Greater than the Greatest Prophet

I. EXPOSITION FOR SCRIPTURAL CONTEXT, Luke 7:18-35

A. General Exposition

1. Messengers from John the Baptist, vv18-21
2. Messiah's Answer to John's Disciples, vv22-23
3. Magnified Ministry of John by Christ, vv24-30
4. Message of Conviction for the Multitudes, vv31-35

II. EXHORTATION FROM THE SERMON TEXT

A. John the Baptist

1. Elijah's Spirit, vv26-27; Mal 3:1
   a. Luke 1:17; Mal 4:5-6
   b. like Elijah, the queen sought his life, Matt 14:1-12 (1 Ki 19:1-2)
   c. like Elijah, he had doubts, Jas 5:17-18 (1 Ki 19:4)
2. Expressed Greatness, v28
   a. he pointed to Christ from the beginning, John 1:29
   b. he performed no miracle during his life
   c. he pled to Christ in his doubts, vv18-19

B. Jesus of Nazareth

1. Proof He is Messiah by Fulfilling Scripture, vv21-23
   a. Psa 146:8; Isa 35:5-6; Isa 61:1-2
   b. Isa 8:13-15
2. Proclaims How John Fulfilled Scripture, vv26-28a
   a. Rom 8:28-29
3. Personal Fulfillment of All Righteousness
   a. Matt 3:13-15; 5:17-20

C. Justified Wisdom

1. Greater than the Greatest Prophet, v28b
   a. by the power of the cross, 1 Cor 1:18
   b. by the power of the Spirit, Acts 1:8
   c. by the power of the Word, Heb 4:12
   d. by the presence of Christ, Matt 28:20; John 14:20