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 Series Theme:  "Faith Sermons"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:  21. Exceeding your Expectations

   

    

Some times our natural expectations are just insufficient – especially when it comes to our relationship with the Lord

 

A. Statements reveal our expectation level

 

1. About God's Power again

Jn 11:21 Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

•  Expectation: It's too late

 

2. About God's Power

Ezek 37:3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."

•  Expectation: None!

 

  

B. Questions reveal our expectations

 

3. About Blame

Jn 9:1,2 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?

•  expectation: someone is to blame

 

4. About our Abilities

Mt 18:21 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

•  expectation: my grace can only go a certain way!

  

5. About Rewards

Mt 20:20,21 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."

•  expectation – we deserve rewards

    

6. About Resources

Jn 6:9 Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many ?"

•  expectation: our resources aren't enough

 

C. God's Expectations

 

1. Power again – Jn 11:23   Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

•  God wants you to watch what HE does
•  Whatever happens is going to be HIS power at work

    

2. Power – Ezek 37:4    Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones

•  God wants you become part of the process to bring life – speak the word of faith •  You speak it and He'll do it

 

3. Blame – Jn 9:3 this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

•  God doesn't want to blame but to restore
•  we've got to be sure of God's good intentions

  

4. Abilities - Mt 18:23 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times

•  God's grace is much bigger than our meagre expectations •  We've got to realise His power is available for us to change

  

5. Rewards – Mt 20:26 Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant

•  God doesn't want fame but humility

•  God looks for servants that he can use who will give Him the glory

 

6. Resources – Jn 6:10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down."

•  God wants to involve us in the resource process
•  get ready to give away the resources god has given you.

 

  

D. To Summarise

 

  • His power is greater than we expect
  • His goodness exceeds our expectations
  • His grace for us exceeds our expectations
  • His disciple-qualifications are easy and simple
  • His power can produce whatever resources are needed – strength, health, wealth.