Fear of Disappointment
A FearLESS Christmas • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 38:00
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· 102 viewsThe Magi help us to learn how to deal with disappointment in life. Let us look for Christ and be open to His Divine intervention.
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We all have a fear of disappointment.
We all have a fear of disappointment.
This fear can lead us to, as we talked about last week, to please people and ultimately lose our own identity to others. We can stop living and just exist.
When reality is not what we expected, disappointment results.
When reality is not what we expected, disappointment results.
The fear of disappointment can lead to settling.
The fear of disappointment can lead to settling.
We stop trying. We just go through the motions and stop putting in the effort. Our passion is lost.
Now, there will be times in your Christian walk, and life period, where this may be true but we cannot let them become the norm. We can strive to make these the exceptions to the rule.
The Magi help us learn how to handle disappointment.
The Magi help us learn how to handle disappointment.
Disappointment is a part of the world we live in. Fortunately we have many examples on how to handle the disappointments in life. The Magi are not the only examples of Scripture but they are our example for today.
The Magi were looking for a sign.
The Magi were looking for a sign.
They had heard, as many people did, the stories of the Jews concerning the prophecy of Daniel and others. They knew a king was to be born who would make things right. Peace and Justice would reign supreme. In the context of the political upheaval of the last 1st century BC this would be welcomed by most of the world. Hence the thoughts concerning Caesar Augustus.
The Magi see because they were looking. Herod and the Jerusalem establishment miss because they were only looking at themselves.
“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth.
Get good information.
Get good information.
Not all information is good information. More information is not always better information. There is a tendency to look for only what we think we already know. The Magi start with what information they have but never close themselves off to what they may need to know.
Be open to Divine intervention.
Be open to Divine intervention.
The Magi never closed themselves off to what God would want to speak to them.
Complete the primary goal.
Complete the primary goal.
The Magie persevere over the 900 mile journey. They have a quick stop in Jerusalem and then finish the last six miles to Bethlehem. We must keep first things first. We cannot lose sight of why we are on this journey.
Let me transition to speaking directly to us as a church. The same is true for us individually but I want to help lay the groundwork for 2020 and beyond.
Our goal: To seek and save those not in Jesus’ Kingdom.
Our goal: To seek and save those not in Jesus’ Kingdom.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
FBC St. Paris exists to be a diverse, growing and changing congregation that is devoted to exalting the Lord, grounded in the Word of God, open to the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit, committed to personal and corporate transformation, dedicated to sharing the love and truth of Jesus Christ with the world, and available as compassionate haven for those in need.
Our vision is to be a Christ-like, Spirit-led worshipping and praying fellowship of believers who overflow with the Living Water into our community and the world.
We must look outside as well as inside.
We must look outside as well as inside.
The natural pull is to look inside as a church and individuals. Yet, the Magi teach us sometimes this is where we have missed things and become disappointed with life. We forget we do not exist for ourselves. Here is how Jesus stated things:
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
We must worship Jesus. He is in control!
We must worship Jesus. He is in control!
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
We must give what we have.
We must give what we have.
This is the example of the Magi. Why the gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold? Because that is what they had. I am reminded of the question Moses was asked:
What is in your hand?
What is in your hand?
What is in your hand, house, head, heart, history, life?
What is in your hand, house, head, heart, history, life?
God does not ask us to give what we do not have. We cannot give to others something we do not posses. How can we be generous to Jesus this year as we worship Him?
Jesus would tell a story about a widow giving two pennies, or less by today’s standards. She was praised because she gave what she had not because of what she didn’t have.
We must obey!
We must obey!
My motto and expectation: Be disciples who make disciples.
My motto and expectation: Be disciples who make disciples.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Here is another verse: John 14.15 which states:
“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.