North Avenue Church Podcast

INTRODUCTION: Context: “At that time” (v 25a) John the Baptist doubting (v 1-15) Crowds rejecting both John & Jesus (v 16-19) Entire cities of Galilee rejecting Jesus (v 20-24) Jesus could be tempted toward discouragement, but instead He praises and thanks God. One pastor writes, “And in this moment when the Lord Jesus could have been profoundly discouraged. Here is the first great effort to spread the gospel to the surrounding countryside and many, many, many people had rejected that message, had rejected His miracles. He could have been very downcast. I want you to see that in that context, the Lord Jesus lifts up a prayer of thanksgiving to His heavenly Father…and in that prayer He contemplates God’s sovereignty. He contemplates God’s wisdom. And He contemplates the fact that God has caused some to respond to the gospel.” When you are facing circumstances that tempt you toward discouragement or sinful anger… 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Deliberately choose to thank and praise God for His goodness, even in unp