Jesus Loves Doubters
Matthew 11; John 20
Skip Heitzig
Matthew 11 (NKJV™) | |
1 | Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. |
2 | And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples |
3 | and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" |
4 | Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: |
5 | "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. |
6 | "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." |
7 | As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? |
8 | "But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. |
9 | "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. |
10 | "For this is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' |
11 | "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. |
12 | "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. |
13 | "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. |
14 | "And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. |
15 | "He who has ears to hear, let him hear! |
16 | "But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, |
17 | "and saying: 'We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.' |
18 | "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' |
19 | "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children." |
20 | Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: |
21 | "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. |
22 | "But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. |
23 | "And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. |
24 | "But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you." |
25 | At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. |
26 | "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. |
27 | "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. |
28 | "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. |
29 | "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. |
30 | "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." |
New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.
Jesus never turned away the questions of a sincere searcher. I have personally wrestled with issues of faith and doubt on a number of occasions. Oswald Chambers quipped, "Doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong; it may be a sign that he is thinking." Today we will see how Jesus loved two doubters—both of whom were friends of His.
Jesus loves people—all people: prostitutes, drug addicts, abusers—and you. This profound truth is at the very heart of the gospel. Jesus loves the unlovable and touches the untouchable, and during His time on earth, He was compassionate and merciful toward people from all walks of life. What would it be like if you personally encountered Him? Join Pastor Skip Heitzig in this series to learn more about God's radical love for you and fall more in love with the living Savior.
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Some of the strongest believers in Jesus Christ were once struggling unbelievers: C.S. Lewis, Josh McDowell, Francis Collins (Human Genome Project), and Lee Strobel, to name a few. Charles Spurgeon said, “I suppose no man is a firm believer who has not once been a doubter.” Even the apostles who were closest to Jesus doubted after the women reported the resurrection. Yet even these doubters eventually went throughout the world to preach the resurrection and died for their faith. This study is a tale of two skeptics: John the Baptist and the apostle Thomas. Let’s consider them, their doubt, and how Jesus handled their doubt.
First, we take a look at these two notable doubters. John the Baptizer doubted Jesus’ identity (see Matthew 11:1-6) while Thomas doubted Jesus’ activity (see John 20:24-29). John initially made a strong confession of faith. Yet in this passage we find him in jail, and it was as a prisoner that he started doubting. Thomas, on the other hand, was predisposed to doubt, though he was loyal and courageous. At one point, he announced that he was willing to travel with Jesus and even die with him (see John 11:16). These brave and committed words show that he was willing to follow and experience danger with Jesus. Thomas was also real and honest. When Jesus told the disciples, “Where I go you know, and the way you know,” Thomas replied, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” (John 14:4-5). He was not the kind to nod and pretend to understand. Jesus said that John was the greatest among those born of women (see Matthew 11:11), yet he doubted. Thomas was an apostle, and he doubted. Their doubt was a question of belief, not character. Knowing this, discuss how you can better accept your doubts or those of others.
Next, let’s examine two noteworthy doubts. John’s doubt was based on unfulfilled expectations, and Thomas’ was based on a personal presupposition. John held misconceptions about the Messiah, expecting that He would set up His kingdom now, that He would overthrow Roman oppression, end suffering, and judge the unbelieving world. Yet John found himself suffering in jail, and these unfulfilled expectations, on top of emotional and physical strain, produced doubt in him toward Jesus. Thomas’ doubts were based on his presupposition that dead people don’t get up again. He was crushed that Jesus died, and he didn’t expect Him to rise from the dead. He wasn’t even open to the idea, which makes his doubt a shade different—it was actually unbelief! Now, doubt is not the same as unbelief. Doubt looks for answers, but unbelief does not care about answers. Doubt says, “I can’t believe.” Unbelief says, “I won’t believe.” Doubt is honest, but unbelief is obstinate. John was going through personal suffering, whereas Thomas went into personal solitude. Doubt works through difficulties and finds faith that is reasonable and satisfying. Unbelief decides against faith and pushes it away at all costs. Matthew Henry said that there are “none so blind as those that will not see.” Expectations and presuppositions are assumptions. John asked questions to clarify; Thomas made a declaration. Which is better? Why?
Now we examine two noble displays of Jesus’ love. Jesus appealed to fulfilled prophecy—specifically Isaiah 35:5 and 61:1—to affirm His identity to John and show why he should believe (see Matthew 11:4-6). With Thomas, He appealed to personal discovery (see John 20:26-27). Notice how Jesus graciously condescended to Thomas’ request and gave him evidence. If you need evidence, the credentials of Jesus are many and undeniable: His impact on human history, fulfilled prophecy, His claims about Himself, and His resurrection, in particular. Verse 27 could literally read, “Stop becoming faithless, but become a believer.” In response, Thomas rose from the lowest depths of unbelief to the heights of faith. Jesus affirmed His identity to John through prophecy, and He recognized and graciously fulfilled Thomas’ request by appearing to him. How has Jesus met you, reassured you, and dispelled your doubts?
In closing, here are some tips for dealing with doubters. First, be available. In both cases, Jesus responded knowing that some people want a rational faith because their heart cannot delight in what the mind rejects as false. Second, be unshockably patient. We as Christians do not have to operate from an offensive posture when people make outrageous challenges about Jesus. Third, be prepared. Read up on evidences for faith, and show others that God is not asking them to take a blind leap into the dark, but rather a balanced leap into His light. Lastly, be nice. As Benjamin Franklin said, “A spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.” Jesus did not rebuke John and Thomas for failure. Instead, He compassionately offered proof of His identity and His activity. Jesus Christ loves people, even doubters. Discuss these four steps and begin praying for an opportunity to practice them.Adapted from Pastor Skip’s teaching
The BIG Idea
Often doubt is not a sin but another step—crucial but painful—of growing in Christ.
Figures referenced: Tim Stafford, C.S. Lewis, Josh McDowell, Francis Collins, Matthew Henry, Benjamin Franklin
Cross references: Isaiah 35:5; 61:1; Matthew 3:11; 11:1-6, 11; Mark 1:7; 9:23-24; Luke 3:16; 24:9-11; John 1:15, 27, 29-30; 11:16; 14:1-6; 20:24-29
Date | Title | Watch | Listen | Notes | Share | Save | Buy | |
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6/28/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves People, BUT... Romans 2:1-11 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary In this last message of our series Jesus Loves People, we want to bring equilibrium to the series itself. It’s true that God loves people. It’s equally true that He hates evil and the practice of it. Today we want to show how both the wrath of God and the love of God are integral parts of the nature of God Himself. This is crucial so that we don’t distort Him to the world and mislead people eternally. Let’s consider three requirements for representing the God who loves people. |
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6/7/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves Addicts Luke 4; Matthew 11 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary When a person ingests a substance or engages in an activity that provides temporary pleasure and then such acts become compulsive and interfere with ordinary life responsibilities, he or she is said to be an addict. Addictive behavior is widespread and is one of the reasons many addicts turn to Christ for help. Jesus has a special message for them and a special plan to help them. As the body of Christ to our generation, shouldn’t the church be part of that plan? |
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5/17/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves Terrorists Acts 9:1-16 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary One magazine noted that "religious terrorism is the communism of the 21st century, the most serious international threat to human rights." I am aware that the title of this sermon is a strange one, and it's even stranger to think we should be told to love terrorists. Today we consider the stark reality of terror in our world and what a proper biblical response to it is, and we see the conversion of a terrorist who became Christianity's most celebrated cleric. |
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5/3/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves Criminals Luke 23:33-43 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary A lengthy seventeen-year study in Washington, D.C. by psychiatrist Samuel Yochelson shows that crime cannot be traced to environment, poverty, or oppression but to people making wrong moral choices. Corresponding to that is another report showing that the lack of proper moral training by parents has a direct correlation to crime, especially to children in their formative years. But when parents and their offspring fail, Jesus can step in to rescue. |
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4/26/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves Murderers Luke 23:33-34 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary A Jewish proverb reads, "Blood that has been shed does not rest." And yet there is rest that is possible for even the worst murderers of all time—those who killed Jesus Christ—if they would be willing to receive it. In two verses of Scripture, we will examine how Jesus loves murderers, even those who murdered Him. |
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4/19/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves Prostitutes Luke 7:36-50 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary It was Blaise Pascal who noted, "There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus." In our text today, we find a woman, the city prostitute who acutely felt the need to have the vacuum of her heart filled. She discovered that Jesus loved her with a wholesome love—the kind of love every woman is searching for. |
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4/12/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves Atheists John 18:28-38 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary Yes, Jesus loves people who don't believe in Him or who aren't sure what they think about Him. Pontius Pilate was the cynical Roman governor of the district of Judea. He was unsympathetic to religious Jews and religion itself. He had no room for the superstitious claims of prophets, priests, or would-be messiahs. He was a secular pragmatist concerned about Roman order and personal advancement. Pilate also represents how Jesus loved and handled atheists—and how we should. |
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3/29/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves Traitors Matthew 26 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a traitor as "one who betrays another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty." On this Palm Sunday, I've chosen to consider in contrast the two traitors seen side by side in the New Testament accounts of the Passion of Christ. Though we may see some similarities in Judas and Peter, they are separated by one giant factor—the cross of Jesus Christ, the one thing that still offends most people. |
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3/22/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves Haters Matthew 5:43-46;Luke 9:51-56 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary One of the worst things to ever hear or say are the words "I hate you." And since Jesus is the One who God sent to show love to the world, how He handled haters is significant. Today we will explore and hopefully apply two important lessons. Hatred can flow in two directions: hatred towards you and hatred from you. Jesus shows us what to do about both. Get ready by turning to two passages: Matthew 5 and Luke 9. |
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3/15/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves Homosexuals - Part 2 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary Be assured that I didn't select the topics in this series because I am equating homosexuals with murderers; nor am I suggesting that addicts or homeless people are to be seen the same as terrorists. It’s simply that the church has historically been unkind to these groups, and we believe it is time to make the statement that Jesus loves all people. In today’s text, we see it clearly: everyone has some kind of past, and everyone can be freed from sin. |
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3/8/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves Homosexuals - Part 1 John 8:1-11 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary There is not a hotter or more controversial subject being discussed today in our country than homosexuality. Voices are loud and tempers run hot whenever this subject is mentioned. Although the text before us doesn’t deal specifically with homosexuality, it does show us how Jesus approached a woman caught in sexual sin and what He had to say to those who were quick to condemn her. |
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2/8/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves the Broken John 5:1-16 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary Just about everyone who has ever lived has experienced a broken heart to some degree or another. But then there are others who have been affected so adversely by events in their lives that they can be described as broken people. We can respond by questioning why God allows bad things to happen or by loving the broken in His name and thus being part of the solution. |
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1/25/2015 completed
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Jesus Loves People Mark 10:21;Philippians 1:8-10 Skip Heitzig |
Info Message Summary Welcome to our new weekend series, Jesus Loves People! For the next many weeks, we will observe how Jesus' love for people was displayed and conveyed to a cross section of society. We will see Him as He loves the most religiously devout folks to the weak and doubting, from the prostitutes to the priests, from the bewildered to the brokenhearted. We will marvel at His love for thieves, murderers, and atheists. In each message, we will consider how we as God's people can show authentic love to people within each group. |
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