Trusting God's Timing: Embracing Spirit Over Flesh

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, there are moments when we are tempted to take matters into our own hands, especially when it seems like God is not responding to our prayers in the way or timing we expect. This temptation to rely on our own understanding and efforts is what we call "retreating to the flesh." The story of Sarah and Abraham is a poignant example of this. Sarah, in her impatience and doubt, decided to help God fulfill His promise by giving her maid, Hagar, to Abraham, resulting in the birth of Ishmael. This decision, made from a place of human reasoning rather than divine trust, led to long-lasting conflict and chaos, as seen in the ongoing strife between the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac.

The Apostle Paul revisits this story in Galatians 4, using it to illustrate the difference between living under the law (the flesh) and living by grace (the spirit). He reminds us that we are not children of the bondwoman, Hagar, but of the free woman, Sarah, and thus, we are called to live by the Spirit. The flesh and the Spirit cannot coexist; one must give way to the other. Just as Hagar and her son were sent away, we must cast out our reliance on the flesh to fully embrace the promises of God.

To experience God's promises, we must resist the urge to "help" God through our own means. Even when the situation seems impossible, we are called to trust in God's Spirit and His timing. Sarah's attempt to assist God only resulted in greater turmoil, a lesson for us to avoid creating unnecessary chaos by leaning on our own understanding. Yet, despite our past mistakes, God remains faithful. In Genesis 17, God reaffirms His promise to Abraham and Sarah, showing that His plans are not thwarted by our missteps. This is a message of hope for all who have faltered, reminding us that God's word and promises endure.

Key Takeaways:

- Trusting in God's timing is crucial. When we take matters into our own hands, we often create more problems than solutions. Sarah's decision to give Hagar to Abraham was an attempt to fulfill God's promise through human means, leading to long-term conflict. We must learn to wait on God and trust His process. [00:13]

- The story of Sarah and Hagar illustrates the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. Paul uses this narrative to teach that we are children of the promise, called to live by the Spirit and not by the flesh. This requires a conscious decision to reject our human inclinations and embrace God's way. [02:36]

- Living by the Spirit means rejecting the law and embracing grace. The law represents our efforts to achieve righteousness through our own actions, while grace is about receiving God's promises through faith. We must choose to live in the freedom of grace rather than the bondage of the law. [03:03]

- Our past mistakes do not disqualify us from God's promises. Despite Sarah and Abraham's missteps, God reaffirmed His promise to them. This is a powerful reminder that God's plans are not hindered by our failures, and His grace is sufficient to cover our shortcomings. [04:29]

- God's promises are fulfilled in His timing, not ours. Even when it seems like there is no way forward, we must hold onto faith and trust that God will fulfill His word. Our role is to remain faithful and obedient, trusting that God is working behind the scenes. [05:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - The Temptation to Rely on the Flesh
- [00:32] - Sarah's Attempt to Help God
- [00:49] - The Consequences of Human Solutions
- [00:59] - The Ongoing Conflict
- [01:17] - New Testament Reflection
- [01:29] - Paul's Teaching in Galatians
- [01:43] - Flesh vs. Spirit
- [02:09] - Children of Promise
- [02:23] - Casting Out the Bondwoman
- [02:36] - Living by the Spirit
- [03:03] - Law and Grace
- [03:19] - Trusting God's Spirit
- [03:45] - The Chaos of Human Understanding
- [04:29] - God's Faithfulness to His Promise

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 17:15-19
2. Galatians 4:21-31

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Sarah's plan to help fulfill God's promise, and what were the consequences of her actions? [00:32]
2. How does Paul use the story of Sarah and Hagar in Galatians 4 to illustrate the difference between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit? [01:29]
3. What does the term "children of the promise" refer to in the context of Galatians 4? [02:09]
4. How does God reaffirm His promise to Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17 despite their previous actions? [04:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Paul emphasize the need to "cast out the bondwoman and her son" in Galatians 4, and what does this mean for believers today? [02:23]
2. How does the story of Sarah and Hagar illustrate the conflict between human reasoning and divine trust? [00:49]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our past mistakes do not disqualify us from God's promises? [04:29]
4. How can believers discern when they are relying on their own understanding rather than trusting in God's Spirit? [03:45]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you tried to "help" God by taking matters into your own hands. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from that experience? [03:45]
2. How can you actively choose to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to make this shift? [02:36]
3. Are there areas in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? How can you cultivate patience and faith in those situations? [05:13]
4. Think of a past mistake that you feel has hindered your spiritual journey. How can you embrace the truth that God's promises are not thwarted by your missteps? [04:29]
5. Identify a specific situation where you are tempted to rely on your own understanding. What can you do this week to surrender that situation to God and trust His process? [03:19]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to live by grace and not by the law? What role can you play in fostering a spirit-led environment? [03:03]
7. Consider the ongoing conflicts in your life. How might these be a result of relying on human solutions rather than seeking divine guidance? What changes can you make to address these conflicts? [00:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Timing
In our journey of faith, it is crucial to trust in God's timing rather than taking matters into our own hands. The story of Sarah and Abraham serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of relying on human understanding instead of divine guidance. Sarah's decision to give her maid, Hagar, to Abraham was an attempt to fulfill God's promise through human means, leading to long-term conflict and chaos. This narrative teaches us the importance of waiting on God and trusting His process, even when the situation seems impossible. By resisting the urge to "help" God through our own efforts, we can avoid creating unnecessary problems and instead experience the fulfillment of His promises. [00:13]

Isaiah 30:18 (ESV): "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to wait on God's timing? How can you actively practice patience and trust in His process today?


Day 2: Living by the Spirit
The story of Sarah and Hagar illustrates the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. The Apostle Paul uses this narrative in Galatians to teach that we are children of the promise, called to live by the Spirit and not by the flesh. This requires a conscious decision to reject our human inclinations and embrace God's way. The flesh and the Spirit cannot coexist; one must give way to the other. Just as Hagar and her son were sent away, we must cast out our reliance on the flesh to fully embrace the promises of God. By choosing to live by the Spirit, we align ourselves with God's will and experience the freedom and grace that come with it. [02:36]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you find yourself relying on the flesh rather than the Spirit? How can you begin to make a conscious decision to live by the Spirit in that area today?


Day 3: Embracing Grace Over the Law
Living by the Spirit means rejecting the law and embracing grace. The law represents our efforts to achieve righteousness through our own actions, while grace is about receiving God's promises through faith. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are not children of the bondwoman, Hagar, but of the free woman, Sarah, and thus, we are called to live by the Spirit. This requires a shift in mindset from striving to earn God's favor to resting in the freedom of His grace. By choosing to live in grace, we experience the fullness of God's love and the assurance of His promises. [03:03]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to earn God's favor through your own efforts? How can you begin to embrace the freedom of grace in your daily life?


Day 4: God's Faithfulness Despite Our Mistakes
Our past mistakes do not disqualify us from God's promises. Despite Sarah and Abraham's missteps, God reaffirmed His promise to them, showing that His plans are not thwarted by our failures. This is a powerful reminder that God's grace is sufficient to cover our shortcomings, and His word endures despite our faltering. No matter how many times we have stumbled, God remains faithful and continues to work in our lives. This message of hope encourages us to trust in His faithfulness and to believe that His promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing. [04:29]

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 past mistake that you feel has hindered your relationship with God. How can you embrace His forgiveness and move forward in faith, trusting in His promises?


Day 5: Holding onto Faith in God's Promises
God's promises are fulfilled in His timing, not ours. Even when it seems like there is no way forward, we must hold onto faith and trust that God will fulfill His word. Our role is to remain faithful and obedient, trusting that God is working behind the scenes. The story of Sarah and Abraham teaches us the importance of perseverance and faith in the face of uncertainty. By holding onto God's promises, we can find hope and assurance in His unfailing love and faithfulness. [05:13]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: What is one promise from God that you are holding onto in this season of your life? How can you actively nurture your faith and trust in His timing as you wait for its fulfillment?

Quotes

"the temptation when you've been trusting god for something and god hasn't come through is to retreat to the flesh the flesh is a human approach to solve a problem different than the way god wants it done sarah was trying to help god out she says perhaps god's promise is going to come through me giving you to our maid so she goes to the flesh to accomplish a work of the spirit" [00:00:04]

"abraham goes into hagar she has a baby named ishmael and them two brothers have been fighting ever since because ishmael is the father of the arabs of course isaac is the father of the jews and everything you see in the middle east that's going on today is because sarah circumvented god she did what the bible says don't do and that's be double-minded so god had made a promise" [00:00:46]

"this principle of flesh and spirit based on hagar is brought up in the new testament by the way in the book of galatians chapter 4 because in galatians chapter 4 paul the apostle writes in verse 21 tell me you who are under the law do you not listen to the law for it is written that abraham had two sons one by the bondwoman hagar and one by the free woman sarah" [00:01:14]

"but the son of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh human approach and the son of the free woman through the promise he goes on to say verse 27 for it is written rejoice barren woman who does not bear break forth and shout you who are not in labor for more numerous are the children of the desolate than the one who has a husband" [00:01:43]

"and you brethren like isaac are children of promise but as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the spirit so it now is also but what does the scripture say cast out the bondwoman and her son for the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir to the son of the free woman" [00:02:09]

"so then brethren you are not the children of the bondwoman but of the free woman so he takes abraham and he talks to the galatian christians you and me and he says don't be a bondwoman's baby don't operate according to the flesh because the flesh and the spirit can never operate together one of those kids and their mama had to leave" [00:02:36]

"hagar was put out and he uses that to talk about law and grace and he uses that to talk about uh how we ought to live our christian life according to the spirit god's point of view god's promise not according to the bond servant the flesh approach so if you and i want to experience the promises of god the decision you have to make in order to experience that power" [00:02:52]

"is to not go to the flesh to help out the spirit even when it looks like there's no way the spirit approach can ever work because guess what the problem is too big so sarah comes up with this brilliant idea to help god out and all she did was create a bigger mess anybody can testify to that you begin leaning to your own understanding" [00:03:19]

"you tried to do this thing your way thinking you were gonna help answer god's prayer for god even though you were doing it in a way unprescribed by god and now oh my god what did i do okay that was sarah's situation and now there's chaos in the house chaos with the kids chaos with the with the woman chaos now we got a single parent on our hands" [00:03:45]

"who's out there trying to make it as a single mother we got we got blended family chaos that would become generational so that's our situation but in genesis 17 god comes back to sarah and abraham and says i told y'all he said y'all but you got it he said i told you what we're going to do verse 15. then god said to abraham genesis 15 17 as for sarah your wife" [00:04:09]

"you shall call her not call her name sarai but sarah shall be your name i will bless her and indeed i will give you a son by her then i will bless her and you shall be a mother of nations kings of people will come from her then abraham fell on his face and laughed in his heart so that's good news for folk who've messed up yesterday" [00:04:29]

"and you're still hearing god's word today" [00:05:11]

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Transcript
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