refuses to Be Pleased (vv. 16–18)

“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance...” (v.17)

Exegesis:

Jesus compares the generation to fickle children—discontent no matter the message.

John’s asceticism is too harsh; Jesus’ table fellowship is too lenient.

The issue is not the messenger, but the heart of the hearers. We often want things exactly as we want them, not too hard, and not too soft, but that’s Jesus’ point, we aren’t ready to receive the Gospel as it is…violently transformative to our old self.

We must die to self to gain Christ, and most aren’t willing to do that. They want an easy “love is love” and “I can be who I want to be” and follow Jesus…well that’s simply not true. We must conform to His image, not the other way around.

Illustration: Some people criticize every preacher—“too harsh,” “too soft,” “too political,” “too spiritual.” The truth is, when someone doesn’t want to submit to God, no messenger will ever be acceptable. It’s not the messenger, but the message that’s being rejected.

Application: Check your heart—are you resisting truth because it challenges you? Be teachable. Don’t fall into the trap of criticizing God’s messengers instead of obeying God’s message.

Applications

Examine your expectations. Like the crowd misunderstood John, we may miss God’s voice if we’re looking for something polished or popular. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Pursue the kingdom with urgency. Don't be passive—seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)

Receive God’s truth with humility. Avoid a critical spirit that looks for reasons not to obey. Respond with repentance and faith. (James 1:22)

Conclusion

Jesus pointed to John not just as a great man, but as a turning point in redemptive history. Yet many missed it because they judged the package, not the power behind it. The same danger exists today—we can miss what God is doing if we expect Him to work only on our terms. But blessed are those who are not offended by Christ (v.6). Will you receive Him as He is—and follow Him as Lord?