Temple Baptist Church - 12-1-2024
Luke 7:14-23
Introduction:
A. As we begin the Christmas Season, we want us to know what the Bible says about Christ. Not what man says about Christ but what the Bible says about Christ.
B. There is much religious confusion concerning the First Advent and coming of Israel’s Messiah and the Saviour of the world. I will not try to refute all the false conceptions and teachings concerning Christ but will try to biblically answer a question asked by the “greatest prophet born of woman,” John the Baptist.
C. I find it interesting that the forerunner of Christ, the Voice on one crying in the wilderness, the identifier and baptizer of the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin or the world,” questioned who Christ was. John the Baptist had the completed cannon of Scripture in the Old Testament that pointed mankind to the Person of the Christ along with the call to be “One Crying in the wilderness.”
Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
1. The Christ Identified by the Scripture. Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
2. The Christ Identified by the Forerunner. John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
3. The Christ Identified by the Father. Matthew 3:16-17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: (17) And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
4. The Christ Identified by His works. “And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.”
Luke 7:14-17 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. (15) And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. (16) And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. (17) And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
D. And yet the question was asked: “Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?” No man’s faith is always in a state of perfection because it is held in a body and mind of imperfection. On his “death bed,” John needed reassurance. We are not better than him! Here we find:
1. John Re-Checking. “Go ask” Nothing wrong with asking God to strengthen or renew our faith.
2. John Reassured. “Go … tell John” Now, John could face death with anticipation.
E. I also find it interesting that Christ did not reprove or rebuke John the Baptist for his honest question. It is still a question that is relevant in our day.
1. Jesus simply said, “Go your way, and tell John!”
2. This statement shows us that Jesus Christ wants both us and the world to know for certain who He is, why He came, and what He did for us.
F. The most prophesied event in history is the prophecy of the coming of Christ Jesus. According to how scholars count them, there were somewhere between 300-570 prophecies that Christ Jesus fulfilled. Using the mathematics of statistics and probability, for Christ to just fulfill 8 of these prophecies would be 1 in 1028 or 1 with 28 zeros after it.
G. In these last days, there is so much confusion and outright heresy concerning Christmas, the birth of Christ, and who He was and is.
1. There are many who choose to ignore the story of Christ’s Birth and focus on Santa Clause (a fat little man who could never slide down a chimney), reindeer that have a red nose and can fly.
2. Commercialization that leads to disappointment and despair. Suicides are all too common this time of the year.
3. Then there are those who know that it is a celebration of Christ’s birth but still do not fully understand who He was or why He came.
4. Christ’s birth is the most recognized event in the history of mankind. Though our calendar once had 1 BC was the year before Christ’s birth and AD 1 was the year of His birth.
5. Along with these, we find the controversy and strife over Christmas (Christ’s Mass) and December 25th. To celebrate the birth of Christ in this manner or at this time of the year. I understand the Bible teaches a mid-Fall of the year birth but do not find anyone celebrating Christ’s birth at that time.
6. I am not ignorant of what and why of both of these things but choose to celebrate Christ’s wonder birth this month. My celebration is that: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
7. A Christmas song asks the question, “What Child is this?” This was the question that John the Baptist asked.
H. I said all that to say this, the Bible perfectly, completely identifies the Messiah, our Saviour, and though John knew that he still did some Biblical checking up.
J. The Bible prophesies the Person of Christ, the Performance of the birth of Christ, the Purpose for which Christ was born, the Power of Christ to do what no human could ever do, and the People who chose to accept and place their trust in Him.
K. How did Christ Jesus choose to reassure John?
1. What John was Shown.
Luke 7:15-17 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. (16) And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. (17) And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
a. Though the Lord Jesus did what no man had ever done, John did not place his trust in the miracles.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
b. Faith’s Description. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
c. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. We cannot trust either our eyes or emotions. We can only Trust what God says.
2. Who John asked.
Luke 7:19a And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus …
a. Faith’s Direction. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
b. John asked his question of Jesus, the Word of God. Christ Jesus was and is the Word of God and therein lies the Truth to be sought.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
b. Saving faith is hearing what God says in His Word, not what comes from the mouths of sinful men.z
c. If the world wants to know who this Child was, born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, the Truth of God’s Word will fulfill their desire.)
3. What John asked.
Luke 7:19 … Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
a. Faith’s Desire. John did not ask for physical deliverance which would probably be the first thing that you and I would ask for.
b. John wanted the reassurance that brings about blessed assurance: that the Christ whom we worship this month was the Son of God, Emmanual (God with us), Israel’s Messiah and our Saviour.
4. What Jesus performed.
Luke 7:21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
a. Faith Rewarded. Because of John’s faith, Christ evidenced to him the power that only God could have.
b. Though we walk by faith and not by sight, I thank that our faith is not an empty one as it has substance (physical material) and evidence (proof and confirmation)
5. What Jesus said.
Luke 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
a. Faith Enduring. John willingly lost his head because he knew that His Saviour was born and lived.
b. The gospel is mentioned by the Lord Jesus, though not yet fulfilled, believed on from Adam’s day to the present, was the way of salvation to all who believed or will believe.
6. What Jesus did.
a. Christ reassured John. It is still a question that is relevant in our day. Jesus simply said, “Go your way, and tell John!” This statement shows us that Jesus Christ wants both us and the world to know for certain who He is, why He came, and what He did for us.
b. I find it interesting that Christ did not reprove or rebuke John the Baptist for his honest question.
Luke 7:24-28 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? (25) But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. (26) But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. (27) This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. (28) For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Conclusion: “Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?” Christ was born 2,000 years ago and He was the One! Hallelujah, what a Saviour! This Christmas Season, let us be focused on Jesus Christ and Him alone. “Sir, we would see Jesus.”
2 Peter 1:12-13 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (13) Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
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