“Who Are You?”

Pastor David Moore

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 35:1‐10 

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.  The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.  They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. 

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.  Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear!  Here is your God.  He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense.  He will come and save you.” 

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.    For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 

A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.  No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.   And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

Theme:  Today’s sermon is centered on the interaction of John the Baptist and Jesus about the topics – “Is Jesus the One?” and “Who am I?” 

New Testament reading: Matthew 11:2‐6 

When John the Baptist heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask Him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”  Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.  Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” 

If Jesus is the One, it is necessary to understand ourselves, before we understand Jesus.  And if you reject Jesus, you will never stop searching for Him.  ~John Calvin 

Most people have a problem‐oriented scrutiny of Jesus, and it is conditional.  ~D. Moore 

John the Baptist knows if Jesus is the One, the author of life, the Creator, the One whom we are created for, then we are to shape our lives around that rather than our plans and desires.  ~D. Moore 

Whatever you decide is right for me is right.  If Jesus is the One, the Creator of the universe, then He will do what is best for me, much better than I know.  ~D. Moore 

When we find Jesus, we can stop looking for something to value us, to validate us, to give us purpose.   Without Jesus we will always be searching.  ~D. Moore

Jesus’ answer to John’s question of, how do we know you are who you say you are?

1. You won’t know I’m the One until you grasp my offensiveness, and you see how I welcome the weak.

2. Offense of the Cross.  Jesus is saying that you and I cannot satisfy the demands of the law.  We are weak and evil and cannot do it.  ~D. Moore 

There is no way to really see the Cross and think you’re okay in and of yourself.  The Cross speaks to us every time we see it, that we are lost sinners, we need grace.  ~D. Moore 

If Jesus is the One, a relationship with Him has no limits.  ~D. Moore 

Do not try to make the gospel tasteful to carnal minds.  Do not hide the offense of the cross, lest you make it of no effect.  ~Charles H. Spurgeon 

Matthew 11:4‐6:  Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 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.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” 

Jesus will change you completely.   So, either run away, or come completely, but there is no middle ground.  So blind are the ones who have wrestled with my offenses, but not taken offense because they see I deal with people who know they have been saved by grace.  We will struggle, we want a religion we control and try to save ourselves and resort to God last. 

This week: ask Christ for a clear view of your life.  Ask Him for help in giving up control in all areas of your life.  When we do that, we will begin to change and there is no limit because He is the One.    

 
Have a good week!