SERMON NOTES:
There are some seasons where God is not saying “go”, because God is saying “grow”
Palm Tree posture = you bend, but you don’t break
How big can I believe, how LONG can I believe.
Hopelessness = Premature anticipation of the failure of the promises of God.
I’m asking because I do believe I’m ON THE WAY.
I’m not talking about beginning strong, I’m talking about finishing well
God is NOT unjust. He will not forget!
Some people get “alright” and when they get “alright”, they get amnesia.
I’m a God of recompense.
Sometimes I don’t repay evil by doing evil to other people--I repay evil by doing GOOD to YOU.
I prepare a table in the PRESENCE of your enemies. He allows them to watch you succeed, in spite of them trying to orchestrate your failure.
When people remember, they THINK something. When God remembers, he DOES something.
God knows how to put you on the right mind at the right time.
Waiting takes your veracity, your tenacity. But don’t become sluggish!
Faith AND patience...inherited the promises.
Some promises require more than strong faith, some promises require LONG faith.
DUE SEASON can happen at any time. A return for your labor.
You cannot impact those you insult.
Even though Abraham made a mistake, he still got the promise. They learned the lesson. Your mistakes aren’t sovereign, God is. They waited patiently, but not perfectly.
Waiting well isn’t about managing time, it’s about managing me. Ishmael represents something that we produce when we move impatiently.
Don’t worry while you wait.
Worry is mediation on negative narratives.
Jesus uses logic, in Matthew 6:27...can you add an hour to your life by worrying?!
Worry doesn’t make IT better, it makes US worse.
Worry makes you develop a habit of unhappiness.
Don’t be worrisome while you wait.
How it affects others.
They both want each other to be what only God can be.
Other people should not be casualties of my own progress.
Work while you wait.
Don’t waste this period!
Build something, start something, grow something…
God’s gonna put a tailwind behind my back.
I can love you better when I don’t NEED you.
Worship while you wait.
Not even because of what it does spiritually, but because of what it does emotionally.
Worship is not therapy, but it is therapeutic.
God is everywhere all the time, but manifest presence is where you get to experience His presence.
The fruit of His presence is FULLNESS of joy. Joy is strength.
When you’re not desperate, you can make wise decisions. You can’t be desperate and wise at the same time.
“I’m gonna pray that God gives you unearned ability to finish.”
DISCUSSION:
What are you waiting on God for right now?
How can you get better at waiting/worrying?
What did you learn about worship from the sermon this past weekend?
Who was the last person you encouraged? How it make you feel?
How do you feel God is using you right now?
STUDY AT HOME:
Can you think of Bible characters who were busy or diligent or patient while waiting for something? (or pick one below to study and tell the group about next week!)
Daniel, Mary, Samuel’s mother Hannah, David, Jesus (before his ministry), Noah