Higher Expectations For This Christmas!

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 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. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

What expectations do you have this Christmas?

Introduction

Getting into the real spirit of Christmas is sometimes a difficult thing for some because their expectations of Christmas have been so blended with the expectations of the world.

You know;

-It’s not about Jesus anymore but about Santa Claus.

- It’s not about sharing the Gospel any more but about giving expensive gifts and singing Christmas carols about Rudolph the red nose reindeer..

-It’s not about family anymore but about who has the most lights, the nicest Christmas tree, the latest and most colorful ornaments.

John said; “Go and ask Jesus, are you the one who was to come or should we expect another” John’s expectations of Jesus were obviously different than what Jesus really came to do.

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- He is probably wondering; why doesn’t Jesus get me out if He really is the Messiah?

- Why isn’t He coming to see me?

- So, he starts looking at Jesus through other people’s expectations!

Understand that;

Instead of appearing as a colorful military general, the Messiah had come as a humble Carpenter. His gentleness, lowliness, and humiliation were out of character with the prevailing image of the militant Messiah. Men who were guided by fleshly desires doubted His claim to kingship.

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1. And so; some do the same thing. Their expectations of Christmas are the same as the expectations of un-believers.

- Some end up compromising.

- Some end up celebrating like the un-believers.

- Spending lot’s of money and loosing their witness

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(IMAGINE WHAT THE DISCIPLES MUST HAVE THOUGHT AT THIS MOMENT,

- JOHN WAS THE ONE THAT DIRECTED THEM TO FOLLOW JESUS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

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- He said to them; “There goes the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

- “After me cometh one whose sandals I can’t feel.

- “I must decrease so that He may increase”

WHAT IS UP WITH JOHN?

-Notice the message that Jesus sends back;(verses 4-6)“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 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. (And He ads), “blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” (OUR TESTIMONY CAN HAVE A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON OTHERS)

-Some can be Christian all year long till it gets to the holidays. They break out the booze.

-In other words, Jesus is saying; I am still the same. “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”

-Your expectations are what have changed because of the season.

(John was in jail, he was going through a dry season) IN OTHER WORDS;

-CHRISTMAS CAN BE A DRY SEASON IF WE ALLOW THE WORLDS INFLUENCE TO PENETRATE OUR MINDS.

- (SPENDING MONEY YOU DON’T HAVE, BUYING GIFTS YOU CAN’T AFFORD AND DON’T NEED.

-MANY TIMES THE CHURCH SUFFERS BECAUSE PEOPLE SPEND THEIR TITHE ON GIVING GIFTS TO OTHERS AND NOT HONORING THEIR COMMITMENT TO God))

Jesus is saying; the message is the same.

- I’m still the light of the world,

- I’m still the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,

- I’m still the way the truth and the life.

- You are just letting the world change your perception.

It’s not about Santa Claus, it’s not about the snow, its not about the gifts, ITS ABOUT JESUS!

2. The believer’s expectations of John changed.

SO; as John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? (Than Jesus confirms who John is)Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: