“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23 NLT
Jesus had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Philippians 2:6-8 MSG
THE GIFT OF JESUS IS…
1. THE GIFT OF PEACE
You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:12-14 NLT
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NLT
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
2. THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who rose into the heavenly realm for us, and now sympathizes with us in our frailty. He understands humanity, for as a Man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are, and conquered sin. So now we come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness. Hebrews 4:14-16 TPT
3. THE GIFT OF LOVE
This is how we have discovered love’s reality: Jesus sacrificed his life for us. Beloved children, our love can’t be an abstract theory we only talk about, but a way of life demonstrated through our loving deeds. 1 John 3:16;18 TPT
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT
“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18 NLT
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalms 103:12 NLT
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me John 10:28 NLT
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:38-39 NLT
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds, you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NLT
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT
“What do you Expect – Power of Expectations”
EXPECTATION
“…My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT
EXPECTATION
Expectations, with the right heart, are the breeding ground of miracles
FRUSTRATION
DISAPPOINTMENT
ANGER
If we aren’t careful, we could begin to project our frustration, disappointment, and anger towards God when He doesn't meet our expectations
“JOHN THE BAPTIST, WHO WAS IN PRISON, HEARD ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THE MESSIAH WAS DOING. SO HE (JOHN) SENT HIS DISCIPLES TO ASK JESUS, ARE YOU THE MESSIAH WE’VE BEEN EXPECTING, OR SHOULD WE KEEP LOOKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE?” – Matthew 11:2-3 NLT
“…are you the messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Matthew 11:3 NLT
What happens when you go one way but God goes another?
GOD MAY NOT ALWAYS LIVE UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS, BUT HE WILL ALWAYS LIVE UP TO HIS WORD
1. Inspect Your Perspective
PERSPECTIVE INFLUENCES EXPECTATION
“Now while John the Baptizer was in prison…” Matthew 11:2 TPT
“THEN JESUS WENT FROM GALILEE TO THE JORDAN RIVER TO BE BAPTIZED BY JOHN. BUT JOHN TRIED TO TALK HIM OUT OF IT ‘I AM THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO BE BAPTIZED BY YOU,’ HE SAID, ‘SO WHY ARE YOU COMING TO ME?” Matthew 3:13-14 NLT
Is this the guy?!
“Lord if its you,” peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Matthew 14:28 NLT
“…Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “lord jesus save me!” Matthew 14: 29-30 NLT
AN UNHEALTHY PERSPECTIVE WILL ALWAYS CAUSE YOU TO DOUBT WHERE YOU’RE GOING
2. Remember what God has done
STORMS CAN BE SCARY, BUT JESUS IS WITH US
IF GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL TO YOU IN THE PAST, HE IS GOING TO BE FAITHFUL IN THE PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE.
3. Trust That God Will Do It
IF GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL TO YOU IN THE PAST, HE IS GOING TO BE FAITHFUL IN THE PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT
GOD CAN OVERCOME YOUR FAILURE IF YOU CONTINUE TO HAVE FAITH