Expectation
Sermon Outline
Faith Versus Expectation
The Lame Man
Acts 3:1-8
“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.” Acts 3:1-5 (NKJV)
The Blind Man (Bartimaeus)
Mark 10:46-50
He threw aside his coat. Why did Mark even acknowledge Bartimaeus’ coat when he wrote this gospel? Why was that significant? This coat must have been very important to Bartimaeus. After all, this was the only way he could survive. This coat was issued by the government. It gave the wearer legitimacy. This qualified him to collect alms. When Bartimaeus discarded this coat, he was making a bold declaration. He was saying that he would no longer need this coat, Jesus had come, and he was going to be healed. He would no longer be dependent on the government, or the help of man. He was becoming dependent upon the Lord. From this moment forward, he would experience the life that God had for him.
The Let-Down Man
Mark 2:1-5
“And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.” Mark 2:1 (NKJV)
The KJV says that it was noised that He was in the house. That noise is the noise of expectation. He was going to do something and they knew. So the house was filled.
What did Jesus do? He began to preach. Why?
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17 (KJV)
Have you ever been let down?
The Thimble of Expectation – Your expectation will be met.
The Bucket of Expectation – Your expectation will be met.
The Barrel of Expectation – Your expectation will be met.
What are you bringing for God to Fill?
Jesus blessed are those who do hunger and thirst; for they shall be filled.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)
“Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” Luke 3:15-16 (NKJV)
Now while the people were on tiptoe in their expectations, and they were all arguing in their hearts about John whether he was himself the Christ.
You have to take into consideration that the people had been awaiting a word from God for 400 years, and now, finally, there is a moment. Here, on the banks of the Jordan, the people were on their tiptoes with expectation.
The wait didn’t decrease their expectation. No, the wait actually increased their expectation.
Does the wait take you to a thimble, or does it cause you to go to the barrel?
In the upper room, they had to wait. Many left because they went from the barrel to the thimble. But those who stayed, their expectation never wavered – they received an experience that the others wanted, but left off their expectation.
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