Ep. 198 - Have Higher Expectations of Your Messiah - Matthew 11:2-11

This Sermon's Focus:It is easy for us to let circumstances around us dictate whether we believe God's will is being accomplished, or if good will really prevail. However, we must be careful that our sights are not set too low. Yes, there is so much hurt and harm happening in our world, but that does not mean God is "winning" on a much grander scale. The same is true when we try to deduce God's plan. John the Baptist had sent his disciples to find out from Jesus if he was truly the Messiah. Things didn't look good on the ground level at first glance from a prison cell. However, big things were happening that were setting in motion even bigger things. The lame were walking. The blind were seeing. The deaf were hearing. Even the dead were rising. And good news was being proclaimed to the poor. This was it... the fulfillment of God's promise to send the Messiah to save us from our sins, this world and its worries, and our eventual death and condemnation. Yes, Jesus was the Messiah and he was changing the world forever. This Sermon's Text: Matthew 11:2-11When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,    who will prepare your way before you.’11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.