Trusting God Amidst Unmet Expectations and Offense

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound theme of being offended with God, particularly when life doesn't unfold as we expect and God doesn't intervene in the ways we anticipate. We began by examining the story of John the Baptist in Matthew 11, who, despite his revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, found himself questioning Jesus' identity while imprisoned. This narrative serves as a backdrop to our own experiences of unmet expectations and the potential for offense with God.

Life often presents us with unexpected challenges—divorce, financial ruin, illness, or the loss of a loved one—despite our fervent prayers and faith. These moments test our faith, pushing us beyond the comfort of familiar scriptures and into the raw reality of questioning God's presence and goodness. We shared a personal story of stepping out in faith for a promised home, only to face setbacks and uncertainty, illustrating how easily we can become offended when God's promises seem delayed or unfulfilled.

Jesus' response to John, "Blessed is the one who is not offended by me," reminds us that harboring offense can block the blessings God intends for us. Offense with God can arise when His actions—or lack thereof—challenge our expectations or when His words confront our ways. Yet, it's in these moments of mystery and misunderstanding that we are called to trust in God's character and surrender our need for understanding.

We are encouraged to let the Word of God set and reset our expectations, allowing it to wash over us and align our hearts with His truth. By immersing ourselves in the Logos (written word) and Rhema (spoken word), we can guard against offense and embrace the abundant life Jesus offers. Ultimately, when faced with life's mysteries and challenges, we are invited to declare, "Where else can we go? You alone have the words of eternal life."

Key Takeaways:

1. Offense with God arises when life doesn't meet our expectations. In moments of unmet expectations, we are tempted to question God's goodness and presence. Yet, these are opportunities to deepen our faith, trusting that God's plans are greater than our understanding. We must hold onto the Promiser more than the promise itself. [04:45]

2. Jesus' words challenge our ways, inviting us to abundant life. When Jesus' teachings confront our lifestyles, we face a choice: to be offended or to embrace His better way. His words are not meant to harm but to guide us into a life overflowing with His blessings. [22:59]

3. Surrendering the mystery to God brings peace. We may never fully understand the "why" behind our trials, but we can trust that God is with us in the mystery. His ways are higher than ours, and in surrendering our need to understand, we find hope and peace. [16:43]

4. The Word of God sets and resets our expectations. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we align our expectations with God's truth. The living and active Word washes away worldly mindsets, renewing our hearts and minds to trust in His character. [31:18]

5. Trust in God's character amidst life's challenges. When life doesn't go as planned, we are called to trust in God's goodness and faithfulness. By leaning not on our own understanding, we open ourselves to His guidance and the blessings He desires to pour into our lives. [34:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:45] - Life's Unexpected Turns
- [06:17] - Personal Story of Faith and Setbacks
- [10:27] - John's Expectations and Offense
- [16:43] - Surrendering the Mystery
- [22:59] - Jesus' Words Confront Our Ways
- [27:39] - The Rock of Offense
- [31:18] - The Word Sets Expectations
- [34:12] - Trusting God's Character
- [37:03] - Prayer and Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 11:2-6
- Proverbs 3:5-6
- John 11:35

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Observation Questions:

1. In Matthew 11:2-6, what was John the Baptist's question to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond? What does this reveal about John's expectations? [04:45]

2. How does the sermon describe the personal story of faith and setbacks related to a promised home? What emotions and challenges were highlighted in this story? [06:17]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' statement, "Blessed is the one who is not offended by me"? How does this relate to the theme of offense with God? [10:27]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Word of God in setting and resetting our expectations? How is this connected to the concept of offense? [31:18]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might John's imprisonment and subsequent questioning of Jesus' identity reflect common human experiences of doubt and unmet expectations? [04:45]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that personal setbacks can lead to offense with God? How does this relate to the broader theme of trusting in God's character? [06:17]

3. How does the sermon interpret Jesus' words in Matthew 11:6 as a challenge to our expectations and a call to trust in God's greater plan? [10:27]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between surrendering our need for understanding and finding peace in God's mystery? How does this connect to Proverbs 3:5-6? [16:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when life didn't go as you expected. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? How might you approach similar situations differently in the future? [04:45]

2. Consider the personal story shared in the sermon about the promised home. Have you experienced a similar situation where a promise seemed delayed or unfulfilled? How did you handle it, and what did you learn? [06:17]

3. Jesus' words in Matthew 11:6 challenge us not to be offended by Him. Are there areas in your life where you feel offended by God's actions or inactions? How can you work towards releasing that offense? [10:27]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of immersing ourselves in the Word of God. What practical steps can you take to incorporate more regular Bible reading into your daily routine? How might this help reset your expectations? [31:18]

5. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding. What specific areas of your life require you to surrender your need for understanding and trust in God's plan? [16:43]

6. The sermon discusses the concept of surrendering the mystery to God. How can you practice surrendering your questions and uncertainties to God in your daily life? What impact might this have on your peace and faith? [16:43]

7. Reflect on the statement, "Where else can we go? You alone have the words of eternal life." How can this declaration shape your response to life's challenges and deepen your trust in God's character? [34:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Unmet Expectations
In life, we often encounter situations where our expectations are not met, leading us to question God's goodness and presence. These moments can be challenging, especially when we face significant trials such as divorce, financial difficulties, illness, or the loss of a loved one. It is natural to feel disappointed or even offended when our prayers seem unanswered, and God's promises appear delayed. However, these experiences are opportunities to deepen our faith and trust in God's greater plan. By focusing on the Promiser rather than the promise, we can find peace and assurance in His unwavering character. [04:45]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares 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."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where your expectations were not met. How can you shift your focus from the unmet expectation to trusting in God's greater plan?

Day 2: Choosing the Better Way
Jesus' teachings often challenge our lifestyles and beliefs, presenting us with a choice: to be offended or to embrace His better way. His words are not meant to harm but to guide us into a life overflowing with blessings. When we encounter teachings that confront our ways, it is an invitation to examine our lives and align them with His truth. By choosing to follow His guidance, we open ourselves to the abundant life He offers, even when it requires letting go of our own understanding. [22:59]

Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where Jesus' teachings challenge your current lifestyle. What steps can you take today to align this area with His teachings?

Day 3: Finding Peace in the Mystery
Life's trials often come with unanswered questions and mysteries that we may never fully understand. In these moments, we are called to surrender our need for understanding and trust in God's presence. His ways are higher than ours, and by letting go of the "why," we can find hope and peace in His character. Trusting that God is with us in the mystery allows us to experience His peace, even amidst uncertainty and confusion. [16:43]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Reflect on a current trial or mystery in your life. How can you practice surrendering your need for understanding to God and trust in His presence today?

Day 4: Aligning Expectations with God's Word
The Word of God is a powerful tool that sets and resets our expectations, aligning them with His truth. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we allow it to wash over us, renewing our hearts and minds. This process helps us guard against offense and embrace the abundant life Jesus offers. As we engage with both the written and spoken Word, we are reminded of God's character and His promises, enabling us to trust Him more fully. [31:18]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: Choose a specific passage of Scripture to meditate on this week. How can this passage help you align your expectations with God's truth?

Day 5: Trusting God's Character
When life doesn't go as planned, it is essential to trust in God's goodness and faithfulness. By leaning not on our own understanding, we open ourselves to His guidance and the blessings He desires to pour into our lives. Trusting in God's character amidst challenges allows us to experience His peace and assurance, knowing that He is working all things for our good. [34:12]

Psalm 37:5-6 (ESV): "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."

Reflection: Reflect on a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively choose to trust in God's character and faithfulness in this situation today?

Quotes

1. "Let me ask you, what do you do when life takes a turn that you weren't ready for? When life goes somewhere you weren't ready for it and when God doesn't do what you thought God was going to do, what do you do? Like you're living your life and maybe you're a believer, you're following Jesus, but the divorce still happens. The bankruptcy happens. A lawsuit comes out of nowhere. A diagnosis comes out of nowhere. You were praying your best prayers and you had all your people praying and the person still passed away." ([00:04:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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2. "See, these are the moments where the rubber meets the road with our faith. Where it goes from the cute, comfortable, bumper sticker, t-shirt kind of slogans and scriptures and cliches that we use to the actual like, God, are you real? Are you who you said you are? Are you what the word declares you to be? These are the moments where we have an opportunity to become offended with God." ([00:05:20] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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3. "And so when we had both of our boys, our house that was nice just was not as big as we thought it was once you add two more humans to the equation. And so the market was favorable. We said, maybe this is where we're going to jump out in faith and trust God and take him at his word. Maybe this is the season because we need space, but maybe this is it. And so we did. We stepped out. We sold our house. And right after we sold that house, the market left us behind." ([00:06:17] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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4. "And honestly, for half a day, I had an emotional breakdown. It only lasted that long. But it was this moment, because for me, I'm like, I did this to my family. I took us from a place of security to insecurity, and I was wrestling with God. And then fast forward several months later, God opened up an opportunity. We bought a home, and it was a blessing, and I was so grateful to have a home. But it wasn't the promise." ([00:08:15] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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5. "And it's in those moments when life doesn't go like we thought where we are the most susceptible to be offended with God and Jesus said to John and to us today in verse 6 of Matthew 11 blessed are those who are not offended because of me because Jesus says that we're we're we're not blessed when we're offended you know you could be offended maybe this is the first time you've ever heard of this you can be offended with God but our subtitle of this series is living under the commanded blessing of God the reason this is a big deal that we're going to deal with offense with God today is because you could be blocking the very blessing that God has for your life if you're harboring offense against him if you were calloused against him because of something that's gone on in your life see God wants your finances to be blessed he wants your marriage to be blessed your relationships to be blessed your business to be blessed your emotions to be blessed but he can't bless you if you have offense in your heart towards him you're blocking the very blessing that God wants to pour out upon you and he doesn't withhold that blessing because he's punishing you he's showing you that no no there is a better way to do it than to be offended with God because you're harboring offense" ([00:08:23] (72 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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6. "You can get offended with God when life doesn't go like you thought it would and God doesn't intervene like you thought he would. Would you leave this on screen? I want you to be able to write this down. This is horrible point writing, by the way. It's so long. I know, but I think it's going to be helpful. You can get offended with God when life doesn't go like you thought it would and God doesn't intervene like you thought he would." ([00:10:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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7. "And Jesus didn't come like that. And Stuart Weber in the Holman New Testament commentary, he said they expected a Messiah who would overthrow Rome with military might, but instead they saw in Jesus a humble teacher and a quiet healer. By his choice of works, words, and timing, Jesus challenged the presuppositions of people about him. Most were confused and many resolved their confusion by refusing to accept Jesus as Messiah. Instead, they stumbled over those aspects of his behavior that did not fit with their preconceptions." ([00:12:31] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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8. "Did you know that unbelief is sin? And these moments when God doesn't act like we think he's gonna act, if we move into unbelief, then we're moving into sin, which is then separating us from God and this offense can come and we can very easily fall away from God when life doesn't go like we thought it would go and God doesn't intervene like we thought he would intervene." ([00:14:35] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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9. "So we just need to surrender the mystery and guard against offense with God and trust that there's more to the story than we know. Because here's the point I want you to get today. You might not understand and you might not ever understand. But one of my life verses, it might be for you as well, is Proverbs chapter 3 verse 5 and 6 and it says, trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths." ([00:18:23] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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10. "I want to encourage you today you need to hold on to the healer more than the lack of healing you need to hold on more to the God of mysteries than the mystery that you're in the middle of you need to hold on to the God who is the word and the word of God more than your frail interpretations of the word of God is anybody hearing me today surrender the mystery to him surrender the mystery to him and we can trust that his character is good" ([00:20:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Chatbot

Transcript

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