By Pastor Lazarus Muoka

Text: Romans 8:19 (KJV) “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”

There is something the Church must never lose sight of: there is an expectation upon the people of God. Heaven is waiting, the world is waiting, and God Himself is looking for a people through whom His glory can be revealed. The Church was not redeemed merely to occupy seats, attend services, sing songs, and go through religious activities. The Church was redeemed to manifest Christ, proclaim His salvation, demonstrate His power, and prepare the world for His coming.

The Bible says, “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” This is a solemn statement. Creation is waiting. Humanity is groaning. A generation is searching for hope, direction, righteousness, peace, and deliverance. In the midst of darkness, God has placed His Church as a light.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

The Church, therefore, has a divine responsibility. We cannot afford to live carelessly when the world is desperately looking for an answer. We cannot afford to become so occupied with material things that we forget eternity. We cannot become so comfortable that we lose our burden for dying souls. There is an expectation upon us.

The earnest expectation of the Church is first the manifestation of Christ in our lives. Christianity is not merely a profession of the lips; it is the revelation of Christ through a transformed life. The world should be able to see something different in the believer.

Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”
This is the heart of true Christianity. Christ must live through us. Our character must testify of Him. Our conduct must testify of Him. Our speech must testify of Him. Our decisions must testify of Him. Our homes, businesses, relationships, and private lives must testify that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The Church cannot effectively preach holiness while living in worldliness. We cannot preach forgiveness while holding bitterness in our hearts. We cannot preach truth while practicing deception. We cannot preach salvation while living like those who have never encountered Christ.

The world needs to see Christ in us.

The earnest expectation is also that the Church will shine in a dark generation. We are living in a world where moral values are rapidly declining, sin is becoming normal, and many people have lost their sense of eternity. Yet the darker the night becomes, the more necessary the light becomes.

Philippians 2:15 says, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

God did not place us in this generation by accident. He knew the condition of our world before He saved us. He knew the challenges we would face. He knew the temptations surrounding us. Yet He called us to shine.

We must not hide our faith because of opposition. We must not compromise because of pressure. We must not exchange eternal values for temporary acceptance. The Church must remain the Church.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

There is an expectation upon every child of God to live in such a way that others will be drawn toward God.
But there is another earnest expectation: the salvation of souls.

The Church exists to reach the lost. The heartbeat of Christ is for souls to be saved. Jesus came into this world because humanity was lost in sin. He did not come merely to improve people’s finances or make them comfortable on earth. He came to save sinners.

Luke 19:10 declares, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

If Christ came to seek and save the lost, then the Church must carry the same burden. There are men and women around us who are dying without Christ. There are young people searching for meaning. There are families suffering because sin has taken control of their homes. There are people smiling outwardly while inwardly they are broken. There are souls who may never hear another message if we refuse to preach to them.

Paul declared in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”

The Gospel is still the answer.

The Church must, therefore, arise and preach Christ again. We must preach repentance again. We must preach holiness again. We must preach righteousness again. We must preach heaven and hell again. We must remind men that eternity is real and that every soul will stand before God.

The earnest expectation is that the Church will wake up from spiritual slumber.

There is a danger of becoming religious without becoming spiritual. A person may attend church and still be far from God. One may know Christian language without knowing Christ. One may carry a Bible without obeying its message. One may sing about heaven while living for this present world.

Jesus said in John 14:3, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Christ is coming again.This truth should affect the way we live. If we truly believe that Jesus is coming, we cannot afford to live carelessly. We must be ready. We must keep our garments clean. We must remain faithful. We must not allow the attractions of this world to steal our affection for Christ.

Titus 2:13 says, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

What a blessed expectation!
One day the trumpet shall sound. One day the dead in Christ shall rise. One day the struggles of this present life will be over. One day faith will become sight. One day we shall see the King in His beauty.

But while we wait, we have a responsibility.Jesus said in Mark 13:33, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”

We must watch. We must pray. We must work. We must preach. We must win souls. We must live holy. We must remain faithful until He comes.

Finally, the Church’s earnest expectation is the manifestation of the glory of God. God desires to reveal His glory through a people who are yielded to Him. The early Church demonstrated what God can do through surrendered vessels. They prayed, preached, suffered, served, and carried the gospel everywhere.

Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.”

The Church needs more than activity; we need the power of the Holy Ghost. We need men and women whose lives have been surrendered to God. We need believers who will stand in the gap for their generation.

The question is: What is God expecting from you?

Perhaps you have been saved but have become spiritually cold. Perhaps you once prayed with passion but have gradually lost your prayer life. Perhaps you have allowed worldly pursuits to take the place of your devotion to Christ. Today, God is calling you back.

And if you have never genuinely surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, this is your moment.

Church attendance cannot save you. Religion cannot save you. Good works cannot save you. Only Jesus Christ can save.
Acts 4:12 declares, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Come to Christ while there is still opportunity. Repent of your sins. Turn away from the old life. Surrender completely to Jesus. Do not postpone the decision that concerns your eternity.

Jesus Christ is coming again.

And when He comes, may He find us faithful, watchful, holy, fruitful, and ready.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” — Revelation 22:20 (KJV)