Ministering the Word with Proper Expectations

Photo Credit: nimittrivedi.wordpress.com

On July 14th Pastor Mike Fabarez delivered the afternoon session for the D. Min track in expository preaching.  His subject was ministering the Word with godly expectations.  J. I. Packer once wrote, "Low expectations become self-fulfilling.  Where little is expected from sermons, little is received."

Elihu's testimony in Job 32:18-21 is a good example of what we long to say and see week after week.  We need to long for the conversion and edification of our hearers.  In courageous faith we should "expect great things from God, attempt great things for God (William Carey)."  1 Cor. 3:5-9 is one of the most important passages in relation to  biblical ministry.  God calls us to serve him faithfully but the results are in His hands.

So how do we cultivate the right expectations?

1) Beg God to Utilize Your Preaching (though prayer)

"To pray well is half the study.  Putting aside the foolish confidence as though we had some ability to help the Word along in the hearer, let us rather engage in the hearer, let us rather engage in prayer..." Martin Luther.   We need to pray more and study less.  We should pray as a way of life throughout each day (1 Thess. 5:17-19).


A) We need to be more dependent on God.  Why?  The Prince of darkness is at war with the Church of Jesus Christ.  We are involved in spiritual warfare.  Here is Satan's agenda for your church.  1) He persecutes the church (Rev. 2:10); 2) He wants to keep us apart (1 Thess. 2:17-18).  3) The Deceiver promotes conflict and foolish controversies (2 Tim. 2:23-26) 4) To oppose their evangelism (Acts 26:16-18).  5) To get people to leave the fellowship (1 Tim. 4:1-3).

B) The Evil One also has an agenda for Christian homes.  These realities should drive us to our knees.   1) Satan wants to usurp Dad's spiritual leadership (Gen. 3:6; 1 Tim. 2:9-15).  2) He loves to promote adultery (1 Cor. 7:3-5).  3. He lives to incite rebellion (1 Sam. 15:18-23).  Satan wants the home to be a divisive and chaotic place.  4) The Serpent loves to promote sibling rivalry (1 Jn. 3:11-12).

C) Satan also has an agenda for the lives of the saints. The Prince of lies wants 1) God's people to turn on God (Job 1:9-12).  We have to discuss the issue of Theodicy all the time (Job 1:9-12).  If God were really good you would not experience ____.  2) The Devil wants to have us  rely on our earthly resources (1 Chron. 21:1-8).  3) Satan wants Christians to be anxious and worried all the time.  4) The Adversary want to impede our sanctification (Eph. 6:11-18).

Jesus prayed for Peter and the disciples that their faith would not fail.  Should we not also be committed to the ministry of intercessory prayer?  We should also enlist others to pray for/with you for the preacher and the hearers (see Praying For Sunday: You, Your Pastor, and the Next Sermon."

We should work really hard (Col. 1:28-29; 2 Tim. 2:15) and attempt great things for God.  In other words, we need to be balanced.  It is maximum human effort with total reliance on Him (see 1 Cor. 15:10; Phil. 2:12-13).