SF064 - DEFEATING DOUBT (Matthew 11 1-6)

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Matthew 11:1-6

Introduction

The first ten chapters of Matthew are a series of testimonies that prove who Jesus is. 

Ø      The testimony of history (1:1-17)

Ø      The testimony of the miraculous birth (1:18-25)

Ø      The testimony of fulfilled prophecy (2:1-23)

Ø      The testimony of Christ’s forerunner (3:1-12),\

Ø      The testimony of God the Father (3:13-17)

Ø      The testimony of Jesus’ power (4:1-11),\

Ø      The testimony of His words (5:1-7:29),\

Ø      The testimony of His works (8:1-9:38)

Ø      The testimony of His disciples (10:1-42).

In chapters 11-12 Matthew focuses on the reactions of various individuals and groups to that evidence, organized into several general categories of response.

Chapter 11 looks at the negative responses of doubt (11:1-15), criticism (11:16-19), and indifference (11:20-24), followed by a positive appeal to faith (11:25-30).

Chapter 12 looks at the negative responses of rejection (12:1-21), amazement (12:22-23), blasphemy (12:24-27), and curious fascination (12:38-45), followed by another positive appeal to faith (12:46-50).

This morning we will focus on John’s doubt and our Lord’s response.


1A.       John’s Doubts (11:1-3)

1B.      What John needed

He was not asking for information but for confirmation.

John was not questioning the truthfulness of God’s Word, he was rather uncertain about his understanding of those truths. 

Virtually all the gospel references to doubt pertain to believers rather than to unbelievers.

2B.      Why John doubted

Difficult circumstances (Luke 3:18-20)

Ø      John was imprisoned in the dungeon at an old fort at Machaerus, located five miles east and fifteen miles south of the northern end of the Dead Sea.

After some eighteen months in the limelight, he was confined and isolated.  

He had been in prison for perhaps a year when he sent the two disciples to Jesus.

Ø      When a believer has faithfully and sacrificially served the Lord for many years and then experiences tragedy, perhaps even a series of tragedies, it is difficult not to wonder about God’s love and justice.

Ø      John knew where to go to find the answers to his questions and the resolution of his doubts.

As did Paul (Philippians 4:4-7; 11-13; 19)

Incomplete revelation

Ø      Although John had “heard of the works of Christ,” his information was secondhand and not complete.  

Ø      Many believers today also doubt certain truths about God because of incomplete information, because they have inadequate knowledge or understanding of His Word.

Ø      The Christian who is immersed in Scripture has no reason to stumble.

Unfulfilled Expectations

Ø      “The Expected One” was a common designation for the Messiah. 

Ø      What Jesus was preaching and doing did not square with what most Jews thought the Messiah, “the Expected One,” would do.

The Messiah was expected to free Israel from her bondage and judge her enemies.

The Messiah would purify Judaism.

The Messiah would eliminate all suffering.

Ø      The fact that John instructed his disciples to ask, “or shall we look for someone else?” seems to indicate that John’s expectations about the Messiah were unfulfilled.

Ø      Many believers today struggle with unfulfilled expectations because their expectations are man-centered and not God centered.

We must remember it is His Kingdom that comes first.  (Matthew 6:33).

2A.       Jesus’ Cure for Doubt (11:4-6)

1B.      Remember what He has done.

He has met physical needs.  (11:5a)

He died for the sins of all who believe.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He rose from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures

2B.      Remember what He said.

He proclaimed the gospel (11:5b)

Mark 1:14-15 … Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

He promised to return (John 14:1-3)

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

3B.      Remember who He is (11:6)

He is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14)

He is the coming King

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Application

It is His faithfulness that gives us assurance.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

We have reason to doubt ourselves but no reason to doubt Him.

2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.


Matthew 11:1-6

1A.       John’s Doubts (11:1-3)

1B.      What John __________________

2B.      Why John ___________________

_______________ circumstances (Luke 3:18-20)

Philippians 4:4-7; 11-13; 19

_____________________ revelation

_______________________ expectations

2A.       Jesus’ ___________________ for Doubt (11:4-6)

1B.      Remember what He has ______________.

He has met physical needs.  (11:5a)

He died for the sins of ____ who believe.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He __________________ from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures


2B.      Remember what He _________________.

He proclaimed the ____________ (11:5b)

Mark 1:14-15 … Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

He promised to __________ (John 14:1-3)

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

3B.      Remember _______________ He is (11:6)

He is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14)

He is the coming __________________

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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