June 23, 2019

Are you trusting in Jesus?

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Luke 7:18-35
Service Type:

Bible Text: Luke 7:18-35 | Preacher: Andrew Love | Series: Luke’s Gospel | Introduction

Dealing with doubt (and the believers doubt)
Reading a book – My Sunflower girl

Can we imagine what it is to lose a child?
Example

Let us consider John the Baptist

He was in a terrible time of darkness
He was in prison
He began to have doubts about Jesus

The passage this morning deals with doubt

Christians all go through doubt at some point
Are you trusting in Jesus as your Saviour?

This passage is not about rank unbelief

Someone who is struggling

Struggling with Doubt

John the Baptist

Consider all that he had seen and understood
He was prepared to stand up for truth despite the cost
He was a courageous preacher
He knew God in an intimate way

Yet now he is in prison

He had unrealised expectations
Certain things were not coming to pass
He cannot understand why the wicked prospered?
Why has he not been delivered?
Why had judgment not fallen on his enemies?

Proverbs: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick”

This can cast into a dark place
Often because our hopes and expectations were not God’s plans or God’s timings

John had not understood this was the time of love and not judgment

The godly can be plagued by doubts – examples:

John Bunion
Book – Grace bounding
Book – My Sunflower girl
The Book of Job
Read about Elijah

Doubt arises in John (v18-19)

He had heard reports of healings and miracles – this wasn’t enough for him
He called his disciples to ask Jesus

Some speculate that he was doubting but sending the two disciples for their benefit
John was concerned that their faith was strengthens

v22-23 show that Jesus was talking about John – John had doubts

John was going through deep doubt

What about us?
The devil hates Christians, he is a roaring like seeking those who he will devour

When you are on your own/isolated
He will question God and His word

He did the right thing – he went to Jesus

When we are in a dark time, the most important thing is that we go to Jesus

Overcoming Doubt

“Are you the coming one?” – How does Jesus respond?

He does not speak but act

He cured many infirmities, afflictions and evil spirits

Sometimes actions speak louder than words

John’s disciples would have seen these miracles

Can we imagine the impression this would have made upon them?
Only God can do these miracles

In one sense being given a glimpse of glory

Then Jesus speaks

Go and tell the things you have seen and heard
John was have read and know Isaiah

Isa 35:5, 61:1

Blessed

A gentle rebuke or a word of encouragement?
Jesus knows he will overcome this stumbling block

Application:

His eyes must be pointed to Jesus
He needs to hear the word of God
We should not stay away from Christian fellowship

We may just need to spend time with people
We need to say things with love

Affirming Real Faith

v24-28
Jesus affirms John’s faith

What would the multitudes think of John the Baptist doubting?

Jesus speaks up for John

There is not one born of woman greater than he

Jesus states he is a man of conviction and great faith

v24b – he was not shaken by man
v25 – he was not a man of luxury
v26 – he was/is more than a prophet

There is none greater that John the Baptist

He had a greater revelation of Jesus Christ

Those who are now in the kingdom will be given a fuller revelation

He was a very humble man

Jesus is confirming His true servant

v29 – the tax collectors and sinners glorified God
v30 – the pharisees and the lawyers rejected Jesus

Rank unbelief

Explanation

They just criticised and made false allegations
This happens today – people reject the gospel of Jesus Christ

Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God