A hyper-Pentecostal, while leading a crusade of many
thousands, had boasted, “No one will leave today unchanged.” However, the
Christian life is about waiting in hope for something we do not yet possess:
·
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, preparing your
minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that
will be brought to you at the revelation [the return] of Jesus Christ.
·
Romans 8:22–24 For we know that the whole
creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And
not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption
of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not
hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
This life will not fulfill our hope. Instead, we must await
the Savior’s return:
·
Hebrews 13:14 For here we have no lasting
city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Abraham waited for 25
years for his promised heir—Isaac. Along the way, he experienced many setbacks.
Yet according to God, he was hoping for an eternal city (Hebrews 11:8-10), as
Jesus had done:
·
Hebrews 12:2–3 looking to Jesus, the
founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the
throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against
himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
We too must patiently endure:
·
Hebrews 11:27 By faith he [Moses] left
Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him
who is invisible.
Endurance requires waiting and courage. It requires us to
understand that not all our immediate needs will be met:
·
1 Peter 2:19–20 For this is a gracious
thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For
what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if
when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the
sight of God.
Waiting produces character and endurance:
·
Romans 5:3–5 Not only that, but we
rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and
endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not
put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Waiting amid suffering also makes us Christlike:
·
2 Corinthians 4:10–11 always carrying in
the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested
in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’
sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
Western Christians often expect that immediate needs will
always be satisfied. Instead, it is according to our Lord’s timing:
·
1 Peter 5:6–7,10 Humble yourselves,
therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he
may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you…And
after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you
to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and
establish you.
His work is assured:
·
Romans 8:31–32 …If God is for us, who can
be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how
will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Therefore, we can wait patiently:
·
Psalm 27:13–14 I believe that I shall
look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the
LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Therefore, do not be seduced by the false teaching that we
can have it all—healings and various blessings here and now. Instead, we are
being prepared for eternity:
·
2 Corinthians 4:17–18 For this light
momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all
comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that
are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are
unseen are eternal.
2 comments:
Great message Daniel! We have to understand that that everything in Christ's kingdom is according to God's will being fulfilled. We may pray and ask Christ for revival, miracles and such but we must understand that it is Not about what WE WANT! We serve Christ. Christ does Not serve Us! It is Ok to ask but never demand! We must praise and thank Him no matter how he answers our prayers! Christ Jesus always knows best! There is No argument! He is Right!
Your understanding is what the Lord wants from all of us!
Post a Comment