The Lynchpin Of History

Introduction

Where we were last week and the start

Jesus Sent them Out: Quickly review those notes and major points.

See Last weeks notes

1. Jesus Gave Them Specific Authority

2. Jesus Gave them Realistic Expectations

Specific Audience

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Specific Message

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Specific Attitude

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Specific Method

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2. Jesus Gave them Realistic Expectations

3. Jesus Gave them Encouragement

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Expect to be rejected by others

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Expect to be attacked

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Expect to be intimidated

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Expect to be Excited by God’s work in some

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Expect to be grieved with others

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3. Jesus Gave them Encouragement

4. Jesus Gave them a Compelling Vision

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Of the certainty of being heard

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Of the empowerment by The Holy Spirit

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Of His Return

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4. Jesus Gave them a Compelling Visio

And so it began.

Matthew 11:1 HCSB

When Jesus had finished giving orders to His 12 disciples, He moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

So they started to act on what Jesus had instructed them to do.

There is no indication of time that elapsed (except a few hints) between verse 1 and 2 but it was more that a few moments. It’s safe to assume that they were about the business that was laid out for them to do in chapter 10.

Lay out quickly Johns situation in prison.

The Story

linch·pin

ˈlin(t)SHpin/ noun noun: lynchpin 1. a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization. "regular brushing is the linchpin of all good dental hygiene"2. a pin passed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel in position.

Matthew 11:2–6 HCSB

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.”

mt 11 2

What Jesus Thinks About John?

He was One tough dude

Matthew 11:7–10 HCSB

As these men went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear soft clothes are in kings’ palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. This is the one it is written about: Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You; he will prepare Your way before You.

mt 11

rejected passivity, accepted responsibility, acted courageously and invested eternally.

Defined Manhood. (rejected passivity, accepted responsibility, acted courageously and invested eternally.)

A Prophet? Yes. But Much More

Matthew 11:11 HCSB

“I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

He is the one we have been waiting for....

mt 11 11-

Matthew 11:14 HCSB

if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.

His actions revealed how broken things are

mt 11

Matthew 11:12 HCSB

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force.

What Jesus Thinks About the Ministry So Far?

Consider this. Jesus has sent out and been preaching in the area. And the report he gives is not a glowing one.

Matthew 11:16–24 HCSB

16 “To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to each other: 17 We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t mourn! 18 For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” 20 Then He proceeded to denounce the towns where most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago! 22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today. 24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

mt 11:

Frustration

People will hear what they want to hear 16-17

Matthew 11:16–18 HCSB

16 “To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to each other: 17 We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t mourn! 18 For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’

Disappointment

People make excuse for not hearing

People attack the messenger

Promise of Judgement

Matthew 11:22–24 HCSB

But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Mt 1122

What Does Jesus Do?

Prays:

mt 11 25-

Matthew 11:25–27 HCSB

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants. 26 Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure. 27 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal Him.

Celebratory prayer.

He turns to the source of the power and

I praise you because you have got this.

God knows what the response would be.

Reaffirms The Truth of His Vision

Matthew 11:27 HCSB

All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal Him.

As he said in chapter 10

Matthew 10:40 HCSB

40 “The one who welcomes you welcomes Me, and the one who welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me.

Invites others to Join Him

Matthew 11:28 HCSB

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Come

Matthew 11:29 HCSB

All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.

He turns to the Father

Learn

Matthew 11:30 HCSB

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Share in the journey.

1. Jesus Gave Them Specific Authority ( Jesus Prayed)

2. Jesus Gave them Realistic Expectations (Assessment)

3. Jesus Gave them Encouragement (Praised God invited others to join him, celebrated the work of John)

4. Jesus Gave them a Compelling Vision (Jesus is the vision we have.

Jesus Sets up the

This is not a feel good thing. It’s a rescue thing.

linch·pin

ˈlin(t)SHpin/ noun noun: lynchpin 1. a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization. "regular brushing is the linchpin of all good dental hygiene"2. a pin passed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel in position.