Sermon Central
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Disappointed In Jesus Series
Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 8, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: Have you ever been mad at God? Have you ever been disappointed that something didn’t work out? Have you ever been so disappointed in the prayers that were not answered that we failed to thank God for the ones He did answer?
Disappointed in Jesus
December 11, 2022
Have you ever been mad at God? Have you ever been disappointed that something didn’t work out?
Have you ever been so disappointed in the prayers that were not answered that we failed to thank God for the ones He did answer?
Luke 1:39-42 NIV
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Luke 7:18-20 NIV
“John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'"
John was once a big deal. Big crowds would walk long distances to hear him talk and be baptized b him in the Jordan River. Now, Jesus was the one with the adoring crowds. John was in prison.
What a crazy question from John the Baptist?
He baptized Jesus and heard the voice from heaven “this is my son, in whom I am well pleased.”
John 3:30 NIV
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
Frustrations = Unmet expectations
Remember, John was often compared to the prophet Elijah. However Elijah life did not end in a rotting prison cell. He was swept up to heaven in a chariot by angels
Luke 7:21-22 NIV
At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
He was quoting from a few Old Testament passages, including Isaiah 61. Notice he does not mention “the opening of doors for those held captive.”
The Kingdom of heaven was breaking into the realms of earth. People were hearing the Gospel, being set free, and the poor were hearing the good news.
The Romans were still in charge, though. God was not doing everything they were asking, so they were constantly disappointed.
John the Baptist was beheaded. Jesus was crucified. Paul, Peter, and all the rest died as martyrs. What kind of kingdom was this?
Luke 7:23 NIV
Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
Fall away on account of Jesus?
What if God turns out to be different than we have imagined? Sound doctrines and theology is not what I am talking about. What if God does things that are different than you imagined Him doing.
The life of a Christ follower is full of sacrifice, sometimes suffering, discomfort.
Can we follow Jesus if he turns out to be different than we’ve imagined?
What will happen if we were expecting a chariot ride to heaven, but get prison instead?
But today, you have met a God you do not understand. Such is the mystery of my sovereignty. Such are my ways in every generation. No man has ever understood me, not fully. No man ever will. I will always be something other than what men expect me to be. I will work out my will in ways different from what men foresee.
Die, my brother John, in the presence of a God who did not live up to your expectations.
From The Prisoner in the Third Cell by Gene Edwards
Story of Turning Down a Chance to Move Home
