July 25 & 26 Beyond Darkness

1. Recognize the Dark Seasons.

¹⁸Then John’s disciples told him about all these things. So John summoned two of his disciples ¹⁹and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 
Luke 7:18-19 (CSB)

²⁹The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of theworld!                                                                           
John 1:29 (CSB)

• Disappointed expectations.

• Difficult circumstances

⁵This is what God, the Lord, says—who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it— ⁶“I am the Lord. I have called you for a righteous purpose,^, and I will hold you by your hand. I will watch over you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, ⁷in order to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those sitting in darkness from the prison house. 
Isaiah 42:5-7 (CSB)

• Delayed answers

2. Run to the Right Savior.

²⁰When the men reached him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ 
Luke 7:20 (CSB)

Never let your questions take you away from the One who has the answers.

¹⁷So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.^,
Romans 10:17 (CSB)

3. Rest in His Faithfulness

²⁰When the men reached him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ 
Luke 7:20 (CSB)

²¹At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and he granted sight to many blind people. ²²He replied to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news,²³and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me
Luke 7:21-23 (CSB)

²⁴After John’s messengers left, he began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? ²⁵What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces.
Luke 7:24-25 (CSB)

²⁶What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷This is the one about whom it is written: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.^{, 28}I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Luke 7:26-28(CSB)