Merry Christmas! There are so many rich traditions and memories surrounding this time of year. Every year I always watch for the classic Christmas cartoons. One of those must sees is Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and the Island of the misfit toys. These toys all have some strange quirk about them. Because of their flaws they all feel very rejected and unloved.
We can all probably relate to these emotions in one way or another at various times of our lives. It’s easy to find yourself feeling like you just don’t fit in to the conventional system that tends to exist in society. Throughout my life I’ve just never been much of a conventionalist.
Early on in life I learned that it was much better to just admit what I’m not so I can be true to who I am. Somehow early on in ministry I was invited into a small group of pastors who received an invitation to attend a luncheon with Former Governor George Nigh. I remember wondering how in the world I got on this list.
When I showed up there were less than twenty people in the room. This wasn’t going to be a moment I could escape in the space of a large audience. We were there to have a discussion. As the conversation began, I realized each person was taking turns introducing him or herself giving some background of who they were and what they’d done.
The temptation to give an inflated presentation of myself hit me as I listened to the first few introductions. When the unspoken order came my way I had resolved I would be authentic and honest. The room was shocked as I explained that I was leading a church, but hadn’t grown up in church. I further explained that I never thought I’d be doing what I’m doing because of my past with drugs but this deepens my conviction today more than ever that Jesus can transform any and every person we will ever meet.
The conversation moved beyond me and the meeting continued. My story was the only story like it in the room that day. As I left I reflected on how easy it is to allow the insecure pursuit of fitting in to keep us from ever standing out. God’s not called you to be like others. God’s called you to be like Him.
The unconventional order of God’s Kingdom speaks of the unconventional nature of God’s love.
1 Corinthians 1:26 “…think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” (NIV)
God embraces the misfits that the world doesn’t love. He embraces unlikely people bringing them into his kingdom to teach them what it means to be truly loved.
Zechariah 2:10-11 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. NIV
This is why Jesus had to be born in a different order outside of the religious system of his day. In his perfection of deity there had to be an invitation to humanity that would move from exclusive to inclusive.
Matthew 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). NIV
The great prophecies have been fulfilled and the King of kings has come! And…Mary isn’t known, Joseph isn’t influential, their families aren’t affluent. Our long awaited King has come and….this is it? Are you serious? This is our answer?
Have you ever asked God for an answer and his response was not what you expected? Almost always!
For misfits to be included Jesus had to be born outside the system. From earth's perspective, the birth of Jesus was mundane and disappointing. From heaven's perspective, it was spectacular.
The eternal, everlasting God would purposefully reduce himself to exist in flesh to tabernacle with humanity. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Undercover Boss you can relate. The boss assumes the identity of a common co-worker, someone the other employees don’t realize he is. People who are uncaring and disconnected are dealt with and people who have a heart to make it happen get rewarded. All heaven was watching as Jesus was born as the ultimate episode of Undercover Boss from Heaven!
This King was born into circumstances of utter humility to purposefully identify with misfits like you and me.
I Samuel 16:7 “…The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (NIV).
What if I’m not educated enough?
1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise…” (NIV)
What if I’m not strong enough?
1 Corinthians 1:27 “…God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (NIV)
What if I’m not influential enough?
1 Corinthians 1:28-29 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast... (NLT)
Once we finally become convinced of his love, he sends us back out. We then search for other misfits to bring them into the kingdom, and introduce them to this kindhearted King.
2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. NIV
This is the treasure of God’s unconventional Love.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Purpose to be very intentional in how you celebrate the coming of Christ with those you care about the most this week. What will this look for you?
TRUE TREASURE: THE TREASURE OF GOD’S UNCONVENTIONAL LOVE
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: Kingdom Treasure is found in a deeper pursuit of the things that truly matter. This true treasure of God’s Kingdom is central to the understanding that we are blessed to be a blessing!
We want to start our group meetings making room for conversation that brings confirmation that God is speaking to us all as we discuss what we are hearing from the Lord as a family:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
Have you ever felt like you just didn’t fit into a conventional system or structure in your life?
Explain your assessment of that situation.
Rudolf the Red nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys are toys who all have some strange quirk about them. Because of their flaws these toys feel unloved.
Though we all sometimes felt like a misfit Jesus came introducing the treasure of God’s unconventional love.
1 Corinthians 1:26 “...think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” (NIV)
God searches for misfits bringing us into his kingdom to teach us what it means to be truly loved.
For misfits to be included Jesus had to be born outside the system. From heaven’s perspective, the birth of Jesus was spectacular. From earth’s perspective, it was mundane and disappointing.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
In what ways do you see the birth of Christ as a disappointment to the religious order of Jesus’ day?
How do these disappointments encourage those of us who feel like we may not measure up to a religious order that can be very judgmental at times?
This is why Jesus had to be born in a different order outside of the religious system of his day. In his perfection of deity there had to be an invitation to humanity that would move from exclusive to inclusive.
Zechariah 2:10-11 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.” NIV
Matthew 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). NIV
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Purpose to be very intentional in how you celebrate the coming of Christ with those you care about the most this week. What will this look like for you?