The Answer That Came Late

02 Dec The Answer That Came Late

Posted at 10:57h in English Service, Featured by Preacher Huijun 0 Comments

Pastor Vincent - 5 February 2015

The Person Of Jesus, The Word Of God

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"You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” [Jn 5:39-40] Often, we get so involved into doing the “Works” for God. We preach the gospel when it comes to the weekly scheduled time, we pray because we know that we should seek Lord, we serve in the ministry because we are put in that serving places… But often, after doing all that we’re doing, we have also become less wise, losing more grace, increasingly unable to grasp the sense of Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus said - You study the scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. You cannot believe anyone’s writing when you do not have the soul of the writing, i.e. Christ. In another word, have we been so absorbed into the visible works and routines even in church-serving, busy schedule of our daily lives that we become less of Christ in doing them? Have we lost the person of Jesus in these? If Jesus is to live in your roles, positions, fields and family, what will he do? He has always been in obedience to the Father, yielding His sovereignty to the Father and following His will in saving the lost sheep - as we continue to know the Word, are we also becoming more like Jesus? Come to have a life with Jesus today. The part of your life which you keep for yourself is also the very place Satan stays to kill, steal and destroy the relationship you have in God. Yield your sovereignty to God instead by connecting, seeing and hearing from the unseen God in every ways and in every things that you do. You’ll be in awed of the infinite love and strength this Father-Son relationship gives you, just like the relationship between the Father God and Jesus. "And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me”. [Jn 5:37]

From Series: "All English Service"

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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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Preacher Hui Jun

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Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.