Trusting God's Timing: Embracing Our Appointed Journey
Summary
The sermon focuses on the theme of God's appointed time and the journey of faith and obedience to God's calling. The speaker shares their conviction that miracles are destined to occur in Fort Myers, attributing this not to their own abilities but to God's preparation of the place and the hearts of the people. They cite Habakkuk 2:3 to emphasize the certainty of God's vision, despite any apparent delays, and express a decision to trust in God's promise rather than their own understanding.
The speaker recounts their personal journey to Victory Church through their children's influence and despite initial reluctance due to language barriers. They describe a transformation within their family, particularly in their wife, who became a leader in translations. This story illustrates the power of being connected and rooted in the church community.
A conference with Pastor Larry marked a pivotal moment for the speaker, where they received affirmation to proceed with their plans. Despite experiencing a moment of defeat when a potential church building vanished, they were reassured by God's voice that He had already prepared a place for them in Fort Myers.
The speaker also shares a personal story of identifying with the biblical character Sarah, recalling a time when they were called to be a pastor. They discuss overcoming fear and doubt, which stemmed from a misconception of God as punitive, and embracing their calling with faith.
The sermon series, initiated by Pastor Larry, is about recognizing and embracing one's appointed time, as highlighted in Ecclesiastes 3:1. The speaker reflects on their own calling to pastoral ministry, which involved serving in various roles within the church and undergoing a period of preparation before being sent out to plant a new church.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding one's purpose within the church and being planted in its vision. They share their upcoming transition to another church, expressing a sense of belonging to their current church despite the move.
The concept of legacy offering is introduced, encouraging the congregation to give offerings that have a lasting impact. The speaker invites those who are distant from God to commit or recommit to Him, reminding everyone of their unique calling and the importance of moving towards it.
The story of Abraham and Sarah is used to illustrate the importance of not doubting God's word. The speaker admits to initially running away from their calling and the consequences of doing so. They emphasize the importance of recommitting to God and trusting in His timing.
Finally, the speaker prays for the congregation to overcome self-imposed limitations and to trust in God's appointed time, asking for God's blessings upon them. They recall a journey with Pastor Larry that led to the realization of a vision for a new church location, despite the enemy's attempts to sow confusion and delay.
Key Takeaways:
- The certainty of God's vision and its fulfillment in an appointed time is a foundational truth that believers can hold onto, even when circumstances seem to indicate delay or uncertainty. Trusting in God's timing rather than our own understanding is a crucial aspect of walking in faith. [31:16]
- Being deeply rooted and connected within a church community can lead to personal transformation and the fulfillment of God's purpose for our lives. This connection is vital for growth and for the realization of the collective vision of the church. [15:40]
- The journey of faith often involves moments of doubt and fear, but these can be overcome by a deeper understanding of God's character and His plans for us. Embracing our calling requires us to move past misconceptions and to trust in God's ability to use us for His purposes. [09:56]
- Recognizing and embracing our appointed time is essential for stepping into the roles God has designed for us. This involves preparation, service, and a willingness to be sent out when the time comes, as seen in the speaker's own journey to becoming a pastor. [23:02]
- Legacy giving is not just about the present moment but about investing in the kingdom of God for future impact. This act of faith demonstrates a commitment to God's work and a desire to be part of something that endures beyond our own lifetimes. [37:42]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV): "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
2. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV): "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
3. Genesis 18:9-10 (NIV): "Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "There, in the tent," he said. Then one of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Habakkuk 2:3 say about the nature of God's vision and its timing?
2. According to Ecclesiastes 3:1, what is the significance of an appointed time?
3. In Genesis 18:9-10, what promise is given to Abraham and Sarah, and how does Sarah initially react? [05:34]
4. How did the speaker describe their initial reaction to God's calling, and what biblical character did they identify with? [07:03]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of an appointed time in Habakkuk 2:3 and Ecclesiastes 3:1 relate to the speaker's journey and experiences shared in the sermon? [01:12]
2. What can we learn from Sarah's reaction to the promise of a son in Genesis 18:9-10 about human responses to divine promises? [06:18]
3. How did the speaker's understanding of God's character evolve, and what impact did this have on their willingness to embrace their calling? [09:56]
4. What role did the church community play in the speaker's journey towards fulfilling their calling, and how does this reflect the importance of being rooted in a church? [15:40]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to something specific. How did you respond, and what factors influenced your reaction? [07:03]
2. The speaker mentioned overcoming fear and doubt by understanding God's true character. What misconceptions about God might be holding you back from fully embracing your calling? [09:56]
3. How can you become more deeply rooted and connected within your church community to support your personal transformation and the fulfillment of God's purpose for your life? [15:40]
4. The speaker shared about a pivotal moment of recommitment to their calling. Is there an area in your life where you need to recommit to God's plan? What steps can you take to do this? [13:31]
5. Legacy giving was highlighted as an act of faith with lasting impact. How can you contribute to your church's vision in a way that extends beyond your lifetime? [37:42]
6. The speaker emphasized the importance of trusting in God's timing. How can you practice patience and trust in God's appointed time in your current circumstances? [31:16]
7. Think about a specific fear or doubt you have regarding your faith journey. How can you address this with a deeper understanding of God's promises and character? [09:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in Divine Timing
God's vision unfolds in His perfect timing, not ours. Even when progress seems slow or uncertain, faith requires trust in God's schedule over our own. This trust is a testament to the belief that what God has promised, He will deliver, regardless of how circumstances may appear. [31:16]
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you had to wait for God's timing? How did the outcome reflect His perfect timing rather than your own?
Day 2: Transformation Through Community
Being part of a church community is transformative, fostering growth and aligning individuals with God's purpose. It is within this spiritual family that one can find support, accountability, and the nurturing needed to flourish in faith. [15:40]
1 Thessalonians 2:8 - "Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
Reflection: How has being part of a church community helped you grow in your faith, and what steps can you take to deepen these connections?
Day 3: Embracing Our God-Given Role
Overcoming fear and doubt is essential to step into the role God has designed for us. By understanding God's loving and purposeful nature, we can embrace our calling with confidence and faith, moving beyond our misconceptions. [09:56]
Isaiah 43:1 - "But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'"
Reflection: What fears or doubts have you faced in your calling, and how can you trust God more deeply to overcome them?
Day 4: The Journey to Purposeful Service
Recognizing our appointed time is key to stepping into our divine destiny. This journey often involves serving in various capacities, learning, and growing until we are ready to be sent out. [23:02]
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Reflection: What are the ways you have served or can serve in your church community to prepare for your own appointed time?
Day 5: Legacy of Faithful Giving
Legacy giving is an act of faith that extends our impact beyond our lifetime. It reflects a commitment to God's work and a desire to contribute to something enduring, demonstrating our trust in God's eternal kingdom. [37:42]
Matthew 6:20 - "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Reflection: What can you give today that will have a lasting impact on the kingdom of God, and how can you start making that contribution?
Quotes
"God always has an appointed time in our lives, but we need to move towards that; we need to stop running and we need to start moving forward to that appointed time." [13:31] (Download)
"Once I decide to recommit and this is my advice to everybody, I connected to everything that was connected to this church. I needed to be rooted where God put me." [15:02] (Download)
"See fear came into me and it was because the way that I was brought up. I grew up with a teaching that God was always angry, God was always killing people in the Old Testament, he was mad." [09:56] (Download)
"You need to be planted in the church and the vision of the church or you will never grow into what God is calling you, and where He placed you, you will never become the fruit that God has for you in the appointed time." [18:19] (Download)
"I believe this is my house and always will be, even though I'm over here, I'm just extending the family." [19:11] (Download)
"Everyone in here has a calling on God and there's an appointed time in your life. God has called you to do something... we need to examine ourselves and ask, am I really moving forward to my calling and to my appointed time?" [37:42] (Download)
"I felt sick, I felt like the enemy had won, but then I heard the voice of God telling me, 'I am the King of Kings, I am the Alpha and the Omega, I have appointed you and your family.'" [29:41] (Download)
"He is preparing the hearts right now, he's preparing the temple, he is preparing the place—we just need to walk towards our calling towards that appointed time." [31:16] (Download)
"God is going to do miracles, but we all got to come together. Like I said, I'm not planting a church, I am extending this family. We got to come together as a family because... we can't do it alone, we need this church, we need this congregation." [32:43] (Download)
"In moments of uncertainty, when we can't see the vision ahead, it's crucial to trust in God's direction and keep moving forward, for He knows where He's leading us." [25:50] (Download)
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