Sermons on Luke 7:18-31:

Tripping On Jesus (Luke 7:17-35) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 7, 2024

In one key way, Jesus isn't the Messiah people (including John) expected. Are we ok that this piece is missing, or does it make us trip on the idea that Jesus is Messiah, and thus trip on God? A narrative/literary approach to Luke.

Today, I'm going to try to tackle a few interconnected episodes. It's kind of a lot, but this whole section teaches one main thing, and if we want to hear that one thing, we need to grab it all at once. The simplest onramp to today's verses is to begin, simply, by rereading last ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 7:11-35

John The Cactus Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Aug 11, 2023

The fulness of time had come…. The “Hope of Nations” the “Messiah” was on His way. The announcement of that longed for event came in quite an unexpected way – the angel who had replaced Lucifer – the angel Gabriel - appeared to an old childless priest:

August 12, 2023 One Sabbath, after church, a mom asked her little girl what the picture she had drawn was supposed to be. It looked like a bunch of brown scribbles surrounding some kind of big green thing. The little girl said, “Well, this is the wilderness, and that’s John the Cactus.” Today, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5, Luke 1:5-7, Luke 1:68-79, Luke 3:7-9, Luke 7:17-23, Hebrews 12:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Rsvp

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 28, 2023

The Lord of the dance invites us all - but we have to let him lead.

You’d think John would know. After all, when Jesus came down to the Jordan to be baptized, John had just finished saying, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:24-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Of Whom The World Was Not Worthy

Contributed by Victor Yap on Mar 18, 2023

John the Baptist

OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY (LK 7:18-35) I had a severe ministerial midlife crisis ten years into full-time ministry. I pondered the meaning, value and effectiveness of what I was doing. My esteem, confidence, and drive were at an all-time low. Church work was wearisome, people disappointed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hosting Jesus, The Vip (Luke 7:36-50) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 28, 2024

One host fails, but another rises up, and gives Jesus the welcome he deserves. The passage is an illustration of how and why people tripped on Jesus (Luke 7:31-35).

One of the things we've talked about several times in the gospel of Luke, is the idea of God "visiting" his people. That's a big part of today's message, so let's read Luke 1:68, to get us off on the right foot: I'll read from the RSV (and here, the translation ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68, Luke 7:36-50, Luke 7:31-35

The Justification Of Wisdom

Contributed by D. J. Speckner on Feb 24, 2023

Jesus made an interesting statement concerning wisdom. Jesus said, “Wisdom is justified of all her children.” We need to know what He meant by that saying.

“THE JUSTIFICATION OF WISDOM” Luke 7:29-35 Introduction No one wants to think that they are foolish or unwise. When adults are asked to rate their level of intelligence, most of them believe they are of above average intelligence. Of course, mathematics and statistics prove that, on average, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:29-35

The Ministry Of Signs And Wonders

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 8, 2019

Jesus said the supernatural Signs and Wonders are to “accompany those who believe” (Mark 16:17a NIV), and they should be fully understood by every Christian that they are to accompany them wherever they are.

Many within the church believe that after the Apostles died and their writings were collected in the New Testament, the place of Signs and Wonders in evangelism has passed, and Christians should not pursue them today. This does not mean miracles don't happen. It just says they are not the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-8, Mark 16:17, 1 Corinthians 2:4, Acts 13:7-12, Exodus 4:1-6, John 10:38, John 15:22-25, Luke 7:18-23, Acts 2:22, Hebrews 2:3-4, Hebrews 13:7-8, John 14:11, Matthew 28:18-20, Revelation 12:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Disappointed In Jesus Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 8, 2022

Have you ever been mad at God? Have you ever been disappointed that something didn’t work out? Have you ever been so disappointed in the prayers that were not answered that we failed to thank God for the ones He did answer?

Disappointed in Jesus December 11, 2022 Have you ever been mad at God? Have you ever been disappointed that something didn’t work out? Have you ever been so disappointed in the prayers that were not answered that we failed to thank God for the ones He did answer? Luke 1:39-42 NIV In those days ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-42, Luke 7:18-20, John 3:30, Luke 7:21-22, Luke 7:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Transition And Testimony (Matthew 11:1-30)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 14, 2025

Our commentary on Matthew continues with Jesus' testimony about the ministry of John the Baptist and the promise of judgment upon the unbelieving cities who witnessed HIs work yet did not repent.

Matthew 11 begins with what is referred to as a "transitional" passage (v.1). While the disciples were going around the countryside doing the work that Jesus had commissioned, He continued to preach in the cities in Galilee. Verses 2-3 describe how John the Baptist had been thrown into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-30, Luke 10:13-22, Genesis 19:12-14, Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Undeniable Proof: Jesus Is God's One And Only Son Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Apr 3, 2025

John the Baptist struggled with his faith in Jesus as the final chapters of his life were closing. Do strong believers doubt? Does Jesus have an answer for our doubts? He answered John's doubts with undeniable proof that He is God's One and Only Son.

In Egypt’s “Valley of the Kings” the French Archeologist; Victor Larae discovered and excavated the tomb of Amenhotep II who was the Pharoah of the Exodus that experienced the plagues and was likely drown in the Red Sea with the rest of the Egyptian army. This tomb was found in when the corridor ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

Interpreting The Times Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 22, 2025

In His continuing discussion on having an eternal perspective, Jesus urges His listeners to recognize the times, seek reconciliation through repentance and respond by bearing fruit.

Humanity’s ability to predict the weather has improved over the centuries. Simple observations of general weather patterns and seasonal shifts have evolved into highly technological advancements that allow us to predict or provide some best guesses regarding pending weather events several days in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:20-23, Hebrews 9:27-28, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, Romans 6:23, Romans 12:1-2, Acts 3:19-20, Galatians 5:17-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Awareness Of Luke 7:11-24

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 23, 2024

I could not come up with a better title. This narrative is a great example that we need to remember that Semitic people wrote the Bible. Therefore, we need to discover the spiritual lesson in the narrative. This narrative tells us to look to Jesus for help in all dark times.

Spiritual Awareness of Luke 7:11-24 Luke 7:11-24 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 11 Soon afterward Jesus went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. 12 Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-24

Denomination: United Methodist

Sermon # 7 - Watch And Pray Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 13, 2024

Jesus wanted His disciples to tarry with Him in prayer at a most crucial hour, but they were overcome with sleep. If we can set aside some distractions and discipline ourselves to spend time with God we will experience wonderful transformation in our lives.

We read in Mark 14:37, He went back and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you stay awake for one hour? (GW) As Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, he instructed his disciples to tarry in prayer right where they were, when He went on further ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:37, Mark 14:1, 1 Corinthians 5:7, Mark 14:2, Proverbs 29:25, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 7:28, Isaiah 40:31, Mark 14:3-9, Mark 14:32-34  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Knowing Jesus As The Healer Who Can Do Miracles Matthew 8:16-17 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 20, 2024

Jesus is the Healer who can do miracles. Our focus will be on understanding the depth of His healing power, the faith He calls us to have, and the miraculous works He performs.

Transformed by Truth: Knowing Jesus as the Healer Who Can Do Miracles Matthew 8:16-17 Introduction: Today, we delve into the profound truth of knowing Jesus as the Healer who can do miracles. Our focus will be on understanding the depth of His healing power, the faith He calls us to have, and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:16-17, Matthew 9:35, Luke 4:40, Matthew 9:22, Mark 10:52, John 9:3, Luke 7:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Childishness And Small Religion

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 27, 2025

Jesus calls us to lay down childish stubbornness and take His hand in trusting, growing childlikeness that welcomes the Kingdom.

Have you noticed that Jesus holds two ideas in tension? He tells us to be childlike …and also warns us not to be childish. Only Jesus can say, “Become as little children” and “Grow up”…in the very same breath. He sees what we cannot. He can tell the difference. Our passage today is Luke 7:31-35. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:31-35, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12, Mark 10:15, Psalm 131:1-2, Romans 12:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist