Grace Communion Melbourne Fellowship Group
Melbourne, Florida

As we enter this Advent season, it's time to ask the question, what are your expectations for Christmas this year? Uh, are you expecting a joyful time of hope, peace, and love with your family? Well, I hope that works out.

What are you expecting to receive for Christmas? My expectations were misplaced this time of year. I never got what I wished for. It's only in looking back that I can see the true joy I should have had and the gifts that I received.

Our story today is about John the Baptist and his expectations. John had certain expectations about the Messiah, the Christ. But it seems that John too had misplaced expectations. And misplaced expectations can cause disappointment and great sadness. Getting your “right expectations” can bring great hope, can bring great joy when those “right expectations” are finally realized.

So, with that in mind, let's go to the Gospel of Matthew 11:2-16 and consider what this section of scripture can teach us as Christians today. So, we begin reading Matthew 11 and verse two.

Matthew 11:2-16 NIV² When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

    who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. ¹⁵ Whoever has ears, let them hear.

¹⁶ “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

 Grace Communion Melbourne Fellowship Group

1^st, 3^rd, and 4^th Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

2^nd Sunday 1:30 p.m.  Luncheon & Bible Study followed by Communion

Meeting @ Pineda Presbyterian Church 4650 N. Wickham Rd

Your Pastor and brother,

Steve Schantz

Grace Communion Melbourne Fellowship Group

1^st, 3^rd, and 4^th Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

2^nd Sunday 1:30 p.m. Luncheon & Bible Study followed by Communion

Meeting @ Pineda Presbyterian Church 4650 N. Wickham Rd

Charities

1. Food Bank @ Advent Lutheran (13) Advent Lutheran Church | Facebook
2. The Children's Hunger Project the Children’s Hunger Project l Homepage (thechildrenshungerproject.org)
3. Outreach Program for IHB School Supplies (13) City of Indian Harbour Beach Police Department - Posts | Facebook
4. GCI Grace Communion International (gci.org)
5. Durham NC Start up GCI Church (1) Facebook
6. GCI Next GCnext mission | Grace Communion International Resources
7. Samaritan Purse Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Relief — International Relief