Portrait of A Godly Servant | Matthew 11:7-15

Scripture

• Matthew 11:7–15

About this sermon

Introduction: Jesus has answered John’s doubts with a reminder of what Our Lord was doing in message and in deed. He sent a report to John that He knew John would associate with Scripture. Our Lord was saying, “Do not fear John, I AM the one, and what I do accords with what Scripture said the Messiah would do.” “YOU GOT IT RIGHT.” And the way our Lord handled that speaks of the compassion of God — the compassion of our Savior. He not only compassion for John; He paid tribute to him. Why is our Lord doing this? Why does Jesus speak to the crowds concerning John? There are multiple reasons. Jesus and John are not at odds — this tribute makes that clear. Jesus does not think of John as a defector — this tribute makes that clear. Jesus does not think of doubts due to weakness — doubts that are really faith looking for strength — in the same category as rebellious unbelief — this tribute makes that clear. BUT, PERHAPS ABOVE ALL, JESUS IS HONORING THE FAITHFUL WAY THAT JOHN FULFILLED HIS CALLING. John was not just a prophet — he was a prophesied prophet. He was destined by God to introduce the Son of God. ESV John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. John has faithfully done that. He is in prison because He is a faithful messenger. He suffers, not because he has done something wrong, but precisely because he was a man of God. So, after upholding His messenger, sending a word that would strengthen his faith, Jesus now praises His messenger and presents us with the clearest picture we have in Scripture of the character of John the Baptist. He presents us with a portrait of this man of God, and in so doing gives us a picture of the character of godliness in general, and we see five characteristics of that godliness. FIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GODLY SERVANT. I. THE HUMILITY OF A MAN OF GOD (vs.7) - Setting Godliness exists where humility exists. Jesus is not offended by John’s question. Jesus exhorts him not to doubt. Jesus answers John’s doubts with truth. But at the same time, in the very context in which John’s doubts were heard and answered, Jesus praises John. Never forget that John EXPRESSED HIS STRUGGLE. Remember that he has ALREADY identified Jesus as the Messiah. A proud man, an insincere man, a self-exalting man would never voice the possibility that he had misunderstood. JOHN HAD NOT MISUNDERSTOOD, BUT HE WAS WILLING TO GO TO JESUS WITH HIS FEARS, ALLOWING THE LORD JESUS TO CORRECT HIM IF HE WAS WRONG AND TO ANSWER THOSE FEARS. That is a humble man. And this was not new. THIS SAME HUMBLE AND SINCERE FAITH HAD ALREADY BEEN ON DISPLAY IN JOHN. NOTE: GODLINESS THAT IS LEARNED PRIOR TO A CRISIS, IS LIKE TREASURE ONCE THE CRISIS ARRIVES. You can’t access what you don’t have! When godly character is needed, when maturity is needed, one accesses what has been produced long in advance. John’s humility is seen in that he joyfully pointed away from himself to Jesus. He understood his role, and he was content with his role. ESV John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." He did his job and there was no jealousy when faithfulness to his role resulted in John’s influence decreasing.

Topics

• Humility
• Service & Ministry