Sermon Notes from Morning Worship
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Series: “Facing the Unknown”
Today: “God’s Timing”
Scripture: Genesis 17:21-22 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” 22 When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.
Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Intro: Today I want to teach you a phrase that is prominent in God talk: Appointed time .
Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”
A. The Hebrew word for “appointed” indicates the sacred season ; the divine moment when God says “Now!”
B. Did you know that God never does anything, great or small, haphazardly ?
I. REJOICE WHEN GOD SAYS NO!
* If God wasn’t good — all the time — He might say yes and let us miss His best.
II. WAIT WHEN GOD SAYS YES.
A. There are very few examples of God’s yeses being immediate !
B. God’s yes is placed in His Divine planner — given an appointed time.
Psalm 139:16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
* Wait expectantly—anticipating the appointed time.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
C. God’s waiting period has purpose .
Acts 16:6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.
* Paul and Silas were delayed by a time in prison. A jailer and his family were all saved.
Conclusion: How do we know the no from the yes — from the wait?
* Most of the time we can’t discern God’s answer unless it’s an immediate yes.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.