I KNOW A MAN WHO CAN!

MATTHEW 11, LUKE 7

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. JOHN'S SITUATION

1. John was in a sad situation [Mt. 4:12, 11:2]

2. John was right with God [Mt. 14:3-5]

3. We all suffer because we all live in a sinful world [Rm. 8:14-31]

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Your situation may or may not be of your own making, but God will make it turn out for your good and His glory!

II. JOHN'S SOLUTION

1. We see John reminded of Jesus [Lk. 7;11-18]

2. We see John requesting of Jesus [Lk. 7:19-20]

3. We see John received of Jesus [Lk. 7:21-23]

Isaiah 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

It's not wrong to go back to the Word of God for comfort, for confirmation, for convictions. Remember this truth, don't doubt in the shadows that which was revealed in the light!

III. JOHN'S STANDARD

John did not get to hear the Lord's commendation of him and his ministry. That was left for his homegoing. Why should we expect more than him?

1. His Stedfastness [Lk. 7:24]

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

2. His Sacrifice [Lk. 7:25]

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

3. His Spirituality [Lk. 7:26-29]

"None born of woman is greater. Yet the least in the kingdom is greater. Not in character or function, but in privilege... we see the end from the beginning." - Herschel Hobbs