11:1-15 The Greatest of Men Has Doubts
The lesson here is in the text but we are going to handle it a little differently than others. Read Matthew 11:1-15 for the context. John the Baptist is in prison. His preaching the truth against Herod and his new spouse who was the spouse of his brother at one time caused his arrest.
And Herod would have been content with leaving John there until his death and John knew this. All his life he had known he was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus. John baptized Jesus knowing who He was and witnessed the Spirit descend upon Jesus.
40 days later and Jesus has begun his ministry and John's ministry decreases. When John is first imprisoned he is confident in his mission. But as time passes, this man who Jesus said was the greatest man on earth, the man who defied kings, and introduced Jesus, was at a very dark time in his life.
He began to have doubts. He had miraculous confirmation that he was doing God's will but in the darkness of his prison cell he was isolated from Jesus. He was apart from his family and only had his followers to comfort him. It was perfectly understandable that with nothing good happening in his life, he was wondering if perhaps he had made a mistake.
John knew he was never being released, and knew there was no chance that he could later find a better Messiah, as if one could even exist. So when he asked his disciples to approach Jesus with this question he was showing he was having doubts.
Think about it. Few Christians are called to actually give up their life for Jesus. That sort of thing doesn't happen in modern America. Few of us ever face the possibility of losing our lives and livelihoods in our stance for the Gospel. But some still do.
Muslims who convert face being shunned but there is also a concept known as an honor killing. This is an accepted and practiced method the Islamic world actively uses today with many governments resistant to prosecution because, . . . tolerance.
A former Muslim turned Christian cannot live in certain areas of the world without the real fear of death, but many do just that. But we are talking about doubts. Doubts of a faithful believer. Sometimes those Doubts are answered with a miraculous deliverance, and sometimes, they are not.
Sometimes, a faithful believer doesn't get what they prayed for. After all, John faithfully carried out his ministry, sacrificing a normal day to day life to eat locusts for sustenance and live in isolation in the desert. But he must have been expecting to participate in Jesus's ministry.
John was facing death for doing as God told him. It wasn't fair, it was not right but John wondered, did I make a mistake, shouldn't I be out there now preaching. And our circumstances draw our focus and we can begin to doubt. We enter an avenue of service to God with zeal and enthusiasm only to face one spiritual attack after another.
When these attacks succeed in pulling our focus, we can doubt. Let's see how Jesus answered the question, “What do you see happening around you?” Jesus is trying to refocus their eyes on the blessings God is giving not the struggles.
Recently in my work with the Good News Ministry in Ligao City we were receiving strong positive affirmations that a new church plant was both immediately necessary and a real possibility of making a huge impact for the kingdom of God.
I'll be honest, I was extremely careful because the Doubts I was receiving came strictly from personal negative feelings. But each doubt I had was answered with the same method, God asking, what do you see happening around you?
Well people were responding to the message. Needs were being met, and the last little doubt I felt disappeared when yet another miraculous confirmation that we are doing God's will. And I see a fantastic future of service with this young pastor with potential I cannot even describe. I now know for sure that he will win souls and impact the lives of many I will never meet this side of Heaven.
If you are having Doubts, don't let it destroy you, after all, John was the greatest man in the world and he did too. Look around you, is God blessing your efforts? Are people hearing you? Are you doing God's will? If you can answer yes to any of those questions, regardless of how you feel, you're doing the right thing.
When we are in doubt, we take our focus off what God is actually doing. Let us pray as the father of the demon possessed boy said, “I do believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24.) I have no doubts at all that we are doing the thing God wants us to. If you are still having doubts and need someone to chat, or some encouragement I am here. May God bless your life, your work and our future friendship.
Email- DavidsPorch59Anderson Mwila.com
[1] When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. [2] Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, [3] and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?” [4] Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: [5] those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. [6] And blessed is any person who does not take offense at Me.” [7] As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! [9] But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. [10] This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ [11] Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [12] And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. [13] For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. [14] And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. [15] The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.
The lesson here is in the text but we are going to handle it a little differently than others. Read Matthew 11:1-15 for the context. John the Baptist is in prison. His preaching the truth against Herod and his new spouse who was the spouse of his brother at one time caused his arrest.
And Herod would have been content with leaving John there until his death and John knew this. All his life he had known he was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus. John baptized Jesus knowing who He was and witnessed the Spirit descend upon Jesus.
40 days later and Jesus has begun his ministry and John's ministry decreases. When John is first imprisoned he is confident in his mission. But as time passes, this man who Jesus said was the greatest man on earth, the man who defied kings, and introduced Jesus, was at a very dark time in his life.
He began to have doubts. He had miraculous confirmation that he was doing God's will but in the darkness of his prison cell he was isolated from Jesus. He was apart from his family and only had his followers to comfort him. It was perfectly understandable that with nothing good happening in his life, he was wondering if perhaps he had made a mistake.
John knew he was never being released, and knew there was no chance that he could later find a better Messiah, as if one could even exist. So when he asked his disciples to approach Jesus with this question he was showing he was having doubts.
Think about it. Few Christians are called to actually give up their life for Jesus. That sort of thing doesn't happen in modern America. Few of us ever face the possibility of losing our lives and livelihoods in our stance for the Gospel. But some still do.
Muslims who convert face being shunned but there is also a concept known as an honor killing. This is an accepted and practiced method the Islamic world actively uses today with many governments resistant to prosecution because, . . . tolerance.
A former Muslim turned Christian cannot live in certain areas of the world without the real fear of death, but many do just that. But we are talking about doubts. Doubts of a faithful believer. Sometimes those Doubts are answered with a miraculous deliverance, and sometimes, they are not.
Sometimes, a faithful believer doesn't get what they prayed for. After all, John faithfully carried out his ministry, sacrificing a normal day to day life to eat locusts for sustenance and live in isolation in the desert. But he must have been expecting to participate in Jesus's ministry.
John was facing death for doing as God told him. It wasn't fair, it was not right but John wondered, did I make a mistake, shouldn't I be out there now preaching. And our circumstances draw our focus and we can begin to doubt. We enter an avenue of service to God with zeal and enthusiasm only to face one spiritual attack after another.
When these attacks succeed in pulling our focus, we can doubt. Let's see how Jesus answered the question, “What do you see happening around you?” Jesus is trying to refocus their eyes on the blessings God is giving not the struggles.
Recently in my work with the Good News Ministry in Ligao City we were receiving strong positive affirmations that a new church plant was both immediately necessary and a real possibility of making a huge impact for the kingdom of God.
I'll be honest, I was extremely careful because the Doubts I was receiving came strictly from personal negative feelings. But each doubt I had was answered with the same method, God asking, what do you see happening around you?
Well people were responding to the message. Needs were being met, and the last little doubt I felt disappeared when yet another miraculous confirmation that we are doing God's will. And I see a fantastic future of service with this young pastor with potential I cannot even describe. I now know for sure that he will win souls and impact the lives of many I will never meet this side of Heaven.
If you are having Doubts, don't let it destroy you, after all, John was the greatest man in the world and he did too. Look around you, is God blessing your efforts? Are people hearing you? Are you doing God's will? If you can answer yes to any of those questions, regardless of how you feel, you're doing the right thing.
When we are in doubt, we take our focus off what God is actually doing. Let us pray as the father of the demon possessed boy said, “I do believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24.) I have no doubts at all that we are doing the thing God wants us to. If you are still having doubts and need someone to chat, or some encouragement I am here. May God bless your life, your work and our future friendship.
Email- DavidsPorch59Anderson Mwila.com
[1] When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. [2] Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, [3] and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?” [4] Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: [5] those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. [6] And blessed is any person who does not take offense at Me.” [7] As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! [9] But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. [10] This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ [11] Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [12] And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. [13] For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. [14] And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. [15] The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.
11:1-15 The Greatest of Men Has Doubts
The lesson here is in the text but we are going to handle it a little differently than others. Read Matthew 11:1-15 for the context. John the Baptist is in prison. His preaching the truth against Herod and his new spouse who was the spouse of his brother at one time caused his arrest.
And Herod would have been content with leaving John there until his death and John knew this. All his life he had known he was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus. John baptized Jesus knowing who He was and witnessed the Spirit descend upon Jesus.
40 days later and Jesus has begun his ministry and John's ministry decreases. When John is first imprisoned he is confident in his mission. But as time passes, this man who Jesus said was the greatest man on earth, the man who defied kings, and introduced Jesus, was at a very dark time in his life.
He began to have doubts. He had miraculous confirmation that he was doing God's will but in the darkness of his prison cell he was isolated from Jesus. He was apart from his family and only had his followers to comfort him. It was perfectly understandable that with nothing good happening in his life, he was wondering if perhaps he had made a mistake.
John knew he was never being released, and knew there was no chance that he could later find a better Messiah, as if one could even exist. So when he asked his disciples to approach Jesus with this question he was showing he was having doubts.
Think about it. Few Christians are called to actually give up their life for Jesus. That sort of thing doesn't happen in modern America. Few of us ever face the possibility of losing our lives and livelihoods in our stance for the Gospel. But some still do.
Muslims who convert face being shunned but there is also a concept known as an honor killing. This is an accepted and practiced method the Islamic world actively uses today with many governments resistant to prosecution because, . . . tolerance.
A former Muslim turned Christian cannot live in certain areas of the world without the real fear of death, but many do just that. But we are talking about doubts. Doubts of a faithful believer. Sometimes those Doubts are answered with a miraculous deliverance, and sometimes, they are not.
Sometimes, a faithful believer doesn't get what they prayed for. After all, John faithfully carried out his ministry, sacrificing a normal day to day life to eat locusts for sustenance and live in isolation in the desert. But he must have been expecting to participate in Jesus's ministry.
John was facing death for doing as God told him. It wasn't fair, it was not right but John wondered, did I make a mistake, shouldn't I be out there now preaching. And our circumstances draw our focus and we can begin to doubt. We enter an avenue of service to God with zeal and enthusiasm only to face one spiritual attack after another.
When these attacks succeed in pulling our focus, we can doubt. Let's see how Jesus answered the question, “What do you see happening around you?” Jesus is trying to refocus their eyes on the blessings God is giving not the struggles.
Recently in my work with the Good News Ministry in Ligao City we were receiving strong positive affirmations that a new church plant was both immediately necessary and a real possibility of making a huge impact for the kingdom of God.
I'll be honest, I was extremely careful because the Doubts I was receiving came strictly from personal negative feelings. But each doubt I had was answered with the same method, God asking, what do you see happening around you?
Well people were responding to the message. Needs were being met, and the last little doubt I felt disappeared when yet another miraculous confirmation that we are doing God's will. And I see a fantastic future of service with this young pastor with potential I cannot even describe. I now know for sure that he will win souls and impact the lives of many I will never meet this side of Heaven.
If you are having Doubts, don't let it destroy you, after all, John was the greatest man in the world and he did too. Look around you, is God blessing your efforts? Are people hearing you? Are you doing God's will? If you can answer yes to any of those questions, regardless of how you feel, you're doing the right thing.
When we are in doubt, we take our focus off what God is actually doing. Let us pray as the father of the demon possessed boy said, “I do believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24.) I have no doubts at all that we are doing the thing God wants us to. If you are still having doubts and need someone to chat, or some encouragement I am here. May God bless your life, your work and our future friendship.
Email- DavidsPorch59[gmail].com
[1] When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. [2] Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, [3] and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?” [4] Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: [5] those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. [6] And blessed is any person who does not take offense at Me.” [7] As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! [9] But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. [10] This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ [11] Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [12] And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. [13] For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. [14] And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. [15] The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.
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