This message is Part 3 of the series "Above & Beyond" by Pastor Chuck Bernal. The title for this message is "Above & Beyond Expectations". This message is a call to believe God for great things and expect more than we ever thought was possible. The message reveals the things that steal, reveal and seal our EEL (Eager Expectation Level). This message was delivered on Sunday, July 3, 2016 at LifePointe Church in Crowley, TX.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. You’ll find that living by faith
opens the door for miracles,
shrinks your problems,
turns your dreams into reality,
and much, much more.

5. WHAT’S YOUR “EEL”

6. Eager Expectation Level

7. We will always get from God
(for our lives and for our church)
exactly as much as we expect!

8. 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)

9. 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)

10. Expectation is seeing my
life & my church through
the eyes of faith -

11. and this is absolutely
necessary to live an above
and beyond lifestyle

12. 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)

13. WHAT STEALS YOUR “EEL”

14. EEL STEALER 1:
You stop too soon
CASE STUDY:
ELISHA & THE ARROWS
(2 Kings 13:14-19)

15. EEL STEALER 2:
You feel too small
CASE STUDY:
ISRAEL AND THE GIANTS
(Numbers 13:25-33)

16. EEL STEALER 3:
You get too scared
CASE STUDY:
THE DISCIPLES AND
THE CROWDS
(John 6:1-13)

17. WHAT REVEALS YOUR “EEL”

18. EEL REVEALER 1:
You have a big dream for
your life & for your church

19. 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)

20. What is the biggest thing
you can imagine God doing
with your life and your church?

21. EEL REVEALER 2:
You have fresh hope for
your life & for your church

22. 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.

23. Then you will discover the glorious
blessings that will be yours together
with all of God’s people.
(Ephesians 1:18 – Contemporary English Version)

24. 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?

25. EEL REVEALER 3:
You will put renewed effort
into your life and into
your church

26. 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.

27. 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)

28. 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?

29. WHAT SEALS YOUR “EEL”

30. 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)

31. EEL SEALER
QUESTION 1:
If not you, then who?

32. EEL SEALER
QUESTION 2:
If not here, then where?

33. EEL SEALER
QUESTION 3:
If not now, then when?

34. Let’s Pray