God's Patience: A Call to Repentance and Revival

 

Summary

Taking a moment to reflect on the profound patience of God, we are reminded that the delay in Christ's return is not due to indifference but rather a divine opportunity for salvation. This patience is a testament to God's desire for none to perish but for all to come to repentance. It is a call to introspection, urging us to consider that perhaps the reason for this delay is personal, a chance for us to turn towards Him. The kindness and patience of God should lead us to repentance, recognizing that each day is a gift, an opportunity to align our lives with His will.

We are created with purpose, not as accidents or mere coincidences. The order and beauty of creation point to a Creator, and despite our tendencies to stray and pursue our own desires, God’s love remains steadfast. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us, satisfying both justice and love. His resurrection is a powerful declaration of His victory over death and a promise of eternal life for those who believe. As we await His return, we are reminded that He will come not as a child in a manger but as the Almighty Judge.

In the midst of life's challenges and the choices that lead us away from God, there is a heaviness that can weigh on our hearts. The decisions of those around us, and sometimes our own, can lead to destruction when we twist the truth to fit our desires. Yet, there is hope in repentance and the freedom it brings. The peace that follows confession and the release from the burden of hidden sin is profound. It is an invitation to live differently, to embrace the peace and excitement of Christ's return.

As we enter this new year, let us seek a revival that begins with repentance. It is a call to honesty before God, to humble ourselves and invite His Spirit to transform us. Today is an opportunity for salvation, a chance to start anew with faith that God can change us. Let us embrace this moment, counting it as a divine opportunity to experience His supernatural work in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's patience is an opportunity for salvation, urging us to reflect on our readiness for Christ's return and to embrace repentance as a path to peace. [16:30]

2. We are created with purpose, and despite our sins, God's love remains steadfast, offering us redemption through Christ's sacrifice. [19:54]

3. The resurrection of Jesus is a powerful testament to His victory over death and a promise of eternal life for believers, reminding us of the urgency to align our lives with His will. [20:36]

4. The burden of hidden sin can be heavy, but confession and repentance bring freedom and peace, allowing us to live with anticipation for Christ's return. [23:43]

5. Revival begins with repentance, a call to honesty and humility before God, inviting His Spirit to transform us and counting today as an opportunity for salvation. [24:47]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:30] - God's Patience and Our Salvation
[17:55] - Living with Peace and Readiness
[18:16] - Created with Purpose
[19:54] - Christ's Sacrifice and Redemption
[20:36] - Resurrection and Eternal Life
[21:15] - Heaviness of Sin and Choices
[22:21] - The Burden of Hidden Sin
[23:43] - Freedom through Confession
[24:11] - Embracing Peace and Excitement
[24:47] - Revival through Repentance
[25:04] - Faith and Transformation
[25:21] - Opportunity for Salvation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Peter 3:9 - "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."
2. Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
3. Psalm 32:3-5 - "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And you forgave the guilt of my sin."

Observation Questions:
1. According to 2 Peter 3:9, what is the reason for God's patience in delaying Christ's return? How does this relate to the opportunity for salvation? [16:30]
2. In Romans 5:8, how does God demonstrate His love for us, and what does this reveal about His character? [19:54]
3. What does Psalm 32:3-5 describe about the experience of unconfessed sin and the relief that comes with confession? How does this relate to the sermon’s message on the burden of hidden sin? [23:43]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God's patience as an opportunity for salvation challenge or encourage one's current spiritual state? [17:40]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that recognizing our creation with purpose can impact our daily choices and alignment with God's will? [18:34]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation that comes from repentance and the role of the Holy Spirit in this process? [24:47]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's patience in your life. How did it lead you to repentance or a deeper relationship with Him? [17:02]
2. Consider the purpose God has for your life. What steps can you take this week to align more closely with that purpose? [18:56]
3. Is there a hidden sin or burden you need to confess to experience the peace and freedom described in the sermon? What steps will you take to address it? [23:43]
4. How can you cultivate a sense of anticipation and readiness for Christ's return in your daily life? What changes might this require? [22:21]
5. As we enter a new year, what specific area of your life do you feel called to seek revival through repentance? How will you invite the Holy Spirit to transform you in this area? [24:47]
6. Identify one person in your life who may not know Christ. How can you share the message of God's patience and love with them this week? [25:21]
7. How can you practically demonstrate the love and sacrifice of Christ in your interactions with others this week? [20:22]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Patience as a Divine Opportunity
God's patience is not a sign of indifference but a profound opportunity for salvation. This delay in Christ's return is a testament to His desire for all to come to repentance. It is a call to introspection, urging individuals to consider their readiness for His return. Each day is a gift, an opportunity to align one's life with His will. The kindness and patience of God should lead to repentance, recognizing the divine opportunity to turn towards Him. [16:30]

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is patiently waiting for you to change? How can you take a step towards repentance today?


Day 2: Created with Purpose and Redeemed by Love
Every person is created with purpose, not as an accident or mere coincidence. The order and beauty of creation point to a Creator who loves steadfastly, even when individuals stray and pursue their own desires. Despite humanity's sins, God's love remains unwavering, offering redemption through Christ's sacrifice. While people were still sinners, Christ died for them, satisfying both justice and love. This profound act of love calls for a response of gratitude and a life aligned with His purpose. [19:54]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt purposeless. How does knowing you are created with purpose and loved by God change your perspective on that experience?


Day 3: Resurrection as a Promise of Eternal Life
The resurrection of Jesus is a powerful testament to His victory over death and a promise of eternal life for believers. It serves as a reminder of the urgency to align one's life with His will. As believers await His return, they are reminded that He will come not as a child in a manger but as the Almighty Judge. This truth calls for a life lived in readiness and anticipation, embracing the hope and promise of eternal life. [20:36]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life through Jesus' resurrection influence your daily decisions and priorities?


Day 4: Freedom through Confession and Repentance
The burden of hidden sin can be heavy, leading to destruction when truth is twisted to fit personal desires. Yet, there is hope in repentance and the freedom it brings. Confession allows individuals to release the burden of hidden sin, experiencing profound peace and freedom. It is an invitation to live differently, embracing the peace and excitement of Christ's return. This freedom through confession is a call to honesty and humility before God. [23:43]

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a hidden sin or burden you need to confess today? How can you take a step towards experiencing the freedom and peace that comes with repentance?


Day 5: Revival through Repentance and Transformation
Revival begins with repentance, a call to honesty and humility before God. It is an invitation to invite His Spirit to transform lives, counting today as an opportunity for salvation. As individuals enter a new year, they are encouraged to seek a revival that begins with repentance, embracing the chance to start anew with faith that God can change them. This moment is a divine opportunity to experience His supernatural work in their lives. [24:47]

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to invite God's transformative power into today? How can you actively seek His Spirit to bring about change in that area?

Quotes


We may not know all the reasons why Christ hasn't returned yet, but what this verse is saying, what you should think, the only thing you should be thinking about is maybe it's for me. Maybe the whole reason why he hasn't come back yet is for me because I haven't turned to him yet. [00:16:14]

You were created by God. You were, you are a created being. You're not an accident or a coincidence or a random product of chance. And I think you know that it's because God Made You. And he says you can look around at this world and know that there's a Creator. [00:18:24]

God sent his son to pay for your crimes. God had his son. God as a righteous judge had to punish when a crime was committed, otherwise he would be unjust. But in order to satisfy his Justice and his love, what he does is he has his son come down and his son takes the form of a man. [00:19:46]

Because Jesus rose from that grave to show that his words were true, to show that he had power over death. And he says that one day he's going to return, but when he returns, he's not coming as an infant in a Manger. He's coming back as almighty God to judge the earth. [00:20:34]

You know how sometimes you just feel a heaviness because you see the choices that certain people are making, and it just breaks your heart. Like I had three different friends this week just decide we're done. I'm done with my marriage. I'm done with this whole following God thing. [00:21:19]

Some of you guys come in here, and there's things in your life that maybe no one else knows about, and it keeps you from having this peace and this excitement over the return of Christ. And it's such a terrible way to live. [00:22:09]

I know what it's like to know the truth and then still walk in sin, and you're just sick to your stomach. Gosh, remember times in my life when I knew better and I knew the right way, and yet my desires and my sin, it's just like it starting to lead me this other direction. [00:22:56]

How awesome it was afterwards, like I can finally breathe now. I can finally breathe again and have peace again, and I don't have to walk through life wondering if anyone knows or if anyone's going to find out or whatever. It's just ah, it's just over. It's just releasing. [00:23:37]

I believe God wants to do Supernatural things in our midst this year, maybe things he's never done before. I pray for that. I long for that. I expect that. But every Revival starts with repentance. It starts with people being honest before God and saying humbling themselves. [00:24:30]

It starts with people having faith, believing that God can change them. So as we meditate on this passage of scripture, I want us to count today as an opportunity for salvation. [00:25:04]

The Bible says that he's delayed, that he's been slow about that. He's been patient, and he says count the patience of Our Lord as salvation. [00:21:00]

The Bible says that while we were Sinners, that Christ died for us. [00:19:41]

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Transcript
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