Matthew 11-1-15 Weakness and Greatness! Scripture introduction: If you are new we are working our way through the gospel of Matthew! Prayer for illumination: please join me in prayer… Sermon introduction: Everyone in the Bible and in church history besides Jesus is a mixture of weakness and greatness! Martin Luther (brilliant theologian of grace yet he was brash and vulgar and had anti Semitic tendencies) St. Augustine (brilliant theologian on the trinity and grace yet how bizarre views about celibacy, marriage, and baptism) George Whitfield (one of the greatest preachers to ever live, he was the most well known man in the colonies hands down, and he could preach to over 20,000 people without a microphone, yet he endorsed slavery) Jonathan Edwards (one of America’s most brilliant theologians yet he was social awkward, unapproachable, and reclusive, which eventually lead to his termination) John Wesley (brilliant preacher and founder of the Methodist church yet had some strange ideas about perfection and grace) This brings us to Matthew 11 this morning. John the Baptist was a mixture of weakness and greatness. As we look at his weakness and greatness I think we will all be very encouraged. First, John’s weakness Second, John’s greatness First, John’s weakness How is John weak? He doubted that Jesus was the Messiah! Matthew 11:1–3 (ESV) — 1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Do you remember John the Baptist? John the Baptist was Jesus cousin. He was born right around the time of Jesus. John lived in the dessert, ate locust and wild honey, and wore animal skins

(just like Elijah the prophet). He was a little on the crazy side, but he was zealous for God’s coming kingdom. Unfortunately his zeal got him in trouble. He told Herod Antipas (the local ruler) that he needed to repent for seducing his brother’s wife and taking her as his own. This was like a bad soap opera. Herod wasted no time and threw him in the slammer. When you hear “the slammer” don’t think of the Spokane county jail. John’s jail was a dark, damp, very hot, bug infested hole in the ground. There was no cable television, no library, no warm bed, no weight room, no nutrition, no prisoners rights, no nothing… While John is in jail he doubts that Jesus really is the Christ, the anointed one, the Messiah, the savior of the world. Why does John doubt that Jesus is the Messiah? Because he knows the OT well (specifically the promises of Isa. 61:1-2). Isa 61:1-2 is a very specific prophecy about the coming Messiah given 700 years before Christ was born. Isaiah 61:1–2 (ESV) — 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; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; John was not stupid!!! He knew that when Messiah came he would release the prisoners and pour out vengeance on all God’s enemies. Currently John was in prison while his enemies flourished!!! Just a few months back John had firm convictions that Jesus was the Messiah… John was present when the Holy Spirit descended on Christ in the form of a dove. John was present when the voice from Heaven said, “This is my son with whom I’m well pleased.” John pointed at Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” But now he is not so sure because his life stinks. While in jail he hears reports that Jesus is healing the sick, raising the dead, and proclaiming the reality of the kingdom. John thought, “so is he the Messiah or isn’t he the Messiah. If he is the Messiah, why I’m I in jail.” John had doubts… Nearly every Christian goes through seasons of doubt!

Psalm 22:1 (ESV) — 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? Psalm 42:9 (ESV) — 9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” How about doubting Thomas??? He would not believe that Jesus rose from the Dead until he could touch Jesus’ scars. It is normal to go through seasons of doubt!!! Illustration: My story a few years back… Application… John doubted that Jesus was the Messiah while rotting in a prison cell. We often doubt that God is good or that God exists when life is tough! We doubt whenOur life is a mess. Our job is miserable Our health is horrible We are depressed We are lonely Our marriage is a mess Our kids are a mess We are still single We don’t have any money…. Etc… In these moments we wonder… God, are you really there! God, are your really good! God, can I really trust you??? God are you really the Messiah (the anointed savior). If you’re the savior why am I not saved from my problems??? Or you maybe you doubt the truthfulness of Christianity after watching a documentary on the resurrection on PBS, or taking a class in biology at EWU, or watching a friend die from cancer. How is John weak? He has doubts! How does Jesus help doubters? He points us to truth! Matthew 11:4–6 (ESV) — 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Jesus could have said… John really!!! You heard the voice from heaven, you saw the dove, you heard my preaching, and you know the Old Testament… But this is not what Jesus says. Jesus is patient and compassionate. He knows John is frail and weak. Jesus has compassion on all who doubt! Furthermore, when John doubts, Jesus does not say… “Don’t worry about the facts, the truth, or history, just take a blind leap of faith into the dark void of obscurity.” In other words, Jesus does not say, “following me requires you to set your brain aside.” Our culture has many misunderstandings about faithWebster’s New World College Dictionary (4th edition) describes how most people in our culture define faith1. Unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence. 2. Unquestioning belief in God, religious tenets, etc… Nothing could be further from the biblical notion of faith… In the Bible faith is based on evidence, reason, and facts... In Matthew 11:4-6 Jesus points John the Baptist to the facts or the evidence of fulfilled prophecy. In Matthew 11:4-6 Jesus points out that he has very specifically fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah in chapters 8-9 of MatthewI’m sure most of you have Isaiah’s promises memorized but for those of you who don’t… The healing of the blind promised in Isa 29, 35, 42 is fulfilled in Matt 9:27-31 The healing of the lame promised in Isa 53:6 is fulfilled in Matt. 9:1-8 The healing of the deaf promised in Isa. 29, 35, 42 is fulfilled in Matt 9:32-34 The raising of the dead promised in Isa. 26:19 is fulfilled in Matt. 9:23-26 The preaching of good news to the poor promised in Isa. 61:1 is fulfilled in Matt. 5:3 Christ clearly proves to John the Baptist that he is the long awaited Messiah. Here is the thing that confused John the Baptist… the Isaiah passages mention judgment along with salvation. John does not see his enemies being judged??? What becomes clear as the gospel of Matthew unfolds is that Jesus came the first time to save his people and he will come again to judge the world in righteousness. He has not forgotten about judgment but he is delaying judgment so that more will enter his kingdom. Here is the point! John has doubts and Jesus points him to the objective truths of scripture. More importantly Jesus points john to himself.

ApplicationWhat should we do when we have doubts??? Begin by realizing that doubt is normal. Next, like John look to Jesus for help. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Ask him to give you faith to believe the objective truths of the gospel. Furthermore, leverage your doubt to strengthen your faith. In other words, see doubt as an opportunity to study the issues carefully. Don’t waste your doubt. The worst thing you can do is ignore your doubt by not pursing answers to your questions. Don’t be intellectually lazy. Jonathan Edwards made a resolution when he was a young man to always pursue his intellectual questions until he found answers (this may require that you watch fewer episodes of Blacklist). If you have doubts about God’s existence read I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist. If you have doubts due to science read 40 Questions about Creation and Evolution or The Case for the Creator by Lee Strobel. If you have doubts about the problem of Evil read Alcorn’s book The goodness of God! If you have doubts about Jesus read the gospels!!! You may have a skewed view of Jesus, like john the Baptist; the gospels will help sort this out. Christianity has the best answers to life’s biggest questions. Don’t be afraid to use your brain. John was a weak mean, he had doubts, but Christ is a compassionate savior who wants to strengthen our faith. He strengthens our faith by pointing us towards the truth. First, John’s weakness… Second, John’s greatness This is incredibly good news… although john was a weak man Jesus said that he was a great man. How was John great? John was a great prophet! Matthew 11:7–10 (ESV) — 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: (John was a celebrity pastor! Everyone knew who he was. He was the greatest prophet to come along in 400 years and he was a freak) (7) “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? (of course not… a reed shaken by the wind is an allusion to a weak or fickle man. John was not a weak man.)

8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. (a man dressed in soft clothing is a man who overly concerned with material things- this is an allusion to Herod Antipas… John was the polar opposite, he wore animals skins…) 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Matthew 11:13–14 (ESV) — 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. John is the greatest prophet to come along in 400 years. God raised him up John, like he raised up Elijah the prophet, to call his people to repentance. A prophet was a spokesman for God. John came in the “Spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17) in the sense that he had the same hard hitting message of Elijah. But John was greater than Elijah, because John prepared people directly to receive the long awaited Messiah. When Jesus finally arrived John said, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John represents the great turning point of salvation history. His ministry is the culmination of all the prophetic words in the OT. His ministry is the final act in redemptive history before the long awaited age of salvation is inaugurated. How was John great? John was a great prophet! Application: John did not need to be perfect for God to use him… he had doubts, he was weak, his faith wavered but God worked through him mightily despite these things... You do not need to be perfect to point others to Jesus. Isn’t this encouraging??? But Dave I get angry with my kids! But Dave I complain at work! But Dave I get angry with my coworkers… But Dave my faith is weak, I don’t read my Bible as much as I should, and I can’t answer my friends questions… Repent of your sins… God can still use you to point people to Jesus like he used John to point people to Jesus. How was John great? John was a great prophet! How else was John Great? John was the greatest person in the entire Old Testament! Matthew 11:11a (ESV) — 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.

This verse makes an astonishing claim. John the Baptist is the greatest person to be born of a women in the entire OT. Why do I say OT??? Because of the next verse. More on that in a moment. This means that John the Baptist wasGreater than Abraham the father of the faith who was willing to sacrifice his son on the altar??? Greater than Moses who called down the ten plagues on Egypt, received the law at Sinai, spend 40 days with God on the mountain??? Greater than Joshua who led the Israelites into the Promised Land??? Greater than David the great king of Israel who was a man after God’s own heart??? Greater than Solomon the wisest man to ever live??? Greater than Jeremiah, Isaiah, and even Elijah who called down fire from heaven and mount caramel??? John the Baptist was greater than all the prophets, all the priests, and all the kings of the OT. Why was he so great in the eyes of Jesus? All the things I previously mentionedHe was the culmination of all the prophets. He had the specific privilege of preparing the way for the Messiah fulfilling Mal 3:1 He lived during the great transition between the old and the new covenant. John was great because of his humility “I must decrease and he must increase” John 3:25–30 (ESV) — 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness (Jesus)—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” This is astonishing… people walked for hours through the dessert to hear john preach. He was a celebrity pastor… but he does not care. He wants Jesus (his cousin) to increase and he wants to decrease. Matthew 18:4 (ESV) — 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

John was the greatest saint in the OT probably because he was one of the humblest men in the OT. Application- greatness in God’s eyes has nothing to do with wealth, power, or position. The cars we drive, the clothes we wear, the plaques on our walls. John had none of these things… Greatness in both the old and the new testament is all about humility. John was a great prophet John was the greatest person in the OT BUT… John is the least in the kingdom of Heaven!!! Matthew 11:11–12 (ESV) — 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. (In other words there will be violent resistance to the advancement of God’s kingdom). I want to focus on verse 11b. 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” This is the most surprising sentence in this entire section… What in the world does this mean? How can the least in the kingdom be greater than John the Baptist, the greatest person to live under the Old Covenant??? Here is howJohn lived at the very end of the OT era. He could see the era of the kingdom but he just barely missed it. The kingdom came with Jesus and was inaugurated in his death and resurrection. John was not a citizen of God’s kingdom. He was a citizen of the Old Covenant Era. As citizens of the New Covenant Kingdom Era we are not greater than John the Baptist in stature; character, or gifting. Citizen of God’s kingdom are greater in terms of their privileged position!!! As citizens of God’s kingdom Citizens of God’s kingdom have specific knowledge of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Sure OT saints saw this in shadow and type but we see it clearly. Citizens of God’s kingdom are also citizens of the New Covenant that was inaugurated at the Last Supper. Explain the benefits of the New Covenant…

As citizens of the kingdom and the new covenant we know have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. Jesus said in John 14-16 that it is better to have the Holy Spirit inside us than Jesus next to us. John was full of the HS from the womb… but there is something different about the empowering of the HS on this side of the cross… Shame on us for ever complaining about anything. We understand the gospel, we have the indwelling Spirit, we know that Christ will return to consummate his kingdom. What else do we need to know or posses???? Nothing!!! Conclusion: We have looked at the weakness and the greatness of John the Baptist this morning. Do you feel weak? We are all weak!!! Jesus came to earth to suffer and die in the place of weak people whose faith waivers. Not only does Jesus die for weak people he makes them great. We don’t look at ourselves in the mirror and tell ourselves how great we are. We look in the mirror and remind ourselves how great God is… He has made us citizens of his eternal kingdom, washed away our sins, and filled us with his Spirit. Lets pray…