EARNEST EXPECTATION

I Was Just Thinking About – EARNEST EXPECTATION.

On different occasions, the Word of God addresses earnestness and expectation. Paul combined these two concepts when he wrote, Philippians 1:20-21 (NKJV), “According to my EARNEST EXPECTATION and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Paul also emphasized “earnestness” when he wrote in Second Corinthians 8:7 (NIV), “But since you excel in everything…in complete earnestness…” Question: Does the organized Church today radiate “Earnest Expectation”? What about the genuine Biblical Church, does it display “Earnest Expectation”? If Jesus Christ appeared in a given Church today, what would His assessment be of the Church that is supposed to be His Bride? Would He be pleased with it? Would He commend it? Or – would He point out the inconsistencies between His “expectations” for it and point out the Church’s drift and complacency?

There is a reason why hundreds of churches close each year. One consideration that is rarely given notice are the words of Jesus Christ to the Seven Churches in Revelation 2 and 3. The ever-present measure of Jesus for His Church is whether or not a Church remembers, returns, repents and renews according to His prescription for the purpose and mission of His Church. One area that is often overlooked is in the words Paul wrote the gifts that were given by the Lord, as well as the purpose of those gifts, Ephesians 4:11-13. What did the Lord gift men to be and do? What was His “earnest expectation” for His Bride, the Church?

Paul wrote: “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherd- teachers,  to equip the saints (the genuine people of God) for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,  until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” Is any of this happening as Jesus Christ expressed it? Maybe to a degree – but – why then are Churches dwindling in size and closing?

There are no simple answers for the question. It is a combination of several diverse factors, such as – changing demographics; lack of vision and focus in terms of ministry opportunities; overall complacency; reluctance to become engaged; a resignation for the Church to survive as best it can until its resources are expended; a contentment to preserve a “legacy” by means of a maintenance type of operation; inability to be engaged in doing the work of ministry. 

Dr. J. I. Packer shared a paper on the subject of Revival. In one section of that paper, he addressed the local Church: “There must be Fruitfulness In Testimony. Revival always has an evangelistic and ethical overspill into the world. When God revives the church, the new life overflows from the church for the conversion of outsiders and renovation of society. Christians become fearless in witness and tireless in their Savior’s service. They proclaim by word and deed the power of the new life, souls are won, and a community conscience informed by Christian values emerges. Also in revival times God acts quickly; his work accelerates. Truth spreads, and people are born again and grow in Christ, with amazing rapidity.”

Is that what you desire as a genuine Christian? Is that what the Church you attend is committed to be and do? Does your “earnest expectation” square with the expectation of Jesus Christ? Are YOU willing to step into the gap and be what God wants you, and all true believers, to be and do? If not now – when? If not here – where?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.