a tale of two types of doubt luke 7:18-35 “an hv mry on

Luke: God on Display August 16, 2015

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A Tale of Two Types of Doubt Luke 7:18-35

“And have mercy on those who doubt.”

Jude 1:22

Introduction: Doubt. It’s a word that we all know, experience, and from which we feel the results. Even the most eternally optimistic of people will have some form of doubt creep in every so often, while others live in cynicism in every area of life. We doubt everything from the ability of our sports teams (are they gonna win this year? I doubt it), to doubting those things we cannot control around us (economy, weather, government), to doubting if anything good will ever happen. Doubt is the unfortunate but natural reaction of all mankind, brought on by:

Experience – We have been let down in the past or had broken promises

Object of trust – When we realize that an object of hope is fallible and will inevitably let us down

Built in doubt mechanism – a result of the fall and our sin nature is fear, ,and fear causes us to not only worry, but to distrust things that are promised, inhibiting our ability to find hope for the future

Doubt is natural but that does not mean it is good or acceptable. It is an area that must be refined, sanctified, and transformed through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Doubt is pitted directly against faith, and without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). When our doubt is about God, His promises, it affects our ability to live for His glory. This is why doubt is so destructive to our walk with Christ.

Does not allow us to follow Jesus with EVERYTHING - Jesus’ consistent phrase to the disciples: O you of little faith, why do you doubt – seen in teaching on anxiety (Matt. 6:30; Luke 12:28), Calming the storms (Matt. 8:26), walking on water (Matt. 14:31), and realizing they had no bread (Matt. 16:8)

Hinders our prayer and joy, especially in trial – Have you ever wondered why you are filled with anxiety, misery, and uncertainty? A main reason is that you cannot see trials as a reason for joy because we pray not in faith but in doubt (James 1:6 – But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.).

Hinders our ability to freely obey from faith – Romans 14:23 – “But whoever doubts is condemned if he eat, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Doubt leaves us in a position where we are still thinking works can make us acceptable to God, and instead of obeying to please God, we are stuck in trying to obey to appease God.

Suffice to say, doubt is a big deal, one that we all must wrestle with. This morning I want us all to think about those areas of life that we have doubts, particularly in terms of God, Jesus, and His promises. How have those doubts affected your prayer, joy, and obedience? How are you battling your doubts? So for all of us, we must know this morning: there is hope in our doubt, because there is light that cuts through the darkness, there is One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and One that we can bank our entire life on because He NEVER breaks promises. Not only that, but He understands our


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doubts and gives us the answers we need (but not always the ones we want) in the midst. We pick back up in the book of Luke as Jesus has begun a very public ministry to declare and display the fact that He was in fact the promised Messiah, that He had power and authority over sickness, nature, and demonic host. He declared that He was the fulfillment of OT and awaited prophecy, and that He was HOPE for a people walking in darkness. Yet in spite of all of this, EVERYONE doubted at some point. This morning we look at a tale of two types of doubt: One by John the Baptist, who had questions about Jesus’ identity, and the other of the Spiritual elite, who doubted to the point of unbelief. John’s doubt was reaffirmed, while the Pharisee’s doubt was condemned. The question this morning: which doubt do you have?

1. A doubt that reaffirms faith (Luke 7:18-28) Luke 7:18-19 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his

disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?"

What brings on our doubts? We pick up the story in Luke’s narrative and find John the Baptist wallowing in prison, which was east of the Dead Sea at a place called Macharerus, on a hill overlooking the Sea. John fearlessly called out Herod for his illegitimate marriage to his brother Philipp’s wife, which did not set too well with the establishment (Mark 6:17-10). John was the forerunner of Jesus, Jesus’ cousin by birth, baptized countless in anticipation, gave a clear message of repentance, and faithful to do all that God had prophesied him to do. Jesus even declared that John was the greatest man to ever live (Luke 7:28). Yet, John began to have doubts, so he sent messengers to Jesus to reconfirm Jesus’ identity. What led to this type of doubt:

Personal, tragic circumstances – John was faithful. He was obedient. He was fearless. Yet much like Job in the OT, all of this faithfulness culminated in terrible circumstances. John was in a hot, lonely, and discouraging place awaiting his inevitable fate which was death. He began to ask the question: was this all worth it? Did I pick the right horse to bank on? John experienced what so many of us have. In the midst of personal tragedy we begin to question if Jesus is real, is the One, and is all that He promised? Is God still good? Is He still loving? We love the honesty of Scripture as it shows real emotion, even from the greatest man to ever live.

Incomplete information – John, like faithful Jews at the time of Jesus’ appearing, believed that the literal kingdom was going to be established. The Romans would be run out, Jesus would sit on David’s throne, and Israel would once again be the dominant force in the world. What John did not (and could not) see was that God’s plan included a period of time that we are living in today called the “church age”, a time of rejection by God’s chosen people, a grafting in of Gentiles, and a time of awaiting when all of the land promises will be fulfilled in the future. John was not wrong, but he did not have all the information. Lack of information breeds doubt. The problem for us is not that we have all the information we need Biblically, the problem is we do not have the answers to all the questions we WANT answered.

Unfulfilled Expectation – John’s message in Luke 3:17 -18 – Jesus will come, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire, and there will be an unquenchable fire that will burn away the chaff! In other words, Jesus was going to bring justice and judgment, but all John saw was compassion and healing. John was not opposed to this (obviously), but where was the judgment on unrighteousness, where was the hammer to drive out the Romans, where was the fire?!


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Again, John was not wrong, because we know this is coming (Read Revelation 19 for a preview). But it did not happen in the timing John expected. This is greenhouse where our doubts germinate. We expect a certain type of life, a certain type of response from our kids, a certain type of answered prayer, and WHEN these are inevitably different than what we expected, our doubts are turned up, our joy goes down, and faith is defeated.

How are our doubts reaffirmed and faith validated? This leaves us with the question: how, then, do we fight for faith in the midst of doubt? This is where we turn to the beautiful, compassionate, and understanding response from Jesus.

Did not condemn his doubt nor his question The first thing we see is what Jesus did NOT say. He did not take offense or respond incredulously to John’s messengers, but instead gave them a message to bring back. God is not offended by our questions. There is a foundational difference between questioning the character of God and asking honest questions of God. As a parent, we have no problem when our kids ask “why” questions about the world, but have a big problem when they question our character in answering them. The Psalms are full of “why” questions: “how long”, “when”, and “how” are words to describe questions the writers would ask. Honest questions are a good way to build faith. The key is our response to the answers. The Psalmist’s rarely got the answers they were looking for, but were able to turn the corner to trust that God was the ultimate answer, and that they could trust Him,

Reaffirmed what John already knew Notice verse 21 and 22, that in response to the question from John, Jesus did miracles in that moment (Jesus not only did miracles to be compassionate, but primarily to VALIDATE HIS IDENTITY). Then He told the messengers to repeat to John what they saw. Each of these things: blind receiving sight, lame walking, lepers cleansed, deaf hearing, dead being raised, and the poor having the good news preached to them were a fulfillment of OT prophecy (Isaiah 26:19; 29:18ff, 35:5ff, and 61:1). But it was also eerily similar to what Jesus had already stated in Luke 4:18-19. In other words, Jesus gave to John, again, what he already knew to be true. In our asking for answers from God, we often are looking for something brand new, some new revelation or new secret message to have everything make sense. What Jesus did with John is what He still does today. He directs us back to Scripture, back to what we already know to be true, and back to resting in it.

Redirected his focus The hopeful statement Jesus gave John also redirected his focus: “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” The message of Jesus is by nature offensive. John 6:60-61 records many who rejected Jesus because they were offended by what He said. John had demonstrated that he was not offended by Jesus because he continually proclaimed it, but he needed to be reminded of it again. We are blessed when we remember that we preach Jesus who will cause some knees to bow, but will harden others, offend many, and create enemies for us. We should be neither shocked nor unaware when hard things happen to us as a result of faithfully proclaiming Him.

Validated his ministry Finally, Jesus not only helped answer John’s question, but He reaffirmed John’s character to the crowd. This shows us that our honest doubts are not an ultimate road block to radical faith, but are often a means by which we reaffirm our faith in the One in whom we believe. Doubts do not hinder us from acting in faith:


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In message "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken in the wind?" - Luke 7:24 Jesus made sure the crowd did not misunderstand John to be a flip-flopping politician. He made sure to clarify that the doubt John showed did not disqualify him from his position not only in the coming kingdom, but also as a forerunner of Messiah. He was not a reed shaken in the wind, a picture of something easily blown over, that will switch from left to right without much pressure or force applied to it. John had not let any doubts he may have had diminish the hard message he brought, from teaching on repentance, to calling out immorality, to disallowing the religious establishment from being baptized until they showed fruit of repentance (Matt. 3:7-8). It is not dishonest to continue to proclaim a God that we sometimes have questions about, nor a message of holiness that we haven't full attained, nor a gospel that we ourselves have not fully plumbed the entire depth of. In lifestyle "What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings courts" - Luke 7:25 John was no softy. His life matched his message, and was willing to give up all things, including comfort, to live out what he was called to do. Though he had some questions, he did not seek to store up treasures on this earth nor seek temporal satisfaction in kings courts. Following Jesus meant that his whole life was lived with single focus, which meant he missed so many earthly trappings. Though he had questions, faith propelled him to move, knowing that there was something far greater in the life to come. In calling "What then did you go out to see? A prophet? yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet." John was greater than even the prophets of the OT, since John was the one who came as a forerunner, the one who would immediately precede the coming of Messiah. John was not only great in character, but great in privilege. No one could be perceived as being greater from a human perspective, so the crowd was right to go out to see and listen to John.

Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he..."

What hope does that give us?

John was great, yet even he had time of doubts.

John did not let any doubts that he had diminish his work of faith, labor of love, or perseverance of hope

John was great in this life, but the least who enter into salvation by faith is greater than any mere human accomplishment on earth. This is Jesus' affirmation that we have been made adequate by Him to live a life on this earth like John's, which exemplifies faith through doubts and questions, and does not hinder obedience and joy, even when we cannot figure everything out.

2. A doubt that wallows in disbelief (Luke 7:29-34) Why does doubt turn to unbelief?


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We titled this message "A tale of two types of doubt", and its because of the aside that Luke places in his narrative. The response of Jesus' affirmation of John met a mixed reaction from the crowd (Luke 7:29-30). The ones baptized by John agreed with the statement, since they had been baptized not by keeping the law but by faithfully repenting of their sin. The Pharisee's and lawyers had a predictable response, since John was unwilling to baptize them. They were not willing to yield because of their sin. they believed they had done enough to earn salvation, had been too ingrained in a system to change, were too worried about what people would think, and were afraid of the fallout. These are still reasons today why people stubbornly hold onto unbelief. This prompted Jesus to tell a story, a parable, of what their doubt was really like, and he compared them to bratty kids who were entitled, never satisfied, and always finding excuses. An illustration of stubborn children: The scenario Jesus set up would have been well know to those living in Jewish towns. Each town would have an open area for shops that would double as gathering places as well as areas kids would play games. The picture is of a group calling the children of the town to join in the game, and the kids were unwilling to join, no matter how it was presented, and would instead come up with every kind of excuse. Two calls to turn and follow

We played the flute for you, and you did not dance We sang a dirge, and you did not weep

Like all kids, mine like to play things that they have seen and know. I often find them playing school or house (but never basketball - pity). Because their daddy does weddings in spurts, they have been privy to numerous wedding ceremonies, and have played bride, groom, and pastor (so unbiblical!). That is the picture Jesus gives. The kids in the town square were wanting the kids to join in playing something they had seen much of: weddings and funerals. These each would have been a whole town event, both for rejoicing and mourning. Two specific messengers There were two specific messages, and two specific messengers. Remember, up to this point in history, there were only 2 people who had declared the gospel: Jesus and John. John brought a dirge, a somber and sober call to repentance, of spiritual death that needed to be admitted and turned from. Jesus brought a message of rejoicing and hope, that the long awaited Bride had come, but people had to turn from their striving on their own, their other lovers, and turn to Him. Both messages brought hope in the form of repentance, and both were received by many. Yet there were stubborn kids who still rejected. Two unique rejections Like most ungrateful, belligerent, and impossible to satisfy kids, this group found a way to excuse away the messages by defaming the messengers. John came with Spartan existence, living a simple life and abstaining from things like wine. The people saw this and thought it was so crazy, so culturally out there, that they said he must have a demon. When Jesus came and engaged with the culture, attending weddings, spending time with tax collectors and prostitutes, and eating meals with the outcast, they would discount His message by saying He was a glutton and drunkard. This was clearly irrational and nonsensical, and even contradictory. Yet this was a way to justify themselves and reject the clear message of salvation that was brought by John and Jesus.


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This is still the way that it happens today. There are numerous excuses people will pose as to why they refuse to yield to Jesus, from offense at the message to a critical spirit toward Jesus Himself. Jesus compared this type of doubt as the type that bratty kids have, and showed that this type of doubt wallows in unbelief, leading to judgment.

3. Hope for the doubter (7:35) Is there hope here for the doubter?

For the doubter like John - take heart - Jude 1:20-23 - "But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire, to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." You are not alone in your doubt. Let God know your doubts. Fight for faith. Talk to those around you in this community. Be patient with those who struggle with believing. As faith grows, so will your ability to see through the fog, to embrace Christ in all areas, and find joy in every circumstance.

For the doubter like the Pharisee's - seek wisdom - If you are struggling with issues of your salvation and future of your soul, seek God in His word (2 Tim. 3:15), which is able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Wisdom is proven true by her children. We know that the Word of God is effective in softening heart hearts and making dead bodies live. So we do not lose heart, whether we ourselves doubt or if we are dealing with a loved one who does. We know there is hope in Jesus Christ for those doubt, and God is willing to give grace to us to believe.

Questions to Discuss:

What areas of doubt do you deal with? How do you practically fight these? Have you been honest about these areas of doubt?

What are Scripture passages that are helpful to you in times of doubt? Do you have Scripture memorized to be able to meditate on?

What are ways that you can encourage others in their doubt? How can others encourage you?

a tale of two types of doubt luke 7:18-35 “an hv mry on

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