Elevating Spiritual Expectations: Transformative Encounters with God
Summary
### Summary
Dream City Church is celebrating its 100th anniversary, reflecting on the numerous miracles and transformative works God has accomplished through its ministries. The church has grown from a single campus to ten across five states, impacting lives through various initiatives like the Dream Center movement, human trafficking rescue, and food distribution programs. The sermon emphasizes that Dream City is a church that invests in people, regardless of their background, and is committed to being the hands and feet of Jesus in the community.
The message transitions to a call for higher spiritual expectations, using the story of a lame beggar from Acts 3 as a metaphor. The beggar, who had been lame from birth, represents Christians who have settled into a life of low spiritual expectations. He was carried to the temple gate daily to beg for alms, symbolizing believers who come to church seeking only temporary relief rather than transformative encounters with God. Peter and John’s interaction with the beggar illustrates the power of raising one's expectations. Instead of giving him money, they offered him healing in the name of Jesus, which transformed his life.
The sermon challenges the congregation to move beyond a "beggar's mentality" and to expect more from God. It encourages believers to deepen their relationship with Jesus, to know His name and the power behind it, and to live with a sense of divine purpose and expectation. The message concludes with a call to action, inviting those who feel spiritually lame to seek a transformative touch from God, elevating their spiritual expectations and experiencing His miraculous power in their lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Investing in People: Dream City Church is committed to investing in people, regardless of their background or past. The church's various ministries, including the Dream Center and human trafficking rescue programs, exemplify this commitment. The focus is on the future and the transformative power of Jesus' love and sacrifice. [15:16]
2. Raising Spiritual Expectations: Many Christians live with low spiritual expectations, much like the lame beggar in Acts 3. They come to church seeking temporary relief rather than transformative encounters with God. The sermon challenges believers to raise their expectations and seek a deeper, more powerful relationship with Jesus. [52:22]
3. The Power of Jesus' Name: Understanding and invoking the name of Jesus is crucial for experiencing His power. The name of Jesus is not just an identifier but a representation of His authority and power. Believers are encouraged to know Jesus personally and to act in His name with faith and expectation. [12:46]
4. Living with Divine Purpose: Christians are called to live with a sense of divine purpose, seeing themselves as ministers in their daily lives. This involves being a beacon of light in the workplace and community, sharing God's love and truth with others. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith boldly and with conviction. [19:14]
5. Transformative Encounters with God: The story of the lame beggar illustrates the transformative power of a genuine encounter with God. Believers are encouraged to seek such encounters, allowing God to elevate their spiritual lives and expectations. This transformation leads to a life of joy, purpose, and testimony, as seen in the beggar's immediate change and public praise. [01:22:38]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[15:16] - Investing in People
[15:56] - Human Trafficking Rescue
[16:38] - Expansion of Dream City
[17:13] - Freedom Night in America
[17:50] - Combating Societal Issues
[18:32] - Building a City Within a City
[19:14] - Living with Divine Purpose
[48:43] - Joy in the Atmosphere
[50:14] - The Bible and the Ballot
[52:22] - Low Spiritual Expectations
[53:13] - The Lame Beggar's Story
[55:21] - The Power of Collective Prayer
[56:57] - Symptoms of Low Expectation
[01:01:48] - Begging for the Wrong Things
[01:07:52] - Raising Expectations
[01:12:52] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[01:22:38] - Transformative Encounters with God
[01:27:31] - A Call to Higher Expectations
[01:30:04] - Prayer for Salvation
[01:33:06] - Closing and Prayer Time
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 3:1-10 (NIV)
> Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
### Observation Questions
1. What was the condition of the man at the temple gate, and how long had he been in this condition? (Acts 3:2)
2. What did Peter and John offer the lame man instead of money? (Acts 3:6)
3. How did the man respond after being healed by Peter and John? (Acts 3:8)
4. What was the reaction of the people who saw the healed man? (Acts 3:9-10)
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Peter and John chose to offer healing instead of money to the lame man? (Acts 3:6)
2. How does the story of the lame beggar challenge the way we approach our own spiritual expectations? [52:22]
3. What does the reaction of the people to the man's healing tell us about the power of a public testimony? (Acts 3:9-10)
4. How does understanding and invoking the name of Jesus play a role in experiencing His power, according to the sermon? [12:46]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had low spiritual expectations. How did it affect your relationship with God and your daily life? [52:22]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing Jesus personally and acting in His name with faith. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus? [12:46]
3. The story of the lame beggar shows the transformative power of a genuine encounter with God. Have you experienced such a transformation in your life? If not, what might be holding you back? [01:22:38]
4. Dream City Church is committed to investing in people regardless of their background. How can you personally contribute to this mission in your community? [15:16]
5. The sermon calls for living with a sense of divine purpose. Identify one area in your life where you can be a beacon of light and share God's love and truth with others. [19:14]
6. How can you raise your spiritual expectations and seek a deeper, more powerful relationship with Jesus this week? What specific actions will you take? [52:22]
7. Think about someone in your life who might be spiritually "lame" or struggling. How can you offer them support and help raise their expectations of what God can do in their lives? [56:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Investing in People
Dream City Church exemplifies the heart of Jesus by investing in people, regardless of their background or past. This commitment is evident through various ministries such as the Dream Center and human trafficking rescue programs. These initiatives focus on the future and the transformative power of Jesus' love and sacrifice. The church's mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the community, offering hope and tangible support to those in need. This approach not only meets immediate needs but also fosters long-term transformation in individuals' lives. [15:16]
Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Reflection: Think of someone in your community who might feel overlooked or marginalized. How can you invest in their life this week, showing them the love and support of Jesus?
Day 2: Raising Spiritual Expectations
Many Christians live with low spiritual expectations, much like the lame beggar in Acts 3. They come to church seeking temporary relief rather than transformative encounters with God. This mindset limits the power and presence of God in their lives. Believers are encouraged to raise their expectations and seek a deeper, more powerful relationship with Jesus. By doing so, they open themselves up to experiencing God's miraculous power and transformative work in their lives. [52:22]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: Identify one area in your spiritual life where you have settled for less. How can you raise your expectations and seek a deeper encounter with God in this area?
Day 3: The Power of Jesus' Name
Understanding and invoking the name of Jesus is crucial for experiencing His power. The name of Jesus is not just an identifier but a representation of His authority and power. Believers are encouraged to know Jesus personally and to act in His name with faith and expectation. This understanding transforms how they pray, live, and interact with others, as they carry the authority and power of Jesus into every situation. [12:46]
Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge or situation you faced. How can you invoke the name of Jesus with faith and expectation in similar future situations?
Day 4: Living with Divine Purpose
Christians are called to live with a sense of divine purpose, seeing themselves as ministers in their daily lives. This involves being a beacon of light in the workplace and community, sharing God's love and truth with others. Living out one's faith boldly and with conviction means recognizing that every interaction is an opportunity to reflect Jesus' love and grace. This perspective transforms ordinary moments into divine appointments, where God's presence and power can be manifested. [19:14]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: Think about your daily routine. How can you intentionally live out your divine purpose in your workplace or community this week?
Day 5: Transformative Encounters with God
The story of the lame beggar illustrates the transformative power of a genuine encounter with God. Believers are encouraged to seek such encounters, allowing God to elevate their spiritual lives and expectations. This transformation leads to a life of joy, purpose, and testimony, as seen in the beggar's immediate change and public praise. Seeking transformative encounters with God means being open to His presence and power, allowing Him to work in and through us in profound ways. [01:22:38]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a transformative encounter with God. How can you create space in your life for more of these encounters?
Quotes
1. "We don't care about your moral background. We don't care about your socioeconomic status. We don't care about the color of your skin. The most important thing about you is not your past, it is your future, and Jesus loves you. He died for you, and he has a wonderful plan for your future." [15:16] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What if carpenters and painters and real estate brokers, and airline pilots, and lawyers, and homemakers believe to the core of their being that their fundamental mission in this life is to be a radically inclusive Christ follower, someone who shares the Father's heart of love for people so deeply that they have people on their mind all the time?" [19:14] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Our mission is to be a beacon of light, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, a church that helps people discover their God-sized dream, a church that inspires people, a church that loves people, a church that believes in people, a church that says to all, welcome to Dream City." [19:14] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Many people here today have become accustomed to their spiritual level. Comfortable with living at a level of low expectation. I'm not suggesting that you don't love the Lord or believe in God. I'm suggesting that you've maybe arrived at a place where you don't expect much from God. So you don't see God doing much in your life." [52:22] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are in a crisis today in a series called Making Lemonade. We're looking at people in the Bible who are handed a lemon, but they squeezed it and they made something of it. They made lemonade of it." [53:13] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When the Holy Spirit fills the atmosphere, stuff starts breaking off people, miracles begin to happen. It's thick with the Holy Spirit and we pick up our story in Acts chapter 3 now in verse 1." [53:53] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You can always identify a spiritually lame saint because they cannot stand up on their own two feet. They're shaky. They're inconsistent. They have no stability. They're always talking about what is wrong and not what is right. They're always talking about yesterday and never tomorrow." [56:57] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you're going to church every Sunday and every Wednesday, but you are no better off than when you started, then something is wrong with that church or there's something wrong with you. You have a low expectation when you go to church. You're not asking God to help you. You're not asking God to meet with you, to move you, to touch you." [01:00:05] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If you don't come here to meet with God, the sermon can't help you. If you don't come here to meet with God, the music can't help you. If you don't come here to meet God, then the prayer team can't help you. If you don't come to meet God, then you are coming as a beggar with low expectations." [01:01:48] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If you want to run faster, don't hang out with slow people. If you want to get better at your job, get around an expert. Don't hang around people who are in training just like you. And if you want to see the supernatural, hang out with people who believe God and they know what God is able to do, and they're willing to take you there with them." [01:22:38] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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