Big Idea: Who are those who belong to Christ’s kingdom? Should we be able to tell them apart from the world? What we will see over the next several weeks is that those who belong to Christ’s kingdom are the humble, the hurting, the honest, and the humiliated.
The ____________________ ________________________
Luke 7:20 (ESV) — 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ ”
Matthew 11:2 (ESV) — 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
John’s doubt is not in Jesus but in what John thought Jesus should be.
Isaiah 61:1-4, 62:10-63:6 (pg 581)
How often are we disappointed in God not because God has failed us, but rather because God has failed to fulfill our expectations of what we think God should be or do?
How often do we doubt God’s goodness not because he has denied us some good thing, but rather, because he has denied us what we expected that good thing would look like?
Luke 22:42 (ESV) — “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
The ______________________ _____________________
Luke 7:27 (ESV) — 27 This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’
Malachi 3:1 (ESV) — “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
Luke 1:76 (ESV) — And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
Sometimes our experiences can mislead us, but the Word of God will never lead us astray.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV) — Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
The reason we need a regular dose of God’s Word in our lives is because the natural man is so prone to doubt, and fear, and hopelessness, and distrust.
A disciple of Christ is not only confident in God’s Word, he is also contented in God’s ways, because God’s ways are the best ways.
The problem with the human heart is that God has promised us all good things, but we are still intent on having our own way. If true peace comes through self-denial, are we content to deny ourselves and follow Christ to the cross?
Luke 9:23–24 (ESV) — And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
Questions to Consider
Do you believe God’s ways are the best ways? What is the solution in those moments where you are doubting God’s goodness?
In what ways is God seeking to teach you humility? Generosity? Dependence? Etc? Does he normally teach you these things the way you expect?
What might it look like to surrender your ways to the Lord in order that he might accomplish his good and perfect will in your life?
