God’s Expectations Told to Us
Two Characteristics of Christian Living
Aaron Lee | February 9, 2024 | AWANA | Various Passages
Introduction
What does God expect from us? People put many expectations on us. Your parents expect things from you. Your teachers expect things from you. Even your friends expect things from you. But what’s most important in this life is what God expects from us.
Today we’re going to see two characteristics of Christian living. We don’t always live up to these expectations, but we need to know them. These are two ways that God expects his people to live:
1. Holy
The first expectation is that we would be holy.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy. (1 Peter 1:14-16)
God says that we should be holy. To be holy means to be sacred. It means to be pure. As sinners, we know that we will never be perfect — but we know what we should strive for. The text gives us a reference that was in the Old Testament book of Leviticus: “Be holy, because I am holy.” God has always expected his people to have his holy character as a standard for our lives.
This verse tells us that we were formally ignorant of what God wanted. That means that we did not know. God has given us his Word, written down for us to know and understand, study and live out. We must obey God’s law, his word, his Bible. And note that we can be holy by being God’s obedient children. I tell my children that they need to listen and obey me because I am their Dad. If God is your Heavenly Father, you must listen and obey him. Even older people like me must listen and obey.
So, will you live a life that is holy before God? One way to think about being holy is to think about the different ways we experience our lives with our head, our hands, and our hearts. Being holy with our head means being holy in our thoughts. Is what you think about pure? Being holy with our hands means being holy with our actions — what we do and what we say. Are your actions and your words pure before God? Being holy with our hearts means being holy with what we love. Are your motives and your priorities pure before God? Pray that God would continue to help us fight for holiness in all of our lives.
2. Set Apart
The second expectation is that we would be set apart:
Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:20-22)
God says that we should be set apart, a special instrument to be used by God. The text gives us an illustration of two types of vessels. Some are for special occasions - gold and silver. Some are for daily use - wood and clay. It’s like how you have special clothes for when you want to get dressed up and look fancy, and how you have ordinary clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. God wants us to be set apart for him - ready to be used by God.
This verse tells us that we can be set apart by fleeing youthful passions and pursuing righteousness. So we see that this is something we need to be active in doing. We must be actively looking for ways where we can live and do things for God. If we are selfish, we will pursue our own youthful passions. But if we are set apart for God, we will pursue what he wants. And note that we are to do it together. We are to help each other stay set apart, reminding and encouraging each other.
So, will you live a life that is set apart for God? I’m very happy that many of you come to AWANA on Friday nights. But Friday night is not the main event here at church. God’s people have set apart Sunday mornings as a special time to give to God. I encourage you to make it a priority to come to church on Sundays. You can ask your parents nicely if they don’t come to church on Sundays if they would consider it. You can also start getting into the habit of having a special daily devotion time with God. This is when you schedule time in your day to read the Bible and pray. Maybe after dinner or before bedtime. You can even ask your parents to help you.
Big Idea
The Bible reveals the expectations that God has for all who have accepted Jesus as Savior.
Gospel
I want us to zoom out for a second. I’ve been giving you the expectations that God has for his children, but I want to stress something I said earlier – God does not expect us to be perfect. We will not be perfect until we get to be with God in Heaven. We do not get to go to Heaven by being perfect. Some people think that they can go to Heaven if they live good enough lives. If they are good people on their own. This is not what the Bible says. The truth is that we are sinners. Both holiness and being set apart for God are not what the world encourages us to do. It is against our nature. We fall short of God’s standards every day. Admit that you are a sinner, believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for your sins, confess him as the resurrected King over your life. Follow him now and you will follow him into Heaven. You don’t have to be perfect. But as God’s children, he expects you to grow and he will help you. You can’t meet God’s expectations alone. The Holy Spirit helps all of God’s children live in a way that pleases the Lord.
Sharing
Can you share a time you learned about God’s expectations and how Jesus has helped you in your journey?
Conclusion
I’ve been talking about what God expects from us, but I want to end with what we can expect from God. In the Bible, he tells us what we can expect from him. We can expect God to be merciful, gracious, loving, and faithful. I have found that God has always lived up to the expectations he says of himself that are found in his Word - and he has exceeded any and all of my expectations of him. I pray that you will see and experience the same.
The LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: The LORD — the LORD is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth. (Exodus 34:6)