When Faith Falters: A Biblical Response to Spiritual Disillusionment

[00:04:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Weary travelers seeking comfort and a place to lay their heads,
[00:04:59] You found nothing but a stable in a crowded Bethlehem When the town lay still in silence, Joseph held his sinful son
[00:05:26] Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary
[00:05:40] Sing a humble song for a humble Savior Born in a lowly cattle shed Where the angels sing and the shepherds melt The world slept on The world slept on
[00:06:08] The celebration for the birthday of our King After years of expectations of a wending day
[00:06:34] Sing a humble song for a humble Savior Born in a golden land Where the angels sang and shepherds knelt The world swept on The world swept on
[00:07:06] O little town of Bethlehem, How safely sleep you lie!
[00:07:36] Above Thy deep and dreamless feet, Thou silent stars go by.
[00:07:56] And in Thy light we shine in the everlasting light.
[00:07:58] The hopes and fears of all the years unendingly unite
[00:08:11] Sing a humble song for a humble Savior Born in a holy cattle shed While the angels stand and shepherds melt The world's left undone
[00:09:09] Sing out a song of Christmas glory Sing out a song of Christmas praise Sing out a song and share the story
[00:09:24] Jesus is born today.
[00:09:33] Sing with the angels, run with the shepherds, don't like the stars on high.
[00:09:40] Follow the faithful, reach for the promise, worship the child of light.
[00:09:48] Sing out a song of Christmas glory Sing out a song of Christmas praise Sing out a song and share the story Jesus is born today Jesus is born Jesus is born today
[00:10:11] Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo in excelsis Deo
[00:10:38] Sing out a song of Christmas glory Sing out a song of Christmas praise Sing out a song and share the story Jesus is born today Sing if the angels run with the shepherds Shine like the stars on high
[00:11:06] Follow the faithful, reach for the promise, worship the child of God.
[00:11:15] Sing out a song of Christmas glory Sing out a song of Christmas praise Sing out a song and share the story Jesus is born to, Jesus is born, Jesus is born today

[00:17:31] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
We sit on the right hand of God

[00:19:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
He healed them and gave them hope and peace when they believed in him.
[00:19:10] From hope, peace, and love grows joy.
[00:19:14] We light the candle of joy to remind us that when Jesus is born in us, we have joy, and through him there will be everlasting joy on earth.
[00:19:29] Joy is like a light shining in a dark place.

[00:19:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Thank you, God, for the joy you give us as we wait for all your promises to come true and for Christ to come again, assured to be present with us.
[00:20:05] Help us today and every day to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by

[00:21:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Before the marble of this night Adoring fold your wings and bow And tear the sky apart with light And with your cross the golden vow Proclaim the work of Christ and He
[00:21:45] Sin, Peace, Sin, End of Peace Sin, Peace, Sin, End of Peace
[00:22:20] This is the day the Lord has made.
[00:22:28] Assemble his celestial throng.
[00:22:40] In royal splendor come away.
[00:22:42] Give earth a glimpse of heavenly light.

[00:23:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
The love that we have always loved

[00:23:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:24:05] Amen.
[00:24:12] Sing God, sing God, sing God is love.
[00:24:22] Sing God, sing God is love.
[00:24:38] God is love.

[00:25:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
All right, I'm just going to talk loud.
[00:25:26] A couple of announcements.
[00:25:28] Amal and Night Visitors happened last night at 7 p.m.

[00:25:29] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
It was great.

[00:25:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
I got to attend, and it's happening again today at 1-4-3 Broad Room.
[00:25:31] There we go.
[00:25:31] Yeah, just for everybody online, Amal and Night Visitors is happening again today at 3 p.m. in the 1-4-3 Broad Space, so we would love to have you
[00:25:38] Come join us for that.
[00:25:40] As well as this Tuesday, I know Saints Alive is going on.
[00:25:45] If you have not RSVP'd, just please let the church office know tomorrow so we can make sure we have enough food for you and I think they're doing a Christmas
[00:25:58] And then next Sunday is the Christmas Cantata service.
[00:26:10] And that is at 1115 in here.
[00:26:12] It is a combined service, so we do not have anything in the contemporary space at 830 or 10 a.m.
[00:26:20] So everybody will come here, and there is no Kingdom Kids as well, right, Melissa?
[00:26:24] And is there anything for pre...
[00:26:27] Childcare.
[00:26:29] Childcare will be available as well.
[00:26:34] And that is all that I have.
[00:26:36] Pastor Dave, you'll announce the rest.
[00:26:39] Would you join me now in a time of prayer?
[00:26:54] Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are a God
[00:26:59] Who is in control of all things and is always present.
[00:27:05] and always there for us Lord even when things don't go our way I think even little technology issues like right now Lord you are still with us and everything that could be going on in our lives you are there with us Lord carrying us through working all things together for those of us who love you and are called according to your purpose we thank you Jesus that you have never abandoned us or forsaken us God and we just come before you right now
[00:27:36] In reverence, for you are an all-consuming fire, God.
[00:27:46] And it is hard to take in that you really allow us to be in relationship with you through your Son.
[00:27:58] There is no one like you, Lord.
[00:28:02] There is none like you in all the earth and all the heavens.
[00:28:05] You alone sit on the throne.
[00:28:08] You alone hold everything in your hands.
[00:28:12] You alone are worthy of all honor, praise, and glory.
[00:28:21] And we just feel so humbled
[00:28:26] that you would care for us God and that you would create us and that you would give us life and that you would save us of our sins by sending your son to this world to be born and then to die on a cross the death that he did not deserve and to be raised to life again so that we could have life abundant life we thank you Jesus for what you have done
[00:28:54] We do not take it for granted, Lord.
[00:28:57] And we are sorry that we continue to fall short and to stray away and to disobey and to go on our own path.
[00:29:06] And we take this time now to silently confess our sins to you, Father.
[00:29:25] Therefore condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus your word says we are completely forgiven your blood has covered it in full the price has been paid the sacrifice has been made thank you Jesus thank you Lord for washing us clean and changing us from the inside out
[00:29:55] I ask God for your strength and your power and authority for those in this room who are struggling with consistent temptation right now in their lives.
[00:30:12] The enemy has been tempting them.
[00:30:14] Their flesh has been getting a hold of them.
[00:30:19] And they are really struggling to say no to sin and yes to you.
[00:30:26] and I ask Holy Spirit that you would help them and that they would remember that there is no temptation that has overtaken them except what is common to mankind and there is always a way out that you provide and that with your help, Lord, they can overcome that.
[00:30:44] They can be set free because whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
[00:30:51] So show up for them, Lord.
[00:30:56] And I pray for the person in this room right now who is hurting physically, emotionally, spiritually.
[00:31:07] You know their needs.
[00:31:09] You see all things, Elroy.
[00:31:11] It is in your name, God.
[00:31:13] And I ask, Lord, that you would bring healing to their life.
[00:31:22] Your healing touch, Jesus.
[00:31:26] Like you did for the woman with the bleeding condition.
[00:31:36] She just grabbed the touch of your garment, God.
[00:31:41] Would you heal them?
[00:31:42] Would you see their little faith?
[00:31:45] It says in your word that faith the size of mustard seeds can move mountains.
[00:31:52] Would you honor their faith, Lord?
[00:31:56] Would you show your face to them?
[00:32:02] Even if it's not how they want you to intervene, Lord, would you still show them that you're with them and that you have a good plan for their life and that your will is good, pleasing, and perfect?
[00:32:17] Lord, we thank you for what you are doing in this church, for how you are moving in our youth, in our children,
[00:32:25] and Saints Alive and all the Sunday school classes and Wednesday night together on our Sunday services, God, we just thank you, Lord.
[00:32:34] And we continue to surrender this house to you, Lord.
[00:32:38] And we ask in Jesus' name that we would not do anything in vain, Lord, but that you would build this house.
[00:32:44] Unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers labor in vain, God.
[00:32:50] We do not want to waste our time here, God.
[00:32:53] We need your grace.
[00:32:54] We need your mercy.
[00:32:56] We need you to show up, God.
[00:32:58] We need you, Jesus, to change lives.
[00:33:04] And so would you do that, Lord?
[00:33:10] Would you use us?
[00:33:13] To reach this community of Mooresville would you use us to reach this state North Carolina would you use us to reach this nation would you use us Lord to reach the world continue to send us out may we not be content just staying in this building but may we have a fire inside of us that that
[00:33:33] lawns to go and share this good news the gospel with everyone everywhere that you sovereignly lead us to go god please allow us to be used in that way may we not be inward focused but may we be outward focused lord may we see people the way that you see them and lord i pray that during this this christmas time we would not forget
[00:33:59] that you are what it is all about, Lord Jesus Christ.
[00:34:03] It's not about the gifts.
[00:34:05] It's not about seeing family as amazing and beautiful as those things are.
[00:34:12] It is all about you, God.
[00:34:15] May we keep you at the center, Lord Jesus.
[00:34:18] And would you speak through Pastor Dave now to remind us of the truth of the gospel, your holy scriptures.
[00:34:29] Compel us.
[00:34:31] and sanctify us, Lord.
[00:34:32] And anyone in this room who does not believe in you, I ask that you would touch their heart today and that you would lead them into the way everlasting, into a relationship with you, Jesus.
[00:34:50] And now we pray the prayer that you taught your disciples to pray together.
[00:34:53] Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[00:34:58] Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
[00:35:00] On earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever amen you may stand as we sing another hymn

[00:35:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
The cross in the sky, look down where we lay, the way to Jesus the Savior.

[00:37:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Please be seated.
[00:37:30] I'm going to check first.
[00:37:30] Is this mic working, Dave?
[00:37:33] Testing 1, 2, 3.
[00:37:35] Testing 1, 2, 3.
[00:37:36] Yes, thank you.
[00:37:40] Before diving into God's Word, an announcement to make.
[00:37:45] On Friday afternoon, Bill Harris passed to be with the Lord.
[00:37:51] Please keep Sandra in prayer.
[00:37:52] He certainly was a pillar in this church and in this community.
[00:37:57] A farmer, those of you who are new to this area, please know that on the other side of town you see Harris Farms and all the neighborhoods.
[00:38:06] So a good and faithful servant who's now with the Lord, fully restored.
[00:38:12] Pastor Fred and myself, we had the privilege of actually being with him probably within a half hour of his passing.
[00:38:18] We both were able to say a prayer and the family was deeply at peace.
[00:38:22] which was very comforting to see.
[00:38:25] They have requested Thursday will be a memorial service here in the sanctuary at two, but they do not want a reception.
[00:38:32] They are adamant.
[00:38:33] They want you all, especially the circle groups, not to have extra work on Christmas, but they do want a special service, and so please know that.
[00:38:42] That's by the family's request.
[00:38:44] They will have their own private meal at the home, but please, this Thursday, two o'clock here in the sanctuary.
[00:38:51] Let's now turn our attention to God's Word, Matthew chapter 11, verses 2 through 11.
[00:39:00] I want to open by sharing, I don't know if this is a familiar name, George Whitefield.
[00:39:06] Does that name mean anything?
[00:39:08] He was a great preacher and evangelist in the 18th century.
[00:39:13] He had a connection with the Wesley brothers, right?
[00:39:17] The Methodists like to claim Whitfield as being Methodist, but he also had a connection with Jonathan Edwards, a Presbyterian, and together they ignited what they called the Great Awakening.
[00:39:30] And it hit Europe and then spread here to the early colonies.
[00:39:35] People were coming to faith.
[00:39:37] The Holy Spirit was at work.
[00:39:39] And in the midst of all that, a centerpiece to that was George Whitefield.
[00:39:43] He's known as the great dramatist.
[00:39:46] He would wave his arms, he would act out some of his sermons, and he would often preach in a field of close to 10,000, sometimes more.
[00:39:54] And now, Whitefield got married a little later in life.
[00:40:00] And he and his wife had one child.
[00:40:03] And before the birth of their child, he felt upon his heart, he felt that the Holy Spirit told him that this would be a boy.
[00:40:15] Now this is before the day of ultrasound.
[00:40:18] He was confident it would be a boy, that the boy would be named John, and that John would become a great preacher.
[00:40:27] And sure enough,
[00:40:30] His wife gave birth to a boy.
[00:40:31] They named him John.
[00:40:35] However, about three or four months in, he was out traveling in Europe, and he got word that his son was deathly ill.
[00:40:45] So he prayed, and he prayed with those around him, and he felt again very 100% confident that the Lord would heal his son, and he proclaimed that to those who would listen, and then his son died.
[00:40:59] and he was devastated.
[00:41:01] This great evangelist, this great man of God, he went into about a six month depression.
[00:41:09] And as he is processing this deep loss, there's some things recorded that was going on in his heart and in his life and he later described the moment that he learned of the death of his son and he was overseas as, quote, like seeing a flower cut down.
[00:41:27] And he referred to the loss as being, quote, called to sacrifice my Isaac.
[00:41:35] And he's troubled, and he was hurt, and he asked questions.
[00:41:40] He later had a conviction, having processed this law, that he had treated his inward impulses as equal to Scripture.
[00:41:49] He went on to say that he had permitted Satan to give him wrong impressions because he was so ambitious of having a son of his own.
[00:41:59] And he publicly confessed.
[00:42:02] And he was much more cautious as he moved forward.
[00:42:05] He still wanted to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the impression on his heart, but he also wanted to separate sometimes the subjective feelings from the true word of God.
[00:42:19] Spiritual disillusionment can be common today.
[00:42:25] There are some in this room that may identify with George Whitefield.
[00:42:29] You don't have to be a preacher or evangelist to have your moments where you second guess maybe something you said or some deep felt conviction.
[00:42:38] When deep rooted convictions that we attribute to God fall flat, it can be crushing.
[00:42:45] Maybe you've had that prayer for a loved one, a sick one, and you pray and you bring your circle group together or your Sunday school together and that person passes.
[00:42:56] It can be disillusioning for some.
[00:42:58] Or maybe you're a young adult and you've been praying for that perfect soulmate, the husband or wife that you've been praying that the Lord brings that person to you and then that perfect soulmate turns out to be not so perfect.
[00:43:14] or maybe doesn't even show up.
[00:43:18] And for some, they can begin to question, God, do you care?
[00:43:22] There may be some who maybe they're looking to, it can be very spiritual, a church that's struggling and they're fasting and praying or maybe a new church plant and they're passionate and then the day comes where they have to shut the doors to the church.
[00:43:41] I've come alongside people that are people of tremendous faith but have gone through seasons of disillusionment and doubt and second-guessing, maybe second-guessing God or second-guessing an aspect to their faith.
[00:43:55] This morning, the big idea that we're gonna draw from Scripture that I wanna emphasize is how Scripture can reshape human disillusionment or spiritual disillusionment.
[00:44:08] We're gonna take a look at John the Baptist and some things going on in his life as we hit Matthew chapter 11.
[00:44:16] A man of tremendous faith who he himself went through some disillusionment.
[00:44:20] We'll dive into that.
[00:44:21] I'm gonna say a prayer first and then we'll read the passage.
[00:44:26] Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of your word.
[00:44:29] As we open what scripture has to say to us this morning, give us ears to hear, hearts that are open,
[00:44:38] Bend our will towards your will.
[00:44:41] And through this, may we not only gain a deeper understanding of you, but through this, may we draw closer.
[00:44:48] We give this time to you now, and we pray these things in Jesus' name.
[00:44:52] Amen.
[00:44:53] Matthew chapter 11, beginning with verse two.
[00:44:57] When John, this is John the Baptist, heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, Jesus,
[00:45:09] Are you the one who is to come?
[00:45:11] Or are we to wait for another?
[00:45:14] Jesus answered them, Go and tell John what you hear and see.
[00:45:18] The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.
[00:45:28] And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.
[00:45:33] And they went away.
[00:45:34] Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.
[00:45:38] What did you go out into the wilderness to look at?
[00:45:41] A reed shaken by the wind?
[00:45:43] What then did you go out to see?
[00:45:46] Someone dressed in soft robes?
[00:45:48] Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces.
[00:45:53] What then did you go out to see?
[00:45:56] A prophet?
[00:45:57] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
[00:46:00] This is the one about whom it is written, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you who will prepare you
[00:46:08] Your way before you.
[00:46:10] Truly, I tell you, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist.
[00:46:16] Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
[00:46:21] This is the word of the Lord.
[00:46:24] Thanks be to God.
[00:46:25] We're gonna look again how scripture can reshape human disillusionment.
[00:46:32] We'll start with John the Baptist.
[00:46:35] The disillusionment.
[00:46:37] of John the Baptist.
[00:46:39] Now, you need to know context-wise, John had complete clarity of calling.
[00:46:47] He had a clear call from the Lord to prepare the way of the chosen one, the Messiah.
[00:46:56] Luke chapter 1.
[00:46:57] This time of year we read from the Gospels the Christmas account.
[00:47:01] Luke chapter 1 you see the angel Gabriel making an announcement to Zachariah.
[00:47:08] Zachariah was the Levite priest and he made an announcement that Zachariah's wife Elizabeth would have a baby boy.
[00:47:20] It was hard for Zachariah to believe because his wife Elizabeth was older in years and she was barren.
[00:47:25] This is what Gabriel said to Zechariah.
[00:47:29] He will be great in the sight of the Lord.
[00:47:31] He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
[00:47:34] He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah to make a ready people prepared for the Lord.
[00:47:49] Sure enough, Elizabeth has a baby boy.
[00:47:53] And at the temple on the day of circumcision, Zechariah, who now had, he had lost his words, his speech due to his doubt.
[00:48:02] The speech had returned, and he said at the ceremony, he declared, quote, You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.
[00:48:16] Scripture also gives us insight as to the ministry of John the Baptist.
[00:48:21] He had a ministry.
[00:48:22] Here's the voice out in the wilderness.
[00:48:24] He did not dress in fine robes.
[00:48:27] He wore clothing made of camel hair.
[00:48:29] It says his diet was that of locusts and honey, and people were coming in droves to not only hear his message, but to be baptized.
[00:48:42] He would emphasize the judgment of the Messiah, the one that was coming, and as he baptized, he would baptize with water, and he'd say, now, I baptize with water, but the message was, someone greater than me is coming.
[00:48:56] I prepare the way for this greater one, and he will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
[00:49:02] He's very clear.
[00:49:03] He knew his calling.
[00:49:04] He knew his role.
[00:49:06] He knew the one, the Messiah, was who he was preparing God's people for and this would be not only for Jews but for Gentiles as well.
[00:49:18] There's a clarity to this calling.
[00:49:20] However, here in the passage, John finds himself in a confusing circumstance.
[00:49:28] He's now in prison.
[00:49:30] And he gets word from his disciples what Jesus is doing.
[00:49:35] Jesus is teaching.
[00:49:36] We read Matthew 5-7, his Sermon on the Mount.
[00:49:39] There are other messages.
[00:49:40] Jesus was healing.
[00:49:42] You see in Matthew 8-9, Matthew 10, you see Jesus equipping the disciples and preparing to mobilize them.
[00:49:48] And John is sitting in a prison cell hearing all this, and he's confused.
[00:49:55] Now, very interesting why he's in prison.
[00:49:59] You could probably do a Netflix documentary on the drama connected to his reason for being in prison.
[00:50:07] So he, Herod of Antipas, the royalty, the king, it was actually a tetrarch, they had divided the kingdom up, but Herod had seduced his brother's wife.
[00:50:24] And then he divorced his own wife to marry his sister-in-law,
[00:50:29] So John the Baptist called him out.
[00:50:32] He was bold.
[00:50:34] And Herod threw him in prison.
[00:50:37] And he was awaiting execution.
[00:50:39] So here's John.
[00:50:41] He's been faithful to his calling.
[00:50:43] He's been bold.
[00:50:45] He's been preaching repentance and judgment and baptizing.
[00:50:51] And now he's in prison.
[00:50:53] And probably a part of him is thinking, why am I in prison?
[00:50:57] and Herod is, you know, and what's Jesus doing?
[00:51:01] So he poses this question with his disciples.
[00:51:03] He sends them out to see Jesus who's doing this ministry, who's preaching and healing and he says, here's the message, are you the one or is someone else coming?
[00:51:19] Now what an interesting question.
[00:51:21] Didn't John baptize Jesus and declare him to be the one?
[00:51:25] What's going on here?
[00:51:29] Now, a couple things from Matthew that I want to emphasize that he wants to make clear.
[00:51:35] Matthew, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he wants to be real clear for you and I, the reader.
[00:51:41] One, he wants to make it crystal clear that Jesus is the Messiah.
[00:51:45] Although John the Baptist is having some confusion in this passage, Jesus is the Messiah.
[00:51:50] He usually, in the book of Matthew, refers to Jesus as either Jesus or Lord, but he's very specific here to say, quote, when John heard what the Messiah was doing, he sent word.
[00:52:02] So Matthew's saying to the reader, Jesus is the Messiah.
[00:52:06] Now he's also wanting to emphasize and give a window to John's disillusionment.
[00:52:13] John's confused.
[00:52:15] He's second guessing.
[00:52:16] Is this really the one?
[00:52:19] Matthew's emphasizing that as well.
[00:52:21] Why second guess?
[00:52:24] I've been studying this past week and there are a lot of theories of what might have been going on in John's head.
[00:52:31] Why ask that question?
[00:52:33] And so one theory I want to throw out there, and there may be truth to it, but one theory that may be out there was John was simply demoralized.
[00:52:44] You know, how do you act or think when you're tired?
[00:52:48] So he's been in prison for almost a year.
[00:52:52] He's confined, he's lost his freedom.
[00:52:54] How do you act when you skip your morning cup of coffee?
[00:52:58] A week without coffee.
[00:53:01] I mean, he's been almost a year, and so that, you know, something's working at his mind, he's frustrated, he's a bit demoralized.
[00:53:08] Again, that's just a theory.
[00:53:09] What's going on in his mind and his heart?
[00:53:13] Here's an insight that's a little more than a theory.
[00:53:16] And Jesus confirms this.
[00:53:18] We also see that John has a certain expectation for how he views the Messiah.
[00:53:28] And he's confused.
[00:53:30] He had been preaching that Jesus would come as a conqueror, as a king, to overthrow.
[00:53:40] Yet he's out there gently holding babies and healing and being kind.
[00:53:44] And he was expecting, you know, Herod should be in prison, not John.
[00:53:49] And so there's some confusion there why he poses the question.
[00:53:52] Now, John has good company.
[00:53:57] If you look in the New Testament, Jesus in his third year of ministry, he's with the 12.
[00:54:04] It's before they head back to Jerusalem.
[00:54:08] And he starts asking his disciples, who do people say that I am?
[00:54:14] Remember, he focuses in with the 12. Who are people saying?
[00:54:17] What are they saying about me?
[00:54:20] What was the response?
[00:54:21] Do you remember?
[00:54:22] Some say, Jesus, that you might be John the Baptist.
[00:54:27] Some say that you may be Elijah or Jeremiah or some great prophet.
[00:54:32] And then Jesus hones in and says, but now who do you
[00:54:37] Say that I am.
[00:54:40] Which of the disciples blurted out?
[00:54:44] I always love, yeah, it was Peter.
[00:54:47] Peter blurts out, you're the Messiah.
[00:54:50] You're the Son of God, the Son of the living God.
[00:54:55] To then, which Jesus affirms and goes into some of the passion that would take place
[00:55:00] The persecution and the mistreatment and the arrest and his death.
[00:55:06] How does Peter respond to that?
[00:55:10] He said, Jesus, this can't be.
[00:55:12] That can't happen.
[00:55:14] And Jesus says, it sounds harsh, but behind me Satan.
[00:55:17] Why is Jesus rebuking that statement by Peter?
[00:55:23] He knows his mission.
[00:55:24] The reason he's here as Messiah is not only for judgment, but he was also the promised suffering servant.
[00:55:32] That a lot had to take place.
[00:55:33] His focus was the cross.
[00:55:39] Take place.
[00:55:40] So he could accomplish what you and I can't.
[00:55:44] He would die on behalf of our sins.
[00:55:47] Bear the weight of our punishment.
[00:55:51] So there's a certain expectation.
[00:55:52] Palm Sunday, when people were waving the palms, what was the expectation?
[00:55:57] Hosanna, save now.
[00:55:59] Blessed be the name of the Lord.
[00:56:00] They thought he was coming in to overthrow the Roman government.
[00:56:04] Jesus weeped over Jerusalem.
[00:56:06] They did not understand the fullness of his Messiahship.
[00:56:14] So John is confused.
[00:56:17] He's not alone.
[00:56:21] He sends word to Jesus, are you the one?
[00:56:24] Or maybe should we be waiting for someone else?
[00:56:27] He's disillusioned.
[00:56:28] Can you relate in any way with spiritual disillusionment?
[00:56:34] I brought that up in the intro.
[00:56:35] In any way.
[00:56:36] Have there been things, expectations that you've had of God or of Jesus or when it comes to your faith, things didn't quite go your way and now you're confused?
[00:56:47] Or things didn't go the way you thought?
[00:56:50] The scriptures suggest or proclaim.
[00:56:59] Why is this happening to me?
[00:57:01] Jesus, I don't understand.
[00:57:02] Are you really the one?
[00:57:04] If you've ever had that thought, you're in good company.
[00:57:07] We see that here in this passage.
[00:57:09] I want to shift to another picture, and this is Jesus' response to disillusionment.
[00:57:17] This is important for you and me to understand.
[00:57:19] Jesus responds to John.
[00:57:21] Does he condemn John for the question?
[00:57:25] No.
[00:57:26] In fact, he defends John.
[00:57:30] He goes as far as to say that John is not only a prophet, but he's greater than a prophet.
[00:57:35] He goes on to even say that he's the greatest person that any woman has given birth to up to that point in history.
[00:57:42] So he does, and we'll get more into that, but he responds to this disillusionment with an appeal to the word of God.
[00:57:50] Jesus points to scripture.
[00:57:52] He talks to John's disciples, they come with the question, he goes, go back to John, let him know, tell him what you've seen and what you've heard, the teaching and the healing, and he lays out a message, and what he's actually doing, he says, go tell them that the blind are receiving sight,
[00:58:07] The lepers are being cleansed, the deaf here, the dead are being raised.
[00:58:12] You know he's actually, in saying that, quoting Isaiah chapter 35.
[00:58:19] And he goes on, also tell John, good news is being brought to the poor.
[00:58:24] Well that was a prophecy in Isaiah 61.
[00:58:28] These are messianic prophecies being fulfilled by Jesus.
[00:58:31] Jesus is owning.
[00:58:32] The message to John is, hey, I am the one.
[00:58:35] I'm fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
[00:58:39] And he points to the scripture.
[00:58:40] He knew that John understood, was very familiar with Isaiah.
[00:58:46] And he's wanting to say, don't only tell him, but he's quoting scripture to reassure John.
[00:58:55] You know it's interesting, you would think miracles in themselves
[00:58:59] would be convincing but we as humans are fickle.
[00:59:03] I've been in different men's groups and we can talk for 45 minutes to an hour on was that coincidence or was that God's hand in this and we wrestle and we talk back and forth.
[00:59:12] Think about the Old Testament.
[00:59:14] Remember when Moses was equipped by God to go to the Pharaoh and he performs these great signs showing the majesty and the power of God and is the Pharaoh convinced with each new sign?
[00:59:27] No, what does the Pharaoh do?
[00:59:30] He brings in his own magicians.
[00:59:32] Oh, we can duplicate what's happening here.
[00:59:35] Now it got a little heavy towards the end there.
[00:59:39] Now in the New Testament, Jesus is healing and people are being wowed and they're bringing their babies.
[00:59:46] How were the religious leaders, people who knew God's word, how were they responding to these miracles?
[00:59:53] They're offended.
[00:59:54] They're saying, why is Jesus healing on the Sabbath?
[01:00:02] So we can be fickle as human beings.
[01:00:06] Jesus is wanting to reassure John, I am the one, I'm fulfilling prophecy, and he's quoting Isaiah to back what people are seeing.
[01:00:22] He gives grace
[01:00:24] to adjust false expectation.
[01:00:28] He adds verse six, and blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.
[01:00:32] He knows John's not taking offense.
[01:00:34] John raised the question, John was confused, John was struggling, and Jesus responds with scripture.
[01:00:43] Isaiah's picture of the Messiah helped alleviate John's second guessing.
[01:00:50] Now I want to ask you another question.
[01:00:53] Do you allow God's word to reform your views?
[01:01:01] When God doesn't do what you expect him to do, do you double down on the expectation or are you willing to prayerfully seek the response of Jesus?
[01:01:10] And it's okay to ask the question when you doubt.
[01:01:15] I see this passage as a lesson for disillusionment.
[01:01:18] What happens when you're disillusioned spiritually or in a very human way?
[01:01:24] Lean into Scripture.
[01:01:26] George Whitefield did that, yes?
[01:01:30] He had to adjust his expectations.
[01:01:35] Martin Luther
[01:01:38] Right?
[01:01:38] When he is disillusioned by the Catholic Church and some of the teachings and some of the abuses taking place.
[01:01:44] And as he became a monk because he was frustrated in his own faith that he couldn't please God.
[01:01:49] And as he leaned into scripture, he was enlightened by Romans chapter one, I'm not ashamed of the gospel for it's the power of God.
[01:01:57] He had been trying so hard to please God and didn't have a proper understanding.
[01:02:01] And at a certain point he was actually angry at God because he couldn't live up
[01:02:11] For Martin Luther, it's not about me, it's about him.
[01:02:14] It's not about my power, my dynamite, it's about him, and his heart's transformed, and it leads to a Protestant what?
[01:02:24] Reformation, where the church started turning to scripture.
[01:02:28] Do you have to go to a priest to have your sins forgiven?
[01:02:33] No, Hebrews says go to the great high priest.
[01:02:35] You go directly through Jesus, the great high priest.
[01:02:39] Do you need to pay money to have your sins forgiven or go through some sort of penance?
[01:02:42] No, it's by grace that you've been saved through faith and Luther just pounded that in and John Calvin and these others.
[01:02:48] That reformation, taking our human traditions that sometimes like the telephone game gets a little off and you go back to scripture.
[01:02:59] Biblically speaking, think of the Psalmist David.
[01:03:02] How does God describe David when it comes to faith?
[01:03:08] A man after my own heart.
[01:03:10] Yet if you read the Psalms, David would say, you know, how long, oh Lord, will you hide your face from me?
[01:03:19] You seem distant.
[01:03:22] Where are you?
[01:03:24] And he has these moments of disillusionment, but then he stays faithful to God's word, and he says, I will trust.
[01:03:31] He'll say things like, I'll trust in your unfailing love, even though I can't see you right now or feel you right now.
[01:03:38] Lord, I trust in the promises of your word and rely on your character.
[01:03:45] How about Job, losing everything?
[01:03:49] He literally asks his creator, his maker, why Lord, why am I experiencing this?
[01:03:57] He's not condemned for that question.
[01:04:01] Why must I suffer like this?
[01:04:03] And again, the daring question from John, Jesus, are you truly the one?
[01:04:08] Is there someone else that I should wait for?
[01:04:13] Do you allow God's word to reform your views when you have a doubt, when you have a second guess?
[01:04:17] Do you shy away and just say, oh, I can't have that thought?
[01:04:21] Or do you lean in and wrestle with scripture?
[01:04:25] Say, Lord, I had this certain expectation I don't understand, but Lord, please speak to me and dive into his word.
[01:04:33] I see a relevant application if you're a parent
[01:04:38] or a grandparent.
[01:04:40] Maybe you've been a Sunday school teacher or a small group leader.
[01:04:44] We must allow our children and our youth to ask questions.
[01:04:52] And if that something doesn't make sense, don't condemn them.
[01:04:57] Don't say, just because.
[01:04:58] Allow them to wrestle and push them, lean into scripture with them.
[01:05:03] Because if you don't,
[01:05:05] When they go out to college or to the bigger world, their faith will get crushed.
[01:05:14] It's okay if your 10-year-old or 15-year-old or 20-year-old says, I'm not sure.
[01:05:20] I've been learning from science.
[01:05:21] I'm not sure how that matches with Scripture.
[01:05:23] Don't say, no, just that's wrong.
[01:05:25] Those are horrible professors.
[01:05:26] Allow them to wrestle.
[01:05:29] Show how science and, you know, Genesis is not a scientific account.
[01:05:33] It's a historic account.
[01:05:35] and there are scientists that believe the book of Genesis and are Christians.
[01:05:39] Allow your children to wrestle with that and lean into that and they can grow through that.
[01:05:46] When a child has the first, maybe a loss of a pet or a loss of a grandparent or a close family friend, help them process it.
[01:05:55] We all have those moments.
[01:05:57] Allow them to express their doubts.
[01:05:59] Don't condemn them for that.
[01:06:01] When it comes to suffering, no believer is immune from it.
[01:06:05] The Lord promises not that we won't have suffering, but he will help us through the trial and we can become stronger.
[01:06:12] He promises his presence.
[01:06:14] Sometimes even through faith, you might have to suffer because of your faith.
[01:06:21] So I see here
[01:06:23] Again, the grace that Jesus displays in adjusting John's false expectations.
[01:06:31] Lastly, I want to focus in on this, Jesus gives a defense of John in light of gospel clarity.
[01:06:41] So John's disciples leave, they get the answer from Jesus, they go back, they go back to John the Baptist who's in prison, and there must have been some raised eyebrows in the crowd.
[01:06:53] Wow!
[01:06:55] How did John, how dare he question Jesus?
[01:06:59] Jesus picked up something in the crowd.
[01:07:01] Maybe there's a little bit of chatter.
[01:07:04] And he defends John and his ministry and his character.
[01:07:09] Jesus is very clear.
[01:07:11] As I mentioned earlier, he said John not only was a prophet, but he is greater than, he's more than a prophet.
[01:07:21] He raises some rhetorical questions that people may have been questioning about John.
[01:07:25] He's like, you know, is John fickle?
[01:07:28] Is he like grass blowing in the wind?
[01:07:30] Jesus is saying that is not the case.
[01:07:33] He's faithful.
[01:07:35] He's steady.
[01:07:36] There may have been questions about, you know, something Jesus, a rhetorical question about He's actually taking a little bit of a jab at Herod.
[01:07:47] You know, John's not out there in fine robes.
[01:07:49] He's not blowing in the wind.
[01:07:51] John had a clear calling.
[01:07:53] He's more than a prophet.
[01:07:54] In fact, Jesus goes as far as to say that John is the greatest to have ever been born of a woman.
[01:08:02] Now what's that based on?
[01:08:04] Does that mean John was greater than Moses, just a better person than Moses or Abraham or Isaac or Jacob?
[01:08:10] What defines greatness?
[01:08:13] Jesus says he's the greatest ever to have been born of a woman.
[01:08:20] What's being described by Jesus is the role of John in his proximity to the Great One.
[01:08:29] It's not about John's greatness, but the role he played in introducing the Great One, the Promised One, the Messiah.
[01:08:41] It's rooted in grace.
[01:08:42] He was chosen by God.
[01:08:43] He not only was a prophet speaking the word of the Lord, but John fulfilled prophecy, more than a prophet.
[01:08:51] It was prophesied that John would be this voice in the wilderness.
[01:08:55] Now verse 11 gives us something very fascinating to me.
[01:09:01] Jesus says this, verse 11, Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
[01:09:08] Do you see the implication?
[01:09:10] If you've placed your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Jesus is saying, you're greater than John the Baptist.
[01:09:21] Does anyone in this room feel more spiritual or a better person than John the Baptist?
[01:09:25] Would anyone raise your hand and say, yep, I'm better than John the Baptist?
[01:09:29] Jesus is saying, through faith, you're greater.
[01:09:33] Now we gotta define that greatness again.
[01:09:37] Now think about this, leading up to John the Baptist, and you can read in Hebrews, it's introduced, Hebrews chapter one, has men and women of the faith who came before us, great people of faith.
[01:09:50] And what it says in that book is all were commended for faith, but none saw what was promised.
[01:10:00] Even John the Baptist, before Jesus died and rose again, before he conquered death,
[01:10:06] John was beheaded.
[01:10:09] He never saw the risen Lord up to this point.
[01:10:14] Do you see the vantage point that you and I have?
[01:10:16] We see how it all plays out.
[01:10:19] Yes, we see that not only Jesus died on our behalf, but he conquered death and was risen from the dead.
[01:10:28] And through faith in him, this is where you find your greatness, through faith in him you can stand before the throne
[01:10:36] as perfect, you're a child of God.
[01:10:39] You're his masterpiece.
[01:10:41] You're a new creation.
[01:10:43] Not based on how often you go to the soup kitchen, feed NC, not based on how much you're helping with the Christian mission or how many hours you've taught Sunday school, it's not based on any of that.
[01:10:56] Jesus preached, blessed are the poor in spirit.
[01:11:01] Why are they blessed?
[01:11:04] They will inherit the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus.
[01:11:08] You receive that inheritance as a child of God.
[01:11:13] Your greatness is rooted in Christ through faith.
[01:11:18] John's greatness was rooted in Christ.
[01:11:23] His proximity to him.
[01:11:24] Your greatness, my greatness.
[01:11:26] As we celebrate Christmas, this Advent leading up to it, we are celebrating what Christ has done on our behalf
[01:11:35] and it changes your identity through faith.
[01:11:40] The Apostle Paul, in my weakness, I lean on him who's my strength.
[01:11:46] We celebrate him, the great one, the promised one, the chosen one.
[01:11:50] Let's close this time in prayer.
[01:11:53] Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of your word.
[01:11:56] I thank you for the joy of this season.
[01:11:59] We lit that third candle this morning.
[01:12:01] The deep-rooted joy we can find through your Son, Jesus, our Savior.
[01:12:07] Lord, that joy exceeds any pain or suffering because we get a bigger picture of life.
[01:12:14] As we celebrate this morning Bill Harris, and we'll have a service for him on Thursday, we are celebrating
[01:12:24] His continued life, the life he lived here and the mark he made, but also eternal life.
[01:12:30] Lord, I pray for the person here this morning that may have their questions or their doubts.
[01:12:36] May they not shy away from you or be afraid to ask those questions.
[01:12:43] Reaffirm them.
[01:12:45] Lord, may we point them to your word.
[01:12:49] Lord, thank you for your grace, your patience,
[01:12:53] Your love.
[01:12:54] Special prayer for that person.
[01:12:56] May they find peace as they seek those answers.
[01:13:00] And Lord, as we close out this service, we worship you with hearts of gratitude.
[01:13:04] We pray these things in Jesus' name.
[01:13:06] Amen.

[01:15:21] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Ecclesiastes, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy

[01:16:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Amen.
[01:16:22] A reminder that right after this service, we'll have a congregational meeting for the purpose of presenting the slate of officers and as a congregation voting on that slate.
[01:16:34] And if you're not a member and you just want to slip out, do so quietly at the end here.
[01:16:39] And if you're curious, you're more than welcome.
[01:16:41] You just can't vote.
[01:16:42] And as we leave this place, the invitation...
[01:16:46] This morning, if you're that person that may be struggling with something, I invite you not to shy away, but to lean in.
[01:16:54] We serve a God who is patient and loving and gracious.
[01:16:59] As we leave this place, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God our Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with each and every one of you, now and forever.
[01:17:08] Amen.

[01:17:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Good morning.

[01:17:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
I'm doing well.
[01:17:40] How are you?
[01:17:41] Good to see you.
[01:17:42] Good to see you, Connie.
[01:18:38] I'm going to need to call this meeting to order, so those staying, if you could just grab a seat and we'll quiet down a little bit.