Wrapped Presence

The expression, “God works in mysterious ways” may not be found in the Bible but it is a biblical statement. We don’t always know what God is doing, when God is doing it, and why God is doing, whatever God is doing. We are not God and therefore God says, Isaiah 55:8-9 ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” We don’t always know.

1. Promise wrapped in Obscurity

The plans of God cannot be thwarted by human effort. In fact we see throughout scripture that God has a way using any means to bring about his plan.

We don’t know how God is using things or people around us to bring about his plan. (Preach)

All things work together.

Prophecy-God’s word

Your promises- God’s work

“What you meant for evil God worked it out for good.”

2. Divinity wrapped in Humanity

There is no greater mystery in all of history and creation than that of the incarnation. How an all powerful God becomes human. (elaborate)

The world could not see him for who he was because they rejected him. Even as an infant. And now consider those who still won’t believe in the simplicity of Jesus.

3. Power Wrapped in Poverty

The King of Glory is born around stinky, nah, stanky, barnyard animals. Whey because there was no room for them in the inn. (Teach why)

It reminds me of the words of the late great poet and hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur when he said:

Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Proving nature's law is wrong it learned to walk with out having feet. Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams, it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else ever cared.

Jesus came from poverty. And I am reminded of our ancestors who were born on plantations, I am reminded of our for mothers who bore their children in hospitals in cold basements because they were Black and too poor to receive the best medical treatment. I am reminded of my own wife’s experience when the nurse assumed that my young wife was on welfare when instead of offering us the best formula or a lactating nurse, she offered us WIC approved formula. People not seeing the image of God in others simply because they are poor is a sin before God.

So, regardless of whether it was a hotel, or a guestroom in the families house, they should have gotten their behind out of there and made room for the Prince of Peace.

He deserved the Rits Carlton but received a stable. (Run) Now if Jesus could be born, live, and die poor do not think that everything in your life is going to be easy. Oh but church here is what I know, that since he humbled himself and because of that God gave him the name that is above every name…that at the name of Jesus.