Waiting Patiently on God
Notes
Transcript
Impatience
Impatience
How many of you are getting weary, tired of watching the news?
I used to watch all the time. Then, I cut down to about 1/day.
Now, not even every day do I check in.
I’m losing patience.
Same song, new verse.
The virus is making ppl sick, some are dying.
We have some treatments. But they are not 100% effective.
A vaccine is on the way, maybe in record time; or not.
Masks are affective in mitigating the spread, or not.
Some doctors say one thing, other doctors, another.
But everyone on FB is an expert. Esp. my friends!
Racism shouldn’t even be a thing.
We’re not going to pretend it doesn’t exist.
But it should be over. And, Xians should lead the way.
Twice Peter wrote we should love all believers.
We should respect all ppl, incl. their property.
Based on what Moses wrote and Jesus repeated, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Riots should never happen again.
Fear and intimidation don’t bring peace.
You want me to respect you and your stuff then you need to respect me and my stuff.
What’s up in Portland? Where is the leadership bringing ppl together, even forcing ppl to come together.
Peaceful protests? Absolutely. If ppl care enough to express their opinion like this then the rest should care enough to listen and do something about it.
We have a biblical mandate and societal responsibility to take care of the poor, widows and orphans.
Ppl who are incapable of repaying anything. And, given our economy right now more qualify for this kind of help.
Paul wrote:
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
So, if a person is capable of working, then we should not help him to the point of dependence on us.
Helping ppl is good. Going into debt to do it is bad.
Where is God in all this? What is He waiting for?
Do you find yourself getting more frustrated and less patient w/ God these days? How much longer.
We know He can. What’s He waiting for?
Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer.
Spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
The ppl doing all the damage are damaged themselves and need the healing touch of God.
In many cases, they need a touch from a God they don’t believe in.
Maybe, that’s the issue here.
We are growing increasingly impatient w/ God while He is increasingly patient w/ us.
Our patience are finite. His are infinite.
He can wait for the perfect time insert Himself. And, if He can, so can we.
He is God. We are not.
Think about where we are today, where the Christians were in c.1 when Peter wrote this letter and we all wonder what God is waiting for. He could fix all of this w/ just a word.
Then, when we would watch the news it would all be good.
Maybe a touch stretch while He deals w/ all the disbelief.
The c.1 church would be asking the same question:
“God, what are you waiting for and what are you doing?”
God is patient w/ us and working thru is waiting for the right time to bring justice and healing to us.
If God is being patient w/ us, and we mess up all the time; then we can be patient w/ Him b/c He never messes up.
What we are all waiting for, what we all want is justice. We want the people who cause the pain to pay for it. Or, do we?
Damage has been done and if the local authorities are not going to make the guilty pay then God should. Right?
What has He done to bring justice to the guilty?
Justice
Justice
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
The source of our complaint about losing patience is we are suffering here and it’s not fair. We’re tired of it.
A short time ago we didn’t worry about any virus, the economy was the best it’s ever been, whatever racism existed was at least covered up; and now I didn’t do anything to deserve what I’m having to deal w/ now.
So, what Peter is saying here is that we should explain our frustration and lack of patience to Jesus b/c He can understand.
And, if you’re going to lay your frustration in Him then please allow Him to lay His frustration on you.
While you are processing this, maybe you should wait until you have suffered as much as He has before you express your frustration w/ Him.
Maybe, begin by accepting your responsibility for his suffering. B/C, that may be frustrating Him.
God, up in heaven, looking down us, saying, “Oi’! Why aren’t they getting this?”
We all want justice for the pain everyone else causes us. But, then we have to be included in their desire for justice for the pain we cause.
We only have 2 options.
Either you and I accept all the responsibility ourselves for what we’ve done and pay for it. Or, we accept Jesus’ offer to pay for us.
To accept option #2, then there are some things we need to own.
We owe God something. There is something we need to pay for. Every little thing we do that God said not to do adds up to a big problem we have w/ God.
If we decide to pay for it ourselves, it won’t end well for us. It costs more than we cay pay.
Jesus can do it for us.
In order to let Him, we have to surrender everything to Him. Not just what do wrong and don’t like about ourselves, but also everything we like about our lives.
Whatever we decide to give up for Him, understand He gave up more for us.
Jesus suffered to save you and me. We suffer, but a lot of it we deserve. We do it to ourselves, directly or indirectly.
We are responsible for the society we live in and the conditions that exist around us.
Jesus is the only one who could pay for anybody else’s sins b/c He didn’t have any He had to pay for Himself.
Righteous vs. Unrighteous. Jesus is righteous. He always had a right rel. w/ God b/c He never did anything to mess it up.
We are unrighteous out of the womb and it takes us no time to mess up our relationship w/ God to the point something has t/b done to make it right.
It piles up so each and every one needs t/b paid for. Every sin in your life and every sin in mine.
Jesus was able to do it all at one time.
He paid for our sins, plural. Not just the condition we are born into, sin. But every single little and big action that we do that damages our relationship w/ God has been taken care of in that one act of Jesus on the cross.
Notice, too, the passive construction of the grammar.
Jesus was put to death and made alive by someone else.
Jesus went voluntarily. But, it was done to Him.
Please appreciate the extent of the unfairness of this.
It had t/b done and it was done to Him by His Father so we could get to God.
It’s one thing to say, He took responsibility and did it to Himself. No. He was completely innocent in the deal and He allowed it t/b done to Him for you.
Justice for all the pain in the world.
You may not care so much about all the pain, you just care about your pain. By accepting option #2 Jesus will take your pain away.
Justice is available. There are only 2 options. And, maybe we’re not so tired of waiting anymore.
But, seriously, what’s God waiting for and what is He doing in the meantime to force ppl to make a choice between the 2 options?
Peter says, He’s doing a lot of the same things He did in the time of Noah. How’d that work out for everybody?
For 8, it worked out great!
Not so much for the rest.
Why’s He waiting and what’s He doing?
Waiting & Doing
Waiting & Doing
After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,
So much has been written and talked about his passage and it’s pretty confusing. What’s going on here?
Remind you that a passage cannot be interpreted or understood apart from its context.
IOW, there has t/b something in the context to help define what’s going on. The definition is found in the context.
Qs:
Who are the imprisoned spirits?
What did He preach to them?
When did He preach it?
Jesus’ body died on the cross. And, his body was made alive at the resurrection.
But, He’s been alive in the spirit since before creation. Jesus was there at creation and He spoke on His Father’s behalf to create everything.
He’s been alive in the Spirit, speaking ever since. He’s spoken thru Moses, the prophets, Noah, and the apostles, among many others.
The imprisoned spirits belong to the ppl who heard the message thru so many human vessels to believe in God and obey Him, to trust that he would make a way for ppl t/b saved by faith alone.
They heard, but they didn’t believe. So they are now biding their time in prison awaiting their final judgement.
What did He preach? God would graciously provide a way, His Lamb. And by believing in Him and accepting His payment as payment for their misdeeds, they could be saved.
Then, Peter zeroes in on one specific time and used what happened with Noah as a specific example for his readers and us.
There are 7 common characteristics that apply in 3 different times.
The 3 times are Noah’s day, ad 66 when Peter wrote, and today.
Here are the 7 common characteristics to each period.
Noah and his family were surrounded by ppl who where hostile to believers and the message of Christ. So were Peter’s readers. And, this characteristic is becoming increasing apparent today. Churches and members are begin targeted and the hostility is growing.
Noah was righteous in a wicked world. He had, and still does have, a right relationship w/ God when so few around him did. C.1 believers were in a tiny minority in all of their towns and villages yet still were able to be right w/ God and live a righteous life. Again, becoming more and more commonplace in our post-Christian world.
Noah witnessed boldly to those around him who ridiculed him for his faith and activity of building such a big boat. Peter exhorted his readers to the same boldness and willingness to suffer physically, relationally, and emotionally for it. Last week we studied where he wrote that we need t/b ready to humbly explain the hope we have w/out fear. We can’t be timid or fearful explaining why we are cheerful and not fearful.
Noah realized judgment was coming in the form of a flood. Remember, it had never rained before. The ppl had never seen water fall from the sky. Since they’d never seen it they couldn’t believe it. Think about how long it took for 1 man to build such a big boat. And, the longer God delayed the flood, the harder it was for ppl to believe it was really going to happen. Peter will write in ch.4 that Jesus will return and hold ppl accountable. We can count that. It’s already been 2000 years. How much longer will it be and how many believers will there be? Jesus absolutely will hold every rioter and racist accountable for their actions.
Jesus was at work in the spiritual realm in and thru Noah. What was God doing while He waited to bring the flood? The ppl saw Noah and heard his voice but it was the message of Christ. God empowered him and gave him the ability to deliver it. Peter was an uneducated man but was able to speak clearly and powerfully at Pentecost and before the Sanhedrin. Jesus told him and us to trust that we would have the words when we need them. In a much smaller way I can attest to the truth of this.
God was patient in the time of Noah. Why? Why did He wait to bring the flood? B/C he wanted to give as many ppl as possible the opportunity to hear the message, believe, and survive. God does not want anyone to die. But gives everyone the choice. Most choose not to believe.
Why is He waiting today? The same patience for the same reason.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
What exactly is God waiting for?
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,
God has predetermined a number of non-Jews who will believe in Jesus and be saved. As soon as we hit that number, rapture, end times, tribulation, the end.
No other conditions matter in determining when God will end it. Whatever you think of the condition of the world today, it does not matter.
If you want to speed up the end then lead a Gentile to Christ. Let Jesus work thru you to lead someone to Him.
7. Final common characteristic. Noah was saved w/ only a few others. His 3 sons; Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And their 4 wives. That was it. A small minority in c.1 was save. And, by world standards, a small minority today will be saved.
It’s a great escape. Most are on a path to destruction. And the only way off that path is to choose Jesus.
Those of us who choose Jesus make the great escape.
That’s how Peter describes it next.
The Great Escape
The Great Escape
and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
God will save everyone who believes just like He saved Noah, thru water.
Water baptism does not save anyone. It’s representative of what Jesus and the HS have done for you on the inside. It does not literally wash away your sins. If it did, our tank would be nasty.
The water of baptism and flood represent judgment for sins. We deserve t/b held under and drown.
Coming out of the water represents grace, what Jesus did for us.
He leads us out, keeps us safe, been raised, still alive, unharmed and into a new life.
Noah fled the ark and into a new life on dry land. We flee the tank and into a new life in Christ.
The only way to completely clear your conscience is to let Jesus erase the stain of your sins by accepting his death for your punishment.
So, the pledge is a commitment to believe in and follow Jesus.
By faith we are changed on the inside. And by faith we live differently on the outside.
Now, Jesus occupies the seat as God’s #1.
Just like Joseph was to Pharoah and Spock was to Kirk.
#1 represents the One in Charge w/ all of his authority and responsibility to carry out the duties and administer the government on his behalf.
As ppl pass from this life into the next, every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is THE Lord, God’s #1, and there is no other.
We all pray that more will kneel voluntarily today so fewer will kneel by force later.
And, those of us who do believe and kneel voluntarily;
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
We will get to sit w/ Jesus and assist Him in his leadership responsibilities.
So, why is God waiting and what is He doing? He is giving more and more ppl the opportunity to experience grace and escape from death to life.
What are we doing?
We are part of the process. God is working in us and thru us to help get to the target number of believers.l
So, rather than watching the news and losing patience w/ what you see, appreciate the patience God is demonstrating help give the ppl you care about more time to join you in your new life.
Applications
Applications
Be bold
Be bold
Be as bold as Noah. Be bold w/ your words and actions.
Be confident. Be humble. Be certain we are among the few.
God will reward your efforts when you’re not timid or afraid to try and fail. You can’t really fail.
God has given you the message. He will give you the opportunity and ability to deliver it.
The message is simply your story.
Testimony. Witness. Your first person account. Hearsay is not accepted in court and not necessary in talking to your friends about Jesus.
Always be bold. Pray this week for an opportunity.
Relax
Relax
Judgment is coming. God will hold every racist and rioter accountable for their actions.
Pray that more voluntarily kneel before Jesus now so fewer will be forced to later.
Just b/c it’s already been almost 2000 years does not mean God has forgotten or has changed his mind.
We just haven’t made it to the target number.
Relax. God will hold everyone accountable.
Choose Option #2
Choose Option #2
If you haven’t yet, it requires a conscious choice to accept Jesus’ punishment as your own.
Even if you’ve gone to church all your life, if you haven’t made this choice then you have chosen option #1 by default.
Don’t die w/out changing your default setting.
You’re not saved just b/c your wife is, or b/c your parents are, or b/c you go to the best church in town.
Judgement is coming and the only way to escape is w/ Jesus.
Choose option #2.
We are part of the process. God is working in us and thru us to help get to the target number of believers.l
So, rather than watching the news and losing patience w/ what you see, appreciate the patience God is demonstrating help give the ppl you care about more time to join you in your new life.
God is patient w/ us and working thru is waiting for the right time to bring justice and healing to us.
If God is being patient w/ us, and we mess up all the time; then we can be patient w/ Him b/c He never messes up.