Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to this blessed gathering. It is always a joy to see each one of you, a testament of God's enduring grace and unyielding love. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment.

As we gather in His name, I am reminded of the words of Peter Marshall, who once said, "Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work." And so, here we are, following Christ, believing in His promises, seeking His wisdom, and learning how to wait.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the words of the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians. Here is the full passage:

"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9)

The words are simple, yet profound. They speak of a God who is faithful, a God who calls us into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. This is not a call to a religion or a set of rules, but a call to a relationship, a fellowship with the living God.

Harnessing Hope in Waiting

In the midst of our lives, we often find ourselves in periods of waiting. Waiting for a job offer, waiting for a loved one to return, waiting for healing, waiting for answers. These moments can be filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and even despair. Yet, in these moments, we are reminded of the faithfulness of our God. He is the one who calls us into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. And in this fellowship, we find hope.

Hope is not a fleeting emotion or a momentary feeling: It is a deep-seated confidence in the promises of God. It is an anchor for the soul, a lifeline in the storm. It is the assurance that no matter what we are going through, God is with us, and He is for us. He is working all things together for our good and His glory. In the midst of our waiting, we can harness this hope. We can cling to the promises of God. We can trust in His faithfulness. We can rest in His sovereignty. We can find peace in His presence. We can draw strength from His power. We can take comfort in His love.

This is not a passive waiting, but an active waiting: It is a waiting that involves prayer, worship, service, and obedience. It is a waiting that involves faith, patience, perseverance, and courage. It is a waiting that involves hope, joy, peace, and love.

We can find purpose: We can use this time to grow in our relationship with God. We can use this time to serve others. We can use this time to share the gospel. We can use this time to prepare for what God has in store for us.

We can find joy: Joy is not dependent on our circumstances, but on our relationship with God. It is not based on what we have, but on who we have. It is not determined by what we see, but by what we believe. It is not contingent on our feelings, but on our faith.

We can find peace: Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God. It is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of Christ. It is not the absence of worry, but the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is not the absence of fear, but the presence of love.

We can find strength: Strength is not the absence of weakness, but the presence of God. It is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of Christ. It is not the absence of hardship, but the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is not the absence of pain, but the presence of love.

We can find comfort: Comfort is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God. It is not the absence of sorrow, but the presence of Christ. It is not the absence of grief, but the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is not the absence of loss, but the presence of love.

Holding onto Holiness in Anticipation

As we continue to reflect on the Apostle Paul's words, we are drawn to the idea of holding onto holiness in anticipation ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO