Por encima de todo
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Above It All
What Did You Expect?
Above It All
What Did You Expect?
Por encima de todo
¿Que esperabas?

Crew Leader

Introduction (2 minutes)

Use the Zoom chat feature to keep everyone connected. As people join in, ask for their first and last name, email address, and where they are tuning in from. Save the chat as an attendance record.

Reflect

Ask Crew members to share their favorite points from the talk. What phrase or moment did they relate to the most?

Icebreaker: Reflection or Conversation Starter or Virtual Icebreaker (5 minutes)

For your icebreaker, choose from the options below. Have Crew members unmute themselves to share.

Conversation Starters (Choose One)
  • What's something you did this week that you feel proud of?
  • What did you eat for breakfast?
  • Name the best book you’ve ever read.
  • What’s your morning routine?
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
  • If your life was a story, what would the title be?
Virtual Icebreakers (5 minutes)

Preaching Game - Choose random items and allow individuals to find ways to encourage others using that item. (Pick 2-3 volunteers)

Show-and-Tell - Pick an object in your home that has significance for you, something with a funny story behind it, anything unique, or something you've used to simply pass the time.

Crew Discussion

It’s On The Way

Pastor JJ Vasquez

Continuing the Conversation
Last Crew's Call to Action

God calls for us to forgive while maintaining boundaries necessary to steward and nurture our souls. This week, lean in to the wisdom of Solomon and study the book of Proverbs to help you develop tools for cultivating Godly relationships while asking God for the courage to forgive. Don’t forget to check out additional resources at https://www.vouschurch.com/care.

Scripture

Luke 24:13

Now that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along the way with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

Additional Scripture References:

Luke 24:28-29; 24:30; 24:31; 24:32; 24:33, 35; Genesis 25:23; 28:16; 32:1-2; 32:27; Psalm 120-134 Songs of Ascents; John 2:1; 2:5 ; 2:6-9; 12-13; 14:6

Main Idea

Sometimes we’re so focused on getting there—reaching the promise, the breakthrough, or the next stage of life—that we miss what God is doing along the way. Think about the road to Emmaus, the journey of Jacob, or even the long drives to Disney as a kid. Each reminds us that the process isn’t just preparation; it’s where transformation happens. The same Jesus we’re desperate to meet at the finish line is often walking with us in the detours, the waiting rooms, and the long in-between. The question is, are we paying enough attention to see Him?


If you don’t learn to be happy here, you’ll never be happy when you get there.

1. “Arrival” is on the way

Many of us focus on the final destination. When I get married… when I finally complete my education… when I land the dream job… then I’ll finally be happy. But our minds often live in only two places: “Here” and “There.” God wants us to embrace the joy found in the journey, not just when we arrive. Jacob’s life models this beautifully. He didn’t meet God at the finish line; he encountered Him on the way. He developed a relationship with God while working for Laban. He discovered God as a defender when facing Esau. And ultimately, he received a revelation of his identity and who he truly was in Christ.

Learn to be happy “here”, without getting too comfortable “here”
Stop focusing on the shortcut; let God develop you on the way
Who I am today is made on the way; so take the time to rejoice in the Lord

God is not here nor there. He is everywhere.

Is there an area in your life you see as a delay, but God is using for your development?

2. Jesus is on the way

When we think of miracles, we imagine dramatic moments. But in John 2, the water didn’t instantly become wine in front of a crowd. It changed somewhere on the way to the table. Transformation happened in motion. The same was true for the disciples. Jesus walked with them for miles before they realized who He was. The miracle wasn’t just what happened at the table; it was the fact that they weren’t alone on the road. Often, we don’t need Jesus to “show up.” We need to recognize He’s already here. You’re not waiting for the miracle to fall from the sky; you’re walking with the Miracle Worker.

Miracles happen when you move, not when you stand still
Obedience creates space for transformation to happen on the way
If Jesus is with you, you haven’t missed it, you’re in the middle of it

Just because you’re not “there” doesn’t mean Jesus isn’t “here”

What miracle might already be in motion in your life that you haven’t even noticed?

Summary

We serve a Savior who walks with us in the middle of the journey, not just at the end of it. Whether you feel stuck, in between, or still believing for a breakthrough, the good news is that you’re not alone. The miracle is in motion. The joy is rising. Jesus is not waiting for you to have it all together. He’s walking with you right now. And if He’s here, then you’re already there.

Call To Action

You don’t have to wait to arrive to experience joy, breakthrough, or purpose. The presence of Jesus means the process is already sacred. This week, shift your posture from waiting to walking. Worship Him not for what’s next, but for who He is right now.

  • Reflect: What area of your life have you been rushing through or resenting, rather than recognizing as holy ground?
  • Respond: Choose one way to worship God in the middle of that space this week, whether it’s through song, prayer, journaling, or gratitude. Commit to it daily.
  • Reframe: Start each day by declaring: “If Jesus is here, then I’m already there.” Let that truth reshape how you see your process, your pace, and your perspective.

Prayer Prompts

As you reflect on Sunday’s message, here are some guided prayers and scriptures you can use over the next week.If you're looking for ways to grow deeper in this specific area, let these words cover, challenge, and encourage you along the way.

Prayer for Joy while you wait

God, I don’t want to rush past the beauty of today. Teach me to find joy on the way, to sing before I arrive, to worship before I win, to thank You before I see the full picture.

The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10


Prayer for Faith in the Unknown

Lord, even when I don’t see the miracle yet, I choose to trust that You’re working behind the scenes. Give me faith to keep walking, strength to keep carrying what’s heavy, and hope it’s already turning in Your hands.

We walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7


Prayer for Contentment without Complacency

Holy Spirit, help me be fully present where I am without losing sight of where You’re leading me. Don’t let me idolize “there” or get stuck in “here”. Teach me to walk with You daily and become who You’ve called me to be.

I have learned the secret of being content in every situation. - Philippians 4:12


Prayer for Awareness of Jesus in the Journey

Jesus, don’t let me miss You because I’m looking too far ahead. Wake me up to Your presence today. I don’t want to rush past the miracle because I failed to recognize you as the Miracle Worker walking beside me.

Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it. Genesis 28:16

Announcements

Care Request Form

If someone in your Crew needs care, we want to come alongside you. Our Care Response Team is designed to equip you to walk with people in different seasons of their life.Our team is committed to celebrating life’s best moments with you and offering support through its hardest ones.We would love to come around you for the following life events:
+ Marriages
+ Births
+ Deaths
+ Hospitalizations/Illness

Please submit a request at vouschurch.com/requestcare

ILMC Serve Day

Serve Day is happening Saturday, July 12th, and we want to get ALL of our crews involved in loving our city so please sign your crew up for a Serve Day project! To see the projects and sign up, please  click here! Please have your form in by Wednesday, July 2nd.

When: Saturday, July 12th
Where
: All VOUS Locations
Time
: 10:00 AM

Baptisms Sunday

We are having baptisms this Sunday, July 27th, across all of our locations, and on the beach.

To sign up for baptisms, please click here.

VOUS High Camp

VOUS High Camp is happening July 22–25 in St. Petersburg, FL. A four-day experience for students in 6th–12th grade to grow in faith, build friendships, and have a blast. Camp includes worship, games, lodging, meals, merch, and transportation.

To sign up for VOUS High Camp, click here.

VCOM PM Chapel

Join us for a powerful night designed just for college students and young adults. VCOM PM Chapel is where faith and community collide — a space to encounter God, connect with others, and be stirred in your calling in the community and culture of VOUS College.

To RSVP, click here.

When: Thursday, July 17th
Where: VOUS Design District
Time: 7:30 PM
Address: 77 NE 40th St, Miami, FL, 33137

Sundays at VOUS

VOUS SoMi

8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS City

10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS Miami Gardens

8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM

VOUS Design District

10:30AM / 12:30PM

Church Online

10:30AM / 12:30PM / 5PM Español

Growth Track

After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack

Crew Leader

Introduction (2 minutes)

Use the Zoom chat feature to keep everyone connected. As people join in, ask for their first and last name, email address, and where they are tuning in from. Save the chat as an attendance record.

Reflect

Ask Crew members to share their favorite points from the talk. What phrase or moment did they relate to the most?

Icebreaker: Reflection or Conversation Starter or Virtual Icebreaker (5 minutes)

For your icebreaker, choose from the options below. Have Crew members unmute themselves to share.

Conversation Starters (Choose One)
  • What's something you did this week that you feel proud of?
  • What did you eat for breakfast?
  • Name the best book you’ve ever read.
  • What’s your morning routine?
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
  • If your life was a story, what would the title be?
Virtual Icebreakers (5 minutes)

Preaching Game - Choose random items and allow individuals to find ways to encourage others using that item. (Pick 2-3 volunteers)

Show-and-Tell - Pick an object in your home that has significance for you, something with a funny story behind it, anything unique, or something you've used to simply pass the time.

Crew Discussion

What Did You Expect?

Pastor Luke Barry

Continuing the Conversation
VOUSCon 2023: Reflect

VOUSCon was nothing short of a miracle! We're still praising God for all He did. Reflection builds gratitude. Spend the first few minutes of Crew sharing a testimony or reflection from VOUSCon 2023.

Continuing the Conversation
Last Crew's Call to Action

God calls for us to forgive while maintaining boundaries necessary to steward and nurture our souls. This week, lean in to the wisdom of Solomon and study the book of Proverbs to help you develop tools for cultivating Godly relationships while asking God for the courage to forgive. Don’t forget to check out additional resources at https://www.vouschurch.com/care.

Scripture

Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Additional Scripture References: John 11:32; Job 13:15; John 11:5; Matthew 14:31

Main Idea

Life often doesn't meet our expectations, leading to frustration and disappointment. We may hope for one outcome, only to be met with something entirely different, creating a gap between what we expected and what we experienced. This gap can lead us to question God, our faith, and our hope. But through stories like that of Lazarus and Job, we learn that God isn’t in the business of just meeting expectations, He’s in the business of exceeding them.

God’s power to perform exceeds our ability to ask

1. Hope and Expectation

Faith grows through hope and trusting God’s timing. Positive expectations can fuel faith, while unmet expectations can lead to disappointment. Often, we expect something specific from God but find ourselves limiting Him to only a particular outcome. When we don’t see Him come through just as we expected, we can find ourselves frustrated and disappointed — where was God? The truth is, God is always at work. We may not always see Him moving, or understand His plan, but He has something greater in mind.

Disappointment can tempt us to give up on expectations, but it’s an opportunity to strengthen our faith
God’s plans always exceed our expectations
Don't allow your expectations of what God was “supposed” to do get in the way of what He wants to do

If God always met your expectations, how could He ever exceed them?

What areas of your life are you waiting for God to show up? How can you operate from faith in the present as you hope for the future?

2. Endurance and Enjoyment

Job’s story is a powerful example of enduring pain and disappointment without losing faith. Even in his suffering, Job declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” Despite the immense loss, he continued to trust God, showing us that our hope can remain, even in the midst of struggle. Endurance is the ability to trust that God is working, even when we can’t see it.

Endurance strengthens our faith through trials
God hasn’t called us to merely endure life, He’s called us to enjoy it
Enjoying life is appreciating the little, it’s not a pain-free life, but a grateful one

We can say: “God, I don’t understand everything but I trust you in everything”

How has a difficult season strengthened your appreciation for God’s blessings?

Summary

Possibly the greatest source of frustration in life is unmet expectations. The difference between what we expected versus what we experienced often leads us to stop expecting. But there’s an invitation of faith amidst the frustration. Don’t lower your expectations; lift your faith. Give God something to exceed. God can do it, the question is: can you believe it?

Call To Action

Identify areas where you may be limiting God by expecting a specific outcome. Practice finding gratitude by celebrating the little things.

Announcements

Care Request Form

If someone in your Crew needs care, we want to come alongside you. Our Care Response Team is designed to equip you to walk with people in different seasons of their life.Our team is committed to celebrating life’s best moments with you and offering support through its hardest ones.We would love to come around you for the following life events:
+ Marriages
+ Births
+ Deaths
+ Hospitalizations/Illness

Please submit a request at vouschurch.com/requestcare

ILMC Serve Day

Serve Day is happening Saturday, July 12th, and we want to get ALL of our crews involved in loving our city so please sign your crew up for a Serve Day project! To see the projects and sign up, please  click here! Please have your form in by Wednesday, July 2nd.

When: Saturday, July 12th
Where
: All VOUS Locations
Time
: 10:00 AM

Baptisms Sunday

We are having baptisms this Sunday, July 27th, across all of our locations, and on the beach.

To sign up for baptisms, please click here.

VOUS High Camp

VOUS High Camp is happening July 22–25 in St. Petersburg, FL. A four-day experience for students in 6th–12th grade to grow in faith, build friendships, and have a blast. Camp includes worship, games, lodging, meals, merch, and transportation.

To sign up for VOUS High Camp, click here.

VCOM PM Chapel

Join us for a powerful night designed just for college students and young adults. VCOM PM Chapel is where faith and community collide — a space to encounter God, connect with others, and be stirred in your calling in the community and culture of VOUS College.

To RSVP, click here.

When: Thursday, July 17th
Where: VOUS Design District
Time: 7:30 PM
Address: 77 NE 40th St, Miami, FL, 33137

Sundays at VOUS

VOUS SoMi

8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS City

10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS Miami Gardens

8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM

VOUS Design District

10:30AM / 12:30PM

Church Online

10:30AM / 12:30PM / 5PM Español

Growth Track

After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack

Sign Up for a Crew ->