Another Pastoral Epistle 9/5/18

It was thirty-five years ago (August 27) that I stood in front of a room full of people and unreservedly said, “I do” to the woman who had swept me off my feet.  There were many guests in that room, but as corny as it may sound, it was as if it was only Donna and me. I learned later that there were unseen guests at that altar that day.  The unseen guests of “expectations.”  
 
In my premarital counseling, I ask couples to write out 15-20 expectations of their marriage.  Anything from, “I expect my spouse to be faithful,” to “I expect my spouse to go out on dates with me.”  At first pass, the couple figures it will be difficult to arrive at 20 expectations. But soon discover that they had expectations they hadn’t even thought of until then.  We all have expectations- for our marriage, our friendships, how we should be treated by others, people who wait on us at the restaurant, and yes, the church. 
 
A visitor to the church has expectations.  When we arrive on Sunday mornings for worship we hope for certain things to happen (or not happen).  Think about this, on a given Sunday there may be 200 expectations for what will take place before, during, and after worship.  
 “I expect the coffee to be hot.”
 “I expect to sit in my familiar seat.”
 “I expect the worship set to include some of my favorite songs.”
 “I expect the pastor’s sermon to be done in 30 minutes” (dream on).  
 
What are we to do with expectations?  There is some biblical counsel to help us.  In Philippians 2 we are told to consider others better than ourselves.  We can manage our expectations by remembering it isn’t all about us. Romans 8 speaks of how in this life we groan as we wait eagerly for our glorification.  We are to lower our expectations in this life and raise our expectations for the next. Over and over in Scripture we are called back to contentment and joy. The problem isn’t in having expectations, it is in what we do with them when they aren’t met.  And what helps to keep our expectations in check is to live confidently that our Sovereign God is in complete control. 
 
For our hope in Christ transcends all present circumstances; all unmet expectations.  As Leslie Newbigin put it, “I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead!”
 
We will rejoice this Sunday for those who have been changed by the Risen Christ not only in our worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also those 5 individuals who will be baptized! Join us at Opechee point following worship.  Bring your own lunch, lawn chairs and games. Baptism will begin at 2:00. 
 
There is a lot going on this month and next and we don’t want you to miss out.  Check out the announcements in the epistle, bulletin, and EBC Facebook page, as we continue to strive for better communication.  And we do “expect” you to do your part in following along. 
 
Serving Him who exceeds all our expectations,
Pastor Brian