Jesus talking about you
Matt 11:1-6
[11:1] After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. * [2] When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples [3] to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” [4] Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: [5] 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. [6] Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

1. Discouraged but remained in the Lord
John the Baptist
- Was in Prison.
- Send his disciples to check on Jesus.
- John’s Disciples brought back message of Jesus about the poor, lame and the needy.

One of the message of Jesus for John : “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

- He is undoubtedly discouraged and doubting.
- Like many other men and women of God facing trials that seem greater than their power to endure.

How excited can one be in this situation?

Jesus encouraged John : “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Matthew 13:21
But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

How many of us believe this words of Jesus?
“Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Because if we do, In Jesus Name
1. We will pray everyday and read the bible everyday.
2. We will help change people’s life.
3. We will proclaim God’s good news.
4. We will have a transforming life etc.

Perhaps, John was discouraged cause he could not finish his role to prepare the way for the Messiah, having to be assured by Jesus make him known that he has done it and that he needs to do now is to remain faithful. That itself was encouraging!

Church are we faithful today?

2. Tree that bears real fruits
Matt 11:7-12
[7] As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? [8] If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. [9] Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11] I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [12] From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

“A reed swayed by the wind?”
“As a reed stands in a place of water, its body waves about, and its roots are many; and though all the winds in the world come and blow upon it, they cannot move it out of its place, but it goes and comes with them; and when the winds are still, the reed stands in its place.”

Some scholar and research said that John as he preaches he probable swayed like that of the a reed, yet his message is strongly rooted and challenging to those hearer. Jesus reminded the crowd, that is the reason why they go all the way to hear the message of Christ through John Baptist!

Church, if Jesus would talk about us, what would He say about us?
How would people recognize us as disciples of Jesus, today?

Luke 6:43-44
[43] “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.
Interestingly, we can recognize a tree by its fruit. AND we can recognize a tree by its parasite.

Today we can be ‘packaged’ by so many ‘parasites’, money, fame, status, women, ego, victim mentality, failure, shame etc.. It’s so obvious and that’s what we see and recognize Church, what are we recognized as today?

Church, imagined if we have live life as how Jesus would like us to live, imagine, how our life can be an impact to many.
John the baptise’s life is indeed amazing and his life impacted many and so can our life.

Jesus talking about you
1.Discouraged but remained in the Lord.
2.Tree that bears real fruits.