“Rejoicing in Others’ Deliverance”
Dec.16, 2007 Matt.11:2-15 Play
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Wacky Warnings: How Dense Can We Be?!
○ caution labels seem obvious, humorous
○ John the Baptist warned people of real
danger, even kings (Mk 6:18,20)
○ God’s ways rejected by the unscrupulous
When Doubts Arise – Get the Big Picture
○ joy as friend of bridegroom turned to doubt
in prison (Jn 3:29; Mt 11:2; Is 61:1)
○ miracles demonstrated Kingdom’s advance (Lk
7:11f, 21; Mt 11:4f; Is 35:5, 61:1)
○ when discouraged, review blessings lest fall
away (6)
○ Jesus resisted popular pressure to start
political Kingdom (Jn 6:15)
A Godly ‘Man’s Man’: Tribute to a Prophet+
○ Kingdom not coming in a way that would
release John from captivity (Lk 7:20; Jn 18:36)
○ epitaph for the Baptist: a prophet, and
more; the Messenger; none greater born of woman; Elijah (11:9ff,14; Mal
3:1, 4:5)
○ not reed swayed by wind, fearing others’
opinion (7)
○ not like finely-dressed courtiers,
flattering for favours (8)
○ yet the least in the Kingdom is greater than
John: high privilege being raised with Christ (11; Eph 2:6f)
From Guilt to Grace: Seize the Opportunity
○ Kingdom ‘forcefully advancing’ yet being
attacked, people forcing entry (12; Lk 16:16; Rom 3:20; Gal 3:21,23,
4:1)
○ good news that guilt replaced by grace,
blessing; frustrates the worldly-forceful (Jn 1:16f)
Learning to Rejoice Despite Trials
○ incarcerated Baptist had to be content with
joy in others’ deliverance
○ missionary David Brainerd suffered hardships
/ TB, died young, but knew joy in God