Shall We Look For Another? Luke 7:19-23
QUESTIONS BY THE PROPHET - Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
If Jesus were not the One to come, then:
*John would be dying for nothing
*All the labors on Jesus’ behalf were meaningless
*All of John’s preaching was incorrect
*John would have no hope in life for himself
I Cor. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Eph. 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
QUESTIONS FOR THEMSELVES - Luke 7:20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
If Jesus were not the One, then the disciples of John:
*Were following the wrong preacher and teacher
*Were following a false savior and prophet
*Were wasting their time and efforts wrongly
*They would have lost all direction for their lives
1 Cor. 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
1 Cor. 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
ANSWERED BY HIS POWER - Luke 7:21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
*Jesus began to heal with them as a witness for John
*Jesus’ answer was in visible power on visible illnesses
*Jesus knew the need of John and the need of his disciples
ANSWERED BY PROPHECY - Luke 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
Isa. 29:18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
Isa. 35:4-5 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Isa. 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
ANSWERED BY HIS PROPOSAL - Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
"Offended" - not put a stumbling block in the way, or to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey.
John DON’T QUIT. Be steadfast. Jesus already knew the fate of his friend, John. Don’t Quit. No matter how difficult it gets, DON’T QUIT.
The Lord never wants His children to give and quit. We are to show ourselves faithful, loyal, and diligent.
I Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
CONCLUSION:
Gal. 1:8- 12 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.