A Questioning Master

INTRODUCTION: There is an "art" to asking questions, and Jesus was the most outstanding interrogator of all time! His questions were pointed, meaningful and thought provoking. The gospels are full of his inquiries, some of which we now notice.

1 "BELIEVE YE THAT I AM ABLE TO DO THIS?" (Matt. 9:28)
   A. A negative answer demonstrates a lack of faith.
        1. Jesus performed many miracles.
        2. Healing of a blind man under consideration here.
   B. What does Jesus claim to do for us?
        1. Forgive our sins (1 John 1:9).
        2. Save from sin (Lk. 19:10).
        3. Question: do you believe he can do these things?

II "ARE YE ALSO YET WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING?" (Matt. 15:16)
    A. Jesus wants man to understand him (Matt. 15:10).
        1. His disciples failed at times; thus this question.
    B. The question comes down to even us.
        1. Some claim the Bible impossible to understand.
        2. God speaks to man by his Son (Heb. 1:1).
        3. Jesus said that man could be taught (John 6:45).
        4. By considering what God says, we can understand him (2 Tim. 2:7).
    C. Question: Do you understand him?

III "WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM?" (Matt. 16:15)
     A. Jesus always demands that man confess him (Matt. 10:32).
         1. Men have had different estimations of Jesus (Matt. 16:14).
         2. A result of their human reasoning.
     B. But - what is your estimate of Christ?
         1. Is he the Son of God (John 3:16)?
         2. Is he the Lamb of God (John 1:29)?
         3. Is he the propitiation for our sins (Rom. 3:25)?

IV "HOW IS IT THAT YE HAVE NO FAITH?" (Mk. 4:40)
    .A. Faith a prerequisite to being a disciple.
         1. Yet many of Jesus' disciples lost their faith.
     B. The same question rings in our ears today.
         1. Many have lost faith in God and his word who once had it.
         2. They find themselves walking by sight and not by faith (2 Cor. 5:7).
         3. The result - religious division; infidelity.

V "WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL?" (Mk. 8:37)
    A. A man's soul is precious (Psa. 49:8).
         1. Valuabale enough to cost Christ's blood.
    B. Hear the words of Jesus asking you this question!
         1. Many trade their soouls for this world's goods.
         2. A bad bargain indeed!

VI "WHERE ARE THE NINE?" *Lk. 17:17)
     A. The Lord had healed 10 lepers.
          1. But only one offered the gratitude of his heart by returning to Jesus.
     B. "The nine" are still with us today!
          1. No appreciation for God or his good gifts.
          2. Too few people are thankful, and fail to consider what God has done
              for them (cf. 1 Sam. 12:24).

VII "WHAT SEEK YE?" (John 1:38)
      A. Some in Jesus' day were not seeking the right thing.
          1. Some were seeking a sign (Matt. 12:39).
          2. Some were seeking material things (Lk. 12:22-30).
      B. Let us seek the proper things.
          1. God's kingdom (Matt. 6:33).
          2. The "pearl of great price" (Matt. 13:45-46).
          3. Many today, as in Jesus' day, are not seeking the right things.

VIII "WILT THOU LAY DOWN THY LIFE FOR MY SAKE?" (John 13:38)
      A. Must be willing if we would be Jesus' disciple.
           1. Will result in eternal life (Matt. 10:39).
           2. Faithful even in the face of death (Rev. 2:10).
      B. Some examples:
           1. Stephen (Acts 7); apostles; early Christians.
      C. Are you willing to do this if necessary?
           1. Here is the supreme test of love (John 15:13).

IX "WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?" (Acts 9:4)
      A. Asked directly of Saul of Tarsus.
           1. He had persecuted Christ exceedingly (Acts 8;1; 9:1-2).
      B. People are still persecuting people.
          1. Even continue to "crucify him" (Heb. 6:6).
          2. Done by reproaching the church; members of Christ's body (Matt. 25:41-46).

CONCLUSION: These questions (and many more) are found in God's word, and therefore apply to us, even as they did to those to whom Jesus asked them. Let us consider them that we may answer them properly.