Expectation Church: Recent Episodes
Expectation Church
"We expect great things from God, as we attempt great things for God." Expectation Church is located on West Ox Road in Fairfax, Virginia.
All of God’s promises come down to one simple yet so complex thing and ya gotta have it.
We've all heard the adages, you know, "change is just a part of life"... "everything is bound to change"... "change is the only constant"... and yet, while those may be true, change can wear many masks -- exciting, frightening, frustrating, heartbreaking, or sometimes, they can fill your heart with joy. We may not always have a choice about the changes that interrupt our lives, but we will always have a choice in how we respond to those changes.
Feelings are such a powerful indicator of where our heart lies. They're an excellent indicator of growth, but they can also hinder growth. We're told so often that our feelings are important, and they are. But when we get in our feelings, sometimes we can't move forward. What do we do when it's not the obstacle but our feelings that stand in our way?
Are you fighting internally and never seeming to get a breakthrough? Come find out more about the perplexity of the human condition and the response of Jesus Christ.
If you've got kids, chances are you've heard the phrase "That's not fair" more than you can count. Isn't it interesting that the idea of fairness isn't something we need to introduce our children to. It's implanted in us from birth and if we're honest, most of us don't grow out of it. However, not only is life not fair, God isn't fair either...and that's a good thing.
This simple statement carries the weight of the world, the triumph of victory and the motivation for service. No matter what is happening in your life, Palm Sunday truth is significant truth.
It's important in life to make sure we're staying on top of our task manager and meeting all of our due dates. Home projects. Work projects. School projects. There is something so fulfilling about completing any of these. We must be careful not to carry this mentality over towards people though. While projects can be managed, people must be loved and doing so can often require a roofless faith.
When the unshakeable gets a little shaky, when the foundation starts to crack, or when the "sure thing" turns out to be "not a chance", it's natural to question -- to doubt. Our circumstances can either proliferate our doubts and allow us to become cynical and bitter -- or, it can be a catalyst for our faith to finding joy, comfort, and peace on the other side of the fog of uncertainty. Just like John the Baptist, God wants us to ask him "Why" not because we question his judgement, but so he can reveal His love and Goodness even in the most uncertain of times.
Wisdom is a word that we often equate with fortune cookies, owls, and Tweet-able quotes. But what is it really? We often pray for wisdom when facing a situation. We'll ask for wisdom when we're not sure what to do. BUT what are we actually asking for? Wisdom isn't just what's in your head but it connects with what's in your heart.
From the right position, you can see everything around you and gain a new perspective. It makes it easier to focus on what's most important. When was the last time you saw the world from a lookout position?
Google, Alexa, and Siri are helpful assistants, but one thing none of them can do is predict the future. Sure, they can tell you about future events and forecasted weather, but ultimately they have no idea what tomorrow will bring… and neither do you. So what do you do when you prayed, planned, & prepared for everything except for… the unexpected?
Conflict, arguments, and accusations seem to dominate our news feeds, social media posts, and even our day to day conversations. It can be overwhelming, and sometimes it brings out the worst in us. Many times these situations arise because along the way we forgot that age-old saying our moms and dads used to tell us, "think before you speak." Jesus shows us exactly how we can redeem these divisive problems laced with grudges and judgment and turn them into solutions seasoned with grace and love... How? The next time you get caught up in one of those moments, before you hit "Send" or utter your response, do one thing. Pause.
When facing heartbreak, anxiety, or frustration you might hear somebody say, "Have faith! Trust in God." Finding the strength to look up and remain confident in God sounds easy, but how can we practically do this? It starts with a reminder from King David about how we push through when it seems like everything is falling apart. We're going to identify how to push through when your heart is stirred without your spirit being shaken.
Are we winning? The church is called out to fulfill Christ's purposes and reach the world for Him. How do we win in a time of transition? What are the steps we need to follow?
Did you know that there is a wealth of untapped potential inside of you? Better than any hidden treasure you could find on this planet, there is a resource that God has made available to all of us. I am fully convinced that if you could tap into the power of it, even just partially, it will revolutionize the way you live your life. You’ll experience more joy, peace, and blessings than you’ll know what to do with.
A blanket of snow over an open field is beautiful, but snow over a major highway is dangerous. Rain over a parched land is refreshing, but too much in a short amount of time can be catastrophic. In every element of nature beauty can be found, but in an instant, it can become dangerous. Many days will start with a beautiful sunrise and end with an even more stunning sunset... but the journey between the two can hold an unexpected storm. When the sudden storms roll into your life, how will you respond? Fear or Faith?
Unexpected things happen. One minute it seems like things are going great and then out of the blue comes what you least expect. That's why it's so important to be prepared and remember the promises God has made over your life.
As the story told in the Book of Joshua begins, the people of God are poised to enter the land of promise. They were told to GET READY. And their experience can help us prepare for our compelling future.
During a recent drive to Florida with three of my grandsons in the back seats, I heard these words many times: 'ARE WE THERE YET?' To which I was tempted to reply, 'DO I NEED TO PULL THIS CAR OVER?' But eventually we arrived at our destination. Life is about the JOURNEY and the DESTINATION. And we can learn much about BOTH from some of our spiritual ancestors as we begin our own journey through the fascinating Book of Joshua, and the new series titled--you guessed it--'ARE WE THERE YET?'
Jesus once said “Out of the overflow of the heart the fingers tweet.” …...Ok, maybe He didn’t say it exactly like that, but He did warn us about the way in which we use our words. Words are extremely powerful and if mishandled can cause much more harm than any amount of sticks or stones ever could. It’s no secret 2018 has been a rough year, so let’s not just start the new year out on the right foot, but more importantly with the right words.
He seems to be almost a bystander--an 'extra' in familiar Nativity scenes. We don't really know what to make of him--or do with him. And the fact that we have no 'words' from him doesn't help. But it turns out that Joseph, though a silent witness, is a real CHRISTMAS HERO.
Her name was a variant of the Hebrew name MIRIAM. The Aramaic rendering (from which our Anglicized form comes)is MARIAM. We know her as MARY. Or do we?
This is a season of joy, but for many that joy is tempered with complicated feelings of sorrow. It's complicated.
As we move into the final month of the year, Pastor Stokes will share a message this Sunday titled: 'THE CASE FOR CHRISTMAS.' Each message this monthly will highlight specific aspects of the Biblical narrative surrounding the advent.
One hundred years ago this weekend - November 11, 1918 - the guns of an August four years earlier collapsed into sudden silence. It was the end of THE GREAT WAR, referred to back then as 'the war to end all wars.' Of course, we know that it didn't actually end all wars. In fact, the fragile peace became fertile soil for horrific conflicts to come. Today, we know this day as VETERANS DAY. It's a time to remember. It's a time for honor.
President John F. Kennedy said, 'A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.' The same can be certainly said of the men and women equipped and sent out by the Body of Christ for the work of the Kingdom of God. This month at EXPECTATION CHURCH we REMEMBER. And we begin with REMEMBER GOD'S SERVANTS.
A GRATEFUL life is a GREAT-FULL life. Without gratitude everything spirals out of control. Yes, it's THAT important.
Ministry is not a spectator sport. But far too many people see it that way. Jesus left this planet and empowered others to take up the task of reaching the world with the good news. That plan is still operative and relevant all these centuries later.
Human beings have a tendency to over-complicate things. Whether it's governmental bureaucracy, which grows exponentially, or even churches. Bigger is not always better. It's important to realize that we need to keep our priorities straight and our methods simple.
The Eiffel Tower, the Sistine Chapel, The Washington Monument -- all three of these iconic landmarks have one thing in common. A solid foundation. This week we will go through another piece of the DNA that forms Expectation Church and one that is at the heart of it's foundation -- Honor.
The late Evangelist Vance Havner said,'Christians, like snowflakes, are frail, but when they stick together they can stop traffic.' Biblical unity is not uniformity, nor is it unanimity, but it is vital.
As we mark an important milestone in our ministry, it's appropriate that the value we'll explore is part of our church's very name. WE EXPECT GREAT AS WE ATTEMPT GREAT: It's About Active Faith.
As we come to the second of the eight values we'll be discussing in the 'I LOVE MY CHURCH' series, we're going to tackle an elephant that lurks in many rooms: GROWTH & CHANGE. We can't have one without the other--personally and collectively.
The seven words that will kill any organization are, 'we never did it that way before.' That's why we are so clear about how at Expectation Church 'the message never changes, but the methods do.' As we begin a new series called, 'I LOVE MY CHURCH,' we start with the ultimate focus. 'IT'S ONLY EVER ALWAYS ABOUT JESUS!'
When VICTIMS become VICTORS it can be a cause for rejoicing. But it's also important to remind ourselves that snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, while awesome, can also bring its own complications and sorrows. So we need the right VICTOR MENTALITY.
Even when we sense the tide is turning, we must remain focused and vigilant. Never spike the ball on the two-yard line. Never get ahead of God. D-Day, the Day of Deliverance, will come--in HIS time. And there is so much we can learn when victory is actually realized.
God doesn't play games, but He does play chess--for real. His providence governs every move on the board. The board is history. The players are people. The plan is His.
All of us have faced critical times that have changed things and changed US. They are called DEFINING MOMENTS. They come in all shapes and sizes. Are you ready for the next one?"
A very evil man named HAMAN became Xerxes’ Prime Minister — the second most powerful man in the world about 479 B.C. His hatred for the Jews was deeply-rooted and fueled by generational enmity. He planned to do what Adolf Hitler tried to do 75 years ago — exterminate them. BUT GOD had other plans.
Have you ever felt that the entire world seemed to be working against you? Well, actually there is a conspiracy--but it's a DIVINE one.
It's been said that 'God plays chess, while we play checkers.' As we begin a journey through the fascinating book of Esther this Summer, we're going to discover some fascinating things about how God works.
Every great step in life requires thought. And more often than not, we're faced with the prospect of CHANGING OUR MINDS. It's not always easy, but there's no growth without it. CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR WORLD. It all begins when we individually commit to developing A BEAUTIFUL MIND.
Living Biblically in the 21st century means to saturate our lives with God's thoughts and ways. Spiritual growth is not just about making us better people, it's about conforming us to His image. This means that there will be some tough lessons along the way. But anytime we trust God, we enter the zone of the 'SURE THING'.
The Bible is filled with prophecy. Prophets of old spoke as they were moved by the Spirit of God. But what is the greatest prophecy in the Bible?
The Bible talks a lot about something called the “soul.” And as you work through the various references—all the mentions of the soul—it becomes clear that God is talking not just about a part of us, but the essence of us. We often sing songs in church worship that affirm “It is Well with My Soul.” But it begs the question, is it well with yours?
When Bishop Fulton Sheen received an Emmy for his religious television show nearly 60 years ago, he remarked, “I’d like to thank my writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.” But did you know that there are more than four "Gospels." Have you ever read "THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO...ISAIAH?
The Bible is filled with stories. Great stories. Sometimes scary stories. True stories. Parabolic stories. War stories. Family stories. Dramatic stories. Stories with happy endings. Stories that ended in tragedy. Stories of mercy. Stories of judgment. Stories of death. The story of resurrection. And one rather odd story about SNAKES.
Way back in 1789, a fellow by the name of Benjamin Franklin wrote: 'Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.' Indeed.
Ever hear someone say, "I had a Come to Jesus Moment?" Well, they said the same thing a hundred years ago - only they used different words. One of them was SAWDUST.