2015: A YEAR OF EXPECTANCY 2015: A YEAR OF EXPECTANCY Jesus and the church. Matthew 16:18 I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. I. TO HAVE AN AWESOME YEAR OF EXPECTANCY YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE THE PROPER PREPARATION. Colossians 1:9-10 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; John 18:37 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." Matthew 13:11
2015 A YEAR OF EXPECTANCY Page 2 of 5 11 He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. II. TO HAVE A FULFILLED YEAR OF EXPECTANCY YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE PERSONAL PARTICIPATION Luke 6:46-49 46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. James 1:22, 25 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. III. TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF EXPECTANCY YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE PROPER PLANNING SETTING OF GOALS STEWARDSHIP
2015 A YEAR OF EXPECTANCY Page 3 of 5 Luke 6:38 THE MESSAGE 38 Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." 1. TIME Colossians 4:5 5 Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. 2. TALENTS Ephesians 4:12, 12 Christ gave those gifts to prepare God's holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger. Ephesians 4:13, 16 NLT 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Romans 12:6 NLT 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 3. TITIHING 2 Corinthians 9:7 7 Each one should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be sad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily.
2015 A YEAR OF EXPECTANCY Page 4 of 5 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT 6 Remember this a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. IV. TO HAVE AN ACCOMPLISHED YEAR OF EXPECTANCY YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE PRIVATE PRAYER Matthew 6:6 NLT 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. PERSONAL PRAYER God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you to give me spiritual wisdom and insight so that I will grow in my knowledge of You. I also pray that I will understand the utter extravagance of Your work and the incredible greatness of Your power for us who believe Him. God, I pray that I will know fully what You want. I pray that you will help me to have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things so that the way I live will always honor and please You, Lord, in every way. Let my life be one that will produce fruit in every good work, all the while learning to know You better and better and growing in the knowledge of You.
2015 A YEAR OF EXPECTANCY Page 5 of 5 Lord, help me to be wise in the way I act with people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. I pray that You will give me many opportunities to tell people Your message, and that I will speak in a way that will make it clear. Father, I pray that You will give me the right words to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery of Christ to one and all. Finally, Lord Jesus, I pray that Your message will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response. TO HAVE AN A SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF EXPECTANCY YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE THE PROPER PREPARATION PERSONAL PARTICIPATION PROPER PLANNING 1. TIME 2. TALENTS 3. TITHING PRIVATE PRAYER 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.