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"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
Greater Than John The Baptist? (11:11)
INTRODUCTION
1. At the height of His earthly ministry, Jesus was approached by two
disciples of John the Baptist - Mt 11:1-6
a. John was in prison, and had sent the two disciples to Jesus
b. Perhaps troubled by his own imprisonment, he wanted affirmation
that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Coming One
c. Jesus pointed to His works, and spoke of the blessedness of those
not offended because of Him
2. Jesus used this opportunity to tell the multitudes about John the
Baptist - Mt 11:7-10
a. That he was not some easily shaken reed or man in soft clothing,
but a prophet
b. Indeed, he was the prophet foretold by Isaiah and Malachi - Isa
40:3; Mal 3:1; 4:5
3. But then Jesus made two remarkable statements - Mt 11:11
a. First, that no one had been greater than John the Baptist
b. Second, that one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater
than he!
4. It is the second statement that has perplexed many...
a. For the kingdom of heaven is the church that was about to be
established
b. And in the church there are many people who do not seem to
measure up to a man like John the Baptist!
-- How can any of us be greater than he?
[When we know the answer, it should fill us with humility and
gratitude, and encourage us to greater dedication in our service to the
Lord. Before we consider the answer, let's review...]
I. THE GREATNESS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
A. HE WAS GREAT AS A MAN...
1. Enduring a life of austerity, with voluntary simplicity
- Lk 1:80; Mt 3:4
2. He showed courage before king Herod, condemning his unlawful
marriage - Mt 14:3-4
3. He possessed humility, showing deference at the height of his
own ministry to a New Comer - Jn 1:19-37; 3:22-30
B. HE WAS GREAT AS A PROPHET...
1. His influence brought people throughout Judea into the desert
- Mt 3:1-2,5
2. They were moved to be baptized and confess their sins - Mt 6:6
3. Yet He did not weaken his message to accommodate his audience
- Mt 6:7-8
C. HE WAS GREAT IN PREPARING THE WAY FOR CHRIST...
1. Such was his particular mission - Mt 3:3; 11:9-10
2. And when Jesus came, he pointed people to Him - Jn 1:29,34-36;
3:30,36
a. "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world!"
b. "I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
c. "He must increase, but I must decrease."
d. "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life..."
[In light of his mission, and the faithful manner in which he carried
it out, no one had arisen greater than John (not even Moses, Elijah,
etc., though they might be consider "as great as" John).
But again, Jesus says that the least in the kingdom is "greater" than
John. How can that be...?]
II. THE GREATNESS OF THOSE IN THE KINGDOM
A. WE ENJOY GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST...
1. John's limited knowledge of Christ is implied by his question
- Mt 11:2-3
a. He had not seen what Jesus' disciples had seen
b. He had not heard what Jesus' disciples had heard - cf. Mt
13:16-17
2. Through the further teaching of Christ and His apostles...
a. We know the wonderful story of the cross!
b. We know the nature of the kingdom, its establishment, its
future glory!
c. We know "many things" which even Jesus Himself had not
taught His apostles until after the Holy Spirit was sent!
- cf. Jn 16:12-13
-- Even "he who is least in the kingdom" knows things about Jesus
and His church that John did not know!
B. WE ENJOY A GREATER STATION IN THIS LIFE...
1. John was not in the kingdom of heaven (or church) during his
life
a. He proclaimed it was "at hand" - Mt 3:1-2
b. Jesus and His apostles were still preaching it as being
"at hand" - Mt 10:7
c. Jesus would later speak of building His church - Mt 16:18
2. But with the establishment of the church, those who are in
it...
a. Have been translated into the kingdom of God's Son - Co
1:13; cf. Re 1:9
b. Have been made a royal priesthood and holy nation - 1 Pe
2:9
-- John lived under the Old Covenant; even "he who is least in
the kingdom" lives under the New Covenant with its better
sacrifice, hope, and promises - He 7:9; 8:6
C. WE ENJOY GREATER PRIVILEGES...
1. John certainly enjoyed wonderful privileges
a. He was filled with the Spirit from his mother's womb - Lk
1:15
b. Who certainly helped him fulfill his mission
2. But Jesus offers things which John did not have; e.g...
a. A gift (or measure) of the Spirit that was not given until
after Jesus was glorified - Jn 7:37-39
1) Something other than inspiration or miraculous powers,
for many had enjoyed that before Jesus was glorified
(ascended to heaven)
2) Because of the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost,
all who are saved have experienced "the washing of
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" - Tit 3:5-7
3) John was born of woman, but those in the kingdom are
"born of the Spirit"! - cf. Jn 3:5
a) We therefore receive "the gift of the Spirit" - Ac
2:38
b) A gift that helps deliver one from the power of sin
- cf. Ro 8:11-13
c) A gift not enjoyed by those under the Old Covenant
- cf. Ro 7:14-8:4
b. The fellowship of the church, the body of Christ - Ro 12:5
1) Remember that John spent his life in the desert, and
then in prison
2) He did not enjoy the blessings of fellowship available
to the "least" in the kingdom
3) As promised by Jesus, we have a "hundred-fold" family
members in this life, something John never had - Mk 10:
28-30
-- Many other privileges peculiar to the New Covenant could be
mentioned, all of which are enjoyed today by "he who is
least in the kingdom"!
CONCLUSION
1. In at least three ways, then, we are "greater" than John the
Baptist...
a. In our knowledge of Jesus Christ
b. In our station of life by being in Christ
c. In our privileges offered by Jesus Christ
2. As per J. W. McGarvey: "We find from this passage that all true
greatness arises from association, relation and contact with Jesus
Christ" (The Fourfold Gospel)
a. As the forerunner of Christ, John was as great as any other
teacher, prophet, priest, lawgiver, and king
b. As the beneficiaries of Christ, even the least of those in His
kingdom are greater than he
3. Should this not fill us with humility, gratitude, and a desire to
greater service?
a. That Jesus would bestow such great blessings upon us?
b. That we ought to be more dedicated in our service to Christ?
1) Producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives
2) Nurturing and enjoying the fellowship of the family of God
3) Proclaiming the gospel of Christ and the kingdom in its
fullness
If John was so faithful in that which is less, should we not be more
diligent when we have that which is more?
"For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be
required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they
will ask the more." (Lk 12:48)
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