Great Things Come in Small Packages
Notes
Transcript
I’ve often been told this when I lament my height (eyeroll)
What are some good/great things that come in small packages?
Allow students to respond
[car keys]
[sentimental family heirloom]
Engagement rings
Illustration: epic proposal fails at sporting events
He thought he was going something great
But it backfires miserably
He failed to “read the room”
It was not a “surprise” his girlfriend wanted
Another great thing that starts out small: a baby!
The greatest: a baby born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago
There were many different responses to this miracle, often copied today
When God shows up (especially in unexpected ways)
We can respond in fear
We can respond with skepticism
We can respond in faith
Responding with Fear
Responding with Fear
Herod’s response (Matt 2:1-3)
Fear is a natural response to something surprising
And not always a bad / wrong response (e.g Isaiah, Peter, Mary, etc.)
But it is odd to fear something “small” or “insignificant” in the world’s eyes
Illustration: cartoon scene of little character beating up bigger ones (e.g. Mighty Mouse)
The kind of fear Herod displays is different
He has a basic understanding of what it means
He doesn’t want to give up power
So much so that he’s willing to murder the Messiah!
This is how some people respond to Jesus (including us, at times):
“He’s going to mess up my life”
“I don’t want to follow a whole bunch of rules” OR “I want to live my way”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t see / hear / read that ...”
Of course, there are situations where his presence is hard to deny
And people initial response is fear, to later be followed by faith
For some, this transition takes a long time
This is especially true when God shows up quite unexpectedly
e.g. Augustine of Hippo, Saul of Tarsus (Paul)
Fear and anger often go together: a fear of what we might lose
i.e. Saul the persecutor / religious & civil authorities during Reformation
Others …
Responding with Skepticism
Responding with Skepticism
Nathanael’s response (John 1:43-46)
It really does seem as though the odds were stacked against Jesus
Questionable parentage
Herod’s threat
Infant mortality
Origins unknown
John ties Jesus with Galilee -> no connection with Bethlehem
Nazareth = backwater town
Lots of Biblical characters respond with skepticism (not as positive examples)
Sarah / Sarai (Isaac)
We already looked at Moses
Gideon
Zechariah (John the Baptist’s father)
Again, these are not positive examples because they should have known better
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”
Illustration: winning a cruise / weekend vacation / Nigerian princes
The Gospel is the only exception to this
Christmas was only the beginning
Yesterday we talked about skepticism towards God’s instructions
Today it’s about his actions and presence: is this really God? Did he really do that?
Skepticism could be another form of fear
If we can convince ourselves it isn’t God, then we’re off the hook, right?
Wrong
He’s still there, He’s still working, and He still wants to use us
The best way to respond then, is by …
Responding with Faith
Responding with Faith
Shepherds’ (Luke 2:8-20) & Magi’s (Matt 2:1-12) response
Shepherds = not considered reliable witnesses (again, odds against Jesus)
Magi were pagans, astrologers, and came from far away
Yet even they understood the significance of events!
Contrasting Mary and Zechariah (faith v. skepticism)
Consider: it takes more faith …
to believe in a mighty God who shows up in surprising and “insignificant” ways
than a God who comes roaring in with power, majesty, and destruction
Illustration: why can’t God show up right now and undeniably prove his existence?
The author of Hebrews sums this up nicely
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
He goes on to say ...
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Before listing off examples of OT heroes who exemplified faith:
Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, David, Samuel, Daniel to name a few
Interesting: list includes Sarah and Gideon
God could have brought about salvation in many different ways
But he chose the Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
That birth in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago
A tiny little baby
Something seemingly insignificant from a human point of view
Forever altered the course of history
Changed absolutely everything
