The Advent of Wonder

1 Kings 19:9-15

Pray

As I prepared the messages for the Advent season, the Lord led me to think about aspects of Jesus in His first appearing.

We talked about the advent of fear, authority, honor, and Awe.

This evening we will talk about Wonder.

Jesus is the advent of Wonder.

Turn to 1 Kings:19:9-15

As I read this passage, consider wonder.

Consider the power and might of the Lord displayed in the shaking of the very earth itself.

But also consider His control.

What aspect demonstrates the greatest Wonder in this passage?

In this passage, Elijah has fled Jezebel and the prophets of Baal.

He has taken refuge in a cave hoping to avoid being killed.

It was at this time, the Lord appeared to Elijah.

1 Kings 19:9–15 NIV

There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.

The appearing of the Lord shook the very earth.

A great and powerful wind tore apart the mountains.

Rocks were shattered.

There was an earthquake and then a great fire.

These events remind me of the appearing of the Lord on Mount Sinai after the Exodus.

The Lord descended upon the mountain in a earthquake.

Peals of thunder and lightening.

Fire and smoke.

The mountain shook under the presence of the Lord.

All of these things are expected if we think about God, Himself appearing on earth.

None of these events are surprising if we consider the God of the universe, the God of all creation appearing upon the earth.

All of these things are expected and more.

Really, the shaking of the earth is a given.

But look back at the shaking before Elijah.

The Lord was not in the shaking.

He wasn’t in the fire.

Or the wind.

The Lord appeared in a whisper.

To me this is awesome.

The majestic, all powerful, mighty, awesome God was contained within a whisper.

Ultimate power under control.

This truly is the advent of wonder.

We expect for God to be present in all of the awe inspiring events.

We do not expect Him to be in a whisper.

The whisper doesn’t seem big enough.

Yet God appeared then, power under control in a whisper.

The Lord gives us a prophecy spoken by Isaiah about another time when He would appear in a whisper, so to speak.

Power under control.

Power contained within the innocence, and frailty of a baby.

Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

A child is born.

The fullness of all that God is came to us in the form of a baby.

Power controlled in a whisper.

A son was given.

Power contained in a child to be released to bring forth salvation.

salvation that is established upon an everlasting Kingdom.

This evening we celebrate the appearing of the God of Wonder.

Luke 2:1–14 NIV

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Emmanuel.

God with us.

Wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger.

Do not be afraid, the angels say.

There is good news.

Good news that will cause great joy.

The Savior is born.

Our Messiah has come.

Glory to God.

Glory to God.

Glory to God.

Peace to those in whom His favor rests.

If you are here this evening and have not made a confession of faith, please come forward as we sing our closing hymn.

Or at the very least, talk with someone.

Benediction: John 1:9-14

John 1:9–14 NASB95

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.