Expectations: Understanding Our Journey with Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, St. Andrew family! Today, we reflected on the significance of expectations in our lives and how they shape our actions and beliefs. We began by sharing some personal milestones, including my 31st birthday and the five-year anniversary of my installation as your associate pastor. These moments of reflection led us to consider the expectations we hold for ourselves and for Jesus.
We delved into the story from John 6, where Jesus feeds the 5,000, to explore two sets of expectations: those of the crowd and those of the disciples. The crowd followed Jesus, hoping He was the prophet Moses had foretold, expecting Him to overthrow the Roman Empire and become their messianic king. Their actions were driven by these expectations, but Jesus did not meet them in the way they anticipated.
Similarly, the disciples, despite witnessing numerous miracles, doubted Jesus' ability to feed the multitude with just five loaves and two fish. Their expectations were limited by their human understanding, yet Jesus exceeded them by performing a miracle that pointed to His greater mission—His death and resurrection.
We then turned the lens on ourselves, questioning what expectations we hold for Jesus. Do we follow Him as a means to an end, hoping He will fulfill our desires? Or do we doubt His power in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges? The story teaches us that our expectations should be rooted in Jesus' words and actions, not in our limited understanding.
Jesus continually points us to something greater, revealing His power and love through His miracles and ultimately through His death and resurrection. He promises to provide for our needs and exceed our greatest expectations, leading us to the ultimate hope of His return and the renewal of all creation.
### Key Takeaways
1. Expectations Shape Actions: Our expectations significantly influence our actions and beliefs. When we expect something to happen, we often act in ways that reflect those expectations. This is evident in both the crowd's and the disciples' reactions to Jesus in John 6. Reflect on how your expectations shape your actions and whether they align with God's will. [40:52]
2. Misguided Expectations: The crowd expected Jesus to be a political messiah who would overthrow the Roman Empire. Their expectations were rooted in their desires rather than in Jesus' true mission. Similarly, we must examine whether our expectations of Jesus are based on our desires or on His promises and teachings. [43:07]
3. Doubting Jesus' Power: Despite witnessing numerous miracles, the disciples doubted Jesus' ability to feed the multitude. This highlights how even those closest to Jesus can struggle with doubt. In our lives, we must remember that no challenge is too great for Jesus and trust in His power and provision. [48:17]
4. Jesus Exceeds Expectations: Jesus often exceeds our expectations in ways we cannot foresee. The feeding of the 5,000 was not just a miracle of provision but a sign pointing to His greater mission of salvation through His death and resurrection. Trust that Jesus will work in ways beyond our understanding for our ultimate good. [52:23]
5. Ultimate Hope in Jesus' Return: Our greatest expectation should be the return of Jesus and the renewal of all creation. This hope surpasses all earthly expectations and promises a future where we will be united with Him and all believers in eternal joy and peace. Let this hope guide your life and actions. [55:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[14:45] - First Communion Class Announcement
[17:59] - Mission Trip Recap
[18:32] - Pastor Mark's Absence
[19:05] - Confession and Forgiveness
[20:10] - Opening Prayer
[26:22] - First Lesson: II Kings 4:42-44
[33:32] - Gospel Reading: John 6:1-21
[37:55] - Personal Reflections and Milestones
[40:52] - Influence of Expectations
[43:07] - Crowd's Expectations of Jesus
[48:17] - Disciples' Doubts
[52:23] - Jesus Exceeds Expectations
[55:13] - Ultimate Hope in Jesus' Return
[56:50] - Closing Reflections and Blessing
[57:30] - Apostles' Creed
[01:00:33] - Prayers of the Church
[01:05:01] - Holy Communion
[01:17:10] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 6:1-21
2. Deuteronomy 18:15
3. II Kings 4:42-44
#### Observation Questions
1. In John 6:1-21, what were the initial expectations of the crowd following Jesus? How did these expectations influence their actions? [41:59]
2. How did Philip and Andrew respond to Jesus' question about feeding the crowd, and what does this reveal about their expectations of Jesus? [46:18]
3. According to Deuteronomy 18:15, what was the prophecy that the crowd was trying to confirm about Jesus? [43:43]
4. What miracle did Jesus perform in II Kings 4:42-44, and how does it relate to the miracle of feeding the 5,000 in John 6? [26:22]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did the crowd want to make Jesus their king after witnessing the miracle of feeding the 5,000? How does this reflect their understanding of His mission? [45:06]
2. Despite witnessing many miracles, why did the disciples doubt Jesus' ability to feed the multitude? What does this say about human understanding and faith? [48:17]
3. How does Jesus' response to the crowd's expectations in John 6:15 demonstrate His true mission? [45:06]
4. In what ways does the story of feeding the 5,000 point to Jesus' greater mission of salvation through His death and resurrection? [52:23]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your expectations influenced your actions. Were these expectations aligned with God's will? How can you ensure your expectations are rooted in Jesus' words and actions? [40:52]
2. Have you ever followed Jesus as a means to an end, hoping He would fulfill your desires? How can you shift your focus to align with His promises and teachings? [43:07]
3. Think of a situation where you doubted Jesus' power in the face of a challenge. How can you remind yourself that no challenge is too great for Him? [48:17]
4. Jesus often exceeds our expectations in ways we cannot foresee. Can you recall a time when Jesus worked in your life beyond your understanding? How did this experience strengthen your faith? [52:23]
5. Our greatest expectation should be the return of Jesus and the renewal of all creation. How does this hope influence your daily life and actions? [55:13]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in Jesus' provision and power, especially when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges? [49:39]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to adjust your expectations to align more closely with Jesus' teachings. What practical steps can you take this week to make this adjustment? [50:40]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Expectations
Our expectations significantly influence our actions and beliefs. When we expect something to happen, we often act in ways that reflect those expectations. This is evident in both the crowd's and the disciples' reactions to Jesus in John 6. The crowd followed Jesus, hoping He was the prophet Moses had foretold, expecting Him to overthrow the Roman Empire and become their messianic king. Their actions were driven by these expectations, but Jesus did not meet them in the way they anticipated. Similarly, the disciples, despite witnessing numerous miracles, doubted Jesus' ability to feed the multitude with just five loaves and two fish. Their expectations were limited by their human understanding, yet Jesus exceeded them by performing a miracle that pointed to His greater mission—His death and resurrection. Reflect on how your expectations shape your actions and whether they align with God's will. [40:52]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 ESV)
Reflection: Think about a recent situation where your expectations influenced your actions. Were those expectations aligned with God's will? How can you adjust your expectations to better reflect your faith in God's plan?
Day 2: Misguided Expectations
The crowd expected Jesus to be a political messiah who would overthrow the Roman Empire. Their expectations were rooted in their desires rather than in Jesus' true mission. This serves as a reminder to examine whether our expectations of Jesus are based on our desires or on His promises and teachings. Often, we may follow Jesus as a means to an end, hoping He will fulfill our personal desires. However, Jesus calls us to trust in His greater mission and purpose, which may not always align with our immediate wants. By aligning our expectations with His promises, we can better understand His true mission and purpose in our lives. [43:07]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an expectation you have of Jesus that may be rooted in your personal desires. How can you shift this expectation to align more closely with His promises and teachings?
Day 3: Overcoming Doubt
Despite witnessing numerous miracles, the disciples doubted Jesus' ability to feed the multitude. This highlights how even those closest to Jesus can struggle with doubt. In our lives, we must remember that no challenge is too great for Jesus and trust in His power and provision. Doubt can often cloud our faith, making it difficult to see the bigger picture of God's plan. By focusing on Jesus' past faithfulness and His promises, we can overcome doubt and trust in His ability to provide for our needs, no matter how insurmountable the challenges may seem. [48:17]
"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24 ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you are struggling with doubt. How can you remind yourself of Jesus' past faithfulness and promises to overcome this doubt?
Day 4: Jesus Exceeds Expectations
Jesus often exceeds our expectations in ways we cannot foresee. The feeding of the 5,000 was not just a miracle of provision but a sign pointing to His greater mission of salvation through His death and resurrection. Trust that Jesus will work in ways beyond our understanding for our ultimate good. This story teaches us that our limited understanding should not confine our faith. Jesus' actions often reveal a deeper purpose and a greater plan that we may not immediately recognize. By trusting in His wisdom and timing, we can experience the fullness of His blessings and the depth of His love. [52:23]
"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." (Ephesians 3:20 ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when Jesus exceeded your expectations in an unexpected way. How can this experience help you trust Him more fully in your current circumstances?
Day 5: Ultimate Hope in Jesus' Return
Our greatest expectation should be the return of Jesus and the renewal of all creation. This hope surpasses all earthly expectations and promises a future where we will be united with Him and all believers in eternal joy and peace. Let this hope guide your life and actions. The promise of Jesus' return provides a foundation for our faith and a perspective that transcends our present struggles. By focusing on this ultimate hope, we can navigate life's challenges with a sense of purpose and anticipation, knowing that God's plan culminates in a future of eternal joy and peace. [55:13]
"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13 ESV)
Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' return and the renewal of all creation influence your daily life and decisions? What changes can you make to live more fully in this hope?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "That's one of the beautiful things about birthdays, is they give us an opportunity to both look back on what God has done, look forward to what God will do, all while celebrating what God is doing." [37:55] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Ultimately, we see that their expectations of Jesus reveal what they really believed about him. But these expectations are not met because that's not what Jesus is doing here." [45:06] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "See, Jesus is pointing us towards something more and leading us through the hard times to trust in whatever he has waiting for us. Then in his plans he will do something we could never imagine as a sign of his love for us." [54:37] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And all of this points us towards the greatest expectation that we have of Jesus. That one day he's going to return. That our lives are looking forward to this return where he will come back and he will unite and bring with himself the new heaven and the new earth and all of creation will be made new." [55:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so my hope and my prayer is that together we continue to experience the incredible power and miracles and wondrous signs that Jesus is doing in our lives. And that His love continues to be the greatest influence in all of our lives and in all of our actions each and every day so that we live in a way that reflects the great expectations we have for a life one day with Jesus forever." [56:50] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "As I thought about the many and various expectations we have in life, one of the things that stood out to me was the influence that our expectations have on our actions. See, when we expect something to happen, our actions reflect that expectation." [40:11] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so it's fair to say, in a lot of ways, our expectations have an influence on our actions and ultimately, our actions, the way in which we live, are a reflection of what we believe. And this is not just something we see in our own lives, but this is something that we see in the Bible over and over again." [41:26] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "See what this story does for us is it opens our eyes to see that our expectations of Jesus must be found in what he says to us. Our expectations of Jesus have to be found in his word. Not what we want or what we believe is possible, but instead in what Jesus says and does for us." [51:31] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "See, what Jesus promises to us in this story is that he will always provide for our needs. He provides for the needs of the people on that day and he continues to provide for your needs and my needs. This is where he promises things like his grace and his mercy and his love that those gifts are abounding for us." [53:56] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And when our expectations for Jesus are misguided or misunderstood, Jesus uses those moments to reveal just how good he is. Jesus uses those moments to reveal how great he is for us and the work he is doing in our lives even when we miss it." [53:15] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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