Message Notes:

Key idea: “Our conduct is influenced by our expectations.”

•Expectations influence how vibrantly we will enter into something.

The Advent story for this week is from Matthew 2:1-11. Byron is pulling a major idea/observation from what is admittedly “read between the lines of the story.”

•Read Matthew 2:1-11

•Notice in verse 2 that the magi, when they arrived in Israel (looking for this mega-king of the Jews), they first went to the king’s palace in Jerusalem to find him. This is where they “expected” to find this “King of the Jews.”

•They did not know the Jewish scriptures that taught — “the Messiah will be from Bethlehem.”

•And when they eventually arrived in Bethlehem, Byron suggests that the humble surroundings of Jesus, Mary and Joseph would not necessarily point toward the notion — “This is a Baby-Mega-King!”

•Unexpected, for sure, and maybe disappointing, but still, they humbly worshipped Jesus and gave him gifts.

God has not promised a perfect and easy life — if only we follow him. Troubles and trials do not mean:

•Something is wrong with you,

•God does not love you, or

•God does not exist.

An important corollary point: Like the wise men, we must learn to see God and seek God and worship God and generously give to God during the unexpected, disappointments of life.

•1 Peter 5:8-9

•James 1:2

•Romans 5:3-4

Discussion Questions:

Have you ever experienced unexpected troubles and trials in your life, and then felt somehow forsaken of God?

•In what ways did your doubts and fears help you or make you stronger?

•Read and meditate on 1 Peter 5:8-9. What does this passage teach us about struggles and their source?