June 4, 2023
Wrestling
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Have you ever asked God for something and ended up with something different than what you had in mind?
Luke 7:18-19 NIV
John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"
Luke 7:20 NIV
When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'"
John's situation has him wondering what Jesus' ultimate plan is.
Matthew 11:2-3 NIV
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"
Luke 7:21 NIV
At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.
In seasons where you're struggling to see the hand of God in your life – look for it in the lives of others.
Luke 7:22 NIV
So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor."
Isaiah 35:5-6 NIV
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
Miracles on Earth point us to the power and faith we are to have in the Miracle Worker, Jesus.
Acts 2:22-24 NIV
"Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him."
Wonders don't erase wrestling.
Luke 7:23 NIV
"Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."
Stumble = skandalizó: to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to stumble.
Luke 7:24-25 NIV
After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces."
Luke 7:26-27 NIV
"But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'"
Luke 7:28 NIV
"I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
Giving your life to Jesus is a sacrifice always worth making.
"Faith is living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace make you happy, joyful, and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures." – Martin Luther