EXPECTATIONS

June 28, 2009

Marc Hopkins

GOD HAD EXPECTATIONS

• God is all-knowing.– Evident in creation and provision for man

• God was not surprised by man’s sin. (ex. Judas)• God had a plan before creation that included

Christ and the Church. (Matt. 25:34)– God chose to reveal his plan over time to prove his

control. (Matt. 13:35)

– This plan included a spiritual King and Kingdom that would be a vehicle to heaven.

GOD’S CHARACTERISTICS

• God’s revealed his characteristics that help us interpret his intentions and expectations.– Always shown love (John 3:16, 17)– Always set law and order demanding action on

man’s part. (Rom. 2:6-10)• Obedience rewarded (spiritually)• Disobedience punished

– Always been jealous (Ex. 34:14; Deut. 4:24)– God is unchanging. (Mal. 3:6a)

CHRIST GIVEN AUTHORITY

• Christ was given all authority in heaven and on earth. (Matt. 28:18)– After fulfilling God’s expectations

• Live a perfect life (Heb. 4:15)

• Taught the world with authority (Matt. 7:29)

• Died as the perfect sacrifice for our sins (Heb. 9:26; 1 Pet. 1:19-21)

• Defeat sin and death through resurrection (2 Tim. 2:8)

SUMMARIZE

• God made everything good. (Gen. 1:31)• God controls everything he created. (Ps. 65)• Man was given freedom of choice.

– God chose not to directly control man.

• Sin entered the world through man’s disobedience to God’s law. (Rom. 5:12-16)

• Even through man’s disobedience, God controls.• This disobedience created the need for Christ and

his Church.

GOD PLANNED THE CHURCH

• The Church was planned by God before creation for man’s salvation. (Eph. 1:3-12)

• Order was set in Church (God’s character and expectation of the Church)– Christ to be head (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18)– Elders to shepherd (1 Tim. 3:1-7; 1 Pet. 5:1-3)– Deacons to serve (Example: Acts 6:3-6)– Members to follow (1 Pet. 5:1-3 above)

MANY JEWS NEVER ACCEPTED CHRIST/CHURCH• They expected/desired a different kingdom.

• They rejected Christ and his Church.

• Man still rejects for the same reasons.– Man rejects Christ’s requirements– Man rejects Christ’s order or structure– Man is still looking for a physical kingdom that

will satisfy his physical desires

CHRIST HAS EXPECTATIONS OF HIS CHURCH

• Evangelize the world (Matt. 28:18-20)• Able to guard/teach the truth (2 Tim. 2:1, 2)• Attend to needy saints (Rom. 12:13; 2 Cor. 9:1,12;

Heb. 6:10)• Exhort one another (Eph. 4:11-13)• Remain pure and beyond reproach

– Discipline the unruly (1 Cor. 5:1-8; 2 Cor. 13:1-10)

– Able to influence the world around it

RESPONSIBILITY ON US AS MEMBERS

• The expectations of the Church put responsibility on us as Christians

• We must study– To mature (Eph. 4:12; 1 Cor. 14:20)– To confirm our hope in Christ (2 Tim. 2:15)– We are not miraculously infused with knowledge.

• We must conduct ourselves as Christians– Careful not to bring reproach upon the Church

• Put off the old man (Rom. 6:6; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22)• Put on the new man (Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:23, 24)

– Must backfill the vacuum left

CHRIST MET HIS EXPECTATIONS

Christ to be:

Example

Teacher

Perfect sacrifice

Head the Church

Given all authority on heaven and earth

EXPECTATION OF CHURCH

• Vehicle to accommodate man to heaven

• Pure and disciplined

• Structured

• Evangelize

• Edify

• Assist the needy

• Will last until Christ’s return

APPLICATION

• God expects all to sin/repent (2 Pet. 3:9,10)– He has provided all mankind the resources to succeed

spiritually in life. Success is what is expected of man.• This pursuit of eternal life gives man’s existence purpose.

(Eccl. 12:13, 14)• To some this purpose causes distress in times of trials.

– Have placed faith in their selves and material things

• To the saved, it is the rock we cling to in tribulations.

• This Church/Kingdom is the only way to salvation made possible through Christ. (1 Pet. 1:3)– God expects us to come to him through Christ/Church.