Vineyard Morris Plains

Discerning the Voice of GOD

Listen Later

Please click image for complete sermon Note

As I get started this morning, I want you to think for a moment about expectations…

  • Because, whether you’re conscious about them or not, we all have a lot of expectations that we carry through our everyday lives.
  • Right now, for example, you might have some expectations about this sermon… whether it will be good or boring… long or short.
  • When you go to a restaurant you have certain expectations about how the food will taste or how good the service will be.

    •  

    When your birthday comes, you may have expectations about the gifts you’ll receive.

    • When you’re having friends over whom you haven’t seen for a long time, you’ll no doubt have expectations about what that visit will be like.
    • When you turn on America’s Got Talent or Dancing with the Stars, you have certain expectations that you’ll be entertained!

      •  

      And yet, there’s another side of expectation— the kind of expectations that we place on others or that are placed on you by those around you.

      • There are even those expectations placed on us by our culture regarding how we’re supposed to look, for example, or what you’re “supposed” to have achieved by a certain age.
      • You see, all of these expectations are the result of the different voices that have spoken into our lives through the years.

        •  

        Some are voices of affirmation: “I believe in you… You are important to me… I know you can do it… I love who you are.”

        • And others are voices that hurt: “You can’t do anything right! You’ll never accomplish much in life! Why aren’t you as good as your brother?  You’re not good enough.”

          • It’s these kinds of voices that really shape & influence who we are… especially when some of those negative voices have come from those you love the most like… demanding parent or demeaning sibling.

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store
          Vineyard Morris PlainsBy Vineyard Morris Plains