Remember: He WANTS your fellowship, and He has done everything possible to make it a reality. He has forgiven your sins, at the cost of His own dear Son. He has given you His Word, and the priceless privilege of prayer and worship. - Billy Graham
And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” – Luke 4: 8-9
If you are unable to attend,
our service is streamed live on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Wesley-Chapel-Methodist-Church-100064654933072/
The Greatness of the Expected and Unexpected
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14
For so long, the people of God had expected a Messiah. They hoped for the arrival of the one who would save. They looked intently for His arrival, filled their hearts and minds with images, and dreams of who was to come, based on the words of the prophets and what they themselves thought they meant. Yet, they could not have expected such a gift! Jesus was born to Mary, and Joseph took her as his wife, as the Lord instructed him. The precious baby in Mary’s arms was an unexpected gift given to them. He revealed to us God in the flesh, and with His cry He broke the silence and declared the love, grace, and power of God. As Mary and Joseph received from God the One promised, the One expected and the expected reality of His arrival into their lives, they were filled with joy and fulfillment. Much of the world did not receive Him. No, He was born in a manger, because no room was found for Him in the inn or anywhere else for that matter. To a few selected people, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and Magi, who made their way a long distance, the joy was revealed, and they were filled with joy!
“I bring good news…for all the people.” Luke 2:10
Only God could give such an expected gift to such an unsuspecting young couple. Only God could invite such shepherds and Magi to receive the invitation to His great reveal of His One and Only Son, given to be Immanuel, God with us! God alone could cause this baby to be born, grow, live, and die, so that He would fulfill every promise given, each hope ever expressed by the human heart. God alone could express such love, give peace, and fill with joy inexpressible the hearts of all generations past, present, and future in the cry of the baby given to us to be Immanuel, God with us! As it says above, “The LORD Himself will give you…Immanuel”.
This Christmas and Advent Season, much will be expected and enjoyed - Christmas gifts, Christmas carols, cookies, the love of family and friends, and more. Yet, let the expected joys of the season draw us close to the Expected One. May each word sung and spoken, each cookie eaten, and moment shared fill our hearts with the joy of the Messiah’s, Jesus’, arrival. May God also surprise us as we draw near. May we experience unexpected moments of hope fulfilled, love given, joy filling, and peace giving which are just a taste of the goodness of the GOD who loves us so much that He gave to us the Expected One in such an unexpected way, to an unsuspecting young couple, to fulfill every expectation and promise of the Word of GOD, so that we could be given and receive our Messiah, Immanuel, God with us!
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
December 2024
