Expectations Versus Reality, Part 3

Intro

Text - Luke 18.6-8

Luke 18:6–8 NKJV

6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Title - Expectations Versus Reality, Part 3

Series - Expectations

The Parable

Luke 18:1–5 NKJV

1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”

the parable is encourages us to “pray always and not lose heart”

pray always because hears

pray always especially when you know you have a just cause

do not lose heart - because God is just and gives justice

do not lose heart - even though you have to pray more than you thought you have to

if the unjust judge will respond to a persistent prayer, so will God

The Main Point

We have expectations of God. But God has expectations of us also!

If we expect God to respond to our cries and calls, will His expectations be met He comes?

Luke 18:7–8 NKJV

7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Notice - Jesus connects God’s response to our prayers, to His second coming.

Surely, God will avenge them quickly! (what a response!)

Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith…?

Sermon Points

God has big expectations at Christ’s return

Those whom God has answered in their time of need are expected to be found believers at Christ’s return.

they have expressed faith in time of need - they should hold on to that faith until Christ’s return

they have had their needs met by God - they should become true believers

Those to whom God has proven Himself true and faithful, must also prove themselves true and faithful to God.

Illustration - Jesus’ lamentation over Jerusalem

Matthew 23:34–39 NKJV

34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. 37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

Israel was given so prophets time after time to bring them back to God

Israel killed many of these prophets

God holds them accountable for the blood of every man of God who died and who message Israel rejected

Israel was “left desolate” until they recognize the Jesus Christ in the last days

These expectations not only applies to individuals, but also to families, communities, even nations

Parable of vineyard owner - Matthew 21:41-43

Matthew 21:41–43 NKJV

They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.

Israel was given a kingdom, but they did not fulfill God’s expectations

God gives the kingdom to the gentile people

God expects this nation to produce the fruits

God expects nothing less that what He has provided for us

God is expecting because he gave us something!

Illustration - in the parable of the talents, the master was ewxpecting profit from the talents -

Matthew 25:26–30 NKJV

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

the master is expecting profit because he left talents (money) in the hands of his servants

God is expecting big things from us because He met us in our time of need!

In our daily needs - provisions/supply

Philippians 4:19 NKJV

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

because He has provided for our needs, Christ’s expects us to be at the right place, doing the right thing, when He comes!

In our time of temptations - a way of escape!

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

because He helped us in our temptations, Christ expects us to be firm in the faith, passionate in our service, and joyful in worship, when He comes!

In our spiritual needs - all things that pertain to life and godliness

2 Peter 1:2–4 (NKJV)

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

what are these “all things” = great and precious promises

His Word - our map, guidelines, food, light, measuring stick

His Spirit - to guide us, teach us, help us,

because He has given us all things to live the godly - Christ expects nothing less than godly living from us, when He comes!

Conclusion

God’s expectations must become our reality

If we will continue to live in our own, “human reality,” we will not make it to the coming of Christ.

God understands our realities - we are weak, get discouraged, are afraid, make mistakes

But God will not tolerate them, especially in His kingdom

Titus 2:11–14 NKJV

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

God’s grace has appeared

forgave us

saved us

God is now teaching us to -

deny ungodliness and worldly lust

live soberly, righteously, and godly

God wants us partake of the blessing of Christ’s appearing

Christ gave His own life for our redemption

It is only right for Him to expect a redeemed people, purified, special, and zealous for good works

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