Resetting Our Expectations: Embracing God's Relationship and Community

Devotional

Day 1: Loving God and Neighbor with All We Are

To truly follow God’s heart, we are called to love Him with every part of our being—heart, soul, and mind—and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is not always easy, as our natural tendency is to focus on our own comfort and desires, but God’s expectation is that we give Him everything and extend that same love to those around us, even when it feels uncomfortable or inconvenient. When we center our lives on these two great commandments, we reflect God’s love to the world and become the kind of church family that draws others to Him. [03:37]

Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Reflection: Who is one neighbor—whether next door, at work, or in your community—that you find it difficult to love? What is one practical way you can show them Christ’s love this week, even if it feels uncomfortable?

Day 2: God’s Grace for All—No Condemnation

God sees every part of us—our strengths, our weaknesses, and even the “junk” we try to hide—and yet He loves us unconditionally. There is no sin so great that God’s love cannot reach, and as recipients of this grace, we are called not to condemn others but to shine a light so beautiful that people are drawn to its source. Remembering that all have sinned and fall short, we are to see others through God’s eyes, offering love and hope rather than judgment. [07:32]

Romans 3:23 (ESV)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Reflection: Is there someone you have been tempted to judge or look down on? How can you intentionally choose to see them through God’s eyes of grace and compassion today?

Day 3: Serving Together in Humility and Unity

God calls us to serve one another with justice, mercy, and humility, recognizing that each of us is uniquely gifted and placed in this church family for a purpose. As we walk together, we are to encourage, support, and build each other up, working through disagreements with love and humility, and striving for unity as we pursue God’s mission together. When we each do our part, the body of Christ grows strong and healthy, and God’s love is made visible in our community. [52:18]

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 (ESV)
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift... And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

Reflection: What is one way you can use your unique gifts to serve someone in your church family this week, or to help build unity where there has been division?

Day 4: Cheerful Giving and Trusting God’s Provision

God does not need our money, but He invites us to give cheerfully as an act of gratitude and trust, recognizing that every good thing we have comes from Him. When we give from our first fruits, not out of compulsion but with joy, we experience the blessing of participating in God’s work and see His faithfulness in providing for our needs—sometimes in ways we could never have expected. [43:57]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Reflection: Are you giving to God out of joy and trust, or out of obligation? What is one step you can take to make your giving a more cheerful and faith-filled act this week?

Day 5: Pressing the Reset Button—Healing and Moving Forward

We all carry some form of hurt from past church experiences, but God calls us to press the reset button, seek healing, and move forward together for the sake of His kingdom. True unity and growth come when we are willing to forgive, have honest conversations, and bear with one another in love, remembering that our shared mission is greater than our differences or past wounds. As we reset together, we become a church that welcomes, heals, and points others to the hope found in Christ. [54:46]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Reflection: Is there a past hurt or unresolved conflict within the church that you need to address or let go of? What is one step you can take today toward healing and unity?

Sermon Summary

Today marks a new beginning for us as a church family, a time to hit the reset button and update our expectations—of God, of each other, and of ourselves. We are not the same people we were before, and I am not the same pastor you’ve had in the past. This is a unique opportunity to come together, set aside old assumptions, and seek God’s heart for what He wants to do in and through us.

At the core of God’s desire is a relationship with us. He wants us—our whole selves, not just the parts we’re comfortable sharing. Jesus summarized the greatest commandments as loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. This is not always easy, especially when it means stepping out of our comfort zones or loving people who are different from us. Yet, this is the foundation of our calling: to love God fully and to love others sacrificially.

We are all broken people, sinners in need of grace, and God’s love covers every part of us—even the parts we try to hide. There is no sin so great that God’s love cannot reach it. Our role is not to condemn others, but to shine the light of Christ so brightly that people are drawn to its source. God’s expectations for us are simple but profound: love Him, love others, and share the good news of Jesus.

As we reset, it’s important to recognize that I am not a perfect pastor, and you are not a perfect congregation. We are a family, and families work through disagreements and hurts together. My commitment is to walk with you, to shepherd and serve alongside you, and to be honest about my own shortcomings. I expect the same openness and commitment from you: to show up, to serve, to give cheerfully, and to do life together as a community.

God has uniquely gifted each of us, and He calls us to use those gifts in ways that are authentic to who we are—not just copying what other churches do, but following where He leads us. Discipleship happens in the everyday moments, as we share life and faith with one another. We are called to heal together, to forgive past hurts, and to pursue unity for the sake of God’s kingdom. Let’s press the reset button, embrace God’s vision, and move forward together with hope and excitement for what He will do.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s deepest desire is for a relationship with you, not just your service or your best behavior. He wants every part of your life, even the messy and hidden places. There is no sin or failure that can keep you from His love, and He invites you to love Him with your whole heart and to love others with the same grace you’ve received. [03:37]
2. True Christian community is built on authenticity, humility, and mutual care. We are not called to pretend perfection, but to walk together as fellow sinners saved by grace. When we are honest about our struggles and willing to forgive and be forgiven, we create a family where people want to belong and grow. [12:49]
3. Serving God is not about fitting into a mold or copying what others do; it’s about discovering and using the unique gifts and passions God has given you. Ministry should flow from what God has placed in your heart, and discipleship happens best in the context of real relationships and shared life. [28:07]
4. Generosity is not about meeting the church’s needs, but about responding joyfully to God’s provision in your life. God doesn’t need your money, but He wants you to experience the blessing of giving back to Him. When you trust Him with your resources, He proves Himself faithful in ways you could never orchestrate on your own. [39:28]
5. Healing and unity are essential for kingdom impact. Past hurts and misunderstandings can keep us from moving forward, but God calls us to press the reset button, seek reconciliation, and pursue peace. When we bear with one another in love and work together as one body, we become a powerful witness to the world of God’s love and grace. [51:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:47] - Resetting to God’s Expectations
[02:53] - The Greatest Commandments
[04:23] - Loving Difficult Neighbors
[06:20] - Giving God Every Part of Our Lives
[07:32] - No Room for Condemnation
[08:50] - God’s Simple Expectations
[10:57] - Resetting Expectations of Need
[12:49] - The Pastor’s Humanity and Role
[16:24] - Working Through Disagreements as a Family
[19:50] - Building a Church Family
[21:47] - The Expectation to Show Up
[27:02] - Serving According to God’s Calling
[28:07] - Discipleship Through Shared Life
[32:32] - The Blessing of Generosity
[39:28] - God’s Faithful Provision
[45:02] - God Wants Relationship, Not Just Service
[48:28] - Resetting and Healing Together
[51:25] - Unity and Maturity in Christ
[54:46] - Forgiveness and Moving Forward
[57:08] - Partnering for Kingdom Impact
[58:19] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 22:36-40 — “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

- Ephesians 4:1-6
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Matthew 22, what are the two greatest commandments, and how are they connected?
In Ephesians 4, what attitudes does Paul say are necessary for unity in the church?
The sermon mentioned that God wants “all of you”—not just the parts you’re comfortable sharing. What examples did the pastor give about “closets” in our lives that we keep closed off from God? [[06:20]]
What does the pastor say is the foundation for true Christian community? [[12:49]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus links loving God and loving your neighbor so closely? What does it look like to love God “with all your heart, soul, and mind” in real life? [[03:37]]
The pastor said, “We are all broken people, sinners in need of grace, and God’s love covers every part of us—even the parts we try to hide.” How does this understanding affect the way we relate to each other in the church? [[06:20]]
Ephesians 4 calls us to “bear with one another in love” and “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” What are some practical ways a church family can do this, especially after disagreements or hurt? [[51:25]]
The sermon emphasized that serving God is about using your unique gifts, not just copying what other churches do. Why is this important for the health and mission of a church? [[28:07]]

Application Questions

The pastor talked about “resetting” our expectations and starting fresh as a church family. Is there an old assumption or hurt you need to let go of so you can move forward? What would it look like to press the reset button in your own heart? [[48:28]]
Are there any “closets” in your life—areas you keep hidden from God or others? What’s one step you could take this week to invite God into that space? [[06:20]]
Loving your neighbor can be uncomfortable, especially when they’re different from you. Can you think of a specific neighbor or person who is hard for you to love? What’s one practical way you could show them love this week? [[04:23]]
The pastor admitted he’s not perfect and asked for honesty and openness from the congregation. How comfortable are you being real about your struggles with others at church? What’s one way you could take a step toward more authenticity? [[12:49]]
The sermon said, “Ministry should flow from what God has placed in your heart.” What is something you’re passionate about that you could use to serve others in the church or community? [[28:07]]
Generosity was described as a joyful response to God’s provision, not just meeting the church’s needs. How do you feel about giving—whether time, money, or talents? Is there a way you could give more cheerfully or intentionally? [[39:28]]
Unity and healing are essential for kingdom impact. Is there someone in the church (or outside) you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? What’s one step you could take toward reconciliation this week? [[51:25]]

Sermon Clips

What does God want from us? How do we center on his heart? We give him everything that we are. We love him with every essence of our being. Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. And the second commandment is love your neighbor as yourself. That doesn't seem hard to me, but it's hard. Because my nature is to love me with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind and all my strength. And to do the things that make me happy and make me comfortable. [00:03:30]

But there are things that God wants me to do that I don't want to do because it's uncomfortable. But if I want to serve God, then I have to do what he wants me to do. And that is give him myself. And if you want to serve God, then you have to give him your stuff. All of you. [00:05:37]

But we do that with our lives as well. We're like, God, you can come in here and you can come in here, but over here, I don't know. You don't want to go in there. There's nothing to see there. But God, in case you don't know this, already knows. He knows your junk. He sees everything all about you, all at once, and he knows. And the cool part is, he loves you. [00:06:40]

There is no sin so terrible that you could do or have done that God doesn't know but still loves you in spite of what you've done. We like to, as Christians, sit back and think, well, I might have this sin, but at least I'm not as bad as that person over there. But that's not how God looks at us. We are all sinners. [00:07:11]

We ought to quote John 3, 16. For God to love the world that he gave his only forgotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish should have everlasting life. But we forget 17 and 18, which says, The Son of Man did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. Those who don't believe are condemned already because they haven't believed on the Son of God. [00:08:06]

So we have no right to condemn other people, our neighbors, our friends, our family, because they've condemned themselves. And our goal is to show them a light so beautiful that they can't help but wonder its source because of the love that we have for God and other people. [00:08:32]

So God's expectation for God you and for me and for everyone we know who's a Christian, is to love him with everything we are and everything we have, and to love our neighbors the same way. We should see people the way God sees them. [00:08:50]

So what does God want? He wants us to love him, he wants to love our neighbor, and he wants us to tell the world about him. That's it, that's what God wants. God wants you to do that, and God wants me to do that. [00:10:09]

God expects us all to be about his Father's business of sharing the gospel. We need you people with love, justice, mercy, humility, and it's a call as we start this adventure together to just reset. Because I don't know what you've done in the past, and you don't know what I've done in the past. So we can just go mash that reset button and start together, and we can see God do wonderful things in and through this church. [00:10:35]

I am not that. A lot of pastors will say I can't be friends with people in the church because they know that things that I didn't mess up and that I'm not a perfect person and they won't respect me as a pastor. I cannot be that. I've tried pretending to be something that I'm not and it's not good. I'm a terrible actor when it comes to playing me not being me. [00:12:44]

We are fallen sinners who are doing what we can to serve God through these broken vessels that we call our lives. [00:13:58]

If we can agree that you want to serve God, you want to see God's kingdom grow, you want to reach people for the gospel, and that's my goal, but we come to a disagreement about how we do that, instead of fighting, and of you leaving, or me leaving, we just say, okay, well, let's look at how this can work, and we'll figure it out. And sometimes you won't be wrong, and sometimes I'll be wrong, but it's okay, because we're a family, and families work things out. [00:16:30]

I am not the chief shepherd, I am an under -shepherd whose responsibility is given to watch over and guard you and guide you and to encourage you. But I can't expect you to do things that I am not willing to do. If I want you to invite people to church, then I have to invite people to church. If I want you to pour your heart out in worship, then I have to fall in my hand. worship. If I want you to talk to people about Christ, then I have to talk to people about Christ. If I want you to be cheerful givers, then I have to be a cheerful giver. But I am on the journey with you. [00:17:17]

I want this church to be so special to you that you don't just want to be here on Sunday and Wednesday. I want you to be about your business during the week and drive by and see cars in the parking lot and you're like, oh, I want to go and say hi. [00:19:17]

I want this to be a church of people who do life together. God drew me here because I see that you do life together. [00:20:21]

If you're going to be part of the family of lakeland baptist church you need to be here what are you going to take attendance every week yeah you were in school every day they took attendance they expected you to be there now what I'm not going to do is not understand that life happens... but there's a difference between life happening people being sick traveling and just not feeling like coming to church I'll make you one promise when I move here in August unless I am dead dying or on vacation I will be at church even if I have to work you gotta be here if you're on the team if you're part of the family you got to show up and if you don't show up I'm going to check in on you but not because I want to find out why you didn't get your offering but because as part of your family I care about you and I want to know what's happening so that I can help you if there's something I can do to help you to help you get back in church not like a truant officer but like a kind loving whatever appropriate age relationship like a kind loving son a kind loving brother a father figure whatever I need to be for you not to feel weird [00:23:20]

God has prepared a job for you to do in advance it says this in the Bible that only you can do and if you're working with us here then in order for you to do the job that God's given only you to do and you have to be here to do the job [00:25:54]

We should not have 20 things going on in the church and 8 people doing all 20 things. Now there are 8 people who will do all 20 things because that's just how they're wired. But I'm not a pastor who believes that a church should have ministry because other churches have that ministry. I'm a pastor who believes we do what God has called us to do in the way God has called us to do it. And God calls to do things we're passionate about. [00:27:02]

Did you know that the best discipleship happens around the table while you're doing something that you love? Discipleship doesn't have to be us all sitting in a room with one person who's prepared a lesson who's going to sit there and be like, well, what could open eyes say about this? ... But what discipleship is is you showing someone else how to live the Christian life. Me showing someone else how to live the Christian life. How do we decide people on how to live the Christian life? By living the Christian life and taking them with us. [00:28:31]

If your neighbor knows you love them, they're going to want to hang around with you. And if they know you go to church, they might want to go to church with you. Did you know 87 % of people who come to church and say that the reason why they came to church the first time was because someone invited them? [00:30:17]

God does not need your money he doesn't there's a hymn that says he owns the cattle on a thousand hills the wealth and every mind he owns the rivers the rocks the real side i don't know what a real it is but i think it just rhymes with hill the sun and stars that shine there's nothing in the universe that god doesn't have sovereignty over he doesn't need your money but what he wants is to give you the opportunity to be a blessing to give back to him a portion of what he's blessed you with [00:33:31]

The benefit of being part of the church and part of god's family is so much greater than the little penalty amount that god asks us to give back to him but he doesn't for our benefit not his i have never been a wealthy man but i never have but god has never failed me yet [00:38:00]

You were created by God to be in relationship with God. It's like... Do y 'all remember some of your parents here? Do you remember being in high school, right? ... But we all had this person that we thought was pretty nice, of ease -nees, as I like to say. And all we wanted was for them to notice us. ... God. The God who created the universe. Who created Tiffany Spiley. Who created what that person in your life is that you wanted to notice you. Notices you. He created you to be in relationship with him. And that longing that you feel for the person that you love to love you, God loves you. And he wants to be in a relationship with you. So you should be excited about that. You should want to be in his house. [00:45:07]

But God wants us to reset ourselves together for kingdom impact. In Ephesians chapter 4, it says, Be, I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. You have been called to be children of God. With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit of the bond of peace. [00:50:45]

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. From whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint which is equipped. I'm usually going to be better than this. Each part of working properly makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. [00:52:53]

Whatever is hurting you, if you have something against someone else in this church, press the reset button. Go talk to them. [00:53:24]

Most of the time when we're upset with people it's over dumb stuff now there are people who upset us for legitimate reasons and I'm not trying to lessen that but if we're going to work together to build God's kingdom in this area then we need to get over ourselves and get over our herd go to each other and be like, listen, I'm an idiot another person's going to be like, I'm an idiot too hug it out work together [00:54:46]

There are all kinds of people I don't know which way I'm going to be pointing like, I'm not going to say where the towns are and stuff because I'm confused but there are people who live that way and that way and that way and that way and that way who are lost and dying without hope and we are hope viewers I know someone who loves you and cares about you and he died for you and all he wants is for you to come home [00:55:16]

Just like the father in that story God is standing on the porch looking out on the run watching, waiting for his lost child to come home and the Bible tells us that when the father saw his son approaching he ran into him the son in plan to come home stumbling, begging, stuttering please just let me be a servant in your house but the father came and I imagine him jumping up in the air and grabbing his son and just wrapping himself around his son so tightly because his son who was lost was now found. That's how God feels when one person comes back to him, comes to Christ. And we have the ability to introduce people to their love and kind father. So let's do that. Let's be excited. [00:56:08]

We can hasten that day by being about our Father's business. So let's go. Are you in? [00:58:04]

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