Transforming Expectations: Embracing Jesus' Words in Life

Devotional

Day 1: Expectations Shape Our Spiritual Experience

Our expectations can significantly influence our experiences, including our spiritual journey. When approaching Scripture, it's crucial to align our expectations with the reality of God's Word, allowing it to transform us rather than seeking it to meet preconceived notions. Expectations can act as a lens through which we view our spiritual life, often determining how we perceive and interact with God's teachings. By setting our expectations in line with the truth of Scripture, we open ourselves to genuine transformation and growth. This alignment allows us to experience the fullness of God's promises and the depth of His wisdom. [03:25]

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)

Reflection: What expectations do you currently hold about your spiritual journey, and how might they be shaping your experience with God’s Word today?

Day 2: Identity in Christ Over Actions

Jesus' words emphasize being over doing. Our identity in Christ is not based on our actions but on our relationship with Him. This understanding frees us from striving for approval and allows us to rest in His love and presence. In a world that often values performance and achievement, Jesus calls us to find our worth in our connection with Him. This shift from doing to being invites us to embrace our identity as beloved children of God, secure in His love and grace. By focusing on our relationship with Christ, we can experience true peace and fulfillment, knowing that our value is not contingent on our accomplishments. [09:45]

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from what you do to who you are in Christ today?

Day 3: Forgiveness as a Priority in Relationships

Forgiveness is central to Jesus' teachings, prioritizing relationships over the hurt we experience. This challenges us to extend grace and seek reconciliation, reflecting the forgiveness we receive from Christ. In a world where holding grudges and seeking retribution is common, Jesus calls us to a higher standard of love and mercy. By choosing forgiveness, we not only heal our own hearts but also restore and strengthen our relationships. This act of grace mirrors the forgiveness we have received from God, allowing us to live in harmony and peace with others. [15:15]

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life do you need to forgive, and how can you take a step towards reconciliation today?

Day 4: Generosity Reflects Our Heart's Priorities

Jesus teaches that our giving is not about the money itself but about where our heart lies. Our generosity reflects our priorities and our commitment to God, emphasizing that He desires our heart above all. True generosity stems from a heart aligned with God's values, where giving becomes an expression of love and devotion. By examining where we invest our time, resources, and energy, we can gain insight into what truly matters to us. Jesus invites us to cultivate a spirit of generosity that reflects His love and compassion, impacting the world around us. [17:51]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: What does your current level of generosity reveal about your heart's priorities, and how might you align them more closely with God's desires?

Day 5: Living Out the Gospel in Daily Life

The call to go and share the good news is central to Jesus' teachings. This involves living out the gospel in our daily lives, understanding that the message of Christ is one of hope, healing, and life, meant to be shared with others. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody His teachings and share His love with the world. This mission is not limited to words but is demonstrated through our actions, attitudes, and interactions with others. By living out the gospel, we become vessels of God's grace, bringing light and hope to those around us. [28:42]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally live out the gospel in your interactions and decisions today, bringing hope and light to those around you?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound impact of expectations on our experiences, particularly in our spiritual lives. We began by acknowledging how our preconceived notions can shape our perceptions, whether it's watching a movie or listening to a sermon. This concept extends to our spiritual journey, where our expectations of Scripture and faith can significantly influence our engagement with God's Word. We are embarking on the Red Letter Challenge, a 40-day journey focusing on the words of Jesus, which are categorized into five key areas: being, forgiveness, serving, giving, and going.

The first expectation is to understand these categories. Jesus' words are about being, emphasizing that our identity in Christ is not based on our actions but on our relationship with Him. His words on forgiveness challenge us to prioritize relationships over the hurt we experience, reflecting the forgiveness we receive from Christ. Serving is another critical aspect, as Jesus exemplified servanthood, calling us to serve others selflessly. Giving is not about the money itself but about where our heart lies, as our generosity reflects our priorities. Lastly, Jesus' words are about going, sending us out to share the good news, emphasizing that the gospel is indeed good news meant to bring life and hope.

The second expectation is that nothing will change if nothing changes. We are called to not only hear the words of Jesus but to put them into practice. This requires a commitment to live out these teachings, understanding that life will bring challenges, but with a solid foundation in Christ, we can withstand any storm. The Beatitudes remind us of the blessings that come from living out these principles, such as gentleness, purity, and peacemaking.

As we prepare to take on the Red Letter Challenge, we are encouraged to set our expectations correctly, engage with the community, and allow these teachings to transform our lives. This journey is not just about personal growth but about experiencing the abundant life Jesus promises, both now and in eternity.

Key Takeaways

1. Expectations Shape Experience: Our expectations can significantly influence our experiences, including our spiritual journey. When approaching Scripture, it's crucial to align our expectations with the reality of God's Word, allowing it to transform us rather than seeking it to meet preconceived notions. [03:25]
2. The Essence of Being: Jesus' words emphasize being over doing. Our identity in Christ is not based on our actions but on our relationship with Him. This understanding frees us from striving for approval and allows us to rest in His love and presence. [09:45]
3. Forgiveness and Relationships: Forgiveness is central to Jesus' teachings, prioritizing relationships over the hurt we experience. This challenges us to extend grace and seek reconciliation, reflecting the forgiveness we receive from Christ. [15:15]
4. Generosity Reflects the Heart: Jesus teaches that our giving is not about the money itself but about where our heart lies. Our generosity reflects our priorities and our commitment to God, emphasizing that He desires our heart above all. [17:51]
5. Living Out the Gospel: The call to go and share the good news is central to Jesus' teachings. This involves living out the gospel in our daily lives, understanding that the message of Christ is one of hope, healing, and life, meant to be shared with others. [28:42]
** [28:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:25] - The Power of Expectations
[05:58] - Engaging with Scripture
[09:45] - Words of Being
[15:15] - Words of Forgiveness
[17:51] - Words of Serving
[22:51] - Words of Giving
[25:36] - Words of Going
[28:42] - The Good News
[31:32] - Community and Commitment
[34:17] - Communion and Reflection
[36:00] - Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

"Your expectations on scripture, on faith, dictate your experience when you actually engage with the text and you live out faith in your day-to-day life. What you go in expecting has a huge impact on how you actually experience the words of God." [00:06:23]

"If you want a promotion, if you want accomplishments, accolades, or if you want to be recognized for what you do, it's all about what you do. You don't get credit at work for just showing up, do you? You'll be sent home if you just show up and that's all you do." [00:09:09]

"At the end of the day, Jesus cared more about being in relationship with us than the hurt and the pain that we caused. Now that is not to minimize our sin or minimize the hurt or the pain. Jesus went to extraordinary lengths to take care of that for us." [00:10:13]

"Jesus said, I came not to be served but to serve, right? Jesus's example was to serve each other. When he was in the upper room right before his crucifixion, he wrapped a towel around his waist and he washed his disciples' feet. And he said, I set this example for you." [00:12:03]

"God does not care about your money. He wants your heart. And I'm going to go as far to say that if you are not generous with your money, God does not have your heart, period. Right? There's no excuses here. I've heard all of them. Well, God has my heart." [00:15:50]

"Jesus' words are words of sending us to go make disciples, of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. And I just want to emphasize here real quick, good news, good news. The gospel should be good news. Have you ever looked at the sermons in the book of Acts?" [00:17:51]

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock, and the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock." [00:22:19]

"Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are the gentle. That's not something that our world promotes that much anymore. It's not good to be seen as gentle. That's seen as weakness. But when you see Jesus living out His life in this world." [00:24:13]

"Life is hard. You're trying to do it the best that you can, and everything you've tried on your own fails. I have a message of someone who can bring life and hope, meaning, purpose, and we just want to help, right? Just like Jesus, I want to give you sight." [00:19:23]

"I believe these words this book brings life. Brings life. And I don't think that Jesus just came so we would we would have life on the other side of heaven not just for then and there but life here and now in this world. And so when life happens, when the storms come." [00:27:19]

"Someone else will say, hey, this is what is, and this is really good, and this thing's really not. Don't do this alone. Involve this community. Involve your family, your kids. Bring others into it, because this challenge has the potential of changing everything." [00:31:39]

"When Jesus came into this world, we often think about how he came to die on the cross and give us eternal life, but it is so much more than that, but everything comes down to that moment, right? The reason we have life in this world, the reason we have the words of God." [00:32:22]

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