Lapse of Faith… vs. 1-6 [Luke 7:18-35]

• 1^st – Not alone… vs. 1
  • Now it came to pass – when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples.
  • That He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities!
  • When Jesus FINISHED [τελέω] giving the INSTRUCTIONS to the TWELVE…
  • He did not just SEND [ἀποστέλλω] them out – He went with them…
  • He went TEACHING [present] and PREACHING [present] in the same CITIES He sent them to!
  • Jesus calls us to go out and to SHARE the Gospel – KNOWING there will be challenges…
  • But He does NOT ask us to go alone – He is ALWAYS there with us!
  • Hebrews 13:5 – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
• 2^nd – Doubting… vs. 2-3
  • In Prison… vs. 2
    • When John had heard in prison about the works of Christ!
    • This is the same John [cousin of Jesus] – who baptized Jesus – Matthew 3:16
    • But John could no longer watch Jesus himself – He had been thrown into PRISON…
    • So His DISCIPLES reported to him everything Jesus was doing – Luke 7:18
    • John was imprisoned in the fortress of Machaerus [near Dead Sea] by Herod Antipas…
    • John was arrested when He rebuked Herod for his marriage to Herodias…
    • Herodias was the granddaughter of Herod the Great [the NIECE of Herod Antipas]
    • The problem – she divorced her UNCLE Philip to marry her UNCLE Antipas!
  • The Question… vs. 2-3
    • [John] sent two of his disciples [to Jesus] – Are You the Coming One or do we look for another?
    • He QUESTIONED if Jesus was the MESSIAH – or were they to LOOK for someone ELSE [ἕτερος]
    • John had CONFIDENCE in Jesus – when things were going the way that he PLANNED…
    • John had been absolutely certain Jesus was the promised MESSIAH!
    • John 1:29-34 – “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
    • It is EASY to BELIEVE in Jesus when everything is going great…
    • When there is LOTS of money – LOTS of people – everyone is HAPPY…
    • But that is NOT the LIFE that Jesus promised us – life takes unexpected turns!
  • Hard Times…
    • But John did NOT expect to end up in PRISON – and now he had DOUBTS!
    • It can be really HARD to TRUST in God when life falls apart…
    • When our plans CRUMBLE – and do NOT understand what God is doing…
    • But the PROBLEM is our perspective – we are looking at CIRCUMSTANCES and NOT at Jesus…
    • The SOLUTION is to get our eyes back on the SOLUTION!
    • II Corinthians 4:18 – “Do NOT look at the troubles we can see right now – rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” [NLT]
• 3^rd – The Evidence… vs. 4-5
  • Transformed lives… vs. 4
    • Jesus answered and said to them – Go and tell John the things which you hear and see!
    • The ANSWER from Jesus: GO [imperative] and give this MESSAGE [ἄγγελος] to John…
    • FIRST – they were to TELL him EVERYTHING they had SEEN and HEARD!
    • Many years ago – when I first came on staff at the church…
    • I was attending a STAFF meeting – and the Pastor had everyone introduce themselves…
    • By the time we got around to me – everyone was LAUGHING…
    • We ALL had STORIES – we were a bunch of SINNERS that God has saved by His GRACE!
    • There are a LOT of RELIGIONS in the world – how can people know Jesus is the TRUTH…
    • The answer is SIMPLE – look and see what He does to the people who put their faith in Him…
    • ONLY the Gospel can take SINNERS and transform them into SAINTS!
  • Fulfilled Prophecy… vs. 5
    • The blind see and the lame walk. The lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear.
    • The dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them!
    • SECOND – they were to tell him about the PROPHECIES He had fulfilled…
    • The miracles Jesus was doing were the PROOF He was the MESSIAH!
    • The Messiah would open the eyes of the BLIND – and ears of the DEAF – Isaiah 42:7
    • Lepers would be HEALED – Leviticus 14:11
    • The dead would be raised to LIFE – Psalm 16:10
    • And the message of the Gospel [good news] would be given to the POOR – Isaiah 61:1
  • Laws of Probability…
    • If I have TEN cards – only ONE is a heart – the chances of picking the HEART = 1/10
    • To REPEAT that becomes 1/100 – and a THIRD time 1/1000 [compound probability]
    • The CHANCES of Jesus fulfilling just EIGHT* of the prophecies in the Bible = 1/10¹⁷
    • To grasp how BIG a number that is – fill the Philippines over a METER deep in Peso coins…
    • Paint ONE coin black – then randomly pick a coin – if it is BLACK that = 1/10¹⁷
    • That is for just EIGHT of the over 300 PROPHECIES Jesus fulfilled in His life and MINISTRY!
    • God is the only one who sees the end from the beginning [outside time] – Isaiah 46:9
    • Prophecy [probability] is how He validates His Word – proves He is the Author…
    • And by fulfilling the PROPHESIES about the Messiah – Jesus proved He is the Christ!
• 4^th – Not Stumbled… vs. 6
  • Blessed is he who is not [stumbled] because of Me!
  • In light of the EVIDENCE – transformed LIFE and fulfilled PROPHECY…
  • There should be NO reason to DOUBT Jesus – everyone should receive Him with JOY [μακάριος]
  • But John was STUMBLED [σκανδαλίζω] – he was NOT sure about Jesus…
  • Because Jesus did NOT meet his EXPECTATIONS – causing him to DOUBT!
  • The Gospel is not a MESSAGE about a better LIFE – it is about ETERNAL life..
  • And if we come with the wrong EXPECTATIONS – we are going to STUMBLE!

• 2^nd – End of the Old Covenant… vs. 7-15
  • 1^st – Who was John… vs. 7-9
    • Question… vs. 7
      • As they departed – Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John!
      • As the DISCIPLES of John were [present] leaving [participle] – so they could HEAR…
      • Jesus began to question the CROWD about John the Baptist…
      • MANY of them had gone out to see John in the WILDERNESS – Matthew 3:5
      • Jesus gives them THREE possible MOTIVES for their CURIOSITY!
    • No one… vs. 7
      • What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
      • Reeds [grass] are ALWAYS shaken by the wind – NOTHING special…
      • Obviously they did NOT travel into the wilderness to see something COMMON!
    • A rich man… vs. 8
      • What did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? 
      • Indeed – those who wear soft clothing are in kings houses!
      • Did the people go to see someone wearing EXPENSIVE [μαλακός] clothing…
      • People will TRAVEL a long ways to see MOVIE stars – POLITICIANS…
      • But FAMOUS people – who wear EXPENSIVE clothes – live in NICE houses [not the desert]
      • John was famous for his simple CAMEL clothes – Matthew 3:4
    • A Prophet… vs. 9
      • What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes – I say to you – and more than a prophet!
      • The people went to see John – because he was a PROPHET…
      • And there had NOT been a PROPHET in Israel for over FOUR hundred years [since Malachi]
      • Because after years of sending PROPHETS to try and CORRECT His wayward people…
      • God finally had ENOUGH – and gave them what they wanted – SILENCE!
      • Amos 8:11 – “I will send a famine on the land… of hearing the words of the LORD.”
      • We all know what it feels like to miss a MEAL – we get HANGRY…
      • The same is true for the WORD of the LORD – we need SPIRITUAL food [Rice of Life]
      • Those who do NOT regularly get into the WORD – are STARVING for the TRUTH!
  • 2^nd – Greatest Prophet… vs. 10-14
    • Prepared the way… vs. 10
      • For this is he of whom it is written:
      • Behold – I send My messenger before Your face who will prepare Your way before You!
      • John the Baptist was NOT just any PROPHET – he was MORE…
      • FIRST – because he was SENT [ἀποστέλλω] to prepare the WAY – Malachi 3:1
      • He prepared the HEARTS of the people to RECEIVE Jesus – by telling them to REPENT…
      • So when the Lord came – they would see their NEED to be SAVED!
      • Jen and I were hesitating to get a physical – because we did NOT want bad news…
      • We chose to be willfully IGNORANT – rather than find out the TRUTH!
      • The problem with the world today – is they refuse to admit they are SICK [sinners]
      • They PRETEND like everything is OK – willfully IGNORANT of the danger they are in …
      • God sends us to remind them – they are SINNERS – and they need to be HEALED!
    • Greatest man… vs. 11
      • Assuredly – I say to you – among those born of women…
      • There has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.
      • But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he!
        
      • SECOND – because John was the GREATEST of ALL the PROPHETS…
      • [ἀμὴν] John – was the GREATER than any man BORN to a woman [everyone]
      • Because while ALL the other PROPHETS had spoken about the coming of the Messiah…
      • John the Baptist was the one who actually got to SEE Jesus!
      • The writer of Hebrews listed all of the GREAT men of the Bible…
      • But he does on to say they did NOT receive the PROMISE of the MESSIAH – Hebrews 11:39
      • Because God wanted to give something BETTER to us
      • We have Jesus living in our hearts – we have a personal relationship with Him…
      • So the LEAST [μικρός] of us is more blessed than John the Baptist!
    • Last Prophet… vs. 12-13
      • From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence.
      • And the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John!
      • THIRD – because people REALLY wanted to HEAR John speak…
      • From the days [ἡμέρα] of John – the Kingdom of Heaven had VIOLENCE…
      • VIOLENCE [βιάζω] – 2x in NT – describing large crowds rushing in to HEAR…
      • Great MULTITUDES came to LISTEN John – then Jesus after him…
      • And those who were DETERMINED [βιάζω] – were able to ENTER [ἁρπάζω] the Kingdom…
      • Because John marked the END of the Old Testament [Law and Prophets] – Luke 16:16
      • The Old Testament did NOT stop with Malachi – it ENDED with John the Baptist…
      • John marked the END of an Era – the END of the Old Covenant…
      • Because the Old Covenant could NOT make anyone RIGHTEOUS – Romans 3:20
      • But those who were DETERMINED to hear the TRUTH stuck around…
      • And heard Jesus give something BETTER – the NEW Covenant of Grace!
    • Elisha to come… vs. 14-15
      • If you are willing to receive it – he is Elijah who is to come.
      • He who has ears to hear – let him hear!
      • FOURTH – for those WILLING [present] to RECEIVE – John the Baptist is ELIJAH!
      • The very last verse of the Old Testament promised the return of Elijah – Malachi 4:5
      • Elijah was one of only TWO men in the OT who never died [also Enoch] – II Kings 2:11
      • And Elijah would return and prepare the hearts of the people to receive the MESSIAH…
      • John the Baptist would DENY he was Elijah – John 1:21
      • But Jesus confirmed he came in the POWER of Elijah for BELIEVERS – Matthew 11:14
      • For UNBELIEVERS – Elijah will RETURN as one of the TWO witnesses – Revelation 11:3
      • Therefore anyone with EARS that can HEAR – LISTEN [imperative]
      • Almost identical command to what is given to each of the SEVEN churches – Revelation 2-3
      • Because God is SPEAKING – trying to get our ATTENTION…
      • He sent John – the last Old Testament prophet – calling on people to REPENT…
      • He sent Jesus – with the NEW Covenant of Grace – to take away our SIN…
      • The only question is – are we willing to LISTEN when God speaks!

• 3^rd – Playing Games… vs. 16-19
  • 1^st – Entertained… vs. 16-17
    • The Crowds… vs. 16
      • To what shall I liken this generation? 
      • This was the QUESTION Jesus challenged the CROWD with…
      • God had SENT out John the BAPTIST – but the people did NOT listen…
      • He SENT out Jesus CHRIST – but they did NOT pay attention…
      • Jesus SENT out the APOSTLES – but the people did NOT care!
    • Little Children… vs. 16-17
      • It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions.
      • Saying: We played the flute for you – and you did not dance.
      • We mourned to you – and you did not lament!
      • Jesus used the ILLUSTRATION of kids playing in the MARKET [ἀγορά]
      • They played MUSIC – but were upset when the people did not DANCE…
      • Then they MOURNED – but were upset when the people did not CRY…
      • It was all a GAME to them – and they were just looking for others to PLAY along!
      • I have noticed when a new STORE or RESTAURANT opens – everyone shows up…
      • Not because they NEED something – but just because it is NEW…
      • Yet give it a few weeks – and they have moved on to the next NEW thing…
      • Because all they are looking for is to be ENTERTAINED!
      • Acts 17:21 – [They] spent their time in nothing else but to tell or to hear some new thing.”
      • Sadly this mentality has found its way into the church…
      • If there is a NEW bible study – or some NEW ministry – everyone is INTERESTED…
      • But give it a few WEEKS or MONTHS – and the numbers dwindle…
      • The reason – people are not SEEKING the TRUTH – they want to be ENTERTAINED!
  • 2^nd – Complaining… vs. 18-19
    • John the Baptist… vs. 18
      • For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say – He has a demon!
      • John the Baptist came living by the Old Covenant – FASTING and not DRINKING alcohol…
      • He was trying to show people what it MEANT to live a GODLY life…
      • Because the standard of the LAW is PERFECTION – Matthew 5:48
      • But people did NOT want to be HOLY – they did not like CONVICTION…
      • So they spread [present] the LIE that John was POSSESSED [devil]!
      • We do NOT give people the LAW [613 commands] so they can be GOOD…
      • We give people the LAW – so that they know they are BAD…
      • Because the LAW is the STANDARD that defines what is GOOD…
      • But like a MIRROR that tells the TRUTH – the LAW is only able to show us we have FAILED!
      • No one likes to look at themselves in the mirror…
      • When the person who stares back at them is clearly NOT good…
      • They would rather AVOID the mirror – and pretend they are OK! 
    • Son of Man… vs. 19
      • The Son of Man came eating and drinking – and they say:
      • Look – a glutton and a winebibber – a friend of tax collectors and sinners!
      • Jesus [Son of Man] came to show the FREEDOM we have in the New Covenant…
      • He was both EATING [present] and DRINKING [present]
      • But the people did NOT want the LAW or the GRACE of God…
      • So they accused Jesus of OVEREATING [glutton] – and a DRUNK [wine drinker]
      • Who LOVED [φίλος] tax collectors and SINNERS!
      • Jesus made it VERY easy to get to HEAVEN – there are no RULES to keep…
      • We do NOT earn our salvation – it is a FREE gift…
      • All we have to do is REPENT and BELIEVE – to receive it – Romans 10:9-10
      • But the problem for many – is they do NOT like that FIRST step [repent]!
      • People LOVE to hold to RELIGION – because it makes them feel GOOD…
      • They do NOT have to REPENT – they just have to follow some RULES…
      • To that person – the idea of FREE salvation seems like a joke!
    • Look at the Fruit… vs. 19
      • But wisdom is justified by her children!
      • Do NOT listen to what people SAY – they are NEVER happy…
      • Instead look at what people DO – because their lives tell the TRUTH…
      • WISDOM is knowing we can tell who someone is by their FRUIT [children]!
      • People rejected John – people rejected Jesus – and they will reject us…
      • Not because what we believe is WRONG – but because they do NOT want the truth…
      • They might be SINNERS who live their life trying to DENY their SIN…
      • Or they might be RELIGIOUS – attempted to COVER up their SIN…
      • But WISDOM tells us ONLY Jesus can change us – and take away our SIN!