Anticipation

Introduction. (Romans 13:11-14). In this text Paul gives instruction to the Romans calling to their attention the fact that with each day of faithful service salvation draws closer. This is an appeal to the brethren to use their anticipation of the future to influence their behavior in the present.

Examples of the Power Anticipation. We know the power of anticipation. We remember the old ketchup commercial which played the Carly Simon song “Anticipation” with someone waiting for thick ketchup.

     These situations can excite us and highten our senses. They can cause us to be cautious and sensitive. They can focus our attention on the object of our anticipation to such a degree that everything around us seems to disappear.

     This morning I’d like for us to think a little bit about this disposition and consider some things that it would be wise for Christians to anticipate.

I. Christians Should Anticipate Our Behavior. Note: Can mean either look foreward to something (in a positive way) or consider something ahead of time (either positively or negatively).

  1. Do I decide beforehand how I will act? (cf. Situation Ethics). (Titus 2:15-3:2).
  2. Do I consider how my behavior will effect others? (Romans 15:1-3).

II. Christians Should Anticipate Temptation.

  1. Am I honest with myself about what causes me temptation? (I Corinthians 10:12,13).
  2. Do I consider ahead of time how to avoid it? (I Peter 5:8,9).

III. Christians Should Anticipate Opportunities for Service.

  1. Do I see those things around me that I can do? (Ephesians 5:15-17).
  2. Do I look forward to serving God? (Psalm 122:1).

IV. Christians Should Anticipate The Judgment.

  1. What would you say? (Matthew 12:33-37).
  2. Would you be found ready? (I Thessalonians 5:1-5).

V. Christians Should Anticipate Heaven.

  1. How would you feel the first second you were there? I know what wouldn’t concern you
    • How much you had to give up to be a Christian.
    • Pleasures you had to sacrifice.
    • Time you had to forfeit in service to God.
    • How many hypocritical Christians you had to put up with.

    What will matter to you is gratitude, praise and a desire to worship every second the God of heaven! (II Cor. 4:16-18).

  2. What would be important to you? It won’t be the fact that
    • You didn’t have it fair in life.
    • God gave you a difficult road.
    • Other people had it better and easier.

    What will be important to you is “is my family there?” How blessed you are. “How can I show my love and thankfulness to God?” (Romans 8:18).

VI. Christians Should Anticipate Hell.

  1. How would you feel the first second you were there? I know what you wouldn’t feel
    • That God asked too much of you on earth.
    • That sin was just too good to sacrifice.
    • That worshipping God was boring.
    • That God’s people weren’t “your kind of people.”

    You would wish with every ounce of your being that you had chosen better in life! (Luke 16:25).

  2. What would be important to you? I know what wouldn’t be important to you
    • How much money you had.
    • How beautiful you were or your things.
    • How much pleasure you had in life.

    All of those things would seem like nothing compared to the fact that you have before you and eternity with no joy, no wealth, no beauty! (Mark 8:35-37).