Measure up to God's Expectations
Rev. Enoch Thompson | July 20, 2024 | John 14:4-8
KEY VERSE:
⁵ Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"...
⁸ Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." John 14:5 & 8 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Every parent expects their children to gain certain levels of knowledge by a certain point in their lives. Teachers set examinations to test their students and not to tempt them, for they have already taught them all they need to pass the examinations. God has expectations of us in our walk with Him. He has expectations of our knowledge of His Word, our receptivity to the voice of His Spirit, maturity over sin and our representation of Him before and among believers and unbelievers.
In verse 4 of our text, the Lord Jesus put it to the Apostles, “You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:4). He did not ask them if they knew the way. Similarly, Philip’s question in verse 8 would come as a surprise to the Master, as His response in verses 9-11 shows. Because they had been with Him and heard what He had been saying about the Kingdom of God He expected them to have grabbed certain truths. However, it seems the Apostles failed the test of God’s expectations.
Years later the Apostle Paul would be faced with a similar failure among the Christians in Corinth as he captures it in 1 Cor 3:1-2 (NIV), “Brothers and Sisters, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly — mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” A Similar record exists for the Hebrew believers (Heb. 6:1-2).
It seems that very often Christians fall short of the knowledge and character transformation growth that God expects of us. God must be pained when we are like that.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Where are you in God’s expectations of you, as an individual, as a spouse, as a leader or church member, as a Christian in a Christless environment, where are you?
PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you that the records are there to show me where I could be like the early believers who fell short of your expectations. Please help me to measure up to your Word and your expectations of me, from this moment forward. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: KNOW
The Greek word translated as "know" in John 14:5 and 14:8 is "γινώσκω" (ginōskō), which means to come to know, recognize, perceive, or understand. It encompasses both intellectual understanding and experiential knowledge, indicating a deep, personal comprehension. The repeated use of "know" in John 14:5 and 14:8 underscores the disciples' quest for deeper understanding and assurance about Jesus' teachings. Thomas and Philip's questions reveal their uncertainty about Jesus' destination and the path to God. Jesus clarifies that to know Him is to know the Father, emphasizing the intimate and revelatory nature of their relationship with Him. This passage calls believers to seek a deeper, experiential knowledge of Christ, which is essential for measuring up to God's expectations. Reflections: Understanding and meeting God’s expectations begins with knowing Jesus. How can you deepen your knowledge of Jesus in a way that transforms your understanding and helps you meet God's expectations?
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