Postures of Faith: Simplicity, Vulnerability, and Expectancy

Devotional

Day 1: The Posture of the Heart Matters More Than the Practice

God is not just interested in what we do—attending church, praying, giving, or serving—but in the posture of our hearts as we do these things. The story of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18 shows that two people can do all the right things outwardly, yet only one leaves changed because of the humility and sincerity of his heart. Transformation comes not from religious routine, but from coming before God with the right spirit, open and honest, seeking His mercy. Let us examine not just our actions, but the attitude and disposition with which we approach God, so that we too may leave justified and changed. [11:56]

Luke 18:10-14 (ESV)
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been focusing on outward actions rather than the posture of your heart? How can you intentionally shift your attitude today to approach God with humility and sincerity?

Day 2: Simplicity—Childlike Faith Unlocks the Kingdom

There is a profound power in coming to God with childlike simplicity, not overcomplicating our prayers or our faith. Jesus commends the simple, honest prayer of the tax collector and teaches that the kingdom of God is revealed to the childlike, not the self-sufficient or overly sophisticated. As we grow older, life can harden us and make us cynical, but God invites us to return to a posture of trust and tenderness, believing Him at His word. Simplicity is not naivety, but a deep, trusting openness that allows us to receive from God in His upside-down kingdom. [16:38]

Matthew 18:3 (ESV)
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Reflection: Where have you allowed cynicism or complexity to creep into your relationship with God? What is one way you can practice childlike trust and simplicity in your prayers today?

Day 3: Vulnerability—God Heals What You Reveal

True transformation comes when we are willing to be vulnerable before God, honestly naming our struggles and weaknesses rather than hiding behind spiritual-sounding excuses. Like the man with the withered hand or blind Bartimaeus, it is only when we bring our real needs into the light that God can truly heal and restore us. Authenticity is good, but vulnerability goes deeper—it is the courage to show God our withered places, trusting that He is safe and able to heal. Don’t settle for surface-level prayers; bring your true self to God and let Him meet you there. [27:00]

Mark 10:51-52 (ESV)
“And Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And the blind man said to him, ‘Rabbi, let me recover my sight.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.”

Reflection: What is one area of brokenness or struggle you have been reluctant to name before God? Will you take a moment today to vulnerably bring it to Him in prayer, asking for His healing?

Day 4: Expectancy—Break the Routine and Believe Again

God invites us to come to Him not just with routine, but with expectancy—believing that He is able and willing to move in our lives. Familiarity, disappointment, and mindless routine can dull our expectation, but a childlike, expectant heart accesses the fullness of what God has for us. Just as a child keeps asking, believing that their parent will respond, we are called to persevere in hope, refusing to let past disappointments rob us of faith for today. Expectancy is the “ATM card” that accesses God’s provision; let us come before Him believing for change, not just going through the motions. [32:02]

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Reflection: What is one area where disappointment or routine has dulled your expectation of God? How can you intentionally approach God today with renewed expectancy for Him to move?

Day 5: Transformation—Leave Changed by God’s Presence

The ultimate goal is not just to attend church, pray, or serve, but to encounter God in such a way that we leave changed—justified, forgiven, healed, and stirred. God desires that no one leaves His presence the same as they came, but this requires us to come with childlike simplicity, vulnerability, and expectancy. When we bring our true selves before God, open and hungry, He meets us with grace and power. Today, let your hunger and need be on display before Him, trusting that He is able to heal your posture and transform your life. [37:45]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Reflection: As you come before God today, what is one specific area where you are asking Him to change you? How will you make space for His presence to transform you, rather than just going through the motions?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as one family across New Zealand and Australia, coming before God with open hearts, recognizing that apart from Him, we are nothing and He is everything. No matter our background, age, or circumstance, we are all invited to approach God not just with our actions, but with the posture of our hearts. The story of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18 reminds us that it is not simply our religious practices—coming to church, praying, serving, or giving—that bring transformation, but the spirit and attitude with which we do them. God is deeply interested in our posture: our cheerfulness in giving, our gladness in serving, and our thanksgiving in worship.

Three postures are essential for every disciple: simplicity, vulnerability, and expectancy. Simplicity is a childlike faith that trusts God without overcomplicating things. The kingdom of God often works in ways that defy worldly logic—if you want to receive, you give; if you want to live, you die; if you want to be exalted, you humble yourself. This upside-down kingdom requires us to maintain a tender, childlike spirit, even as we grow older and life becomes more complex.

Vulnerability is the courage to come before God honestly, revealing our true needs and weaknesses. God can only heal what we reveal. Too often, as we mature in faith, we mask our struggles with spiritual language or mild names, losing the raw honesty that invites God’s transforming power. Like the man with the withered hand, we are invited to stretch out our brokenness before God, trusting that He is safe and able to heal.

Expectancy is the posture that believes God is able and willing to move. Familiarity and disappointment can dull our expectation, turning our faith into a mindless routine. But God calls us to come like children—persistent, hopeful, and unjaded by past disappointments. When we approach God with simplicity, vulnerability, and expectancy, we position ourselves to be changed, justified, and renewed. Today, the invitation is to come before God afresh, not hiding behind routine or pretense, but with open hands and open hearts, believing that He meets us where we are and that nobody leaves unchanged.

Key Takeaways

1. The Posture of Simplicity: True faith is marked by a childlike simplicity that trusts God without needing to impress or complicate things. The kingdom of God is often counterintuitive, requiring us to unlearn worldly wisdom and embrace a humble, trusting spirit. As we age, it becomes harder to maintain this simplicity, but it is essential for spiritual vitality and receptivity to God’s ways. [16:38]
2. Vulnerability Unlocks Healing: God can only heal what we are willing to reveal. When we mask our struggles with spiritual language or minimize our real issues, we block the transforming work of God. Vulnerability before God means naming our true needs and weaknesses, trusting that He is both safe and able to restore us. [22:51]
3. Expectancy Overcomes Routine: Familiarity and disappointment can turn our spiritual lives into empty routines, robbing us of expectation. Expectancy is the faith that God is present, able, and willing to act, regardless of past outcomes. Maintaining expectancy requires intentionality—breaking out of routine and coming to God as if for the first time, with hope and openness. [32:02]
4. Transformation Is Tied to Posture, Not Just Practice: It is possible to do all the right things—attend church, pray, serve—yet remain unchanged if our posture is wrong. God looks beyond our actions to the attitude and spirit behind them. Transformation comes when we approach God with humility, honesty, and faith, rather than religious performance. [11:56]
5. Honest Prayer Invites God’s Power: The most powerful prayers are often the simplest and most honest—“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” When we drop pretense and come to God with our real needs, we invite His mercy and power into our lives. This kind of prayer is accessible to everyone, regardless of spiritual maturity or eloquence. [21:28]
** [21:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Honoring Leaders and Gathering in Unity
[03:02] - Personal Journey: From Law to Ministry
[04:28] - The Importance of Posture
[08:40] - God Cares About Our Heart, Not Just Actions
[09:32] - Cheerfulness, Gladness, and Thanksgiving
[10:48] - The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
[12:47] - Three Essential Postures for Disciples
[14:26] - The Value of Childlikeness
[16:38] - The Upside-Down Kingdom
[18:21] - Faith Stories: God Moves Mountains
[22:30] - Vulnerability vs. Authenticity
[25:12] - Naming Our Real Issues Before God
[29:12] - The Posture of Expectancy
[32:02] - Breaking Routine and Renewing Expectation
[37:03] - Changing Patterns to Restore Expectancy
[37:45] - Responding to God with Simplicity, Vulnerability, and Expectancy

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV) — > He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Observation Questions

What differences do you notice between the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14? What does each man focus on in his prayer? [10:48]
According to the sermon, what are the three postures every disciple needs, and how are they described? [12:47]
In the story, who left the temple changed, and why does Jesus say this happened? [11:56]
What examples did the sermon give of how God cares about our posture (cheerfulness, gladness, thanksgiving) rather than just our actions? [09:32]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus say that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified? What does this teach us about what God values in our approach to Him? [11:56]
The sermon says, “God will heal what you reveal.” What does it mean to be vulnerable before God, and why is this important for transformation? [22:51]
How does the idea of “simplicity” or childlike faith challenge the way we often approach God as adults? Why might it be harder to maintain this posture as we get older? [14:26]
The sermon talks about “expectancy” and warns against routine and disappointment dulling our faith. How can routine or past disappointments affect our relationship with God? [32:02]

Application Questions

The Pharisee did all the “right” religious things but left unchanged. Have you ever found yourself going through the motions in your faith? What would it look like to shift your posture from routine to genuine openness before God? [11:56]
The sermon describes simplicity as a childlike trust in God. Is there an area of your life where you tend to overcomplicate things or struggle to trust God simply? What would it look like to approach that area with childlike faith this week? [16:38]
Vulnerability means naming our real needs and weaknesses before God. Is there something you’ve been minimizing, hiding, or giving a “spiritual” name to instead of being honest with God? What would it look like to bring that to Him honestly in prayer? [25:12]
The story of the man with the withered hand shows that God can only heal what we’re willing to reveal. Is there a “withered hand” in your life—an area of brokenness or struggle—you need to stretch out to God? What’s holding you back from doing that? [28:03]
Expectancy is coming to God believing He is able and willing to move. Has familiarity or disappointment dulled your expectation of God? What is one practical way you can break out of routine and renew your expectancy this week? [32:02]
The sermon says, “Honest prayer invites God’s power.” What is one simple, honest prayer you need to pray this week, even if it’s just “God, help me”? [21:28]
The pastor shared about changing patterns to restore expectancy. Is there a spiritual habit or routine you need to change up to keep your relationship with God fresh? What could you try differently this week? [37:03]

Sermon Clips

If you can learn to give, serve and come to the house of the Lord with cheerfulness, with gladness and with thanksgiving, you're going to love the journey of actually following God. But religion is more interested in what you do and less interested in your posture. And it starts to beat you up with the responsibility of what they think God wants you to do. And you know what's really sad is you can do the right thing. Have the wrong posture and it actually can hurt you. It can actually affect you. Or at the very least, it'll be ineffective. [00:09:54] (37 seconds) #RightPostureRightImpact

Our transformation is more connected to our posture than just our practice. So today, it's like God created me a clean heart. Everything I do for you, help me to do it with the right posture. Help me to have the right spirit behind what I do. [00:12:35] (17 seconds) #CleanHeartCleanPosture

Vulnerability is distinct from authenticity. Authenticity means I don't pretend to be someone else. Vulnerability, see, I can be authentic and not vulnerable. I cannot be like someone else but not show you who I really am. And, you know, when it comes to God, I'm not saying we should show every human. I'm not saying we should show every human. I'm not saying we should show every human. I'm like someone else around what we're really like, but when it comes to God, learn to come simply, but learn to come vulnerably. God, this is where it's really at, because here's the principle. God will heal what you reveal. [00:22:36] (28 seconds) #VulnerableBeforeGod

When you come to God childlike, when you come to God vulnerable, and you come to God expected, they're linked. Do you know, have you ever seen a child who's genuinely childlike and vulnerable? Children tend to have an incredible expectation around how they approach things. We sort of come, well, let's see how this goes. That's why when you ever see some magician in the foyer of a hotel, the kids gather in the, oh, let's stand back. And look, I'm not here to advocate magic, but I'm just here to say, come childlike, come vulnerable, and come expectant. [00:29:44] (34 seconds) #ChildlikeVulnerableExpectant

Disappointment is a big expectation killer. Because the problem with living a long time is not everything works out the way you want. And then when you get a no, or life didn't turn out the way you thought, that disappointment kills expectations. So the next time you come to God, you're thinking twice. You're measuring your prayer. You're like, well, I don't know. You know, you don't really do stuff anyway. [00:32:32] (22 seconds) #ComeAsYouAre

There's something about saying, God, I just want to come before you like it's the first time. I want to come before you like the tax collector. God, and you know, when you come before the Lord, don't say, Lord, I've got it all together. Show him the real issue. Show him your withered hand. Say, Father, I thank you, God, that you are still able. I don't know why life hasn't worked out the way I thought, but I wonder if today all around life, forget about the person on your left and your right for a second, and can you come to God with no presupposition, with no barrier, with no might. Come like a child. Come vulnerable and come expectant. [00:38:15] (35 seconds)

``Come on, all over Life Church today, God is healing the posture of the faith of every person. Today, God, is the day we come before You. Today's the day where all things are possible. Today's the day where, Lord, You remove heaviness, You remove the guilt, You remove the shame. Today is the day I say I need You. My marriage needs You. My children need You. God, I'm not pretending anymore. I need You. Today I come childlike. Today I'm like the tax collector. Help! Help! Jesus, help! [00:40:42] (34 seconds)

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