Above & Beyond Expectations

What is faith? It might surprise you that it may not be what you think it is. It’s not a desire, a feeling, or a way of pretending that something is what it’s not. Instead, faith is a whole new way of seeing life — a way of looking at things from God’s point of view instead of ours. You’ll find that living by faith opens the door for miracles, shrinks your problems, turns your dreams into reality, and much, much more.

 WHAT’S YOUR “EEL”

 

E__________________  E______________________________  L__________________

 We will always get from God (for our lives and for our church) exactly as much as we expect!

 What is faith? It is the confident expectations and assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. (Hebrews 11:1 – LB)

 According to your faith [your trust, confidence and expectation in My power and My ability] it will be done to you. (Matthew 9:29 – Amp)

 Expectation is seeing my life & my church through the eyes of __________________ and this is absolutely _______________________ to live an above and beyond lifestyle

 It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 – Msg)

 WHAT STEALS YOUR “EEL”

 EEL STEALER 1: You ___________________________ too ________________________

 CASE STUDY: ELISHA & THE ARROWS  (2 Kings 13:14-19)

 EEL STEALER 2: You ___________________________ too ________________________

 CASE STUDY: ISRAEL AND THE GIANTS  (Numbers 13:25-33)

 EEL STEALER 3: You ___________________________ too ________________________

 CASE STUDY: THE DISCIPLES AND THE CROWDS  (John 6:1-13)

WHAT REVEALS YOUR “EEL”

 EEL REVEALER 1: You have a ______  ____________ for you life & for your church

 Glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us, is able to do FAR MORE than we would ever DARE TO ASK or even DREAM of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes!  (Ephesians 3:20 - LB)

 What is the biggest thing you can imagine God doing with your life and your church?

 EEL REVEALER 2: You have ___________  _________ for you life & for your church

 My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people.  (Ephesians 1:18 – CEV)

 What is the biggest reason you have stopped hoping, believing and expecting?

In light of what you’ve learned today, is this still a valid reason not to have hope?

 EEL REVEALER 3: You will put ________________________   _____________________ into your life and into your church

 May we never tire of doing what is good and right before our Lord because in His season we shall bring in a great harvest if we can just persist. So seize any opportunity the Lord gives you to do good things and be a blessing to everyone, especially those within our faithful family. (Galatians 6:9-10 – Voice)

 What is the biggest thing you can start doing RIGHT NOW in your life and in your church to show you are eagerly expecting God to do something great?

 WHAT SEALS YOUR “EEL”

 If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.  (Mark 8:35 – LB)

 EEL SEALER QUESTION 1: If not ___________________, than __________________?

 EEL SEALER QUESTION 2: If not ___________________, than __________________?

 EEL SEALER QUESTION 3: If not ___________________, than __________________?