Embracing Expectancy: Transforming Lives Through Faith

 

Summary

Living with a sense of expectancy is about embracing the belief that something significant is on the horizon, a reality worth living into and for. This mindset is not just about anticipating events but about cultivating a heart posture that is open to transformation and growth. As we journey through life, we are all apprentices, learning from those around us and, most importantly, from Jesus. Dallas Willard, in his book "Renovation of the Heart," emphasizes the importance of living with purpose and intention, expecting to learn and grow in our spiritual walk.

Expectancy is akin to the anticipation of a new life, much like a couple expecting a child. It is a definite, not vague, anticipation of what is to come. This sense of expectancy should permeate our lives, regardless of our circumstances. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, exemplifies this by eagerly expecting that Christ will be magnified in his life, whether through life or death. His expectancy was not for a change in circumstances but for a deeper transformation of the heart.

The stories of Chuck, a doctor who went beyond his professional duties to serve others, illustrate how living with expectancy can manifest in acts of love and service. Chuck's actions remind us that we can expect God to work through us to bring joy and help to others. This expectancy is not passive but active, prompting us to look for opportunities to serve and bring life to those around us.

Living expectantly means being aware of God's presence in every moment, even in mundane or frustrating situations. It challenges us to see each moment as an opportunity for God to work through us, to bring joy, and to serve others. This mindset transforms our daily interactions and helps us live with purpose and joy.

Key Takeaways:

- Living with expectancy is about anticipating transformation and growth in our spiritual journey. It is not just about waiting for events but about being open to what God is doing in our lives. This mindset helps us live with purpose and intention, expecting to learn and grow as apprentices of Jesus. [04:14]

- Expectancy is a definite anticipation, much like expecting a child. It is about looking forward to what is to come with hope and purpose. This anticipation should be a part of our daily lives, regardless of our circumstances, as it helps us focus on the deeper transformation of our hearts. [03:43]

- Paul's example of expectancy in Philippians shows us that our hope should not be in changing circumstances but in the transformation of our hearts. This deeper expectancy is about Christ being magnified in our lives, whether through life or death, and it challenges us to live with courage and purpose. [06:43]

- The story of Chuck, the doctor, illustrates how living with expectancy can lead to acts of love and service. By expecting God to work through us, we can bring joy and help to others, transforming our daily interactions and making a difference in the lives of those around us. [08:03]

- Living expectantly means being aware of God's presence in every moment, even in mundane or frustrating situations. It challenges us to see each moment as an opportunity for God to work through us, to bring joy, and to serve others, transforming our daily lives with purpose and joy. [11:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:35] - Living with Expectancy
- [00:51] - Journey Through "Renovation of the Heart"
- [01:17] - Reflecting on Transformation
- [01:31] - Upcoming Break and Plans
- [02:11] - Community Engagement
- [02:36] - Expecting New Life
- [03:06] - The Power of Expectancy
- [03:43] - Living with Purpose
- [04:14] - Apprentices of Jesus
- [05:08] - Expectation and Instruction
- [06:15] - Paul's Expectancy
- [07:27] - Stories of Service
- [08:46] - Opportunities for Joy
- [10:09] - Challenges to Expectancy
- [11:48] - Invitation to Live Expectantly

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living with Expectancy

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 1:20 - "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."
2. Romans 8:19 - "For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed."
3. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

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Observation Questions:

1. In Philippians 1:20, what does Paul mean by "eagerly expect"? How does this reflect his mindset despite his circumstances? [06:15]

2. How does the story of Chuck, the doctor, illustrate living with a sense of expectancy? What actions did he take that demonstrated this mindset? [08:03]

3. According to the sermon, what are some of the simple things Dallas Willard suggests we start with to live as apprentices of Jesus? [05:22]

4. How does the speaker describe the concept of "expecting" in relation to a couple anticipating a child? What does this analogy teach us about living with expectancy? [03:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean for Christ to be "magnified" in our lives, as Paul describes in Philippians 1:20? How might this look in everyday situations? [06:43]

2. How does living with expectancy differ from simply hoping for better circumstances? What deeper transformation is being suggested in the sermon? [07:12]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living with expectancy can transform mundane or frustrating situations into opportunities for growth and service? [11:22]

4. How does the concept of being an apprentice of Jesus, as discussed in the sermon, challenge our current understanding of spiritual growth and learning? [04:14]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt frustrated or impatient. How could adopting a mindset of expectancy have changed your response? [11:22]

2. Identify an area in your life where you feel stagnant. What steps can you take to cultivate a sense of expectancy and openness to transformation in that area? [04:14]

3. Think of a person in your life who might benefit from an act of love or service. How can you actively look for opportunities to serve them this week, as Chuck did? [08:03]

4. How can you incorporate the practice of journaling, as suggested in the sermon, to track your spiritual growth and areas where you need to focus more on Jesus' teachings? [06:01]

5. Consider a time when you were expecting something significant in your life. How did that anticipation affect your actions and mindset? How can you apply that same sense of expectancy to your spiritual journey? [03:06]

6. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God's presence in your daily routine, especially during mundane tasks? [11:22]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to live with a sense of expectancy? What role can you play in fostering this mindset within your small group or church? [02:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Expectancy for Spiritual Growth
Living with expectancy is about anticipating transformation and growth in our spiritual journey. It is not just about waiting for events but about being open to what God is doing in our lives. This mindset helps us live with purpose and intention, expecting to learn and grow as apprentices of Jesus. By cultivating a heart posture that is open to transformation, we align ourselves with the divine work that is constantly unfolding in our lives. This expectancy is not passive; it requires active engagement and a willingness to be shaped by the experiences and teachings we encounter. [04:14]

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your spiritual life do you feel God is inviting you to grow in today? How can you actively engage with this invitation?


Day 2: Anticipate with Hope and Purpose
Expectancy is a definite anticipation, much like expecting a child. It is about looking forward to what is to come with hope and purpose. This anticipation should be a part of our daily lives, regardless of our circumstances, as it helps us focus on the deeper transformation of our hearts. By maintaining a hopeful outlook, we can navigate life's challenges with resilience and faith, trusting that God is at work in every situation. This kind of expectancy encourages us to live with a sense of purpose, knowing that each moment is an opportunity for growth and transformation. [03:43]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a hopeful anticipation in your daily routine, even when faced with uncertainty or difficulty?


Day 3: Seek Heart Transformation Over Circumstance Change
Paul's example of expectancy in Philippians shows us that our hope should not be in changing circumstances but in the transformation of our hearts. This deeper expectancy is about Christ being magnified in our lives, whether through life or death, and it challenges us to live with courage and purpose. By focusing on the internal work of the Spirit, we can experience a profound sense of peace and fulfillment, regardless of external conditions. This perspective shifts our focus from seeking comfort in our circumstances to seeking Christ's presence and work within us. [06:43]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking changes in your circumstances to seeking transformation in your heart today?


Day 4: Actively Serve with Expectancy
The story of Chuck, the doctor, illustrates how living with expectancy can lead to acts of love and service. By expecting God to work through us, we can bring joy and help to others, transforming our daily interactions and making a difference in the lives of those around us. This active expectancy calls us to be attentive to the needs of others and to respond with compassion and generosity. By serving with an open heart, we become conduits of God's love and grace, impacting our communities in meaningful ways. [08:03]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from an act of love or service today? How can you intentionally reach out to them with God's love?


Day 5: Recognize God's Presence in Every Moment
Living expectantly means being aware of God's presence in every moment, even in mundane or frustrating situations. It challenges us to see each moment as an opportunity for God to work through us, to bring joy, and to serve others, transforming our daily lives with purpose and joy. By cultivating an awareness of God's presence, we can experience a deeper sense of connection and purpose in our everyday activities. This awareness invites us to approach each day with gratitude and openness, ready to participate in the divine work unfolding around us. [11:22]

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's presence in your daily routine, especially in moments that feel mundane or challenging?

Quotes


i want to talk to you today about living with a sense of expectancy how do i live with the expectation that something is going to happen that there is a reality worth living into and living for but before i get to that i want to spend a minute or two on what you can expect in the days to come [00:00:24]

i am expecting in other words i'm not just grinding it out i'm not just drifting from one day to the next something is coming and it's not just a vague illusion it's actually quite definite and i anticipate it it's such an interesting thing that we would talk about being pregnant as expecting [00:03:08]

we all know what it is to learn from or serve under a great leader or a great boss or a great coach or a parent who sees something in us and expects something from us and for us and wants us to live with a sense of expectancy [00:03:46]

openly expect apprentices of jesus to learn to do the various things that jesus taught us to do at present there is no such expectation no matter how elaborate our religious programs may be we know in general that students respond to expectations and the lack of expectations to learn by doing what is expected of them [00:04:31]

paul lived with this sense of expectancy when he wrote to the church at philippi in chapter 1 verse 20. he said i eagerly expect my old teacher jerry hawthorne says that this is a word it's found only one of the time in the new testament and it may be a word that paul himself coined [00:06:12]

and the picture behind it is of someone who is racing forward with their head straining their eyes focused to see what is coming next their heart pounding i eagerly expect and hope that i will in no way be ashamed but will be given sufficient courage so that whether in life or in death christ will be magnified in my life [00:06:33]

paul is not living with the expectancy that his suffering is going to go away i find that very interesting and challenging and heartening he's in change at that time he may be dying might happen through my death he says he's expecting something deeper than an improvement in his circumstances and that is the renovation of his heart [00:07:02]

i have been inspired about this just this last week i went down to atlanta my friend chuck is retiring has retired now after many decades in medical practice as a doctor and his brother-in-law wade was there and talked about when he came to visit chuck one time and check said we gotta go to lowe's [00:07:27]

do you know how rare it is for doctors to do house calls chuck went to this woman's home with weight and spent a day in the attic crawling through rat droppings and everything else to insulate the home so that this mom of young children would have an insulated home to live in [00:08:05]

i can expect god to be at work in my life to prompt me to help other people in that kind of way where are you expecting love to show up were you expecting today an opportunity for joy um chuck's old partner dr k had many many many stories to tell one of them was the time when somebody came into the office [00:09:01]

man how often do i go through my days with blinders on i would love to do that and then what gets in the way of my living expectantly when i flew home from atlanta i uh when i was checking in at the um airport i saw there was a flight that went back to san jose which is really where i live [00:10:08]

god is with me right now and i had to live in these moments anyhow i could live them with joy in a car and seek to talk people or redeem the time in some way that would bring a little life to somebody else or i could be miserable and frustrated with my own stupidity i want to live either way [00:11:20]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?