Episode 2 - “Jesus and the Greatest Man”
Pastor Josh McPherson, March 8, 2020
Text: Luke 7:18-35
Luke 7:18-20 - John’s Confusion…and why it’s understandable.
Jesus came to set the captives free…and here John was, in prison!
On the one hand – John the Baptist was absolutely certain Jesus WAS THE MESSIAH
On the other hand – Nothing about Jesus seemed VERY MESSIAH-LIKE
Doubt (a matter of the mind) vs. Unbelief (a matter of the will)
“Jesus is big enough to handle your doubts and your questions.” - Pastor Josh
“Doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong, it may be a sign that he is thinking.” - Oswald Chambers
Big Idea #1 - Jesus doesn’t always fit our human expectations.
Luke 7:21-23 - Jesus’ Confirmation…and why it was powerful.
Jesus did miracle after miracle after miracle… “Go & tell John…”
Some of you have questions, and you’ve been afraid to ask them. Jesus isn’t afraid, he’s inviting you to ask them. He doesn’t discourage questions, he invites questions.
Big Idea #2 - Jesus can backup his claims.
Luke 7:24-28 - Jesus’ Commendation…and why it’s admirable.
What can we learn about a life of greatness from John?
Portrait of Greatness:
John earnestly sought answers from Jesus
John unapologetically proclaimed the name of Jesus
John relentlessly pointed people’s attention to Jesus
John patiently endured the critics of Jesus
John willingly suffered for the sake of Jesus
John faithfully fulfilled his calling for Jesus
Big Idea #3 - Jesus’ commendation should be our highest aim.
Luke 7:29-35 - Jesus’ Condemnation…and why it’s applicable.
5 Kinds of Critics:
1. Jesus critics
2. Drive-by critics
3. Jealous critics
4. Ignorant critics
5. Busybody critics
Critics:
Demand impossible standards
Want influence they haven’t earned
Outraged when ignored
Feed off of other’s accomplishments
Can’t enjoy anything
Only see what’s wrong, never see what’s right
Present themselves as the authority
Opinion about everything, rarely do anything
Experts at inspecting other people’s fruit, have no fruit themselves
Often tear down the very thing they claim to care about
Rarely apply the same standard to themselves
“Critics follow greatness rather than achieve it.”
But…
“Wisdom is proved right by her children.”
Big Idea #4 - Jesus cares about results, not talk.
Where am I currently being critical in spirit?
How do you live a life of greatness?
Greatness: Living life in passionate service of Another.
Discussion Questions:
Getting to Know Me
How do you define greatness, or, what it means to live a life of greatness?
Pastor Josh shared that he has experienced different forms of doubt at different times in his life, depending on what was happening. Are there specific things or times that brought on doubt in your life? What was the doubt centered in?
Into the Bible
Read Luke 7:18-35
Were you surprised that John the Baptist himself wanted proof that Jesus was who he said he was? Why is it easy to forget that someone as renowned as John the Baptist would have struggled with some of the same doubts and fears that we do today?
What do these verses reveal about Jesus by the way he dealt with John’s questions? How does that affect the way you previously thought about bringing questions to him?
Jesus answered John’s questions by performing miracles and telling John’s servants to tell John what they had seen. Why did Jesus answered John in this way?
What can we learn about a life of greatness from the way these verses describe John the Baptist? Does this at all change how you would describe what it means to be great? In what ways?
In this passage, we see Jesus condemn the critical spirits in the religious people he was surrounded by. In his sermon, Pastor Josh described 5 kinds of critics (see above). In what way is it easy for you to become critical? What are ways you can surrender that criticism to the Lord?
Application
What was your main takeaway from Pastor Josh’s sermon? How were you impacted/encouraged? Did you have an “ah-ha” moment or realize something new?
What was impactful for you in regards to the differences between doubt and unbelief? Where are you vulnerable to fall into unbelief (a matter of the will) rather than doubt (a matter of the mind) when considering who God is and what He is doing?
How is doubt an indication of health in the heart of a believer? What are new ideas you have for assessing and handling doubt as a result of hearing this sermon?
In his sermon Pastor Josh said that following Jesus is for a critically thinking person. Since it is important to think this way, how can we maintain critical thinking/living while remaining gracious, kind and loving to those around us?
Why is it reassuring that Jesus doesn’t always fit into the box of our expectations?
What is one thing God is asking you, one prayer God is calling you to pray, one action step God is inviting you to make as result of listening to this sermon?