This week in our series, Counterfeit Jesus, we are examining one of the false expectations of Jesus that many people hold, whether they are aware that they hold this false expectation or not. This expectation is the false belief that Jesus came to fix all of our problems and make our lives here on earth easier. The truth is that Jesus taught that this world is full of hardships, disappointments, and heartbreak, but He came to meet our deepest needs by defeating sin and death and offering eternal life to all who place their faith in Him. As we begin to understand why Jesus came, we will grow in our faith and become more fully devoted followers of Christ.
What kind of expectations do people put on Jesus today that are false and not about why He came to this earth? How do these expectations keep them from growing in their faith?
1. What is the danger of placing false expectations on Jesus, like the false belief that He came to make our lives here on earth easier and fix all of our problems?
2. Read Matthew 11:1-11. Describe John the Baptist’s situation in this passage of Scripture and summarize His question to Jesus.
Matthew 11:1-11
Oh, When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region. 2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” 4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. 9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ 11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!
3. How did Jesus respond to John the Baptist’s question, and how does Jesus’ response teach us to respond in uncertain situations and unmet expectations that we might have of Jesus?
4. Read John 16:33. What hope does this passage of Scripture bring amidst our heartbreak, disappointments, and unmet expectations?
John 16:33
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
1. How have you fallen prey to the false belief that Jesus came only to fix our problems here on earth?
2. Why did Jesus come, and how is Jesus’ purpose for coming greater than any of the false expectations we might put on Him?
3. How can we respond to the hope that Jesus provided in John 16:33?
As a group, commit to memorizing John 16:33. Bring this verse to mind often. Let it remind you that although this world is filled with hardships and difficulties, Jesus has already overcome the world. Memorizing this Scripture will help each one of you grow in your faith and devotion to following Christ.
While we do not understand the hardship, difficulty, and pain that we face here on this earth, Scripture offers us promises that we can hold on to as we walk through our times of suffering and heartache. Let’s spend the next few minutes taking a look at three of these promises to claim in the middle of difficulties and unknowns: God will always bring good out of our difficult situations, God’s power is revealed through our weaknesses, and Jesus came to bring life to our dark and dying world. These promises will encourage us and help us grow in our faith as we seek to be fully devoted followers of Christ.
In the midst of our pain, suffering, heartache, and heartbreak, God gives His people a promise in His word: He will bring good in the midst of our difficulties. Our situations might not be good, but He can bring good out of them. We just have to be looking for evidence of His goodness in the middle of our pain and suffering.
1. Read Romans 8:28.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
2. Summarize the promise we have to claim from this passage of Scripture.
3. How have you seen the truth in this passage of Scripture to be true in your own life?
4. How does this passage of Scripture bring hope amidst our difficulties, questions, and unknowns?
When we face difficult times, uncertainties, and unknowns, we often feel weak. The good news is that God is all-powerful. He is never weak. When we are weak, His power is on display through our weaknesses so that others can see His power revealed.
1. Read 2 Corinthians 12:6-10.
2 Corinthians 12:6-10
6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Everyone here on this earth has experienced or will experience pain, heartache, and other kinds of suffering. It's true; this world is full of darkness, and every day, we are inching closer and closer to death. Although thinking of this for too long might leave some feeling sad and discouraged, we are not without hope. Jesus came and brought life to every single person who places their faith in Him. This is the hope we can hold on to when we face suffering, unknowns, and disappointments. One day, we will experience eternal life with Him forever if we place our faith in Him.
1. Read John 10:10.
John 10:10
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Take a few moments to reflect on the Scripture you studied today and answer the questions below:
1. Which of the promises from Scripture that we studied stands out to you the most? Why?
2. How will holding on to these promises cause us to grow in our faith and become fully devoted followers of Christ?
3. Who is someone you know who needs to be reminded of the promises in Scripture we studied today?
Make a plan this week to reach out to that person who needs to be reminded of the promises from Scripture that we studied today. Share with them the verses that you read and the hope they bring in the middle of our struggles and unknowns.
©2025 Sagebrush Church
