Living with Expectancy: Embracing Our Unfinished Story

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Living Church

The church is a dynamic community called to embody God's mission. It is not confined to a building but is the collective of believers worldwide, living out the gospel in every aspect of life. This understanding shifts the focus from a physical location to the active participation of each member in the mission of God. Believers are encouraged to see themselves as integral parts of a living organism, each with a role to play in the unfolding story of God's redemptive work. The church's identity is rooted in its calling to worship and serve, to be a beacon of hope and a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love. This perspective challenges individuals to engage with their faith community not just as attendees but as active contributors to the church's ongoing narrative. [38:25]

Acts 2:46-47 (ESV)
"And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the life and mission of your local church community this week?

Day 2: The Significance of Baptism

Baptism is a profound declaration of faith, symbolizing the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection. It represents the transition from the old life of sin to a new life in Jesus. Through baptism, individuals publicly affirm their commitment to Christ and His teachings, acknowledging that they have been set free from the bondage of sin and are now empowered to live a life that reflects the gospel's transformative power. This sacrament serves as a reminder that the believer's identity is found in Christ, and it is a call to walk in the newness of life that He provides. The act of baptism is both a personal milestone and a communal celebration, as the church witnesses and supports the individual in their spiritual journey. [26:11]

Romans 6:4 (ESV)
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: In what ways does your life reflect the newness of life that baptism symbolizes?

Day 3: Expectancy in the Believer's Life

Living with expectancy is to approach God with a heart open to His movement and voice. It is the anticipation that God will act, speak, and reveal Himself in the midst of His people. This expectancy should permeate every aspect of the believer's life, from personal devotion to corporate worship. It is a posture of faith that looks forward to the ways God will manifest His presence and power. Expectancy fuels prayer, worship, and the study of Scripture, as believers eagerly await the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives and communities. It is a reminder that God is active and involved, inviting His people to be attentive to His leading and responsive to His call. [01:12:29]

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

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to approach with greater expectancy in God's faithfulness?

Day 4: Longing for God's Presence

A deep longing for God's presence is a defining characteristic of a vibrant faith community. This desire reflects a heart that is not satisfied with mere religious routine but seeks a genuine encounter with the Divine. It is the same yearning that the early church had as they awaited the fulfillment of Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit. This anticipation should drive believers to gather in worship, not out of obligation, but out of an earnest desire to be in the presence of God and to experience His transformative power. The church is called to be a place where this longing is nurtured and where believers can come together to support one another as they seek to grow closer to God and await His return. [47:36]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV)
"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper longing for God's presence in your daily spiritual practices?

Day 5: Prayerful Decision-Making

The foundation of discerning God's will is prayerful decision-making. It is the practice of seeking divine guidance before taking action, acknowledging that God's wisdom far exceeds human understanding. This approach to decision-making is exemplified by the apostles, who prayed earnestly for the Lord's direction in selecting a replacement for Judas. By prioritizing prayer, believers demonstrate their dependence on God and their trust in His sovereignty. This reliance on prayer ensures that the decisions made are not merely based on human reasoning but are aligned with God's greater plan for His church and His people. [01:00:19]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What decision do you need to bring before God in prayer this week, seeking His wisdom and guidance?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon today, I began by welcoming everyone to our new series through the book of Acts, which we've titled "Unfinished Story." I shared my excitement about diving into this book that teaches us how to be the church and carry out our mission effectively. I drew a parallel between the expectancy of the early church and the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting," highlighting the anticipation of the apostles for the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. I emphasized that the church is not a building but a called-out assembly of God's people, tasked with worshiping God and carrying out His mission on earth.

I then delved into the significance of Christian baptism, which symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I explained how our old self is crucified with Him, freeing us from the enslavement of sin, and how we, too, are called to walk in newness of life.

I spoke about the importance of living with expectancy, expecting God to speak through His Word, answer our prayers, and be present in our gatherings. I encouraged the congregation to carry the baton of faith with the same expectancy as the early church, writing our chapter in the ongoing story of God's people.

I highlighted the longing for God's presence that the early church had, as seen in their reaction to Jesus' ascension. I expressed my hope that our church would also gather with a longing for God's presence and an anticipation of His return.

I discussed the unity and love among the apostles and other believers as they devoted themselves to prayer in the upper room. I pointed out that this unity and love for God's people should be a hallmark of our church as well.

I then addressed the church's approach to decision-making, emphasizing the need to seek God's plan through prayer before taking action. I explained how the apostles prayed for God's guidance in selecting a replacement for Judas, showing their reliance on God's wisdom rather than their own.

Finally, I concluded with a call to prayer, inviting the congregation to expect God to move among us, to bring healing, comfort, and peace, and to commit their lives to following Him.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What instructions did Jesus give to the apostles before His ascension? ([35:52])
How does the book of Acts describe the early church's sense of expectancy? ([37:33])
What does Romans 6:3-6 say about the symbolism of baptism? ([26:11])
How did the apostles approach decision-making when selecting a replacement for Judas? ([54:21])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that the apostles were instructed to wait for the Holy Spirit before beginning their mission? ([35:52])
How does the concept of living with expectancy apply to modern-day believers? ([44:00])
What does the unity and love among the apostles in the upper room teach us about the importance of community in the church? ([50:40])
How does the practice of prayer in the early church serve as a model for us today? ([54:21])

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that the church is not a building but a living assembly of God's people. How can you contribute to the mission of the church in your daily life? ([38:25])
Baptism symbolizes our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. How does this understanding of baptism impact your view of your own spiritual journey? ([26:11])
Living with expectancy was highlighted as crucial for spiritual vitality. How can you cultivate a sense of expectancy in your personal Bible study and prayer life? ([44:00])
The early church longed for God's presence and eagerly awaited Jesus' return. How can you foster a similar longing for God's presence in your life and in your small group? ([47:36])
Unity and love were hallmarks of the early church. What practical steps can you take to promote unity and love within your small group or church community? ([50:40])
The apostles sought God's guidance through prayer before making decisions. How can you incorporate prayer into your decision-making process, both personally and within your church? ([54:21])
Reflect on a time when you felt a strong sense of God's presence. How can you create an environment in your small group that encourages such experiences? ([48:10])

Sermon Clips

1. "Christian baptism, baptism into Jesus represents the finished work of Jesus on the cross. His death, His burial, His resurrection... We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin." [26:11]( | | )

2. "The church has been God's vehicle to spread his love to a hurting and broken world. The church truly is the hope of the world because we are carrying out the mission and the cause of Christ that he left in the hands of that little band of disciples 2,000 years ago. But that story isn't done." [40:21]( | | )

3. "You and I were born for this time in history to carry out the mission of Jesus. You may be thinking, yeah, but. I don't know. I can't do what Peter did. Or I'm no Paul... But as we're going to read through the book of Acts, you're going to see some other things." [41:15]( | | )

4. "I believe we're part of the last push to reach the world with the cause of Christ. The great thing about studying the book of Acts is we get to learn how the first church did it... We got to carry it on well, too. We're carrying that baton. We got to hold that baton, and we got to carry it well." [43:08]( | | )

5. "I hope that our church will always gather with a sense of expectancy, longing, longing for the presence of the Lord as we worship in our worship services, longing for the presence of the Lord as we gather in life groups." [48:10]( | | )

6. "The apostles sought God, and they sought his will with everything. Everything they did. What do we, we got to see what God thinks we should do. We need to do the same thing. That's how we need to do church. We should always ask, God, what is your plan for this church?" [54:21]( | | )

7. "The Bible says that they were in one accord, in one accord. The word that's translated in one accord, it can also be translated with one mind or with one passion... They were united. They were, they were, there was unity as they prayed for one another, as they sought God together." [51:16]( | | )

8. "We should come on Sundays. We should wake up and go, I can't wait to get to church, because I want to see what God's going to do today. We should expect that something's going to happen. We should gather together with expectant hearts." [44:46]( | | )

9. "The book of Acts really describes what the early church did while they were waiting for the return of Christ... How to Act When You're Expecting... They were expecting. They were waiting for what would be the day that the church is born." [37:33]( | | )

10. "The story of the church that we're going to see getting started in the book of Acts is not over yet. It's an unfinished story. The story of the church is still being written." [39:20]( | | )

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