Wait for It!
Future Builders • Sermon • Submitted
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· 2 viewsGod will help us be successful if we find and do his will for our lives.
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction (5m)
Introduction (5m)
Video: Oh, Sweet Temptation
Video: Oh, Sweet Temptation
Video: Oh, Sweet Temptation | 3:00
Background
Background
Based on series of experiments - Professor Walter Mischel, Stanford in 1960s. Discipline over temptation and instant reaction - delayed gratification. Willing to wait.
The Effects of Delayed Gratification
The Effects of Delayed Gratification
Interesting - continued to track children. Higher SAT scores, lower substance abuse, lower obesity, better responses to stress, better social skills and more.
But We Hate Waiting
But We Hate Waiting
House mortgage. New car - finance. Gadgets, clothes, holidays - credit cards. We’ve forgotten importance of waiting.
Does this seep into our relationship with God too?
Does this seep into our relationship with God too?
We want patience and we want it now! We want joy / relief from pain / situation to resolve / help with finances / restoration of broken relationship / people to join us and commit to God, but we want it now.
Are we a “want-it-now” generation even when it comes to the will of God?
If we want to be God’s Future Builders then we have to learn that sometimes God asks us to wait for what we want the most.
Explanation (5m)
Explanation (5m)
Nehemiah Knew the Importance of Waiting
Nehemiah Knew the Importance of Waiting
Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence.
Kislev - heard about continuing desolation of Jerusalem. Four months later - Nisan - opportunity arrives for him to put case to king. Nehemiah had fasted, mourned and prayed during intervening months. Had to wait on God for so long it made him gloomy and dissatisfied. But despite this, he waited — didn’t make his move until he discerned it was God’s will.
Nehemiah waited on God for the impossible
Nehemiah waited on God for the impossible
Waiting even more impressive! Nehemiah knew what he wanted to do to resolve the problem he’d been told about. But he knew he was asking God for the impossible.
Nehemiah and Israelites thought rebuilding was impossible
Nehemiah and Israelites thought rebuilding was impossible
Been tried before! King had allowed another group of Jews to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding wall. Later heard they wanted to overthrow him so he had worked stopped and wall torn down. Then issued a decree Jerusalem’s walls would never be rebuilt! This decree was law of Medes and Persians, which meant that it could never be undone. So what Nehemiah was praying to God for really was impossible.
Application (5m)
Application (5m)
God loves us to ask for big, impossible things
God loves us to ask for big, impossible things
What are you praying for? What is God asking you to wait for? Or have you given up because if you don’t get what you want instantly then you lose interest?
Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
Like Nehemiah we must wait patiently on God for directions
Like Nehemiah we must wait patiently on God for directions
Truth faith > calmness to the heart. Keeps us from rushing about trying to answer our own prayers in our own strength — trying to do what only God can do. Stop fighting for what we want and wait on Lord in prayer. Not wasting time but investing it. Through patient prayer and waiting God prepares you and your circumstances so his will is accomplished.
Our “want-it-now” attitude goes right back to beginning of world
Our “want-it-now” attitude goes right back to beginning of world
Sin entered world because Adam and Eve took what was not theirs to take. They wanted the wrong thing and they wanted it now. If we want our community and our world to be remade and blessed as God intended then we must begin with willingness to wait for what truly nourishes us in life. Waiting is not a punishment. Being hungry and thirsty for something is not wrong. But we have to ensure our appetites and desires do not lead us away from what is deeply satisfying and filling because we are not prepared to wait.
When it comes to building the future, are you willing to wait?
When it comes to building the future, are you willing to wait?
Are willing to ensure you are waiting for God alone to act? If you are, then God will make it clear when the right time arrives for you to act by faith. And then you dare not delay!
Next Steps
Next Steps
SB 786 - Silently now I wait for thee
SB 786 - Silently now I wait for thee
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready, my God, thy will to see,
Open mine eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine.
Clara H. Scott (1841-1897)
Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 30158
Copied from The Song Book of The Salvation Army
Song Number 786