Doubts - and its damaging effects in our r/s, and our journey with God


“WHEN JESUS had finished His charge to His twelve disciples, He left there to teach and to preach in their [Galilean] cities. Now when John in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent a message by his disciples And asked Him, Are You the One Who was to come, or should we keep on expecting a different one? [Gen. 49:10; Num. 24:17.] And Jesus replied to them, Go and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed (by healing) and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up and the poor have good news (the Gospel) preached to them. [Isa. 35:5, 6; 61:1.] And blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is he who takes no offense at Me and finds no cause for stumbling in or through Me and is not hindered from seeing the Truth.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:1-6‬ ‭AMP‬‬
http://bible.com/8/mat.11.1-6.amp

  1. The Great John Baptist doubting Jesus?
    • Are you the One who was to come? John asked 
    1. Why he questioned God?
      • Rough situations/ contradictory things happening, that do not match what is said in the bible [eg John in prison]. => Jesus replied "go and report to John... ,I.e I am still working]
      • Misplaced expectations
        • Jew's expectation of Messiah - is a royal King who freed them from Roman's ruler 
        • Jesus rebuttal - not just being ritualistically correct, but He does greater things than their "expectations"
        • The "Greater good" of unexpected situation (not fitting our bill) --> But God loves you the way He designed, not the way you want it
    • How do we deal with doubts?
      • John seek clarification from God, not run away from God
      • Doubts /problems --> draw nearer to God --> know God more (Eg what He is here to do...) 
        • Know God more through 1st hand contact 
    • Blessed are those who are not stumbled on account of Him
      • I.e do not give up on knowing Jesus despite the rough and contractions they face 
2. Despite John/s doubts, Jesus testified for him(John)

“Then as these men went their way, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: What did you go out in the wilderness (desert) to see? A reed swayed by the wind? What did you go out to see then? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in the houses of kings. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one [out of the common, more eminent, more remarkable, and] superior to a prophet. This is the one of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who shall make ready Your way before You. [Mal. 3:1.] Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize–a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied up until John. And if you are willing to receive and accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come [before the kingdom]. [Mal. 4:5.] He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:7-15‬ ‭AMP‬‬
http://bible.com/8/mat.11.7-15.amp

  1. Jesus knows JOhn (us) -sometimes we r like JOhn, we doubt God.. But God understands our plight 
  2. Allows room for little doubt and clarifications (Christian faith can withstand reason. God is spiritual and also rational) 
  3. Jesus defends His messenger (rep, I.e. John, us... So that He builds our faith and others' faith)
  4. John is great, but the new (Covenant due to Christ) is greater 
    • New covenant - Once for all forgiveness; Indwelling of HS
3. Reactions towards God 

“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like little children sitting in the marketplaces who call to their playmates, We piped to you [playing wedding], and you did not dance; we wailed dirges [playing funeral], and you did not mourn and beat your breasts and weep aloud. For John came neither eating nor drinking [with others], and they say, He has a demon! The Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, Behold, a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and [especially wicked] sinners! Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated by what she does (her deeds) and by her children.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:16-19‬ ‭AMP‬‬
http://bible.com/8/mat.11.16-19.amp

  1. Inconsistent disapproval 
        • John vs Jesus
    • Ascentism (Void of pleasure).   Indulgence 
    • At the end, they just want to find fault with God!
    • The gospel tells us the joyful message of forgiveness [how Jesus reflected]
    • Sin -> repentance (mourn for the gravity of our sin) - [how JOhn reflected of the gospel]
    • What does it mean to us? Not need to be overtly sad/joyful 
  2. Wisdom is proved right by her deedS
    • Cf LUKE 7
    • JESUS IS PROVED RIGHT BY HIS FOLLOWERS
    • How do you prove that you are children? Are you trying vigorous to enter the kingdom of God?
    • "Decisive".   - do we decisively want to taste the joy of being in the Kingdom? Not allowing Satan to last thought in me etc