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.