Expectation creates an arena for God to do miracles. (Luke 5:17)
The miracles Jesus did were signs pointing to Who He is—Messiah, the Son of God.
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. —John 20:30-31
Familiarity with Jesus is the enemy of having faith in Jesus.
And after the two days, He departed from there for Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, only because they had seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast. —John 4:43-45 NASB
When we become familiar with Jesus, a desperate need becomes a catalyst.
Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee, where He had made the water into wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and began asking Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. —John 4:46-47 NASB
A desperate need reveals how little we actually control.
A desperate need reminds us of how dependent we really are on God.
God will use a desperate need to get us moving toward Him.
48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” 49 The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son is alive.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went home. 51 And as he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was alive. 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son is alive”; and he himself believed, and his entire household. 54 This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come from Judea into Galilee. —John 4:48-54
God will use a desperate need to move us from familiarity with Jesus to faith in Him.
God will use a desperate need to move us from control to dependence.
God will use a desperate need to move us from small faith to deeper faith.
Discipleship Guide
Let’s Connect
- What are some of the things you’re expectant for this year?
Let’s Talk About It
God’s awesome power is demonstrated for one primary purpose, to bring people to Himself. Our expectation creates an arena for God to do miracles, but more important than what Jesus does is Who Jesus is. Familiarity with Jesus is an enemy of our faith. When we become familiar with Jesus, our desperate need becomes a catalyst. God will use a desperate need to get us moving toward Him and eventually to a deeper faith in Him.
Luke 5:17; John 20:30-31; John 4:43-54
- Which part of the message impacted and challenged you?
- Read John 20:30-31. How did God increase your expectation through our week of prayer and fasting? Share and celebrate answered prayer from the week of prayer and fasting.
- What miracles have you experienced that were like signs pointing you to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
- Read John 4:43-47. How has your familiarity with Jesus diminished your expectancy of what God can do? What steps can you take to move from familiarity to greater desperation for and faith in Jesus?
- Read John 44:48-54. When have you seen a desperate situation become a gift that fueled your faith in Jesus? How did your desperate need move you to a deeper faith in Jesus?
- Where are you desperate to experience a touch from Jesus? What does it look like for you to surrender control of this to God? What step can you take to live with greater faith and expectation?
Take a Step
- What step can you take this week to live with greater desperation for God and expectation of what He can do?
Here’s My Prayer
God, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I welcome Him into my life with faith and expectation. Thank You for the power to live a fruitful life with boldness and sincerity. Fan the flames of my heart to be desperate for You and deepen my faith in You. I want to live with a greater expectation of who You are and what You can do. In Jesus’ name, amen.