How to Change Your Expectations
May 1, 2022
Josh Mouser
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. —1 Timothy 4:7-13
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.
How to Change Your Expectations:
1. Place societal expectations on the back burner (make it a low priority).
- 1 Timothy 4:12 says this:
Let no one despise you for your youth…
- In 2 Corinthians 10:10 it says:
For some say, His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. —Genesis 1:27
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. —Psalm 139:13-14
2. Put God’s expectations on the front burner.
- In Acts 16, Luke writes:
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him… —Acts 16:1-3
- 1 Timothy 4:7-8 says:
… Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
3. You have to put in the work
- James says in chapter 2, verse 17:
So also faith alone without works is dead.
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. (emphasis added) —1 Timothy 4:10-13
By Timothy putting in the work, there would be less room for Timothy to make mistakes and his trust would strengthen with those around him.
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (emphasis added)
Which one of these virtues do you need to work on? Speech, conduct, love, faith, or purity?
Thomas Edison writes:
Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.
Jesus changed the societal expectations of Himself. He put God first. And He worked.
Life Application Questions:
1. What are the “supposed to’s” in your life and how can you put them on the back burner?
2. What do you think God’s expectations for your life are? How can you find out?
3. What is a practical step that you can take, to work on the expectations God wants for you?
- Choose one:
(a) My speech
(b) My conduct
(c) My love
(d) My faith
(e) My purity