Kingdom Mindset: Matthew 11

CIT: Jesus invites us to rest in him when faith is hard and burdens are heavy, but also gives warning to those who do not.

Faith is hard

Faith is needed

Jesus invites you into faith

Faith is hard

Anatomy of doubt

Difficult situation - Matthew 11:2

John is in prison right now

Unmet expectations - Matthew 11:3-5

John knew what the Messiah was supposed to do according to the prophets, therefore Jesus quotes these prophecies to John’s disciples

Isaiah 35:5-6 “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;”

Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”

John thought however that the blessing that comes in Isaiah 61:2-11 would come immediately with Jesus’s ministry and his expectations were unmet because Jesus did not come as a political revolutionary he came to, “seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Limited perception - Matthew 11:7-11

Part of John’s doubt was due to his inability to see what God’s plan was for his life, and the Messiah. We however, have an advantage over John, and are also in the same spot as John.

Our same disadvantage is that we are not God, we are finite and cannot see his whole plan for our lives and for the world.

While this may be a seed of doubt we can be encouraged that our future is in much more capable hands than our own.

Psalm 139:13-16 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

Our advantage over John however, is that we live on the other side of the cross and have a fuller understanding of who Jesus is and why he came through the revelation of Scripture. Therefore we see how we are to answer this doubt that may creep into our lives.

Answer to doubt

Biblical revelation - Matthew 11:11, 15

2 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

1 Peter 1:3–12 (ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Joyful submission - Matthew 11:6

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Faith is needed

Jesus will condemn the unrepentant - Matthew 11:20-22

Those who have openly rejected God and his commands

Jesus will condemn the indifferent - Matthew 11:23-24

Those who thought that just their attending Church and lip service to God would be enough

Jesus invites you into faith

Jesus reveals God’s heart for us - Matthew 11:29

Matthew 11:29 (ESV)

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus invites you to come and take his yoke - Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV)

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

How?

We give Jesus...

Full weight of sin

We have a crushing burden of sin

Complete and utter inability to obey God

We constantly try to work and obey God but while still under our sin it will never work

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Romans 8:8 “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Jesus gives us...

Full pardon for our sins

This frees us from the burden of our sin

Complete ability to obey God

This frees us to live a life of obedience to God

Conclusion

Repent of your sin

Renounce yourself

Rest in Christ through faith

Rejoice in him forever