Have You Any Idea Of How Powerful It Is, To Wait On God?

Welcome

Today we continue our study into the New Testament, and move onto 2nd Peter, and it is amazing that we will cover similar ground to that of Paul in Thessalonians.

The theme of today’s service is on waiting, … that is waiting on answered prayer or the promises of God; and again it is one of those services where the deliverer of the sermon needs to listen and take action more than the congregation whom it is being addressed to. I know that what I will be talking about is true, but don’t ask me to show you how it is done. It is difficult subject but you will see that I am only skimming the surface of it.

And now that your have complete confidence in me, we will start with the peace. We meet in Christ’s name, Let us share his peace.

Today’s reading 2 Peter 3:8-15a

Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

Please be seated, and join me in a short prayer. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our strength and our redeemer". Amen. (Psalms. 19:14)

Introduction

I hate waiting, and so does everyone else: I don’t like waiting for food to be served when I’m hungry, so I tend to have a nibble to keep me going. I hate waiting on television adverts, so we usually record a good program first so that I can fast forward them. And I hate temporary traffic lights when there are no cars or pedestrians in sight; and I won’t tell you how I get round that one. … I just have no patience, … everybody knows it, and my short fixes are never ideal, nor do I encourage them, … but I am sure you all, have your pet hates on waiting on something, … and little private solutions that you do not want to share.

Today's society as a whole, is an instant society where everything must be done now; yet, ... if we are to receive a miracle from God we cannot seek and instantly demand, ... we cannot take a short cut, ... we have to wait, and believe that it will materialise, ... in a time that suit's God.

That for most Christians, (even the most devout and sincere), is a very difficult thing to do, don't let anybody fool you, they have to wait the same as us, because there is a season of waiting before a miracle happens; ... in fact and unfortunately, ... many miracles are forfeited because we give up too soon, ... and we add our own little remedy.

Learning to wait therefore is as important, ... and more difficult, than learning to believe in the first place, because we have to wait and believe at the same time, ... even when circumstances tell us that our prayer will never be answered.

2nd Peter 3 verse 8 says, “Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years, are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises as some understand slowness”. I am sure you have heard the story about the wee man who was having a conversation with God and where the man said, “God, how long is a million years to you”? And God said, “A million years is like a second." The man asked, “How much is a million pounds to you?” And God said, “A million pounds is like a penny”. So the man said, “could you spare a penny?” and God said, ... “sure, just wait a second”. That is exactly how God answers my prayers.