Art Thou The One?

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. The Disciples’ Inquiry

2. The Disciples’ Investigation

3. The Disciples’ Intelligence

Remarks.

1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing a theme: “Art Thou the One?” “Or should we look for another?”

2. In our first point, we will discuss John’s disciples' inquiry into the real person of Jesus. They were too ask Jesus: “Art thou he that should come? Or look we for another?” Luke 7:19. John had concluded his preparatory preaching regarding the kingdom of God. He was desirous to know if this man Jesus was the Messiah that would come into the world. The one whom Isaiah had written: “Saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepared ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God,” Luke 3:4-6.

3. In our second point, we will describe how John’s disciples conducted their investigation of Jesus by witnessing his miracles and hearing his preaching. After arriving at the location where the Master was ministering, they found Him, approached Him and advised Jesus that: “John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou He that should come? Or look we for another? And in that same hour He (Jesus) cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight,” Luke 7:20-21.

4. In our last point, we will address the disciples’ intelligence report to John. Jesus told John’s disciples to go report to him what they had seen and heard. After John’s disciples had observed Jesus’ work of ministry and healing: “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,” Luke 7:22.

BODY OF LESSON

I THE DISCIPLES’ INQUIRY

A. John’s disciples heard of Jesus work. Jesus was in the city of Nain. He raised a young man from the dead. John’s disciples were following Jesus and witnessing these miracles and hearing his preaching, Luke 7:11-18. They return to unto John and reported to him regarding Jesus.

1. Notice: “And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things (concerning Jesus),” Luke 7:18.

2. John is now in prison for preaching against Herod marriage to his brother’s wife, Matthew 14:1-4.

3. The man of God must stand against all evil; all sins; by all people to include the kings, scribes, Pharisees, publican as well as sinners.

B. John sends disciples to Jesus: “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?” See Luke 7:19.

C. John the Baptist's preparatory work in the wilderness: “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins,” Matthew 3:1-6. Fulfilling the prophecy from Isaiah 40:3-5.

D. John’s baptism of Jesus. John was given a sign regarding the Messiah. He said: “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God,” John 1:33-34; Matthew 3:11-12. Notice John’s witness:

1. Jesus comes to the Jordon. John cries out: “Behold, the lamb of God...,” John 1:29. Jesus was that, “Lamb slain before the foundation of the world,” Revelation 10:18. He was the lamb mentioned during the planned sacrifice of Isaac. Notice:

a. Jesus was the answer to Isaac’s question to his father Abraham. The lad said to his father: “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” See Genesis 22:7.

b. Abraham answered his son with: “My God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering,” Genesis 22:8. Illustrate: The Sacrifice of Isaac, Genesis 22. Jesus is the “lamb” spoken about in Abraham’s reply to his son, Isaac, 1 Peter 1:18-19.