Sermons

Week 33 – Matthew 11:1-19 – 9/22/24 When You’re Struggling to Believe

This week’s bulletin                                        YouVersion Bible App                                      Listen to the podcast of this week’s message on Spotify

Whether you’re a guest or a long-time attendee we’re glad you’re here with us. We’re a friendly and caring group of Christians who are here to help people be CONNECTED with Jesus, CHANGED by Jesus, and COMMITTED to the mission of Jesus.

Sermon Series: We are currently going through a sermon series in the Gospel of Matthew. Today, we’re talking about a passage where Jesus encounters someone who is doubting. 

Messengers from John the Baptist

11 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers[a]are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man[b] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?[c] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one 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 suffered violence,[d] and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear,[e] let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”[f]

Have you ever struggled to believe something in God’s Word, or even downright disagreed with it? Have you ever felt let down by God, like He didn’t do what you thought He should do? Have you ever struggled to believe that there is a God who cares about you, or that He has some amazing plans for your life? By taking a look at how Jesus reacts to someone who is going through that, we can learn what we are to do when we find ourselves in that situation. 



  1. If you’re are struggling with doubt, you’re in good company

Matt. 11:2-3, 26:39, John 20:24-29, Ex. 4:10, 1 Kings 19:4, Gen. 18:12-14, Judges 6:12-13, Luke 1:18-20

 

  1. Go toGod

Matt. 11:3, 18:15, Rom. 10:17, 12:12, Ps. 10:4, 32:7-8, 1 Chron. 16:11

 

  1. Gather with other believers

Matt. 11:3, 18:20, Heb. 10:24-25, Ps. 27:17, Acts 2:42, 1 Thess. 5:11, Heb. 3:13

 

  1. Remember what God has done in His Word

Matt. 11:4-5, Ps. 19:7-11, 34:4-17, 119:105, 2 Tim. 3:16-17, Rom. 15:4, Heb. 4:12

 

  1. Remember what God has done in yourlife

Matt. 11:4-5, Ps. 77:11-12, 103:2, Deut. 6:12, 8:2, 32:7, Is. 46:9

 

  1. Ask what specifically iscausing your questioning

Matt. 11:6, Prov. 4:23, Rom. 3:23, 1 John 1:9, James 4:17

 

  1. Remember how God views you

Matt. 11:7-11, Gal. 3:26, John 1:12-13, 1 John 3:1-3, Rom. 8:16-17, Luke 15:20-22

 

  1. Remember, it’s ok to not understand God’s way

Is. 55:8, Matt 26:39, James 4:7, 1 Pet. 5:6-10

 

When those around you are struggling with doubt, remember to be extraordinarily:

  1. available,  2.patient,  3.kind, and 4. prepared

1 Pet. 4:10, Rom. 12:11, 2 Pet. 3:9, Col. 4:6, Prov. 15:1, Rom. 2:4, Gal. 5:22, 1 Pet. 3:15, James 5:19-20

Reflecting on God’s Word

Getting Started

  • Take some time to read over Matthew 11:1-19 and pray. 
  • Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it? 
  • What surprised you as we talked about it?

 

Diving In 

  1. Have you ever been through a season where you doubted? What did you doubt? 
  • Did you ever get to the root cause of your doubt? 
  • Was there anyone in your life that helped you with your doubt? Who was it, and how did they help? 

 

  1. How is your faith during this season of your life? Are you struggling with doubt at all? 
  • If you are struggling with doubt, remember, you’re in good company. Spend some time in thought and prayer about what the root cause of your doubt is. Make sure to take your time. You may need several day, weeks, and even months or years, to come to the conclusion of your root cause, but it can really help to think through it. 
  • If you’re not struggling with doubt during this season of your life, take some time in prayer and reflection on what God has done in your life, and what step(s) He wants you to take next in your faith. 

 

  1. Is there anyone in your life that has struggled with doubt in the past? 
  • How did you handle their struggle? 
  • Would you change anything that you did? Why or why not? 
  • How can you learn from that experience so you can better point people towards Jesus the next time someone in your life is struggling with doubt? 

 

  1. Is there anyone in your life that is struggling with doubt during this season of their life? 
  • How can you be more available to them?
  • How can you be more patient with them?
  • How can you be more kind to them?
  • How can you be more prepared for them?

 

Applying the Scripture

What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word? 

  • What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture? 
  • How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord? 
  • Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?



Small Group Guide:

Open with prayer.

Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?

If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.

Prayer Time:

Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.

Staying Missional:

Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:

Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?

What’s next?

Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?