Beyond Pentecost: Living with Great Expectation

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” – Ephesians 3:20

Faith is more than believing God exists. It is living with the expectation that He is still at work.

As we continue our Beyond Pentecost series, we arrive at a simple but powerful truth: God invites His people to live with expectation. Not wishful thinking or blind optimism, but confident faith rooted in His promises. God is able to do more than we could ever ask, imagine, or dream, and that truth should shape the way we approach every day.

What Does Biblical Expectation Look Like?

Think back to the excitement of being a child on Christmas Eve. You could barely sleep because you knew something special was coming. Your anticipation made the waiting worthwhile.

That is the kind of expectation God wants His people to have. A deep confidence that He is working, even when we cannot yet see the outcome.

The Apostle Paul pointed to Abraham as one of the greatest examples of this kind of faith.

“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping.”

From a human perspective, Abraham and Sarah’s situation was impossible. Sarah was barren, and the promise God had given seemed beyond reach. Yet Abraham chose to believe because God’s promise was greater than his circumstances.

Our impossibilities often become the very places where God displays His power.

Expectation Is Built on God’s Faithfulness

Biblical expectation is not based on feelings or favorable circumstances. It is built on God’s character.

As the sermon states:

“Expectation is the confident anticipation that God will do what He has promised, based on His character, His Word, and His faithfulness.”

That means our confidence is not found in our own ability. It rests in the unchanging nature of God.

Sometimes moving forward requires forgetting past failures. Other times it requires remembering God’s faithfulness.

Israel struggled because they forgot what God had already done. Their fading memory fed their fear and weakened their faith.

We are called to do the opposite.

Feed your faith.

Starve your fears.

Anticipate God’s Intervention

One quote from the message captures this mindset perfectly:

“I anticipate the inevitable, supernatural intervention of God. I expect a miracle.”

What does that mean?

It means believing God’s intervention is not merely possible. It means believing He is faithful to act according to His will and His promises.

The psalmist declared:

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”

Our natural tendency is to become anxious when trouble comes. We tense up, worry, and begin imagining the worst.

But Scripture invites us to respond differently.

Instead of expecting defeat, expect God to be your Rock, your Defender, and your Deliverer.

Paul echoed this same truth when he prayed that believers would overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Faith Stands on Tiptoe

One of the most memorable statements from this message is simple:

“Expectation is faith standing on tiptoe, looking for God to move.”

That image captures what faith should look like.

Faith is not passive.

Faith watches.

Faith prepares.

Faith believes that God is already working, even before the answer arrives.

Are You Positioned for What God Wants to Do?

The message uses Amazon’s delivery system as an illustration.

Amazon studies buying habits, predicts future demand, and positions inventory before an order is even placed. The company prepares in advance because it expects something to happen.

If human technology can anticipate future needs using imperfect information, how much more should believers trust a God whose promises never fail?

The better question may be this:

Are we positioning ourselves for what God wants to do?

Are we praying with expectation?

Serving with expectation?

Coming to church with expectation?

Reading God’s Word with expectation?

Faith is not passive. It prepares for God’s promises before they are fulfilled.

Expect the Unexpected

Every promise God has made is trustworthy.

Our expectation is not built on probability or human reasoning. It is built on the certainty that God always keeps His Word.

Perhaps there is something you have stopped praying for.

Maybe there is a promise you have quietly given up on.

Maybe disappointment has convinced you that nothing will ever change.

Today is an invitation to believe again.

To hope again.

To expect again.

Because the God who is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” has not changed. He is still faithful. He is still working. And He is still able to exceed every expectation we place in Him.