Has something unexpected ever happened to you?
—you find a 20 dollar bill in between the cushions on your couch
—you bump into someone at the store that you haven’t seen in 5 years
—the forecast says it’ll be sunny, but it pours
—the dog decides to bring you a gift from the outside world, and it smells
How about this story from a doctor and his patient. “I have bad news and worse news.” “Let’s have it, doctor.” “The bad news is, you only have 24 hours to live.” “What could be worse than that?” “I forgot to tell you yesterday.”
Life is full of unexpected moments—it would be boring without them. But what happens when that unexpected moment is huge? It affects you personally, and it’s something that seems unbearable. It causes you to doubt. That’s what we find in Luke 7 with John the Baptist.
Let’s unfold this story with four observations.
THE IMPRISONMENT (Luke 3:19-20)
John was in prison for confronting Herod’s sin. He has now been in prison for some time. He hears about what Jesus is doing, and it causes him to doubt. You see, John had spoken out against the king and called the Pharisees a generation of vipers. He expected the Messiah to drive out the Romans, convert the hypocritical Pharisees, shake the foundations, and clean up the land. Instead Jesus came celebrating life. He traveled and taught, He went to parties, and He enjoyed people. John’s expectations were not met.
Sometimes God does not meet our expectations. He does not work the way we want Him to. What has happened in your life that is unexpected? Cancer is always unexpected. The death of a loved one or friend is often unexpected. Tragedies are unexpected. Trials come into our lives at the most unexpected times. It seems cruel and unfair. Many times it causes us, like John, to doubt. Does God care? Is God working in all this? Do I deserve this?
Like John, are you in a prison tonight? A prison of despair, bitterness, anger, hopelessness, hatred, impatience.
Transition: When we doubt God, it often leads to questions.
THE INQUIRY (v. 19-20)
John asks, “Are you really the Messiah?”
There’s nothing wrong with asking God questions. Many people in the Bible did.
Moses: “Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?” (Num. 11:11).
Jeremiah: “Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (Jer. 1:6).
Mary: “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34).
Disciples: “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38).
Paul: “For this thing [thorn in the flesh] I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me” (II Cor. 12:8).
These people responded as they did because their circumstances were unexpected. They were surprised by what was happening, and it caused them to go to the Lord for the answer.
Psalm 34:17, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”
Psalm 61:2, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Doubts are a part of life. Just don’t let those doubts turn into unbelief. Takes those doubts and lay them at the Lord’s feet. Let God handle them.
Transition: Jesus gives John a great answer to his question.
THE INITIATIVE (v. 21-22)
Jesus’ response was that He was fulfilling prophecy. He went to “the Bible,” if you will, and we need to go there too. What does the Bible say about God’s working?
—God’s working is mysterious to us.
Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
—The Apostle Peter tells us to expect the unexpected
I Peter 4:12-13, “Behold, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
—Don’t doubt that God is at work in your life
Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
4. THE IMPERATIVE (v. 23)
“offended”—this means to get angry or bitter at God because of circumstances He has allowed in our lives.
We live in a culture that is easily offended.
Many Christians have been ruined by bitterness, blaming God for negative situations. Don’t let this happen. Think of these Bible characters who were offended by God.
Cain was offended—it led to hatred. I John 3:12, “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”
Esau was offended—it led to bitterness. Hebrews 12:15, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled…” He goes on to use Esau as an example.
Moses was offended—it led to anger. Numbers 20:8-11, “Take the rod…and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes…And Moses…said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice…”
Demas was most likely offended—it led to dissatisfaction. II Timothy 4:10, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…”
Has God offended you lately? Has He not met your expectations?
But the person who does not get angry or bitter at God, but rather recognizes that He is in control—that person is blessed. Instead of saying “Why, God” or “How could you, God” they say, “What, Lord?” What do you want me to learn from this, Lord? That person is blessed. Examples: Joseph, David, Daniel
CONCLUSION
“God will get me out of this situation.” Are you sure? John was killed in prison. Don’t put God in a box; He might not get you out. But rest assured that God will be with you through the trial. He promises you His presence.
Hebrews 13:5b, “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Illustration: Story of Michael Chandler
Final statement: God never promised to deliver us from the hardships of life, but He does promise His presence for every step of the journey, and that is a truth which should never be unexpected.
Salvation emphasis: Death can also be unexpected. If you were to die tonight, where would you spend eternity?
