EXPECTATION: A strong belief that something will happen.
EXPECTATION from a biblical standpoint: based on the how God thinks – the uncompromising Word of God
EXPECTATION is the breeding ground for miracles!

I have FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I have FINISHED THE RACE, I have KEPT THE FAITH. (2 Timothy 4:6-7 NKJ)

• God’s Expectation for us: To finish strong.

God has given us a pattern to finish strong.

Therefore, since WE ARE SURROUNDED by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us STRIP OFF EVERY WEIGHT that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us RUN WITH ENDURANCE the race God has set before us. We do this by KEEPING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT)

#1 WE ARE NOT ALONE

“WE ARE SURROUNDED by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)

• We are not alone: God has surrounded us with brothers and sisters of faith.

For he will order HIS ANGELS TO PROTECT YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12 NLT)

• We are not alone: God has assigned His angels to protect us.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.” (Joshua 1:9 NLT)

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you ANOTHER ADVOCATE, WHO WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. (John 14:16 NLT)

• We are not alone: God Himself is with us.

#2 TRAVEL LIGHT

“let us STRIP OFF EVERY WEIGHT that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)

• One of greatest hindrances to life is our past.

Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? …. ‘let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? for it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.” (Exodus 14:11-12 NKJ)

• Slavery was more appealing that freedom!

Here is what Paul said:

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT)

• It is good to glance back and see how you’ve come. But if you stare too long, you will miss what’s in front of you.

#3 RUN WITH ENDURANCE

“And let us RUN WITH ENDURANCE the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)

• The Christian life is a like a race set by God. It is not a sprint but a marathon. Your position in the race does not matter. You just have to finish.
• Endurance involves: Heart, Passion, Commitment

WHEN I fall, I will arise; WHEN I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me. (Micah 7:8 NKJ)

• It is not an IF but a WHEN. You see God is a not expecting a perfect run.
• Failures are part of the journey.

“Fail early, fail often, but always fail forward.” John Maxwell

#4 KEEP OUR EYES ON THE FINISH LINE

“We do this by KEEPING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT)

• Jesus is the starting line and also the finish line. The author and the finisher of our faith.

LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD, and FIX YOUR EYES ON WHAT LIES BEFORE YOU. Mark out a straight path for our feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. (Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT)

• Eyes are on Jesus and nobody else!

GOD’S EXPECTATION: FINISH STRONG.

He who has begun a good work in you will complete it (Phil 1:6)

CONCLUSION
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?