What is faith? It might surprise you that it may not be what you

think it is. It’s not a desire, a feeling, or a way of pretending that something is what it’s not.

Instead, faith is an expectation that gives you a whole new way of seeing life— a way of looking

at things from God’s point of view instead of ours.

You’ll find that living by faith opens the door for miracles,

shrinks your problems, turns your dreams into reality,

and much, much more.

WHAT’S YOUR “EEL”

Eager Expectation Level

We will always get from God (for our lives and for our church)

exactly as much as we expect!

What is faith? It is the confident expectations and assurance that something we want is going to

happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.

(Hebrews 11:1 – Living Bible)

According to your faith [your trust, confidence and expectation in

My power and My ability] it will be done to you.

(Matthew 9:29 – Amplified Bible)

Expectation is seeing my life & my church through the eyes of

faith -

and this is absolutely necessary to live an above and beyond

lifestyle

It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because

anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists

and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 – The Message)

WHAT STEALS YOUR “EEL”

EEL STEALER 1: You stop too soon

CASE STUDY: ELISHA & THE ARROWS

(2 Kings 13:14-19)

EEL STEALER 2: You feel too small

CASE STUDY: ISRAEL AND THE

GIANTS (Numbers 13:25-33)

EEL STEALER 3: You get too scared

CASE STUDY: THE DISCIPLES AND

THE CROWDS (John 6:1-13)

WHAT REVEALS YOUR “EEL”

EEL REVEALER 1: You have a big dream for

your life & for your church

Glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us, is able to do FAR MORE than we would ever DARE TO ASK or even DREAM of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires,

thoughts, or hopes! (Ephesians 3:20 – Living Bible)

What is the biggest thing you can imagine God doing

with your life and your church?

EEL REVEALER 2: You have fresh hope for

your life & for your church

My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will

understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you.

Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together

with all of God’s people. (Ephesians 1:18 – Contemporary English Version)

What is the biggest reason you have stopped hoping, believing and expecting? In light of what

you’ve learned today, is this still a valid reason not to have hope?

EEL REVEALER 3: You will put renewed

effort into your life and into

your church

May we never tire of doing what is good and right before our Lord

because in His season we shall bring in a great harvest if we

can just persist.

So seize any opportunity the Lord gives you to do good things and

be a blessing to everyone, especially those within our faithful family. (Galatians 6:9-10 – The Voice)

What is the biggest thing you can start doing RIGHT NOW in your life and in your church to show you are eagerly expecting God

to do something great?

WHAT SEALS YOUR “EEL”

If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who

throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News

will ever know what it means to really live.

(Mark 8:35 – Living Bible)

EEL SEALER QUESTION 1:

If not you, then who?

EEL SEALER QUESTION 2:

If not here, then where?

EEL SEALER QUESTION 3:

If not now, then when?

Let’s Pray