Biblical Texts: Acts 14:22; Romans 15:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 11:1; 1 John 4:16; Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 4:4-7; Psalm 23:6
I. Introduction: The Power of Expectation
Hook Question: “What are you expecting this week? Do you anticipate joy, hardship, or something in between?”
Context: Life’s circumstances often shape our expectations, but as believers, our hope transcends the present.
Thesis: Our expectations must be rooted in God’s faithfulness, not fleeting circumstances, because hope anchored in Christ fuels joy, faith, and love across past, present, and future.
II. The Foundation of Joy: Hope, Faith, and Love
A. Hope Rooted in God’s Faithfulness
Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Key Insight: Hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation of God’s goodness, grounded in His character.
Past Focus: Faith declares, “God DID it” (e.g., deliverance in Exodus 14:13).
Present Focus: Love declares, “I am doing it, for I am Love” (John 15:9).
Future Focus: Hope declares, “It SHALL be well” (Psalm 23:6).
B. Love as God’s Motivation
1 John 4:16: “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
Application: God’s love fuels our hope—His promises are not abstract but personal.
C. Faith Activates Hope
Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Example: Abraham’s faith in God’s promise (Romans 4:18-21).
III. The Nature of Hope: Revelation Over Circumstance
A. Hope vs. Empty Optimism
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Contrast: Hope is not denial of trouble but confidence in God’s triumph over it.
B. Hope Acknowledges Challenges but Defies Their Dominion
John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Key Insight: No challenge has “deep roots” in God’s economy.
C. Hope is Revelational
Personal Knowledge of God: Hope grows as we deepen our relationship with Him (Psalm 9:10).
Scripture: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
IV. The Choice: Expect Trouble or Expect Goodness?
A. Expecting Trouble: A Partial Truth
Acts 14:22: “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
Warning: Focusing only on hardship can distort our lens of faith.
B. Expecting Goodness: The Fullness of God’s Call
John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Scripture: “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6).
Philippians 4:4-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always… And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds.”
C. The Danger of Negative Expectations
Proverbs 23:7: “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Principle: What we expect, we often attract—or at least perceive.
V. The Power of Expectation: Aligning with God’s Promises
A. Declare God’s Truth Over Your Circumstances
Mark 11:24: “Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Clarification: Correct verse focus should be on faith in prayer (Mark 11:24): “I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
B. Expectation Releases Joy
1 Thessalonians 1:3: “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Example: Paul and Silas singing in prison (Acts 16:25).
C. The Overflow of Right Expectation
Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.”
Promise: God’s blessings overflow when our expectations align with His Word.
VI. Conclusion: A Call to Declare Hope
Challenge: “Today, choose your line of expectations!”
Will you fix your eyes on the storm or the Savior?
Closing Scripture:
Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”
Altar Call: Invite listeners to declare, “It HAS been well, It IS well, It SHALL be well!” by faith.
Final Note: Encourage the congregation to write down promises of God and speak them aloud daily to reinforce their expectations.