DOWN? WHY AM I HERE? DID I MISS IT?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
If you can preach this sermon with out tears, please don’t preach it!
I have an OSCAR THE GROUCH, remember he lives in a garbage can? On the side of Grouch’s garbage can, it says: UNWELCOME TO GROUCH LAND?
And a TICKLE ME ELMO. I use these to be the introduction to this lesson.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
I. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW ---?
DO YOU EVER FEEL THE NEED TO WEAR A MASK TO HIDE YOUR HEART?
HAVE YOU EVER HURT SO BAD THAT UP SEEMED TO BE DOWN AND DOWN SEEMED TO BE UP? HANG ON MY FRIEND.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
II. A SUPREME, DIVINE REVELATION.
PERSECUTION SEEMS SO MEAN AND CRUEL, YET GOD GROWS THE CHURCH. HOW QUICK CAN PRAISE BECOME AN INTRODUCTION TO BEING DOWN? NO BODY KNOWS?
Thanks Terry Crigger for this thought.
A. Elijah had preached and told of John the Baptist coming hundreds of years prior. John was a crude man, not in fancy clothes, and not friends with the
political crowd.
B. John was born of a MIRACLE BIRTH TO OLDER PARENTS.
Elisabeth, John’s mother greeted Mary, and JOHN WAS FILLED WITH A PURPOSE BEFORE HIS BIRTH.
C. JOHN, THE FIRST REAL MAN OF GOD TO CATCH THE SUPREME REVELATION THAT JESUS WAS BORN OF A VIRGIN, AND THAT JESUS WAS THE MESSIAH FOR WHICH THEY HAD BEEN WAITING. JOHN KNEW JESUS WAS GOD’S SON
INCARNATE IN MAN.
D. The little people loved John and would meet him out in the wilderness. The WHO WHO’S and RELIGIOUS CROWD HATED JOHN.
III. MY GOD HAS A PLAN! GOD’S PLAN IS NOT ALWAYS EASY, BUT GOD’S PLAN IS BEST! YOU HAVE TO TRUST HIS PLAN AND PURPOSE EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND IT!
A. John had a simple message crying from the wilderness:
GET READY, PREPARE YE THE WAY... GOD’S SON IS COMING!
REPENT --- VIPERS ---- REPENT AND CHANGE.
MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS.
B. There is ONE COMING, I am not worthy to untie His shoes. I WILL BAPTISE WITH WATER! GOD’S SON WILL BAPTISE WITH FIRE!
C. JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS TRUE TO HIS CALLING! HIS LIFE WAS NOT ONE OF GREAT EASE.
D. WHAT IS A PRISON?
Confinement. A place of punishment. Forced, cruel manual labor.
A place where prisoners and criminals are kept.
Often old cisterns, no light systems, moist and damp.
Cold, loss of freedom.
Miry clay floors?
E. Part of the terror of prison is who is in the prison with you?
Depravity? Reeking human smells?
IV. I AM DOWN BUT NOT NEGLECTED!
DO MEAN, CRUEL PEOPLE PUSH US TO DEFEAT?
A. WHAT WAS HIS CRIME? PREACHING THAT SIN IS SIN.
YOU BETTER REPENT.
B. THERE WAS A LADY NAMED HERODIAS THAT HATED JOHN’S
MESSAGE AND THUS SHE HATED JOHN! Herodias was bitter, angry, and unrepentant!
C. Herodias was a mean cruel woman. She had a sexual affair with the KING! Herodias loved the power of her BROTHER-IN-LAW MORE THAN HER HUSBAND! Herodias would do and use what ever it took to advance her cause.
D. JOHN NOTICES HEAVILY ARMED SOLDIERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MOVE IN TO ARREST HIM. Why?
E. John’s reward for STANDING FOR THE RIGHT WAS A PRISON SENTENCE.
V. MY OPINION IS NOT THAT JOHN WAS HEAVILY DOUBTING JESUS, HE WAS DOUBTING HIMSELF? HE DOUBTED HIS CALL? IF I HAVE OBEYED GOD --- WHY AM I HERE?
A. HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY AM I HEAR? AFTER SERVING THE LORD, SEEING THINGS GO MUCH DIFFERENT THAN I PLANNED?
WHY? WHY AM I HERE?
B. I hope you know it was dark in the prison? John was treated mean and cruel?
C. WITH A BROKEN AND CRUSHED HEART JOHN’S MINISTRY IS COMING TO A QUICK END.
D. WITH A BROKEN HEART JOHN CALLS TWO OF HIS BEST DISCIPLES
TO THE JAIL CELL ... HELP ME UNDERSTAND?
E. JOHN LOOKS OUT OF THE PIT, AND IN A BROKEN HEART, DREAMS DASHED, HOPE GONE, JOHN THE BAPTIST SAYS:
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?
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?
VI. CAN YOU HEAR THE PAIN IN GOD’S MAN’S HEART?
A. MY EYES ARE FLOODING AS THE MAN WITH THE FIRST DIVINE REVELATION OF GOD’S SON IS LAYING IN MUD AND FILTH, AND HE CRIES OUT? HAVE I MISSED IT?
B. John’s disciples go to see Jesus and see miracle after miracle, the blind can see, plagues and infirmities are healed, people are delivered.
C. The two faithful helpers return and YELL FOR JOHN!
John walks over, the light hurts his eyes, he is crushed!
JOHN WE HAVE SEEN IT, THE LAME WALK, THE LEPERS ARE CLEANSED, THE DEAD ARE RAISED?
JOHN IT IS JESUS! JOHN IT IS JESUS! JOHN IT IS JESUS!
D. JOHN IT IS JESUS! Jesus, God’s son is in OUR MIDST!
JOHN OUR HOPES ARE HERE BUT HE WILL NEVER SEE IT WITH HIS EYES.
E. The King’s men are coming to the prison, THE WHISPERS ARE GROWING. JOHN SURELY MUST BE EXCITED, HAS HIS DELIVERANCE COME?
F. JOHN WANTS TO GO OUT AND SEE JESUS! JOHN’S DOUBTS? JOHN’S SELF-DOUBTS WILL ALL FLEE WITH ONE GLIMPSE OF JESUS!!!
G. What are those soldiers carrying? Why do they need a SILVER TRAY?
John will come out of prison HEAD FIRST!
VII. WAIT A SECOND JOHN, JESUS SENT YOU A MESSAGE!
A PERSONAL MESSAGE.
Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
A. JOHN, MY LITTLE BROTHER JOHN, YOU ARE MY HERO AND WILL ALWAYS BE. John became the FIRST NEW TESTAMENT MARTYR!
B. Martyr: one that voluntarily suffers or dies without COMPROMISING THE TRUTH.
A PERSON THAT GIVES A GIFT OF GREAT VALUE FOR A PRINCIPLE.
C. JOHN STOOD TRUE, HE ADHERED TO THE FAITH OF WHO JESUS WAS.
D. THAT IS WHY I THINK JOHN NEVER WAVERED CONCERNING JESUS, HE COULD NOT PERSONALLY UNDERSTAND.
E. JOHN HEARD THE WORDS OF JESUS: MY MEN SHALL NOT BE OFFENDED, I SHALL BE BLESSED.
VIII. JOHN THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE HERE THAT STILL DON’T GET WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO LIVE FOR JESUS, BUT WHAT A GREATER HONOR JOHN GOT TO GIVE HIS MOST PRECIOUS GIFT --- HIS LIFE. JOHN KNEW JESUS TOO WOULD DIE AT THE HANDS OF A CRUEL REJECTING CROWD.
A. JOHN I CALL YOU AS A WITNESS TODAY.
JOHN, WILL YOU TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?
B. John comes forward and LOOKS OVER THE CROWD.
John knows some of you will be called to suffer, be misunderstood, to be mocked, JOHN WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THIS CHURCH TODAY?
C. John sits on the witness stand:
He surveys the crowd, HE STARTS REJOICING. John is not crying.
John is laughing, he raises his hands in complete surrender:
D. HEAVEN IS SURELY IS WORTH IT ALL
( By W. Oliver Cooper and Minzo C. Jones 1946 Stamps Quartet Music.)
Often I’m hindered on my way, Burdened so heavy I almost fall, Then I hear Jesus so sweetly say:
Heaven will surely be worth it all, Heaven will surely be worth it all!
After this life with all its strife, Heaven will surely be worth it all.
Many the trials, toils and tears, Many the heartache may here appall. But the dear Lord so truly says:
Heaven will surely be worth it all, Heaven will surely be worth it all!
After this life with all its strife, Heaven will surely be worth it all.
Toiling and pain I will endure, Till I shall hear the death angel call; Jesus has promised, and I’m sure,
Heaven will surely be worth it all, Heaven will surely be worth it all!
After this life with all its strife, Heaven will surely be worth it all.
Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s
voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
E. OF WHOM THIS WORLD IS NOT WORTHY!
Hebrews 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
F. SURE JOHN WAS CRUSHED?
SURE JOHN’S DREAMS DID NOT GO AS HE EXPECTED?
SURE THE PRISON WAS COLD AND THE FOOD WAS MOLDY BREAD?
SURE HERODIAS, HER DAUGHTER AND THE KING WERE MEAN, BAD SINNERS?
G. NEVER FORGET THIS IS NOT ABOUT US, IT IS ABOUT JESUS, GOD’S SON!
John 12:21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
This is so important, few catch it. Pass it on?
