BUT WHAT DID YOU GO OUT TO SEE

BUT WHAT DID YOU GO OUT TO SEE?

Matthew 11:1-10

Feb 13, 2000 AM

Introduction

1. The reading from Matthew 11:1-10 centers on John the Baptizer, not Jesus.

2. However, there is a most important point to be made concerning our relationship to Jesus.

3. The reasons people go out to someone reveals much about their expectations and intentions.

4. What do people go out to see when they go out to see Jesus?

I. Some Incorrect Expectations (cf. Matt. 11:8).

A. A “mister feel-good” who keeps people from struggle and want (Jn. 6:24-27, 66, cf. vv. 68-69).

B. A moral relativist who accommodates prevailing cultural notions (Matt. 19:3-12).

C. A political activist primarily concerned with political change (Mk. 12:13-17; Rom. 13:1-2; cf. Matt. 11:28-30).

D. A “professional” rabbi who placed primary importance in the outward appearance of things (Matt. 23:1-12).

II. The Real Jesus We Go Out To See (cf. Matt. 11:9).

A. An uncompromising preacher of truth (Matt. 5:17-20).

B. An opponent of every human innovation held up as God’s law (Mark 3:1-5).

C. A man with the courage to do what was right, no matter what (Matt. 16:21-23).

D. A man with an unfailing compassion (Jn. 10:11-15; Matt. 9:36-38).

E. A man who tells us what we need, even when it is not what we want (Matt. 19:16-22).

F. A man unswayed by prejudice or favoritism (Mk. 12:13-14).

G. A man whose only true adornment was His own character and integrity (Lk. 2:7; Matt. 8:20; Jn. 19:23-24; Lk. 12:15; Jn. 8:46).

H. A man with an overriding sense of purpose (Jn. 4:34).

I. A man who best demonstrated how selflessness is the greatest form of self-expression (Jn. 8:28; cf. Gal. 2:20; Matt. 10:39).

J. A man who is God (Jn. 14:8-9).

III. Therefore…

A. Let us become like Him (Rom. 8:29).

B. Let us give others an example to follow (I Cor. 11:1).

C. Let us lose our selfish will in His selfless will (Gal. 2:20).

D. Let us care more about character than about outward appearance (II Cor. 4:16-18).

E. Let us become the servants of others, just like Him (Matt. 20:25-28).

Conclusion

1. When we journeyed out in our hearts to see Jesus, what did we go out to see?

2. The answer to that question will determine everything else about our life.

3. May God help us to go out to see the Christ, the Son of the Living God!

ESJ

2/13/00