The Unexpected

Matthew 11:7–9 KJV 1900

7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

Matthew 3:3–6 KJV 1900

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Have you ever felt that you don’t fit in?

Being an outsider

++Can be lonely.

++Can be difficult.

God Uses The Unexpected

Everything about John was unexpected

Matthew 3:4 KJV 1900

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

He did not look the part

John

++Was an unexpected messenger

John 1:6–9 KJV 1900

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Though He was unexpected

++He was chosen by God

++He was predestined for this mission

++He was always central to God’s Plan

God Uses The Unexpected

John

Was an unexpected messenger

++Had an unexpected mission

Matthew 3:3 KJV 1900

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

He came

++To prepare the way of the Lord

++To make His path straight

Mark 1:2–3 KJV 1900

2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

It is written

++The most powerful prophetic words

++These are the words Jesus used when tempted of the Devil

A prophetic voice

++It tells what God has revealed

++It declares how this revelation effects us.

Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV 1900

29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

1 Corinthians 1:26–28 KJV 1900

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

1 Corinthians 1:26–29 KJV 1900

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

A prophetic voice

It tells what God has revealed

It declares how this revelation effects us.

++It comes to show God’s glory

God Uses the Unexpected

John

Was an unexpected messenger

Had an unexpected mission

++Had an unexpected message

The Gospel is for every one

++For the religious leaders

Matthew 3:7 KJV 1900

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

The Gospel is for every one

For the religious leaders

++For the Multitude

Luke 3:7 KJV 1900

7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

It was a simple message

This message would

++Reveal the way of God

++Prepare a people for God

A Word of Wrath

Romans 1:18–21 KJV 1900

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

A Word of Warning

Amos 6:1 KJV 1900

1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, And trust in the mountain of Samaria, Which are named chief of the nations, To whom the house of Israel came!

We are called to

++Anchor our trust in God

++Life our lives wide Awake.

Romans 13:10–11 KJV 1900

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

A Word to Awaken

Ephesians 5:14 KJV 1900

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Though unexpected

++That message is true today

++Than message is unchanged

2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV 1900

3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Don’t muddy the message

Acts 20:27 KJV 1900

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

The Whole Gospel Is about

++Love and wrath

++Grace and works

++Strength and Weakness

Lives are at stake

God Uses the Unexpected

Matthew 11:8–9 KJV 1900

8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.