Faithful Waiting: Trusting God's Perfect Timing
Summary
### Summary
Today, we celebrated the baptisms of Adieseli and Jackie, marking their public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. This momentous occasion reminds us of the transformative power of faith and the importance of community support in our spiritual journeys. We also took time to pray over our tithes and offerings, recognizing them as an extension of our worship and gratitude to God for His abundant blessings.
We concluded our summer playlist series by reflecting on the song "Another One" by Elevation Worship. This song serves as a prophetic reminder that God is always working behind the scenes, turning every situation for our good, as stated in Romans 8:28. The key message is that God takes "all things"—even our struggles and frustrations—and uses them for our benefit. This truth encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when we are in seasons of waiting.
Waiting is a significant theme in our Christian walk. We often find ourselves waiting for God's promises to manifest, whether it's for a loved one's salvation, a breakthrough in our personal lives, or a new season of blessings. The story of Abraham, who waited 25 years for God's promise of a son to be fulfilled, serves as a powerful example of faith and patience. Despite the long wait and moments of doubt, God remained faithful to His promise.
We are reminded that waiting is not passive but an active process of trusting, praying, and believing that God will fulfill His promises. Just as Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, our faith in God's timing and promises will also be rewarded. Even Jesus waited 30 years to begin His earthly ministry, showing us that waiting is a part of God's divine plan.
As we continue to wait for God's promises, we are encouraged to keep believing, praying, and trusting that "somehow, someway, and someday," God will do it again. This message is not just about waiting but about the assurance that God is always working for our good, and His timing is perfect.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Public Declaration: The baptisms of Adieseli and Jackie remind us of the importance of publicly declaring our faith in Jesus Christ. This act not only strengthens our personal commitment but also encourages our community to support and uplift us in our spiritual journey. [32:14]
2. God Works All Things for Good: Romans 8:28 assures us that God takes every situation, even our struggles and frustrations, and works them for our good. This truth encourages us to trust in God's plan, knowing that He is always working behind the scenes for our benefit. [43:46]
3. The Significance of Waiting: Waiting is an integral part of our Christian faith. The story of Abraham, who waited 25 years for God's promise to be fulfilled, teaches us the value of patience and trust in God's timing. Our waiting is not in vain; it is a period of growth and preparation. [54:01]
4. Active Waiting: Waiting on God is not a passive act but an active process of praying, believing, and trusting. Just as Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, our active waiting will also be rewarded. We must remain steadfast and not take matters into our own hands. [57:19]
5. God's Faithfulness: God's faithfulness is evident throughout the Bible and in our lives. Even when we face long periods of waiting, we can be assured that God will fulfill His promises. Our role is to keep believing, praying, and trusting that "somehow, someway, and someday," God will do it again. [01:00:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:14] - Baptisms of Adieseli and Jackie
[33:26] - Prayer Over Tithes and Offerings
[42:14] - Introduction to the Summer Playlist Series
[43:46] - God Works All Things for Good
[45:18] - Lyrics of "Another One" by Elevation Worship
[46:59] - The Challenge of Waiting
[50:26] - Personal Anecdotes on Waiting
[52:01] - Encouragement to Keep Believing
[54:01] - The Story of Abraham's Waiting
[57:19] - The Consequences of Impatience
[59:17] - God's Fulfillment of Promises
[01:00:24] - Encouragement to Keep Praying
[01:01:42] - Jesus' Example of Waiting
[01:02:36] - The Bridge of the Song
[01:04:04] - Congregational Participation
[01:05:45] - Final Encouragement
[01:11:59] - The Greatest Miracle: Salvation
[01:12:35] - Invitation to Salvation
[01:14:56] - Personal Testimony of Waiting
[01:16:47] - Prayer for Loved Ones
[01:17:53] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
2. Genesis 12:1-3 - "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.'"
3. James 2:23 - "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 8:28 say about how God works in our lives? How does this verse relate to the struggles and frustrations we face? [43:46]
2. In Genesis 12:1-3, what promise did God make to Abram? How old was Abram when he received this promise? [54:01]
3. According to James 2:23, what was credited to Abraham as righteousness? How does this relate to his faith and waiting? [59:17]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise in Romans 8:28 provide comfort during difficult times? Can you think of a personal situation where this verse has been meaningful to you? [43:46]
2. What can we learn from Abraham's response to God's promise in Genesis 12:1-3? How did his faith and actions demonstrate his trust in God? [54:01]
3. James 2:23 mentions that Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness. How does this concept of faith being credited as righteousness apply to our own faith journeys? [59:17]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for something important. How did you handle the waiting period? What did you learn from that experience about patience and faith? [46:59]
2. The sermon emphasized that waiting is an active process of praying, believing, and trusting. How can you actively wait on God in your current situation? What specific steps can you take? [57:19]
3. Abraham waited 25 years for God's promise to be fulfilled. How can his story encourage you to remain steadfast in your faith during long periods of waiting? [54:01]
4. The pastor mentioned that even Jesus waited 30 years to begin His ministry. How does Jesus' example of waiting impact your understanding of God's timing in your life? [01:01:42]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of community support in our spiritual journeys. How can you support someone in your community who is in a season of waiting? What practical actions can you take? [32:14]
6. Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things for our good. How can you remind yourself of this truth when facing challenges? Is there a specific scripture or prayer that helps you stay focused on God's promises? [43:46]
7. The pastor shared a personal testimony of waiting for his family's salvation. Do you have a loved one you are praying for? How can you stay encouraged and persistent in your prayers for them? [01:16:47]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Public Declaration
Publicly declaring one's faith in Jesus Christ is a significant milestone in a believer's spiritual journey. The baptisms of Adieseli and Jackie serve as a powerful reminder of this truth. Baptism is not just a personal commitment but a public testimony that strengthens the faith of the individual and encourages the community to offer support and uplift each other. This act of public declaration is a bold step that signifies a believer's willingness to follow Jesus and be part of a larger faith community. It is a moment of celebration and a call to the congregation to stand together in faith.
[32:14]
Matthew 10:32-33 (ESV): "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Think about your own faith journey. Have you publicly declared your faith in Jesus Christ? If not, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you support others in your community to take this step?
Day 2: God Works All Things for Good
Romans 8:28 assures us that God takes every situation, even our struggles and frustrations, and works them for our good. This truth encourages us to trust in God's plan, knowing that He is always working behind the scenes for our benefit. The song "Another One" by Elevation Worship serves as a prophetic reminder of this promise. It emphasizes that God is continually turning every situation for our good, even when we cannot see it. This understanding helps us remain steadfast in our faith, especially during challenging times, knowing that God is orchestrating everything for our ultimate benefit.
[43:46]
Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent struggle or frustration in your life. How can you trust that God is working behind the scenes for your good? What steps can you take to remain steadfast in your faith during this time?
Day 3: The Significance of Waiting
Waiting is an integral part of our Christian faith. The story of Abraham, who waited 25 years for God's promise of a son to be fulfilled, teaches us the value of patience and trust in God's timing. Our waiting is not in vain; it is a period of growth and preparation. Just as Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, our faith in God's timing and promises will also be rewarded. Waiting is not a passive act but an active process of trusting, praying, and believing that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing.
[54:01]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Reflection: Think about a promise or desire you are waiting for God to fulfill. How can you actively wait by trusting, praying, and believing in God's perfect timing? What can you do today to strengthen your faith during this waiting period?
Day 4: Active Waiting
Waiting on God is not a passive act but an active process of praying, believing, and trusting. Just as Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, our active waiting will also be rewarded. We must remain steadfast and not take matters into our own hands. The story of Abraham and Sarah taking matters into their own hands by having Ishmael serves as a cautionary tale. It reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and our impatience can lead to unnecessary complications. Active waiting involves continuous prayer, unwavering belief, and trust in God's promises.
[57:19]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to take matters into your own hands instead of waiting on God? How can you practice active waiting through prayer and trust in God's promises today?
Day 5: God's Faithfulness
God's faithfulness is evident throughout the Bible and in our lives. Even when we face long periods of waiting, we can be assured that God will fulfill His promises. Our role is to keep believing, praying, and trusting that "somehow, someway, and someday," God will do it again. The story of Jesus waiting 30 years to begin His earthly ministry shows us that waiting is a part of God's divine plan. This message encourages us to remain faithful and trust in God's perfect timing, knowing that He is always working for our good.
[01:00:24]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How can this memory encourage you to trust in His promises during your current season of waiting? What steps can you take to keep believing, praying, and trusting in God's faithfulness today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We believe that every good and perfect gift comes from him and we're simply stewards of the resources that he's given us and so we just give back of our tithes just with hearts of gratitude." [32:14] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "This song is a reminder and an encouragement to those of us who are sowing and praying. And expecting and believing God for a miracle. And this song highlights many of the miracles that we read about in scripture. And it's also a reminder that God takes everything and ultimately he's going to form and fashion it for our good." [42:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "That very thing you're going through right now. That very thing that you're facing right now. That thing that might be discouraging. That thing that might be frustrating. That thing that's causing you worry or anxiety. That God is going to take that thing. God is going to take all things and ultimately over time, he's going to work for your good, right? Those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." [43:46] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Somehow, some way, and someday, God is going to do whatever it is that you're asking him and praying him to do, to do in your life." [45:18] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The greatest miracle of all is a life changed. Is a heart turned towards Jesus. It's the moment of salvation." [01:11:59] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "All the waiting will be worth it. All the waiting will be worth it. I mean, in life, we wait. We wait in line. We wait for a response. We wait for that next season or that next chapter. We wait for that promotion. I mean, part of life is waiting." [46:59] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I know that there's some of you who have been praying and asking God for something and it hasn't happened yet and in that season of waiting it's so easy to get impatient. I mean if I can get real for a moment how many of us in this room and those watching online how many of you have a loved one that you've been praying for right?" [50:26] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Abram waited 25 years for God to come through. Now, I know there's some of you in this room and some watching online that you've been praying and you've been waiting. But if you haven't waited 25 years yet, keep on believing. Keep on trusting. Keep on sowing. Keep on praying. Because I'm telling you, somehow, someway, and someday, God is going to be faithful. And he's going to do it." [59:17] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Even Jesus waited. Jesus didn't start his earthly ministry until he was 30 years old. Jesus waited 30 years to begin his earthly ministry. His earthly ministry. And there is no doubt that when Jesus came to this earth, he knew the Father sent him on purpose and for a purpose. And yet, he waited and he waited and he waited 30 years until the Father says, now it's time. And he began his earthly ministry." [01:00:24] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I started praying for my loved ones. I started praying for my parents' salvation. I started praying for my brother and my sister-in-law and my niece and my nephew. I started praying for my grandparents. I started praying for all my aunts and my uncles. I started praying for all of my cousins that they too would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ." [01:15:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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