Title: Can an Hour Make a Difference? 03/16/14
Text: Psalm 40:1-3
Purpose: To encourage our people that an hour spent with God can make the difference.
Introduction: Video from SermonSpice: One Hour (Daylight Savings)
Question: In the spring we have (Spring Forward- lose hour) and the fall we have (Fall Back- Gain hour).
Since its spring, and we lose an hour, if I could give you that extra hour back what would you do with it?
a. Reorganize some things
b. Reschedule some things
c. Reprioritize some things
d. Sleep….zzzzzz
Interesting isn’t it, that all those are looking for things to do over. What if we went the other direction, and instead of wishing we could do some things over, what if we planned to just do some things differently?
Observation: It’s been a brutal winter. The snow has been relentless, the cold has been extreme, there has been confusion about healthcare, taxes, world events, and local layoffs, can’t find help, etc…
And no doubt, we can enter in to a survival mentality, where we just try to survive hoping that the next big thing doesn’t push us over the edge. And we shift into a mental state of numbness.
But what if an hour could change all that? What if an hour could change the way we think, the way we approach things and outlook? What if an hour could make us feel better, change our state of mind, put us on a better foundation, gives us purpose and direction, would you invest in that hour?
Today, if you’re like me, it can become overwhelming at times. The other night, I have this reoccurring dream that I’m supposed to be somewhere or do something. In fact, twice in one night I thought security had called and I needed to call them back. So in the middle of the night, after checking my phone, and not seeing any calls or anything, I still called campus security just to be sure. Now I have a sign by my phone, “This is a dream, don’t call”
WOW, now my subconscious is being effected. So what can we do?
TEXT: Psalm 40:1-4
On Sunday nights, there is a news program called 60 Minutes. I’m not endorsing them, just using them as an example. When they begin that program, they start their stop watch. So today, I want you to start your mental stop watch. (Not to see how long I preach, or how much longer the service will be)
What could you do for an hour that would change your life?
When Jesus was busy, he told his disciples that it was necessary for them to get away for some quiet time.
So each of these points today are small things for you to focus on for 10 minutes each. (Together or separate)
I. :10 Minutes Present your praises and requests before God
A. It’s important to begin by acknowledging that God can and will answer prayer. You can even begin to thank him BEFORE the answer arrives. What you are doing is preparing the mind to talk with God. (Make a mental list)
B. Verse 1 “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.”
I am reminded that God takes a personal interest in our needs.
Scripture:
1. 1 Peter 5:7 “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
2. Matthew 11:28 “Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
3. Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry (be anxious) about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
God knows your needs, he wants to know, do YOU know what you need. Do you? If someone were to take a personal interest in what you’re going through, would you tell them?
When you go to the doctors, get your taxes done, take your car to get fixed, talk to your child’s teacher, you want someone to take a personal interest in your needs.
Well here is the good news. The God of the universe is interested in you. He wants to talk with you. Will you listen?
Sometimes it’s hard to articulate what you’re feeling. Hard to put it into words. It just seems like it’s a jumbled mess. Good news. The Holy Spirit knows how to pray for you.
Romans 8:26-27 “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning’s that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”
In your mind, what time is it?
II. :20 Allow God to Change your State of Mind
Verse 2 “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.”
Your state of mind sets the tone for our actions. It changes our focus, direction and attitude.
Question: What happens when we live in a state of despair?
It can begin to affect us physically, emotionally, relationally, spiritually.
How does one respond then? (1)
A. Look at your situation as with a telescope, not under a microscope.
a. Often we tend to magnify our troubles beyond their significance and in so doing increase their pressure.
b. Instead, remember that God is the author and finisher of our faith, knowing the end from the beginning and providing all of our necessities for the present.
c. Concentrate on today’s problems, not tomorrow’s, and thank God for his daily grace to sustain us.
B. Rely on God’s strength, not yours.
a. Satan deceives us into thinking we can handle our stains in our own cleverness and abilities, until we are almost at the breaking point.
b. Key is to lean on His indwelling might at the initial stage of the problem.
Eph 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Isaiah 40:29 “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increase strength.”
C. Thank God that He is producing positive results from your situation.
a. Trials always turn us toward the Lord, seeking and trusting Him with new fervor.
Romans 5:3,4 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
No one likes going through “stuff” so it’s a choice to allow God to work in and through you, to change your mind set towards him.
God is never out to break us or shatter us. He knows our frame and will not overload us in times of stress. Rather, he seeks to use our stressful times as opportunities for us to gain His perspective, lean on His strength, and develop steadfastness with which we can run life’s course.
Philippians 4:8-9 “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Again, for you, what time is it?
III. :30 Build on a Secure Foundation
Verse 2b “…he set my feet on solid ground”
Put things into your life that will help you grow. Good music, conversation, relationship, community, devotion, service to God, Scripture, discipleship, mentoring.
In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus gives the illustration of the builder on the sand and rock.
Ocean in Florida in Van: this past there was an incident in Florida where a mother drove her family into the ocean. Reports said that she might have been unstable, and we’re glad no one was hurt.
Illustration: K- Church in Daytona where you can drive on the beach. I went around the cones, not thinking of the rising tide.
a. Parked and off we went for a walk.
b. The tide came in much faster than I thought, and upon walking back, I realized, while the others didn’t, that the tide had come in, and our van was seriously in jeopardy becoming the next Jonah and the Whale story.
Things sometimes happen outside our control. Sometimes much quicker than we anticipated. But we can weather those things, if our foundation is secure on Jesus Christ.
Question: What time is it now becoming for you?
IV. :40 Bask in His Abiding Assurance and Presence
Verse 2c “…and steadied me as I walked along.”
God doesn’t just help us up on to our feet, he walks with us. The Lord sends the Holy Spirit as our comforter.
Luke 24:13-34 is the story of Jesus, after the resurrection, walking to Emmaus.
a. Two of Jesus’ followers where walking to the town of Emmaus talking about the day’s events
b. Jesus joins them, but they don’t recognize him.
c. They continued to talk and finally expressed in verse 21, “We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel.”
a. There are a lot of people like that. They hope that God will hear their prayers
b. They hope that someday things will be different
c. They hope for a better marriage, better job, better relationships, but income. But they never find the answer.
d. Nearing the end of their journey, V. 28 “Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “stay the night with us, since it is getting late.”
There was something about Jesus that they wanted him to stay.
Jesus said it would be good for him to go away, so he could send the comforter.
John 16:7 “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t the Advocate (The Comforter) won’t come.”
John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.”
Does an hour make a difference? It does if it is spent with Jesus.
Do you have time for Jesus?
Take 10 minutes to walk with him and to experience his abiding presence.
V. :50 Let Him Give You a New Song to Sing
Verse 3 “He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.”
What is a new song: Purpose
• There may have been layoffs
• There may have been financial reversals
• There may have been sickness
• There may have been broken hearts and cares
• There may be the wayward child, spouse
• There may be many things outside our control
But even through all this, God can give a new song and new purpose to living.
God is not just the starting point of your life; he is the source of it. So live life on purpose.
It’s human nature to get distracted. Henry David Thoreau observed that people live lives of “quiet desperation,” but today a better description is “aimless distraction.” (2)
Eph 5:17 says 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do
Have you ever noticed that God tests my faith through problems, tests my hope by how I handle possessions, and test my love through people? (3)
Psalm 37:1-7
Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.
2 For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. 5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. 6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. 7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Question now becomes: Is it your time? Is it your time to invest wisely?
VI. :60 Invest your hour wisely
Verse 3b “Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.”
Problems don’t automatically produce what God intends. Many people become bitter, rather than better, and never grow up. You have to respond the way Jesus would.
A. Remember that God’s plan is good. God knows what is best for you and has your best interests at heart. Don’t give in to short term thinking.
B. Rejoice and give thanks: You can rejoice in knowing that God is going through the pain with us. We do not serve a distant and detached God. He enters in to our suffering with us.
C. Refuse to give up. Character building takes time.
James 1:3-4 says 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
When we grasp the eternal consequences of our character development, we’ll pray fewer “Comfort me” prayers (Help me feel good) and more “Conform me” prayers (Use this to make me more like you). (4)
Conclusion:
• You don’t have to live with regret
• You don’t have to live in denial
• You don’t have to live with the “What If’s”
How will you invest your hour today?
What will you do with your hour today?
Testimony: Use a short inspirational story of investing an hour to close service
Footnotes:
1. Charles Stanley: Responding to Stress. http://www.intouch.org/you/article- archive/content/topic/responding_to_stress_article#.UyHAJfldWSo
2. Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life, pg 20
3. IBID, pg 43
4. IBID, pg 199
