March 1, 2026
Is the gospel of Jesus too good to be true?
In a world of broken promises and disappointing relationships, the gospel of Jesus Christ outshines the stumbling blocks of our nearsighted, temporary hopes and expectations and invites us to receive and share the sustenance only God can provide.
I. The stumbling blocks of our misdirected, shortsighted hope: John, the Pharisees, and the Tax Collectors – expectations vs. true purpose (Lk 7:18-30).
a. When faithful people doubt: recalibrating our expectations (John).
b. When leaders are blind: Rejecting God’s purpose in favor of self-righteous religion.
c. When the lost are found: The baptism of repentance.
Ap.: Don’t let the clouds of doubts and disappointment keep you from fulfilling God’s purpose in your life.
II. The invitation to partake and share the sustenance he provides: The Son of Man came eating and drinking (Lk. 7:31-35).
a. What is in a meal? Believing what he reveals: the presence, power, and provision of Christ.
b. Who is invited to the table? Sharing what he provides.
Ap.: Practice the presence of Christ in the ordinary to see him work the extraordinary.
Let us surrender our God-boxing entitlements
To experience Christ’s life-giving enablement.
1. Are there any unfulfilled expectations in your life that keep you from experiencing the presence, power, and provision of Christ? If doubt, suffering, self-righteousness or sinful lifestyles are clouding your view of Christ, surrender your unfulfilled expectations to him and he will fulfill his purpose in you.
2. Do you practice the presence of Christ in the ordinary? I want to invite you to turn every meal this week into a reminder of Christ’s gracious, satisfying, and life-giving invitation to join him at his table of fellowship. Will you be his guest?
