Sermon Bites 08/09/09

The King, His Messenger, and His Message Rejected

Matthew 14:1-13

In Matthew’s account of the death of the prophet John the Baptist it is recollection of events which have already transpired some time before.  We know this because Herod is  hearing of the work and miracles of Jesus, and thinking that John has been resurrected and now doing miracles.  Who knows what such a rabid mind thinks.

We live today in a culture where the truth of God’s Word is despised, and rejected.  The truth of the King of kings is still rejected by a majority of people.  We have preachers and religious leaders from all churchianity proclaiming many things other than the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the life changing word of God.  Then, we wonder, “What’s happening in the world?”

I.  THE KING, HIS MESSENGER, AND HIS MESSAGE HAVE BEEN REJECTED (vv. 1-2).

II.  REJECTED BY HIS HOME TOWN PEOPLE, AND BY POTENTATE ALIKE (v. 3; 13:53-58).

III.  PREACHING MUST CONFRONT A WICKED CULTURE AND SOCIETY OF PEOPLE (vv. 4-5).

IV.  WHERE DID JOHN; AND WHERE DID JESUS GO WRONG – IF INDEED THEY DID GO WRONG  (vv. 6-13)?

V.  WE ERE SHOULD WE THINK THAT JESUS WENT WRONG; OR HIS PROPHET  (Matthew 5:18; Mark 13:31).

-Tim A. Blankenship