Luke 7:18-20

Luke chapter 7, reading verses 18 to 20 for our text and study this morning. And the disciples of John showed him of all these things. In John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, art thou he that should come? or look we for another. When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist have sent us unto thee, saying, art thou he that should come, or look we for another. God blessed to us, His sacred and holy word this morning. Long ago, you recall that our Lord had a showdown with the prophets of Bail on Mount Carmel. Elijah said to all the people that were gathered to observe this confrontation, why halt you between two opinions? The people were wavering back and forth as to whether Bail, was the true God, or whether Jehovah was the true God. Elijah was about to provide proof that Jehovah was the true and the living God, for he is the only one who could send fire down from heaven and consume the sacrifice, which the prophets of Bail in all their efforts could not accomplish with regard to their sacrifice. It’s never good. to halt between two opinions. Not to be sure as to what to believe. Oss Guinness said this once. He said to believe is to be one mind about accepting something is true. To disbelieve is to be of one mind as to rejecting it. To doubt. is to believe and disbelieve at the same time, and so as to be of two minds. Our text, I think, provides an example of people who were halting between two opinions. They were double-minded, if you would. Our Lord has been for a considerable time. working with regard to his public ministry, going from place to place, performing miracles, preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the way of salvation. And he had performed many wonderful works confirming his divine calling. Recently, he has performed, as we have seen in the book of Luke, two striking miracles. one you’ll recall was the healing of the centurion servant without actually being present with him just by sending a word he was healed and now here at name we find the widow’s son being raised get restored to life if you would by a command alone and the rumor of this we were told in verse 17 about Christ’s work here was spread throughout all Judea and throughout all the region roundabout. Some of John’s disciples heard about it. And they report back to John about the work of Christ. And this led to a desire to know for certain whether or not Jesus Christ, is the Messiah. There seems to be some questioning or some doubting or at least some confusion at this point about this. So I want to speak on this topic of doubt from this text of scripture this morning. Now let me begin by saying this. You may need confirmation concerning the person of Christ when doubts arise. is Jesus Christ the promised Savior? Art thou he that should come? Verse 19 and verse 20 lay out this question. He that should come is a common phrase that is used with reference to the coming of the Messiah. It’s often used with regard to the long promised Messiah in the Old Testament and they’re thinking that is this the one? It had been prophesied. Remember all the way back, we can go all the way back really to the guard outside the garden back. You know, when we’re actually at the garden, I guess, when the seat of the woman was promised. But you remember that Jacob in his dying days talked about the different tribes, the different sons of his. And remember he said this about Shiloh coming through Judas’ line and unto him shall all the gathering of the people be. That was the Messiah that he was talking about. Daniel, you’ll recall, in the 70 weeks’ prophecy, spoke about the coming of Messiah the prince. Zachariah proclaimed in Zechariah 9-9. Rejoiced greatly, O daughter of Zion, shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, behold, by king cometh unto thee. The coming king, the Messiah. The psalmist in Psalm 118, 26, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. and you recall at the triumphal entry that this was what was shouted by the people here with reference to Christ Heghii I promised that the desire of all nations shall come with reference to Jesus Christ. So these prophecies there are many more that we could go to confirm the fact that the one who’s to come is the Messiah. This was sort of a way of a way expressing the Messiah coming at this point. So that was the question at hand. And John wished then to have a clear confirmation from Jesus Christ himself that he was the promised Messiah. And so he sends two of his disciples to Christ. Now in scripture, recall that it takes two witnesses to confirm anything and so this is why he would send two not just one and so we have the two witnesses coming to Christ John and disciples wish to be satisfied in this area of doubt that has crept in among them and they promised here that it seems that they will look no further if you’re the right one we will look no further but otherwise do we look further? Give us something confirming this so that we don’t look any further. So is Jesus Christ the promised Savior? Now, let me say this morning that you may have some doubts with regard to the person of Christ. Satan is always trying to undermine vital doctrine, especially those truths, that are associated with the person and work of Christ. He is busy sewing his false tears, lies, among the wheat of divine truth, to confuse the people God. Remember that the Corinthians had doubts with regard to the resurrection of the dead. And how Paul had to say, you realize that now you’re, calling into question the resurrection of Christ. If the dead don’t rise, then Christ hasn’t risen and you’re still in your sins. You recall that even the disciples with regard to the resurrection, when the disciples saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. And we recall that Thomas was among those who, when he heard about it, doubted these things happened. There were doubts that arose about whether Jesus Christ actually came in the flesh and had a human body in nature. 1 John, Chapter 4 and verse 2 talks about the fact that you must believe that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. There have been doubts that have arisen about the deity of Christ, his equality with the Father, his omniscience, his two-fold nature, his atonement, his virgin birth. go on and on and on. There seems to be always attacks with regard to the person and work of Christ and the church down through the ages has to iron out these things and promote the truth. And address the error that has come through and attacked them. That confirmed the truth. Satan can confuse you. Satan can try to be clouded your mind and raised doubts. Now let me put this in simple terms this morning. You might not have any questions about the Atonement of Christ and the deity of Christ or anything of this nature. Hopefully you do not. I mean, these are fundamental doctrines. But let me put it down on a level that all of us can address. When you pray, do you have doubts? as to Christ’s power to fulfill what you’re praying. 1 Timothy 2.8 says this. I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. Let the men pray, especially in a public assembly, I think he’s talking about. But don’t let them doubt what they’re praying about. Let them believe, as Jesus has told us, you must believe, that I’m able to do these things when you pray in my name. At one point, you’ll recall that King Herod imprisoned Peter in order to please the Jews. So here he is imprisoned for the proclamation of the gospel of Christ. And the church gathered together to pray for Peter’s release. The Bible says the prayer was made without ceasing of the Church of God for him in Acts 12. While they were praying, God answered their prayer. For we read that God sent his angel to release Peter from prison. Now here he is. If I’m not mistaken, I think he had like four guards on him at all times. Or people at the door, people that were right next to him. He’s in stocks and chains, it seems like, inside the prison. But the chains and all that fall off of when the angel comes. And the others are asleep because God, cause them to fall asleep. And there’s Peter who gets tapped on the side by the angel and say, wake up. Get up quickly. Get your cloak. We’re going out. And out they go. The gates open and out they walk. Miraculously, as soon as they get out of the prison gates, the angel disappears. And there’s Peter. He comes to himself and he says, oh, this isn’t a dream. It’s real. and so he immediately perceives to the house of Mary, who is the mother of John. John Mark, the writer of the gospel, you recall. Where he knows the church is gathered and is praying for him. So there he is. They’re inside praying. There he is, knocking at the door. And a woman named Rhoda comes to the door, and Peter is there. And she goes back in to the people who are praying and announces, Peter’s at the gate. And what did they say? Thank the Lord. He has answered our prayer, right? thou art mad. They didn’t actually believe the Lord was going to answer or was able to answer their prayer. And so they doubted Christ’s power. You see how Satan works? He gets us to doubt about Christ. So you may need confirmation concerning the person of Christ when doubts arise. Even people, you know, good people. Some Christian people. People are praying to the Lord. Still may be guilty of doubting something about Christ. So is Christ the promised Savior? And you may have doubts about them. So you may need confirmation concerning the person of Christ when doubts arise. Secondly this morning, you will find all saints may have doubts. The best of saints. Here’s John the Baptist. Here’s the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the one who earlier, you recall, had proclaimed that Jesus Christ was the one who was to come, who was mightier. than him. He’s not unworthy to even to unlatch the shoes that he’s wearing, the straps on him. And behold, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. This is the one we’re talking about. And here he is. He’s still in prison. Remember in Luke 3, he was thrown in prison. He’s locked up by King Herod Antipus. Matthew’s gospel says in Matthew 11, 2, now when John had heard in prison, the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples. Now, his imprisonment must have been a terrible ordeal. But evidently, he was allowed to have some visitors. And so some people came to visit him here, some of his disciples. John has previously testified, as I said, quite boldly, about Jesus being the Messiah. Just read John chapter 1, if you want. But Under these present, perhaps, trying circumstances, John may have fallen into partial doubts or disbelief. Maybe he was disillusioned. Maybe expected more from Christ at this point. For it is certain that some degree of doubt may have existed in the mind of someone who does have whole, on the whole, faithfulness. He may have been tempted to think if Christ was the Messiah, why has any deletive? delivered us from the prison. Or where is the kingdom, which he said was in hand, and I have declared, which is at hand. Perhaps he expected more of an earthly type kingdom, which the disciples I know were disillusioned about. He certainly wished to have some kind of confirmation of his belief that Jesus Christ was indeed the Messiah. Verse 22 tells us this. tells us this. Jesus answering said unto them, go your way. Tell John what things ye have seen and heard and how that the blinds see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf here, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. We’ll look at that, Lord willing, next week. Tell John. Suffering for Christ, especially if it is long term may lead to some doubts about things with regard to Christ. Remember the Psalmist in Psalm 771, will the Lord cast off forever? He’s, you know, is he ever going to show us any mercy? And so there were doubts that arose. So the best of saints may need help to strengthen them and the times of difficulties. And we should recognize that, because in verse 28, we’re told among those that are born of women, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist. And yet, he seems to have some dumbs. Abraham, you remember the Father of the Faithful, when God announced to Abraham that he would have a son in his old age, who would be his heir, he had trouble at first believing it. The Bible tells us that Abraham fell in his face and laughed. And he said in his heart, shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old. Doesn’t seem very likely, Lord. And then we have that statement of his. He said unto God, oh, that Ishmael might live before thee. Genesis 17, 18. It’s better to let Israel be minor. Ishmael to be my ear, air. That’s more likely to happen. That’s what he told God. And the Lord had to confirm the fact Sarah thy wife shall have a son indeed. Don’t doubt me on this in order to remove Abraham’s dots. Look at Gideon. When God called Gideon to deliver Israel from the oppression in the Midianites, Gideon had doubts. Who am I to do? this. You know, what’s my father’s house? He wanted confirmation in this. Remember the whole episode with the fleece? And the dew being on it and the dude being on it and the dew being everywhere else and not on it at one point? What was that all about? It was about doubts. He wanted confirmation. Look at Moses. When Israel grew tired of eating manna in the wilderness, they demanded flesh meat to eat. And Moses was dismalise pleased with their complaints. And remember, he took the matter to the Lord. And God said unto Moses to tell the people, he shall eat flesh, for you have wept in the ears of the Lord saying who shall give us flesh to eat? Numbers 1118 and God heard it. Only God promised them that they would not only eat meat, but they eat it for a whole month. They did eat it until they were nauseated with it. And it became loathsome to them. And what does Moses say here? This is Lord, there’s over 600,000 men here besides the women and children. Shall the flocks and the herds all be slain that we have in order to feed everybody? Shall all the fish in the sea be captured so that we can feed this group of people? He had. doubts as to God’s power to do this. How can I tell these people you’re going to feed them? And God said unto Moses is the Lord’s hand short. Thou shall see now whether my word shall come to pass pass unto thee or not. God said a wind, do you recall, and caused the quail from the sea to be dumped all around the camp so that they have this food. The best of saints may have doubts, and we see that throughout Scripture. Now if that’s true, obviously the common saints also can have doubts, and here we can put that in the category of John’s disciples. Many people believe that John sent his disciples to Christ with this question, not so much to confirm his faith, but theirs. John’s disciples may have had doubts about Christ which he wished to overcome. He was sure that Jesus Christ was going to provide an answer which would confirm it for them and leave an indelible impression upon them. And so he sends them to Christ. Now Jesus was not expressly declaring himself to be the Messiah, openly. Perhaps John disciples were at a loss as what to think. And so John who is not going to be around much longer. He’s going to be departing. Is he going to be beheaded, you recall? He wished his disciples to have a distinct declaration from Jesus himself about being the Messiah. It was necessary for John’s disciples to be confirmed in their faith, for John will not be with them forever. He’s decreasing while Christ is increasing. So you find all saints may have doubts. The best of saints, and certainly common saints. Now let me make a couple of practical observations here. And the first is this. The most important question for you to know, the answer to, is this. Art, thou, the Christ. In matters relating to Christ and your salvation by and it is good, to be sure. To know, to these truths. To be able to say with Peter and be convinced like him, thou art the Christ, the son of the living God. We must come to that conclusion. As the Lord declared, for if you believe not that I am he, if you do not believe that I am the Messiah and the Savior, you shall die in your sins. That’s how serious this matter is. A heart thou the Christ, are you the Savior? The gospel comes as a command to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. So, you need to be assured that Jesus Christ, who Jesus Christ is, and place your trust in him that you may be saved from your sins, for there is no other Savior. Otherwise, you are going to die in your sins, and you’re going to have to face hell fire. Do you know who Jesus Christ is? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ for the salvation of your soul? This is an important question. You need to have all doubts removed about this matter. Secondly, you should always go to Christ with your doubts. In verse 20, we see here that John made a wise decision. He did not keep this difficulty to himself. He just didn’t converse with the disciples that he had. He sent them to Christ. He sent to Christ to get an answer. He took the problem to the Lord. This is a good lesson for us to learn whenever doubts arise. That we turn to the Lord in prayer and tell him about the doubts that we have. He can help you. He can deliver you from whatever is troubling your soul. In Mark Chapter 9, we read about the father of a demon-possessed boy. And the man brought his demon-possessed son, the Christ’s disciples that they might heal him. And, of course, his disciples, were unable to cast out the demon as the scripture indicates to us. When Jesus, Jesus returned from the amount of transfiguration, the man went to Jesus, told him about the disciples’ failure to cast out the demon, and then pleaded because his son was in grave danger. Here’s how he put it. It’s how serious it was. Off times here, the demon cast him into the fire, in the waters, to destroy him. I need help here. Let’s my son die. And so the man pleaded with Christ to have compassion on them and heal his son. Remember Jesus said, if thou can’t believe, all things are possible to him that believes. And then the Father cries out to Christ and you can see how torn he is about the situation. I believe, help thou mine unbelief. I’m believing. what belief I have, my faith I have, but I’m struggling. And Jesus, you recall, cast out the troublesome demon. My friend, we may find ourselves in the same category like this man. And it may grieve us that we may have doubts. That there may be some present weakness with regard to our faith. You may have a small degree of faith but find it mixed with some unbelief. You desire your unbelief to be removed? help thou me, help my unbelief. Go to the Lord with it. You can’t strengthen your own faith. You can’t successfully overcome your own disbelief. But Jesus can’t. He can increase your faith. He can remove the doubts that you have. So cry to Christ because he wants to be sympathetic to your plight. The third thing from this text is this. doubts which prompt further investigation may end up strengthening your faith. In the end, John the Baptist and his disciples both had their faith confirmed in Christ as the Messiah. And we’ll see that here in the latter section of this passage. Read the Psalms. See how many times the Psalms start out with a Psalm, psalmist really having some doubts and having fears and he’s struggling. But as he goes through the psalm, his faith is increased, and when he gets to the end of the Psalm, he’s praising the Lord for helping him. As soon as he cast his burden on the Lord, all of a sudden, we find something happening, something changing, something working to strengthen his faith. Look at Psalm. Psalm 73. How Asaph confesses his faith had well-nigh collapsed. And he was envious at the prosperity, the wicked, he was troubled at all the problems that he had as a righteous man. But soon he is confessing his own foolishness and his ignorance and saying, I was like a dumb beast. For his doubts caused him to look deeper into the matter, caused him to go to the house of God. caused him to hear the message of God’s word, and there from scripture he learned that the wicked were far from being blessed by God. God had set their feet on slippery ground so that they ultimately would fall into destruction. And so his faith in God’s goodness to his people is real, those of a pure heart, is confirmed. Christ can do the same for you. So doubts which prompt further investigation may end up strengthening your faith. You may wonder, why does the Lord bring doubts into my mind? How is he, why doesn’t he just not allow him to come up? Maybe he’s going to strengthen your faith through this. Maybe he’s going to cause you to study more. Maybe to look into the matter deeper, to be more confirmed about these matters. Lastly, you should be concerned about the spiritual world. welfare of those you will leave behind when you depart from this world. You can imagine John has these disciples. He has no longer able to minister to them like he used to. He’s not going to be around much longer. His concern is that they would be confirmed in their faith in Christ before he departs. He knew the weakness and the ignorance of their faith. faith. He was concerned about where their doubts about Christ would lead. So he desires their faith to be strengthened in Christ as a Savior. It is a Savior that they would be stabilized in their faith. You know, all ministers and certainly all parents should have that same desire. You know, we only have so long as parents to deal with our children and then they grow up. And they grow up a lot faster than you ever expect. them to and then they’re on their own a lot and so here you are dealing with them and the capacity of the Lord has given you as their overseers and spiritual guides you’re not going to be here forever you’re going to depart and they’re going to be leaving you somewhere along the line and maybe another part of the country before you know it somewhere else you’ll be separated the key thing here is we want to be assured of where they stand with the Lord do we not do whatever you can to provide for their future welfare knowing that eventually they’re going to be on the wrong eventually you’re going to die eventually you’re no longer going to be with you what condition did you leave them in spiritually how did you leave them so we should take pains in this area so that you know in the end you’ve done your best to see that they’re in spiritual health well let me close this morning by saying this it’s not good to halt between two opinions like the people in Elijah’s day doubts may arise at times Satan would like to cast doubts doubts about us all the time we may even have doubts concerning the person of Christ in some capacity and we need to have these doubts resolved all saints may have doubts but go to Christ seek his help that your doubts may be overcome may God blessed us his secret and holy word this morning let us close with prayer