Unshakable Trust In God’s Plan

Secular -

It was a bright Sunday morning, and the kids in Sunday school were unusually restless. Miss Carol, the teacher, was doing her best to keep everyone focused as she started her lesson on the Ten Commandments.

She wrote “THOU SHALT NOT” in big letters on the whiteboard and said,

“Now, class, these are the important rules God gave to help us live good lives. Can anyone tell me what we should do if we break one of God’s commandments?”

The room went quiet for a moment—until little Ben slowly raised his hand.

Miss Carol smiled. “Yes, Ben? What should we do?”

Ben leaned forward with all the confidence of an expert and said,

“Well, Miss Carol… I think we should fix it before Mom finds out.”

Historical/Cultural Context -

This Gospel is written by Matthew, also known as Levi who was a former tax collector. It was most likely written between AD 50-60. Matthew left everything behind to follow Jesus. Matthew wrote primarily to Jewish believers—people who knew the Old Testament well. Matthew had one goal: to prove that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the King of Kings, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Connecting the Old Testament prophecies to the life of Christ, proving that every word God spoke was coming true in Jesus. The key themes of the Gospel include Jesus as King, The Kingdom of Heaven, Fulfillment of Prophecy and discipleship.

Biblical Text -

Matthew 11:1–15 NKJV

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. 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?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Jesus Knows All Things, Has Something For Us To Do & Has Empower Us By The Holy Spirit To Do It.

Life Point- Jesus Knows The End From The Beginning

Exegetical -

Matthew 11:2–6 NKJV

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?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Homiletical -

It was pretty common knowledge that John the Baptist was in prison for saying that Herod could not have his brother’s wife as his wife. We know from Matthew and the other Gospel accounts, this reason though it is not explicitly stated here. It is stated further along in

Matthew 14:3–12 NKJV

For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

However at this point John is sitting in his cell and is probably a little depressed, wondering why the Messiah has not brought His kingdom yet, overthrowing the Romans.

You see, the Jews were looking for a political Messiah during this time. Someone who would overthrow the Romans and take charge.

However, we know that Jesus is coming back to do that very thing. But they didn’t know it yet. Jesus had not died and been resurrected yet nor had the book of Revelation been written yet. We have the whole picture related to this, they don’t.

So John send out two of his guys to go ask a simple question of Jesus. “Are you the Messiah, or do we wait for someone else?”

Notice Jesus’ answer here. He doesn’t just give a yes but he says to report what they have seen. To report the fulfillment of prophecy and to give a small rebuke to John. “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

When Jesus came the first time He fulfilled a ton of prophecy and when He comes again He will fulfill more.

Jesus, a lot of times, does the same thing to us. When we get into doubt and fear he often sends something small to rebuke us and get us back into the right mindset. With that comes repentance, and if that is what we need at the time then that is what we need at the time.

We often do not see the interconnectedness of the events in our lives until we look back after a long period of time. Even then we often miss the interconnectedness of events.

But you see, God sees it and the things that you have been through and the things you will go through and He knows the big picture. He know the ending from the beginning. He is the Beginning and the ending. One day we will not, but this time on this earth we only see partially, but one day we will see fully.

1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

Illustration -

Think about the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis. He was sold into slavery only later to become a ruler in Egypt, God used every event to shape a greater plan, which Joseph could not foresee. Jesus, who knew Joseph’s story, works similarly in our lives. Even when we don’t understand our circumstances, we can trust that the same God who orchestrated Joseph’s life knows our ending from our beginning.

Life Point - Jesus Has Something For You To Do

Exegetical -

Matthew 11:7–11 NKJV

As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Homiletical -

Notice something here. John’s disciples left before Jesus addresses the crowd about John.

So John didn’t get to hear what Jesus said about him.

Sometimes you can be going through some things through life and you get a little rebuked by the Lord but you don’t get to hear everything the Lord thinks about you.

How do we not know that Jesus isn’t up in heaven and He turns to an angel and says, “look at this one. Look what I have done with Him. How I have changed Him and made Him new.”

You know Job didn’t get to hear what God said to Satan about him.

Job 1:6–8 NKJV

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

Do you not think those same conversations still happen today? Of course they do. God says He is the same yesterday, today and forever and the He does not change.

Jesus praises John and his ministry he reminds them what they went out to see. Not a king in a plush palace, but a man who was a prophet and even more than a prophet as he was the preparer of the way for Jesus. That is a high calling.

No John wore camel’s hair and ate grasshoppers. He couldn’t be bought off or fall to the trap of wealth or even accused of it.

John was a hard man his ministry was prophesied 400 years earlier by Malachi in the book of Malachi.

Jesus has a ministry for all of us to do. Something He wants you to do. Find out where God is working and jump in and get started.

Illustration -

The story of Gideon in the book of Judges is powerful. Gideon felt like the least in his family and doubted his abilities, yet God called him to save Israel from the Midianites. Through tests of faith, Gideon learned that his strength came from God, not his own abilities. Today, Jesus is calling us to step out in faith, despite our self-doubt, reminding us that He empowers us to fulfill His mission in unique ways. Find where He is working and let Him use your distinctiveness to fulfill His mission.

Life Point - Walk In The Power of God The Holy Spirit

Exegetical -

Matthew 11:11–15 NKJV

“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Homiletical -

Notice Jesus says that John is greater than all the prophets because of his preparation for the Messiah. But you sitting in that seat are more powerful and indeed more blessed than John the Baptist.

Now why do I say that? Because in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit would come upon the prophets of old. But you, if you are a true Christian, have the Holy Spirit living inside of you. Because of this one simple fact you get to approach where no one has ever been able to approach in history, that being the throne room of God, without fear because of the Grace found in Jesus.

Hebrews 4:14–16 NKJV

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

We have the wonderful ability to approach God’s throne of Grace and to come without fear and shame.

Do you understand what a blessing that truly is? How powerful that truly is?

Now here is an odd thing to say, “The Kingdom Suffers violence and the violent take it by force.”

There are two main ways to interpret this passage and both ways are considered orthodox, meaning it is Biblically accurate.

It could mean that the kingdom of heaven is being attacked by violent men. After all, John was in prison, and he was about to be beheaded. Bloodshed and violence were high as Jesus Kingdom cam forth, so it could be that this verse speaks of the kingdom of heaven suffering violence by enemies trying to overtake it with force.

Or, it could be that the kingdom of heaven is taken by men who are aggressively, enthusiastically are seeking God and are taking Hold of it. They have no other task that is more important. When a soldier goes to war he seeks to do his duty putting the cares of life aside. So it is with those seeking the Kingdom of Heaven. It is not for those who just sit back apathetically and let things happen. No They find God and move to make things happen in His power.

It could be that the Lord has both meanings in mind but if I had to pick one, I would pick the latter not the former.

Now what is He talking about that John is Elijah who is to come?

In this time it was said that Elijah must physically bodily return from Heaven before the Messiah comes. Jesus says that John is the fulfillment of that prophecy not Elijah. John is the forerunner. John comes in the Spirit and power of God just in the same way Elijah did.

This would have been hard for them to accept. So he says if you can accept it. “let him who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

In other words, If you get what I am putting down then pick it up.

Just as Elijah and John prepared the way for the Lord to do might works so we should be preparing our hearts and lives to let God do mighty works through us. Not so that we may get any glory out of it, but that Jesus gets all the glory.

Will you let Jesus use you and the things He has entrusted to you to be used. Or will you sit on your hands and fret over the things you have.

Folks it’s time we walk in the power of The Holy Spirit. The same power that Elijah and John walked in. That is the power to prepare for Jesus to be made much of.

Life Principle– Jesus Knows All Things, Has Something For Us To Do & Has Empower Us By The Holy Spirit To Do It.

Call to Action – altar call….