Romans8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Successful movies breed trilogies. Three movies presented in logical order. They tell an alluring tale of possibility. Successful franchises often spin off in greed and the results can sometimes taint the whole series.

I am interested here in the second story. We have built background and established characters. We know and love all the players. We have our favorite cast members. It is with eager anticipation, earnest expectation that we await the release of the third part.

I was totally disappointed in the release of the third part of the Matrix trilogy. As a writer my imagination had plotted out the story line for movie. It didn’t happen and I was mad. How dare they lead me to these conclusions and then disappoint me in that way. Were my expectations earnest or was I subject to vanity.

Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Are you like me? Do you want to see the third part of the bible trilogy play out according to your own screenplay? Or are you trusting enough to allow God to be glorified in all that is said and done in the second act? Old Testament has been played out, the New Testament is still being played out. Are you following the screenplay or writing your own script?

Romans 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

The church age isn’t over yet. Let’s nott get ahead of ourselves. Redemption is coming soon, just not yet.

Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

The American work ethic, study hard, work hard, get ahead; I am sure you have heard that. What Jesus is saying here flies in the face of what we have been told. Or does it?

Jesus is talking about service not work. Did you think they are the same thing? Once again we must re-examine our worldly definition in the light of Kingdom living. How God differs in call to service and call to work are not as the world would have you think. Begin with the motivation and see how they differ. In Mark 9:35 the motivation is being first. First at what?

In verse 34 we learn that they were disputing over who would have the greatest reputation, a legacy of works which would find a place in history. They wanted to be remembered. That’s a worldly viewpoint which they did not wish to admit to Jesus, which was also stated in verse 34.

Jesus was right in pointing out that if you want to be remembered by man, you must do something to move man’s heart, to serve their needs. But what if you want to be remembered by God the Father? Is it not reasonable to think that you should serve God? But how can I, man, serve God?

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

God works through you by obedience of faith. It is God who works and God who gets the glory. Motivation of the heart is everything in both service and works.