Living with Expectancy

Have you ever felt like an imposter in your own life, unsure if you truly belong? Discover how faith in Jesus transforms our anticipation and hope, granting us access to God’s peace and acceptance. Let’s explore how this hope, rooted in Christ, never disappoints and prepares us for the miraculous.

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Living with Expectancy

Message Summary
Have you ever felt like an imposter in your own life, unsure if you truly belong? Discover how faith in Jesus transforms our anticipation and hope, granting us access to God’s peace and acceptance. Let’s explore how this hope, rooted in Christ, never disappoints and prepares us for the miraculous.
Key Scripture
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Romans 5:1-5 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Romans 5:1-5 NLT

Scripture:
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Devotional:
Faith is the cornerstone of our relationship with God. Through faith, we are made right with Him and granted peace. This peace is not just a feeling but a state of being that comes from knowing we are accepted by God. Our faith in Jesus brings us into a place of undeserved privilege, where we can stand confidently and joyfully, looking forward to sharing in God’s glory. Even in trials, our faith helps us develop endurance, character, and a hope that does not disappoint. This hope is rooted in the love God has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Response Questions:

  1. How does understanding that you are made right with God by faith change your perspective on daily challenges?
  2. In what ways have you experienced peace as a result of your faith in Jesus?
  3. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of hope in your life, especially during trials?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the peace that comes from being made right with God through faith.
  2. Ask God to help you develop endurance and character through the trials you face, strengthening your hope in Him.

Day 2

Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT

Scripture:
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Devotional:
Acceptance is a fundamental human need, and through faith in Jesus, we are accepted by God. This acceptance is not based on our works but on His grace. We are given access to God’s presence, where we can stand confidently. This access is a gift, allowing us to live out the good works God has prepared for us. Understanding that we are God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ, empowers us to live with purpose and confidence.

Response Questions:

  1. How does knowing you are accepted by God through grace impact your self-worth and identity?
  2. What are some ways you can embrace the access you have to God’s presence in your daily life?
  3. How can you live out the good works God has prepared for you, knowing you are His masterpiece?

Prayer Points:

  1. Thank God for the gift of grace and the acceptance you have in Him, asking for a deeper revelation of this truth.
  2. Pray for guidance and strength to walk in the good works God has prepared for you, living out your purpose as His masterpiece.

Day 3

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Devotional:
Waiting can be challenging, but it is in the waiting that God cultivates peace within us. This peace is not passive but active, guarding our hearts and minds as we live in Christ. By bringing our worries to God in prayer and thanksgiving, we open ourselves to His peace, which surpasses all understanding. This peace is a gift that sustains us through life’s uncertainties, reminding us of God’s presence and faithfulness.

Response Questions:

  1. What are some areas in your life where you struggle with waiting, and how can you invite God’s peace into those areas?
  2. How does prayer and thanksgiving help you experience God’s peace in your daily life?
  3. In what ways can you actively cultivate peace in your heart and mind as you live in Christ?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for God’s peace to guard your heart and mind, especially in areas where you are waiting for His guidance or provision.
  2. Ask God to help you develop a habit of prayer and thanksgiving, opening your heart to His peace in all circumstances.

Day 4

Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT

Scripture:
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Devotional:
Hope is a powerful force that sustains us through life’s challenges. It is rooted in the trustworthiness of God, who keeps His promises. As we hold tightly to this hope, we are called to motivate one another to love and good works. Community plays a vital role in nurturing hope, as we gather together to encourage and uplift each other. In these gatherings, we remind one another of God’s faithfulness and the hope we have in Him.

Response Questions:

  1. How does holding tightly to hope influence your perspective on God’s promises and your daily life?
  2. In what ways can you motivate others to acts of love and good works, fostering a community of hope?
  3. How can you prioritize gathering with others to encourage and be encouraged in your faith journey?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a steadfast hope in God’s promises, asking for strength to hold tightly to this hope in all circumstances.
  2. Ask God to help you be a source of encouragement and motivation to others, fostering a community of love and good works.

Day 5

1 Peter 1:3-9 NLT

Scripture:
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

Devotional:
Living with anticipation means embracing the hope and joy of our future inheritance in Christ. This anticipation is not passive but active, as we live with great expectation of what God has promised. Our trials, though challenging, serve to refine and purify our faith, proving its genuineness. As we endure, we are reminded of the wonderful joy ahead and the priceless inheritance that awaits us. This anticipation fuels our faith, encouraging us to live with purpose and joy, even in the face of trials.

Response Questions:

  1. How does living with great expectation of your inheritance in Christ influence your daily life and decisions?
  2. In what ways can you embrace trials as opportunities to refine and strengthen your faith?
  3. How can you cultivate a sense of joy and anticipation for the future God has promised, even amidst current challenges?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a heart that lives with great expectation and anticipation of the inheritance God has promised, finding joy in the journey.
  2. Ask God for strength and perseverance to endure trials, allowing them to refine and purify your faith, bringing glory to Him.

Anticipation and Hope: Living with Expectancy

Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to the message of hope and anticipation in Christ.

Introduction: Briefly summarize the sermon, emphasizing the transformative power of faith in Jesus, which grants us access to God’s peace and acceptance. Highlight the importance of living with anticipation and hope, knowing that our faith in Christ will not disappoint.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean to have “undeserved privilege” in Christ?
    • Context: The sermon discussed how faith in Jesus brings us into a place of undeserved privilege, where we are accepted by God. This acceptance is not based on our merit but on Christ’s work. Discuss how this impacts your understanding of your relationship with God.
  2. How can we cultivate anticipation and hope in our daily lives?
    • Context: The sermon emphasized the importance of living with expectancy and hope, even amidst life’s challenges. Reflect on practical ways to cultivate this mindset, such as through prayer, scripture reading, and community support.
  3. In what ways have you experienced the peace of God in difficult situations?
    • Context: The sermon highlighted that peace with God is a result of our faith in Jesus. Share personal experiences where you have felt God’s peace during trials and how it has strengthened your faith.
  4. How does the concept of “waiting with God” change your perspective on life’s challenges?
    • Context: The sermon introduced the idea of waiting as an active process of intertwining our lives with God’s will. Discuss how this perspective can transform your approach to waiting and enduring life’s difficulties.
  5. What are some areas in your life where you feel like an “imposter,” and how can faith in Jesus address these feelings?
    • Context: The sermon addressed the imposter syndrome many feel in their spiritual journey. Explore how understanding your identity in Christ can help overcome these feelings and lead to a more confident faith.
  6. How can we ensure that our hope in Christ does not lead to disappointment?
    • Context: The sermon assured us that hope in Christ will not disappoint because it is rooted in God’s love and the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts. Discuss how to maintain this hope and trust in God’s promises.

Closing Activity: Encourage group members to write down one area of their life where they want to experience more anticipation and hope. Pray together, asking God to fill each person with the Holy Spirit and His love, empowering them to live with expectancy.

Closing Prayer: Conclude with a prayer, thanking God for His presence and asking for His continued guidance as you seek to live with hope and anticipation in Christ.