What happens when our expectations of Jesus don’t match reality? Dive into the transformative power of repentance and hear personal stories of renewal inspired by Acts 3. Explore the significant roles of biblical figures like Moses and Abraham in fulfilling prophecies through Christ. This journey encourages a re-evaluation of our hopes and expectations for divine restoration, reminding us of the surpassing greatness of Christ beyond any human understanding.
Understanding that Christ surpasses our expectations emphasizes the importance of faith in grasping His true nature and promises.
The significance of community support in spiritual growth highlights the need for accountability in maintaining consistent biblical engagement.
Deep dives
The Challenge of Consistent Bible Reading
Reading the Bible consistently can be difficult, but it’s emphasized that it is never too late to start, and communal efforts are encouraged. The speaker shares a personal story illustrating a moment of vulnerability that led to a commitment to follow Christ, reinforcing that struggles can pave the way for a deeper spiritual journey. This narrative sets the tone for why engaging with scripture, particularly during the Advent season, is important for personal growth. The importance of community support and accountability in these spiritual practices is highlighted as essential for maintaining consistency.
The Significance of Acts 3
In Acts chapter 3, Peter and John perform a miracle by healing a lame beggar, which draws a crowd and presents an opportunity for preaching the gospel. Instead of delivering a simple message, Peter confronts the crowd with the serious nature of their sin, highlighting their role in the crucifixion of Christ. This direct approach exemplifies the importance of truth-telling in ministry, emphasizing that acknowledgment of sin is a necessary step for redemption. The passage illustrates how acknowledging guilt can lead to greater understanding of grace and the need for repentance.
Expectations of the Second Advent
Peter references biblical prophecies from Genesis and Deuteronomy to emphasize that all promises have been fulfilled in Christ, presenting a vision of hope for the future. He assures listeners of the reality of eternal salvation and the blessings that come from turning to Christ, exceeding the immediate desires of the faithful. The discussion draws parallels to the expectations surrounding Jesus' second coming, encouraging believers to anticipate greater fulfillment than they might imagine. By setting expectations on the grace that will be revealed, the speaker underscores the transformative power of faith and the richness of what lies ahead.
What do we do when our expectations of Jesus don't line up with who He really is? Today Watermark Shoreline Director Will McIlroy walks us through Acts 3 to show us how Christ is better than any expectation we could ever set for him.
Additional Scripture referenced in today's episode: Genesis 1-2, creation account
Order our NEW Join The Journey Jr. Discussion cards to help you and your family study the Bible together: https://my.watermark.org/registration?RegistrationInstanceId=4093
You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898
Check out today's Join The Journey devo: https://www.jointhejourney.com/today
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