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I. JOHN DOUBTS JESUS (v 1-3)

1. It came during a year long trial (in prison, v 2)
2. It came from false expectations about Jesus (v 2-3)
3. It came from a limited view of what Jesus was doing (v 2)
4. But John still knew to take his doubts to Jesus (v 2)

II. JESUS REASSURES JOHN (v 4-6)

1. Jesus pointed John to His actions and to Scripture (v 4-5)
   1. Isaiah 35:4-5; Isaiah 61:1-2
2. Jesus pronounces those blessed who trustingly submit to Him (v 6)

III. JESUS REASSURES THE CROWD ABOUT JOHN (v 7-15)

Jesus says we can trust John because…

1. John wasn’t blown around by popular opinion (v 7)
2. John wasn’t soft, posh, or given to impressing kings or other elites (v 8)
3. John was a prophet (v 9)
4. John was more than a prophet because the OT foretold his ministry (v 9-10, 13-15)
   1. Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1 (v 10); Malachi 4:5 (v 13-15)
5. John was the greatest man ever born before Jesus (v 11)
6. John’s imprisonment is part and parcel of the coming of the kingdom as the kingdom is opposed by violent people (v 12)
7. Yet the least in the kingdom is greater than John! (v 11)

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