"High Expectations”

Turn your Bibles to Jeremiah 29: 11

Title: “High Expectations”

Theme: “Grasping the Promises of God in the Lord’s Work”

Listen As I read Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Pray!!!!!

Introduction: Often after men and women of God have taken time to fast, pray and surrender their hearts over to the cleansing work of God they will be lead of the Holy Spirit to special promises found in the Word of God. As the Holy Spirit brings revelation of these promises, illumination of these truths will keep obedient Christians steadfast, faithful, and joyful in their work with Jesus Christ.

Proposition: I would propose to you that there are promises of God found in His Word that bring “High Expectations” in service to the King of kings and Lord of Lords. Christians can expect success in their labors with the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “…stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Galatians 6:9 says, “…at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Interrogative Sentence: Just what can the obedient children of God expect in their labors with the Lord and in their walk with Christ? There are four truths that the Holy Spirit of God wants you to grasp as you labor diligently in the work of the Lord.

Transitional Sentence: The first truth worth grasping in this message today is that the obedient, faithful Christian can expect to be rewarded as he diligently seeks the Lord in faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Let the Holy Spirit of Christ put these truths deep within your heart. “He rewards those who seek Him.” Those who enjoy God’s promises in service to Him are those who have genuine faith. Faith (pistis), means to be loyal and steadfast in devotion and allegiance to the Lord. (Practical Word Studies of the New Testament)

The practical application is that this child of God denies and sacrifices himself because he trusts in God. He knows that the Lord will work out all things towards God’s good purposes. Therefore, he cast himself totally upon God’s grace and lives a life of faithfulness to the Lord Jesus.

The Christian who enjoys God’s rewards is the one who does not doubt what God’s Word says about his salvation, provision, or strengthening in time of need. The child of God who enjoys God’s rewards is the one who overcomes that temptation to back off his calling and give up. He does not give in to the lust of the flesh, is not lured away by the world’s temptations nor continue to listen to Satan’s lies. He never slackens or surrenders, his faith keeps him keeping on. (Practical Word Studies of the New Testament)

The Christian who enjoys God’s reward is the child of God who has Holy Spirit illumination of the Triune God and he fully trusts that God’s promises will be fulfilled. (The New Bible Commentary) He believes what God has revealed about Himself in the written Word, the Bible. His life expresses peace, and a desire to be obedient.

He knows that sin keeps Him out of fellowship with Lord and he trusts only in the shed blood of Christ for the restoration of that fellowship. He pays strict attention to God’s oracles, attends to God’s ordinances, faithfully depends upon the Holy Spirit’s enabling to complete what he has been called to do, and makes effort to be actively involved in the lives of God’s people. (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Reward getters are those who are worshippers of Christ. They are surrendered to the Holy Spirit and understand that their real reward is what God told Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. " (Genesis 15:1) They know that Jesus is the greatest reward that anyone can receive.

Because Christ is their reward Christians will get ready for service like an athlete trains for competition. Good athletes make time for conditioning. They eat right, build muscle, and protect themselves for that which could cause permanent damage, thus, eliminating themselves from the competition. Christian athletes feed upon God’s Word, pray and apply God’s Word into their lives. They protect their eyes and ears from that which may cause permanent spiritual damage. They protect their relationship with Christ and do not take it for granted. They have a conviction about God’s moral character and laws, and they know that He not only exists but He really cares about them and about everything that is happening on this earth. (The Expositors Bible Commentary)