Do More Than Is Expected
“Do More Than Is Expected” by Pastor Kent Munsey
September 30, 2018
[Jesus] went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” -Matthew 26:39
We serve a God who doesn’t just meet our needs but exceeds our expectations. Jesus went a little bit further when he chose to go to the cross for us. He did more than what was expected. Because of him, we can do more than is expected.
In Genesis 24:12–19 we learn about one of the heroes and matriarchs of the faith, Rebekah. Abraham sent his right-hand man, Eleazar to travel to a foreign land and find a wife for his son Isaac. Eleazar prayed and asked God to give him a sign when he met the right woman for Isaac--that she would not only offer him water but offer to water his camels too.
Eleazar meets Rebekah at the well, and she offers to do more than is expected-- to water all ten of his camels. This meant that she would have been drawing 300 gallons of water, spending three to four hours drawing up bucket after bucket from the well. She was willing to do more than what was expected for a stranger, not knowing that this single act of generosity would send her into her destiny. God is looking for individuals who are willing to do more than what’s expected.
When you do more than what’s expected,...
1. You put yourself in a position for God to choose you.
Rebekah had no idea the plan that God had for her life, but because she did more than what’s expected, she stepped into her destiny.
Rebekah had a son named Jacob. Esau was the first-born, but he sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of beans. The promises of God are not just for the holy; they’re for the hungry.
When we do more than what is expected, we put ourselves in a position for God to do more than we could ask think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). When we are willing to do more, we can become more than we ever thought we could be. God is attracted to those who want to do more than what is expected.
Rebekah’s son Jacob buys the birthright from Esau, leaves his father’s house and meets Rachel. He loved Rachel the moment he saw her, but Rachel’s father Laban said he had to work for seven years for him to earn the privilege to marry Rachel. Jacob did more than what was expected.
However, Laban tricked Jacob and married him to his other daughter, Leah, after he had worked seven years. Oftentimes we don’t want to do more than what’s expected because we feel like we did more, but we got less, and we get discouraged. When you do more than what’s expected, there’s probably going to be people who take advantage of you or who don’t give you what you deserve. However, God was with Jacob.
2. When you do more than what’s expected, you attract the presence of God.
When Rebekah did more than what was expected, God chose her. When her son did more than what was expected, God was with him.
Continue to do more than what’s expected. Forgive more, work harder, do more than what is expected - God has chosen you. God is with you.
Finally Jacob married Rachel and had a son named Joseph. Joseph was favored by his mother and father. His brothers hated him, beat him, betrayed him and sold him into slavery. But Joseph continued to do more than what's expected.
Even though he was thrown in a pit, it did not keep him down. He was falsely accused and locked away in prison, but the prison couldn’t lock out the promises of God. Wherever he went, the Lord was with him. God favored and elevated him despite his circumstances. Joseph eventually became the right-hand counsel to the king.
3. When you do more than what’s expected, you attract the favor and blessing of God.
If you keep doing more than what’s expected, God will not only choose you, he will be with you, he will favor you, and he will bless you. The Bible says what a man sows, that he will reap. If you faint not, you will in due season get your harvest.
When you experience the grace of God, you can’t help but do more than what’s expected because you received more than you ever imagined. God has done so much for us that we can’t help but give back.
Jesus went a little bit further because it was in his DNA. When you do more than what’s expected, you carry on the legacy of Jesus. Jesus is looking for followers that will do more than what’s expected.
Discussion/Reflection Questions:
In what areas of your life do you feel like God is calling you to do more?
Think of a time when God chose you or elevated you. What did you do to position yourself for God to choose you?
Think of a time when God was with you, even when man was against you. What happened?
How have you seen the favor and blessing of God on your life?
What are some practical ways that you can go beyond what is expected at your job, in your family, and in your relationships?