Trusting God's Timing: Finding Peace in Waiting
Summary
The sermon delivered on 12/17/2023, titled "Worship Live Stream," delves into the theme of waiting on God's timing and the peace that comes from trusting in His plan. The speaker, whose name is not discernible from the title, begins by acknowledging the challenges of waiting and the importance of faith during these times. They celebrate Loretta's decision to follow Jesus and encourage the congregation to invite others to church. The sermon also touches on the topic of money, urging believers not to be enslaved by it and to focus on serving God.
The speaker expresses gratitude for the new worship space and the worship team's performance, despite the absence of the regular leader due to the birth of his daughter, Oswin. They pray for the congregation to be receptive to God's word and introduce the "Missing Peace" sermon series, which explores the true desires of the heart.
The sermon emphasizes that peace is found not in the absence of problems but in God's presence. The speaker shares a personal story about waiting at Walmart, likening it to the importance of actively seeking God. They reference 2 Peter 3:9, which speaks of God's patience and desire for repentance.
The speaker discusses the promise of Jesus in Genesis and its fulfillment in Matthew, where an angel instructs Joseph to name his child Jesus, "Emmanuel," meaning "God with us." They highlight the long wait from the promise to the blessing and urge the congregation to make a decision to follow Jesus, emphasizing God's love despite imperfections.
The sermon also covers the historical context of the Bible, the Roman roads, and the scattered Jews, illustrating that God works for those who wait on Him. The speaker provides practical information on giving and upcoming services, expressing gratitude for the church community's love.
The speaker invites the congregation to come forward and commit to following Jesus, offering support and prayer. They discuss the concept of the "right time" and God's perfect timing, using the Greek word "playroma" to describe the ripeness of time.
The sermon concludes with a focus on God's goodness, the joy of Jesus' coming, and the power of praise. The speaker invites the congregation to sing hymns of adoration and to participate in a prayer of admission, belief, and commitment to Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Waiting on God's timing is a test of faith, but it is also an opportunity to deepen our trust in His plan for our lives. As the speaker points out, the Bible is filled with examples of individuals who waited for God's promises to be fulfilled, reminding us that while we wait, God is actively working behind the scenes. [01:04:08]
- The speaker emphasizes that God's silence should not be mistaken for absence. Just as the Old Testament is filled with God's spoken word, our lives are filled with His previous promises and guidance. We are encouraged to listen and trust in His perfect timing, as exemplified by the coming of Jesus at the "fullness of time" described in Galatians. [57:05]
- The battle for peace begins in our minds, and it is through trusting God and allowing Him to renew our thoughts that we can find true peace. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but on God's constant presence in our lives, as the speaker illustrates with the ongoing "Missing Peace" sermon series. [40:53]
- The act of giving and stewardship is a reflection of our service to God. The speaker urges the congregation to give not out of obligation but as a response to God's generosity, using the donations to further His kingdom and to show love within the community. [01:20:19]
- The joy of Jesus' coming is a central theme of the Advent season, as the speaker highlights while lighting the third Advent candle. This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated gladness that comes from the knowledge of Jesus as our Savior, shining light into our darkness. [29:19]
Study 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. Galatians 4:4-5 - "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship."
3. Genesis 3:15 - "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Peter 3:9 say about God's timing and His desire for humanity? How does this relate to the theme of waiting on God's timing? [56:22]
2. According to Galatians 4:4-5, what was the significance of the timing of Jesus' birth? How does this passage describe the purpose of His coming? [59:08]
3. In Genesis 3:15, what promise is made about the offspring of the woman? How does this promise relate to the overall message of the sermon about waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled? [50:15]
4. The sermon mentioned the historical context of the Bible, including the Roman roads and the scattered Jews. How did these elements contribute to the spread of the Gospel? [01:02:53]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding God's patience in 2 Peter 3:9 help believers cope with periods of waiting in their own lives? [56:22]
2. What does the phrase "when the set time had fully come" in Galatians 4:4-5 imply about God's control over history and events? How can this perspective change our view of current struggles? [59:08]
3. How does the promise in Genesis 3:15 set the stage for the entire biblical narrative? Why is it significant that this promise took so long to be fulfilled? [50:15]
4. The sermon emphasized that peace is found in God's presence, not in the absence of problems. How does this understanding of peace challenge common perceptions of what it means to live a peaceful life? [41:44]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for something important. How did you see God working behind the scenes during that period? How can this experience help you trust in God's timing now? [47:41]
2. The sermon mentioned that God's silence should not be mistaken for His absence. How can you remind yourself of God's presence during times when He seems silent? What practical steps can you take? [56:22]
3. The speaker shared a personal story about waiting at Walmart. How can you actively seek God during your own "waiting periods"? What specific actions can you take to stay engaged with Him? [54:27]
4. The concept of "playroma" was used to describe the ripeness of time. In what areas of your life do you need to trust that God is waiting for the right time? How can you practice patience in these areas? [01:00:29]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of giving and stewardship. How can you reflect God's generosity in your own life, especially during the Advent season? What specific steps can you take to serve others? [01:19:13]
6. The joy of Jesus' coming was a central theme of the sermon. How can you cultivate a deep-seated joy in your life, even amidst challenges? What practices can help you focus on the joy of knowing Jesus? [29:31]
7. The speaker invited the congregation to commit to following Jesus. If you haven't made this commitment, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you deepen your commitment and encourage others to do the same? [01:11:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Patience in God's Timeline
Waiting on God's timing is not passive; it's an active trust in His divine schedule for our lives. It's a period where faith is both tested and strengthened, as one learns to rely not on immediate gratification but on God's promises. This waiting is not a silent void but a time filled with God's ongoing work and preparation. [01:04:08]
Lamentations 3:25-26 - "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when waiting on God proved to be beneficial in hindsight? How can you apply this patience to a current situation in your life?
Day 2: Discerning God's Presence in Silence
God's silence is not indicative of His absence. Throughout the scriptures, periods of silence are often followed by significant acts of God. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's perfect timing, as His plans unfold in the fullness of time, much like the arrival of Jesus in the New Testament. [57:05]
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: How do you maintain your faith during times when God seems silent? What practices can help you remain steadfast in your trust in God's timing?
Day 3: The Pursuit of True Peace
True peace is not the absence of turmoil but the presence of God amidst life's storms. This peace is a state of mind and heart that comes from trusting in God's sovereignty and allowing Him to renew our thoughts. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding and is available even in the midst of chaos. [40:53]
Isaiah 26:3 - "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Reflection: What current situation in your life is causing you unrest, and how can you invite God's peace into that area?
Day 4: Generosity as Worship
Giving is an act of worship and a reflection of God's generosity towards us. It is not about the obligation but about a heart that responds to God's love by supporting His work and showing love within the community. This stewardship is a practical expression of serving God and not being enslaved by money. [01:20:19]
Proverbs 11:24-25 - "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Reflection: How does your current approach to giving reflect your relationship with God? What changes, if any, do you feel called to make in this area?
Day 5: Joy in the Advent of Christ
The joy of Jesus' coming is a profound gladness rooted in the knowledge of Him as our Savior. This joy transcends temporary emotions and illuminates our lives with hope and salvation. The Advent season is a time to reflect on this joy and to celebrate the light Jesus brings into our darkness. [29:19]
Zephaniah 3:17 - "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully embrace the joy of Jesus' presence in your life, especially during challenging times?
Quotes
"Just because God is silent does not mean that God is distant. Just because God is silent does not mean he's not moving." [57:56] (Download)
"We cannot have peace until we think peace, till we put our trust in God and allow him to renew our mind." [41:36] (Download)
"This piece invites us to live in harmony with people despite our unique differences. And remember, this piece that we're talking about is not a piece that's found in the absence of problems, but in the presence of God." [42:19] (Download)
"Faith in its very essence requires waiting, waiting on things we cannot see, waiting on things we cannot make sense of. God works for those who wait for him." [01:06:52] (Download)
"We can't dwell on money. We can't focus on money because the thing is, is that we can't serve both God and money." [01:19:13] (Download)
"When the right time came, can you say the right time came? The right time came. I want the right time to come. I want it to be the right time." [59:26] (Download)
"Playroma is like filled, filling. It's an idiom to refer to ripeness. Like hey, the grapes are ripe. Or when Publix picks them, they're overripe, okay? That's not playroma." [01:00:56] (Download)
"Just because God is silent does not mean that he is distant. When you are waiting, God is working." [01:07:40] (Download)
"His timing is always perfect. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." [01:08:33] (Download)
"When Christ comes into our lives, he brings the fullness of joy. He anoints our hearts with the oil of gladness." [30:10] (Download)
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