02 Dec The Answer That Came Late
Preacher Huijun - 8 January 2015
Restoring A Gospelised Culture
Christian living is not merely positional, i.e. God doesn’t give us the full gospel and Holy Spirit indwelling just to secure ourselves a place heaven. The grace and love of God is not a direct entrance ticket to heaven when we leave this world. Deeper than this, God’s grace and love are always with us even today, so that we can always meet God in all our situations, propelling us to increasingly abandon our old ways, thinking and nature and start living in the power of gospel at where we are and in all that we’re doing. Christian living is an ongoing self-gospelization process centering on the promise of God and unstoppable help of the Holy Spirit. As we resolve into living out Christ in all of our areas, the full gospel we root ourselves on will also create in us a heart of indebtedness to others, so much so that our hearts are also expanded by this full gospel, and evangelising to our family, closed friends, right to the people who’re different than us. Remnants have to start living in the gospel we’ve listened repeatedly. Before we seek to confirm Lord’s word, they’ll remain theoretical and vague. But as we confirm the Word until it becomes our values and heartbeat, we’ll start to think, decide and act in Christ, bringing a gospel culture around us. The Lord will surely fulfil His Great Commission through the gospel culture we have and through the mutual edification of His children.
From Series: "All English Service"
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The Answer That Came Late
Waiting is usually agonizing for most people. And often when we are made to wait, we tend to feel that God has singled us out for this unwanted process and we always ask, “Why me, Lord? How long, O Lord?” Yet, waiting is a frequent lesson observed in the Bible. In fact, “wait” could be the most precious answer God has given us. For during the wait, we are forced to confront this question: “What is our chief treasure and joy?” Is what we are waiting for more than God Himself”? If our chief joy lies in the final outcome at the end of the wait, then we will surely be miserable during the wait; but if our highest delight is in the Lord, who is present with us even right now, our hearts will find strength as we wait.
Verses to read:
<Gen 21:1-7>
1. The Lord did just as He had promised.
- Faithful.
- Did the impossible.
- God will make us laugh, eventually.
2. But it takes time…
1) Understand what God does in the waiting process.
- Repeatedly affirms His promise.
- Waits till all human factors failed.
***We are most concerned about the outcome, but what God values more is the process of moulding the recipient.
- Wants us to desire God more than a son [or any other desire].
***Something actually happens when nothing seems to be happening.
- Before the most important answer comes, there needs to be better preparation.
***“Wait” could be the most precious answer God gives us. The wait can make us cherish God more than cherishing a particular outcome.
2) Our response during the wait.
- Continue to wait for God, even if nothing or the opposite of what we hope for happens.
- Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” <Jn 5:17>
- Our faith in His goodness today can help us trust His faithfulness tomorrow.
- Let our waiting be a testimony.
- Give thanks that God is a “waiting” God.
- Confirm little graces >>> restore greater faith.
- Seek out what God wants us to submit.
- <Ps 118:24> This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. [ESV]
- Do not take shortcuts.
***What is our chief treasure and joy?
***Is what we are waiting for more than God Himself?
3. Our response after receiving the long-awaited answer is important.
- Obedience.
- Persistent trust in God.
Reflections:
- Share your experience in your waiting process. How do you sustain your faith and hope?
- How have you confirmed God’s work even when things appear contrary to God’s truth/promises?
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