1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
BY THE TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS SCIENCES WE HAVE TODAY, IT IS HARD TO CREATE A SURPRISE. USUALLY, SOMEONE WOULD HAVE PREDICTED AN EVENT, HAD IT PUBLISHED IN A BOOK, OR AT LEAST IN A BLOG OR ON FACEBOOK. BUT, GOD IS THE MASTER OF ALL SURPRISES, AND PEOPLE ARE VERY OFTEN SURPRISED BY WHAT HE DOES.
1. IT COMES AS A SURPRISE THAT SPECIAL MEN WERE CHOSEN.
A. THE WISE MEN WERE A THOUSAND MILES AWAY.
Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
B. THE SHEPHERDS WERE AMAZINGLY COMMON PEOPLE WITHOUT A THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION OR ACCEPTABLE RELIGIOUS PEDIGREES.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
C. JERUSALEM, WHERE ANNA AND SIMEON LIVED, WAS MANY MILES AWAY.
GOD CHOSE THOSE WHO WERE CLOSE. YOUR CLOSENESS TO HIM CAN DETERMINE YOUR USEFULNESS ON THIS EARTH. GOD DID NOT CHOSE THE RELIGIOUS CAPITAL, JERUSALEM TO GIVE BIRTH TO HIS SON. HE DIDN’T EVEN CHOOSE A BIG CITY. HE CHOSE WHAT WAS SMALL AND HUMBLE.
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
D. WHAT IS THE ANSWER FOR US ? GET AS CLOSE TO GOD AS YOU CAN ! HOW ?
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
CLEANSE YOUR HANDS (YOUR WORKS) AND PURIFY YOUR HEART (CHANGE YOUR MOTIVES AND PRIORITIES FOR LIFE).
2. SURPRISE THAT A MANGER WAS THE BIRTHPLACE.
A. THE CHILD WAS TO BE BORN WITHOUT FAMILY AROUND.
**If this is the Son of God, why a humiliating manger ? Of all times for the Child to be born, why now ? Could God have called it off long enough for them to be around friends and family ?
B. DIDN’T THE SON OF GOD DESERVE SOMETHING BETTER ?
MARY AND JOSPEH HAD JUST GOTTEN USED TO THE IDEA THAT THEY WERE TO HOST THE SON OF GOD, AND NOW TO FIND THAT THEY DIDN’T GET ROYAL TREATMENT.
C. NOT ALL THE SURPRISES OF GOD ARE ATTRACTIVE TO US. EVEN IN DIFFICULT TIMES.
Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
D. WE WOULD HAVE CHOSEN SOMETHING MORE ELEGANT, MORE COMFORTABLE. But…..
Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. We would have done things one way, and God chose to do them another.
–THE DEVIL SOUGHT TO DESTROY HIM–AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH EASIER IN A LAREGER TOWN. GOD KNEW THIS.
Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
E. IT IS A SURPRISE TO HUMAN LOGIC THAT A HEAVENLY FATHER WOULD PUT HIS ONLY SON THROUGH THESE THINGS.
BUT, GOD’S REASONING IS FAR SUPERIOR TO OUR OWN. HE IS ALL WISE. WHEN THINGS HAPPEN TO YOU, REMEMBER HIS PROMISES, AND RECALL THAT HE IS WISER THAN WE ARE.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
3. SURPRISE MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF BETHLEHEM.
Luke 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
A. THE SECOND COMING WILL APPEAR AS A SURPRISE, AS WELL. MANY WILL BE SLEEPING SPIRITUALLY WHEN HE COMES.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
B. WE NEED TO BE READY.
OUR TIME COULD BE UP FROM AN INDIVIDUAL ACT OF GOD, OR THROUGH JUDGMENT ON AMERICA, OR BY THE RAPTURE. WE NEED TO BE READY, NOT SURPRISED BY CHRIST’S COMING.