Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Greetings from the Algarve
• Matthew chapters 1-9: presents Jesus as the King, Messiah
• Chapter 10: Jesus sends His apostles to teach and perform miracles
• Chapter 11: Reactions to this ministry
• A surprising reaction from John the Baptist

Deal with your own weakness

• v1-6
• John doubts about Jesus' identity
• v3
• Moments before he had said "Behold the Lamb of God"
• How did John deal with this doubt?
• He sent his disciples to ask Jesus
• Jesus' answer was to look at His works
• The greatness of someone's character is revealed in how they respond to their weaknesses
• 2 Cor 7:10
• We are able to change (in God)
• 2 Pet 1:3-10 - Peter fell 'deep' after denying Jesus but his character changed
• There are two ways to deal with our weakness
• Surrender to them
• Deal with them
• We all have weaknesses
• Examples of weakness
• Rom 12:2 - We can be transformed

Strong Beliefs

• John had strong beliefs
• He may have failed in this moment of doubt
• He was strong minded
• He preached to all sorts of people (including Herod) his Biblical conviction and did not have a fear of man
• A person who does not change with the wind
• Paul's epistle
• James epistle
• Strong beliefs are built in time, through pray, study and communion with God
• Example of Peter maturing
• With maturity comes self-control
• A fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5)
• We must stand on our strong beliefs

Self-Denial

• v8
• John lived in the desert
• He chose simplicity and not comfort
• Spiritual maturity is shown in the ability to reject the easy things of life
• Paul disciplined his body - he was an example to others
• We must deny ourselves
• We must be willing to serve others
• The greater our ego, the less likely we are to deny ourselves

The Cause we live for

• v9-10
• John the Baptist had the privilege of preparing the way for and baptising Jesus
• His cause was for Jesus Christ
• Examples of those whose cause was for Jesus Christ
• What is the cause for which we live?
• Examples
• God has to be our greatest cause
• God has to be our motivation
• To give glory to God and please Him in everything we do
• What is the cause for which we live?
• The answer will define the greatness of our character

Conclusion

• v11-15
• John was preparing the way for Jesus, but...
• John the Baptist was under the Old Covenant
• Those in Christ's time and after would see the fulfillment of prophecy
• Christians today have such a privilege - we see the clear picture
• Do you know Jesus Christ?
• Christians - are you living for the cause, maturing, seeking to grow in character