God's Strange Sweet Surprises

‘Surprise’ is defined by dictionaries as an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing. Only humans have surprises. We are limited by time and space. God is not limited and does not have unexpected events, fact or thing. He is the author of all things and controls all events. In Genesis 18, we see old man Abraham, 99 years of age, sitting tired and sleepy at the entrance to his tent. Two strangers show up and tell him, "about this time next year, Sarah your wife will have a son” (Gen. 18:10). Sarah who was about 90 years old heard that and tried to stifle her reaction to laugh. She has heard that story before; for the last twenty-four years, to be exact. God promised Abram that he woul become the father of many nations. A lot of events and places have passed by in their journey. Now they are old and tired and with hurt emotions. Then the hurt turned to anger, and the anger to cold resignation. Well, funny! “Sarah laughed to herself" (Genesis 18:12).

Life teaches us that what we become while we wait is as important as the thing we wait for. Both the journey as well as destination are important. Faith and character are forged in the journey along with a marvelous sense of humor. The events that developed at the birth of Jesus were full of surprises. Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth and all those around were surprised. Grace is a surprise gift of God. The woman caught in adultery, the little tax collector Zacheus, and yes even the man on the cross next to Jesus had strange but sweet surpurses from God.

John Newton, the writer of the famous hymn, 'Amazing Grace' pointed out that there will be three surprises in heaven. The converted slave-dealer, foresaw what he will feel when he gets to heaven. He wrote, “If I ever reach heaven, I expect to find three wonders there: 1. Who is there 2. Who is not there, and 3. The fact that I’m there! Praise be to God"!!

Fulll sermon audio: Mathew Philip

Blessings
Mathew Philip

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