1. John: Messiah’s Messenger Matthew 11:1-19

2. 2 A Time of Decision John’s work anticipated the coming of Messiah and His kingdom (Matt. 3:1-6; Isa. 40:3) Messiah brought salvation and signaled impending judgment (Mal. 3:1; 4:5-6) Jesus gives assurance, Matt. 11:1-19 Israel faced time of decision, Lk. 7:28-30 John’s work anticipated the coming of Messiah and His kingdom (Matt. 3:1-6; Isa. 40:3) Messiah brought salvation and signaled impending judgment (Mal. 3:1; 4:5-6) Jesus gives assurance, Matt. 11:1-19 Israel faced time of decision, Lk. 7:28-30

3. 3 John: Messiah’s Messenger Matthew 11:1-19 FAITH, 11:2-6 (Jno. 1:29-34; 3:25-30) –Tested by trials, Matt. 11:2; 4:12 –Looked for reassurance about the Messiah and His kingdom, 11:2 (9:35) –Answer: Necessarily inferred from His works and words, 11:5-6; Lk. 7:20-23; Isa. 29:18-19; 35:5-6 (Jno. 5:36) FAITH, 11:2-6 (Jno. 1:29-34; 3:25-30) –Tested by trials, Matt. 11:2; 4:12 –Looked for reassurance about the Messiah and His kingdom, 11:2 (9:35) –Answer: Necessarily inferred from His works and words, 11:5-6; Lk. 7:20-23; Isa. 29:18-19; 35:5-6 (Jno. 5:36)

4. 4 John: Messiah’s Messenger Matthew 11:1-19 CONVICTION, 11:7 –Moral courage, 3:7-8; 11:2 (14:2-4) –Christians need similar courage, Phil. 1:27-28; 2 Tim. 1:7 Stand for truth despite opposition Plan of salvation, true worship, work of church, mdr, fellowship, moral purity… CONVICTION, 11:7 –Moral courage, 3:7-8; 11:2 (14:2-4) –Christians need similar courage, Phil. 1:27-28; 2 Tim. 1:7 Stand for truth despite opposition Plan of salvation, true worship, work of church, mdr, fellowship, moral purity…

5. 5 John: Messiah’s Messenger Matthew 11:1-19 SACRIFICE, 11:8 (3:4) –Not self-indulgence, 10:37-39; Luke 9:23; 14:33; Rom. 12:1-2 –Determined to forsake all for Christ’s sake, Phil. 3:7-8 SACRIFICE, 11:8 (3:4) –Not self-indulgence, 10:37-39; Luke 9:23; 14:33; Rom. 12:1-2 –Determined to forsake all for Christ’s sake, Phil. 3:7-8

6. John: Messiah’s Messenger Matthew 11:1-19 TRUTH, 11:9 –He preached God’s word, Lk. 3:2-3 –Truth builds character and shapes our conduct, Jno. 8:31-32 –Results of preaching the truth… Salvation, Romans 10:13-15 Answers, 1 Peter 3:15 Some accept & some reject, 2 Tim. 4:2-5 TRUTH, 11:9 –He preached God’s word, Lk. 3:2-3 –Truth builds character and shapes our conduct, Jno. 8:31-32 –Results of preaching the truth… Salvation, Romans 10:13-15 Answers, 1 Peter 3:15 Some accept & some reject, 2 Tim. 4:2-5

7. 7 John: Messiah’s Messenger Matthew 11:1-19 PRESS INTO KINGDOM, 11:11-15 –Strive to enter, Luke 13:23-24 –By means of the gospel, Luke 16:16 –Through repentance, Luke 3:7-8 –Because of its superior blessings, 11:11 –Law and prophets anticipated kingdom; now accessible, 11:13-15 PRESS INTO KINGDOM, 11:11-15 –Strive to enter, Luke 13:23-24 –By means of the gospel, Luke 16:16 –Through repentance, Luke 3:7-8 –Because of its superior blessings, 11:11 –Law and prophets anticipated kingdom; now accessible, 11:13-15

8. 8 Messiah’s Description of John Matthew 11:7-11 Not vacillating, 11:7-8 –Not a spectacle to entertain –Not swayed by public opinion –Not enticed by luxury and ease Not vacillating, 11:7-8 –Not a spectacle to entertain –Not swayed by public opinion –Not enticed by luxury and ease

9. 9 Messiah’s Description of John Matthew 11:7-11 A prophet and more, 11:9-10 –Messiah’s forerunner, Mal. 3:1 –Elijah of prophecy, Mal. 4:5-6 (Matt. 11:14) A prophet and more, 11:9-10 –Messiah’s forerunner, Mal. 3:1 –Elijah of prophecy, Mal. 4:5-6 (Matt. 11:14)

10. 10 Messiah’s Description of John Matthew 11:7-11 John prepared people for the greater blessings of the kingdom, 11:9-10 –“All true greatness arises from association, relation, and contact with Jesus Christ.” (McGarvey) –Kingdom citizens “are greater in station, privilege, and knowledge.” (Ibid.) John 1:12-13 (3:5) John prepared people for the greater blessings of the kingdom, 11:9-10 –“All true greatness arises from association, relation, and contact with Jesus Christ.” (McGarvey) –Kingdom citizens “are greater in station, privilege, and knowledge.” (Ibid.) John 1:12-13 (3:5)

11. 11 “Wisdom is justified by her children.” Matthew 11:16-19; Luke 7:28-35 Sinners with good hearts obeyed John’s message, Luke 7:28-29 Self-righteous rejected the will of God and its messengers, Luke 7:30-34 The Messiah and the kingdom John preached did come (Mark 9:1) Strive to enter the kingdom…NOW! Sinners with good hearts obeyed John’s message, Luke 7:28-29 Self-righteous rejected the will of God and its messengers, Luke 7:30-34 The Messiah and the kingdom John preached did come (Mark 9:1) Strive to enter the kingdom…NOW!