Introduction

Good morning, everyone! I'm so glad to see each one of you here today. I'm excited because we're going to be talking about something that I believe is really important for all of us as followers of Christ.

There's a quote from Philip Yancey that really struck me and I want to share it with you. Yancey said, "Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more—no amount of spiritual calisthenics and renunciations, no amount of knowledge gained from seminaries and divinity schools, no amount of crusading on behalf of righteous causes. And grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less—no amount of racism or pride or pornography or adultery or even murder. Grace means that God already loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love."

Understanding Gods Expectations

When we think about the expectations of God, we often find ourselves grappling with a sense of awe and trepidation. It's a vast topic, filled with nuances and complexities. Yet, at its core, it's about love, grace, and obedience. God's expectations are not a set of arbitrary rules designed to make our lives difficult. Instead, they are guidelines for living a life that is fulfilling, meaningful, and in alignment with His divine plan.

The first aspect to consider is obedience. In the scripture we read, Paul talks about renouncing secret and shameful ways, not using deception, and not distorting the word of God. This is a call to obedience. God expects us to follow His commandments, not out of fear, but out of love and respect for Him. Obedience to God is not about strict adherence to rules, but about living a life that reflects His love and grace. It's about making choices that honor Him and align with His word.

Another aspect of God's expectations is faith. In the scripture, Paul talks about the light of the gospel and the glory of Christ. This is a call to faith. God expects us to believe in Him, to trust in His promises, and to rely on His strength. Faith is not just about believing in God, but about trusting Him with our lives. It's about letting go of our fears and doubts and choosing to trust in His plan for us.

A third aspect to consider is service. In the scripture, Paul talks about preaching Jesus Christ as Lord and serving others for Jesus' sake. This is a call to service. God expects us to serve others, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to use our gifts and talents to glorify Him. Service is not just about doing good deeds, but about showing God's love to others. It's about being a light in the world and reflecting God's love and grace in our actions.

Finally, we must consider the aspect of perseverance. In the scripture, Paul talks about being hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. This is a call to perseverance. God expects us to persevere in the face of trials and tribulations, to keep our faith strong even when times are tough. Perseverance is not just about enduring hardships, but about growing stronger through them. It's about learning to rely on God's strength and finding hope in His promises.

Striving to Be the Best We Can Be

As we reflect on the passage from 2 Corinthians, we see the Apostle Paul's words painting a vivid picture of the Christian life ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO