Sermon Notes for Sunday Morning by Joan Ferrand

Pastor Ernie's message from Matthew 11:1-6 was titled, “Overcoming Doubt.” Pastor began with a question. Have you ever doubted God's goodness, will, or that He cares for you, etc? Going back to the Garden of Eden, doubting became an opening and foothold for an attack by Satan. All of us, even great spiritual giants, such as John the Baptist, have experienced doubt. John, the 'voice of one crying in the wilderness,' boldly proclaimed repentance of sin, and pointed to Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). Now, John has been cast into prison for publicly reproving Herod's adultery with his brother's wife. In time, this led to John's beheading (Matthew 14:3-12).

•  What Causes One to Turn Away from God?

•  Some who think they are Christians may not truly to have trusted Christ. Church attendance, baptism, memorizing verses, good works, etc. don't make you Christian. Jesus said, “Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say unto Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:21-23)

•  Many are deceived who are religious, but have not received the righteousness of Christ. Even the Apostle Paul pointed out the necessity to “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” (II Corinthians 13:5)

II. Difficult Circumstances May Cause One to Turn Away from God .

•  Even believers under difficult circumstances, such as John the Baptist of today's passage, or Job, of the O.T., may struggle with doubts (including ourselves).

•  John, who had served God well, ended up in prison (eventually beheaded) for proclaiming Christ. John sent two of his disciples to question Jesus. “Art thou He that should come, or do we look for another?” (Mt.11:3)

•  When we're doubting what God is doing, we should follow John's example. He took his questions to the Lord. We're also reminded in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God....”

•  What can separate us from the love of God? Romans 8:35-39, concludes with, “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

•  Remember that difficult times should drive us to our knees, and not away from God.

•  Incomplete Revelation May Cause One to Turn Away from God .

•  Remember that John the Baptist had been preaching and hearing the teaching that the Kingdom of God was at hand. Thus, his question to Jesus, “Art thou He that should come?”

•  Many of the O.T. Prophets didn't understand the fulness of their prophesies. They were looking for the promised Messiah and a coming kingdom, not seeing the Suffering Servant. Read I Peter 1:10-11

•  There is danger when we lack intimate knowledge of God's Word. II Timothy 2:15 exhorts us, “Study to show thyself approved unto God. A workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” For us to trust God in difficult times of doubt, we must know His Word.

•  Worldly Influences May Cause One to Turn Away from God .

•  John the Baptist was living in the times of true 'hope and change.' The people were looking for their Messiah to come, defeat Rome, set up their kingdom on earth, etc. They loved Jesus as long as He provided all their physical needs for food, healing and miracles. His message was “take up your cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23-24).

•  The people were looking for Jesus to 'save now.' No more suffering! At His triumphal entry, on a donkey, into Jerusalem the crowds ran before Him shouting, “Hosanna! (save us now) Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Mark 11:9) They were looking for physical victory over Rome, not recognizing what they needed most.

•  John the Baptist wasn't immune to worldly influence. He was sure Christ would be setting up the kingdom now, and questioned his being left in prison. “Are you the One, do we look for another?”

•  We need to be careful our flesh and worldly influences don't turn us from God. I Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man (unregenerate-not trusting In Christ's salvation) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

V. Unfulfilled Expectations May Cause Us to Turn Away from God .

•  Remember John's question? Are you the One, do we look for another? John had been preaching that Jesus was the one.

•  Jesus sent reassuring words to John from Mt. 11:5, “The blind receive their sight,...lame walk...lepers cleansed...deaf hear...dead raised...poor have the gospel preached...blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.”

•  Many come to Christ expecting no problems (health and wealth philosophy). We must live for Christ through both good and difficult times. Psalm 55:22, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

•  Just as Jesus in essence said to John, “It's not over yet, there is more to come.” Read I John 3:2-3.