Learning To Wait Upon the Lord

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-1-2024

Psalm 123

 

Introduction: 

A.  The 123^rd Psalm is another “Song of Degrees” which the was a “Song” that the people of God sang in the pilgrimage back the Jerusalem on one of the Feast Days when all males were required to attend.

 

B.  What I find interesting in this Psalm is the reproach suffered by the Jews as they traveled toward Jerusalem through heathen land.  The Jews have always suffered such reproach as the world, through the leadership of Satan, has always hated God and God’s people.

 

C.  Those who strive to live a life pleasing to God in our day also suffer such reproach. 

 

2 Timothy 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 

D.  In such times for these Jews, they looked to God as servants to a Master and as handmaids to their Mistress.  God is in charge of His servants and takes care of them also!

 

E.  When we do not understand something, there is something that we do not know.  Be thankful tonight that God both knows everything and also controls everything.

 

F.  Ofttimes, our waiting is both long and open ended as we do not know what or when our assured victory will come.  How many here tonight love to wait when you do not even know the end-date of your waiting?  Aha!  Zero! 

 

G.  Now, a little “Disclaimer!”  I am about as impatient as the rest of you!  There is an old saying, “I want patience right now.”  Fortunately, it doesn’t work that way because there is both a Promise in Waiting and a Prize in Waiting.

 

1.  The Promise of Waiting. 

 

Isaiah 43:1-5  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  (2)  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  (3)  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.  (4)  Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.  (5)  Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

 

2.  The Prize of Waiting.

 

Isaiah 40:27-31  Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?  (28)  Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.  (29)  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  (30)  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  (31)  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 

H.  There is value in our waiting as it brings about a more perfect or mature ending.

 

1.  Waiting on the Lord teaches us submission to His will - Mark 14:36  And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.  (The Father did not even answer our Lord’s request for immediate removal of His problem.  Our Lord bowed to the will of the Father.)

 

2.  Waiting on the Lord is a cleansing agent for the child of God - Psalms 26:2  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.  (Problems bring about self-examination and self-examination brings about confession and forsaking.)

 

3.  Waiting on the Lord produces a sincere prayer life - Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (Often, our prayer life becomes a formality because life is good and we have need of nothing.  Problems “drive us to our knees” as we seek God’s deliverance.)

 

4.  Waiting on the Lord teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts - Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (When we do not understand and our problems seem to get the best of us, we need to remember that God is still in control.  Paul said, “For I have learned!”  God’s providence becomes a reality in our lives.)

 

5.  Waiting on the Lord teaches us to rest in Him - Psalms 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.  (The Lord loves us and cares for us.  He will always do right in our lives.  Yes, sometimes sin must run its course but God still controls everything in this universe and can be trusted.)

 

6.  Waiting on the Lord renews our strength spiritually - Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  (As bodily exercise profiteth little (and it does prosper), spiritual exercise also makes us to mature in the things of the Lord.  As our world is fat and lazy, so do we become if we have all that we want and never have problems.  We shall “mount up as eagles!”)

 

7.  Waiting on the Lord causes us to hope in Him - 1 John 3:2-3  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  (The older we get; the more problems that we endure; the more we long for home!) 

Psalms 42:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

 

Conclusion:  Psalms 27:14  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

When The Lord Seems to Come Too Late

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-6-2023

John 11:1-16

 

Introduction:

 

A.  This is the only Gospel Book that references this particular story.  The Gospel of John alludes to the Deity of Christ Jesus.  It is in the Book of John that we find both the attributes of Jesus Christ, the God-Man.  100% God on His Father’s side and 100% Man on His mother’s side.

 

B.  There are two men named Lazarus mentioned in the Bible. 

 

1.  Lazarus the Beggar is referenced 4 times in the Book of Luke, chapter 16: the story of the rich man and the beggar.

 

2.  Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, is referenced 11 times in the Book of John.  No other place do we find this close personal friend of our Lord mentioned.

 

C.  Bethany was a small town or village close to Jerusalem, the Temple, and the Mount of Olives.  Our Lord resorted there on many occasions as a place of lodging.

 

D.  The home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary was one where our Lord frequented during His earthly ministry. 

 

Luke 10:38-42  Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.  (39)  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.  (40)  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  (41)  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  (42)  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

 

E.  Verse 2 identifies Mary. 

 

John 12:3  Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

 

F.  I said all that to say this, can you imagine the Lord coming and spending quality time at your house.  He was their Saviour, a close Personal Friend, and their Spiritual Mentor.  Blessing and breaking bread in their home, having a part of their Family Devotions and spiritual development.

 

G.  Lazarus is described as “he whom thou lovest” in verse 3.  Our Lord Jesus loved this family; He loved Lazarus!

 

H.  When Martha and Mary sent for the Lord, it seemed that He would come as quickly as He could and save the life of His dear friend.  Our Lord abode in His place until Lazarus succumbed to his sickness and died. 

 

J.  In His time, not theirs, He came to where they were.  Those who believed that Jesus could heal the sick did not believe that He could make the dead live again.

 

K.  Twice in chapter 11, verses 21 and 32, the statement was made: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”  These were correct statements because nowhere in the Bible do we find anyone dying in the presence of the Lord.

 

L.  In verse 37, we find the statement of others who were there.  John 11:37  And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

 

M.  There will be times in mine and your lives when we call upon the name of the Lord because of some terrible accident, sudden sickness, or other devasting reasons but the Lord SEEMINGLY does not show up on time.

 

N.  There is a great lesson to be learned in John, chapter 11.  His time is not our time; His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are higher than our thoughts!

 

O.  The key to these verses is found verses 4 and 15.  Throughout the Bible we find God’s people questioning God’s timing: “How long?”

 

1.  Verse 4.  That God the Father and the Son of God might receive glory and be glorified.  John 11:4  When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory (an Attribute of God) of God, that the Son of God might be glorified (is a gift given to God) thereby. (There are two different words here that are somewhat similar yet carry different meanings.  Words are important!)

 

a.  God the Father: “for the glory of God.”  Who God is: Glory – to honor, to praise, to worship. 

 

True worshippers worship God for WHO He is.  John 4:23-24  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  (24)  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

1.  The Lord’s Prayer speaks of God’s glory.  John 17:5  And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

 

2.  The Model Prayer speaks of God’s glory.  Matthew 6:9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

 

Hallowed – First Mention: Exodus 20:11  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed (to make, to preserve, to announce, to sanctify as holy) it.

 

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

b.  God the Son: “that the Son of God might be glorified”  Something that we GIVE TO God!

 

John 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

 

1.  If the doctors answer your prayers, they get the glory.  If medications answer your prayers, then science gets the glory,, when you can fix your own problems you get the glory!

 

2.  When there are no earthly answers, then Jesus Christ gets ALL the glory!

 

2.  Verse 15.  That your faith is strengthened.  John 11:15  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

 

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

a.  Verses 21, 32.  Their faith believed that the Lord could heal Lazarus because they had seen such power in the ministry of Jesus.  No problems were too large for the Lord as He healed all who came to Him.  Both women said the same thing.

 

1)  Verse 21, Martha said, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”

 

2)  Verse 32, Mary said, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”

 

b.  Their faith had never seen the resurrection power of the Lord in bringing the dead who were buried and stinking back to life.  Jesus was declared to be the Son of God by His resurrection.

 

John 11:17  Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

 

John 11:39  Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

 

1)  There will be times in our lives when the bad things come which the Lord could have prevented.  These are times which God has allowed to continue for a time in order to bring forth something that will bring far more glory to God. 

 

a)  Times when you ask the Lord, “Why?”

 

b)  Times when you ask the Lord, “How long?”

 

c)  Times when you ask the Lord, “Do you really care?’

 

d)  Times when you ask the Lord, “Do you really love me?”

 

2)  It would have glorified God to heal Lazarus but it glorified God more to resurrect him!

 

3)  In verse 22, we find Martha’s faith in our Lord manifested.  John 11:22  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

 

4)  We do not like tribulation but tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, and experience hope!  1 Peter 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

Conclusion: I am learning to not mess with God’s time, way, or thoughts, as He knows what He is doing and what He does will be right.  God is never early nor late!  God will always be on time but “on time” will be in His time.

Waiting with Patience

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-23-2022

James 5:7-8; Romans 8:18-25

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Verse 7 of our text speaks of both "be patient," which is the present, and "long patience," which is endurance.  Paul spoke of this in the Book of Romans:

 

Romans 8:22-25  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  (23)  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  (24)  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  (25)  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

 

B.  Waiting in patience is tough to do.  There are times when we wait because we have no choice, but we do not wait in patience.  These are two words that we do not like:  Wait and Patience!

 

C.  One of the hardest things that you and I will ever do, is wait “open ended.”  To wait for something to happen but not knowing if it will happen tomorrow, next week, or next year.  It is so much easier to wait for something when you know the time of the event you are waiting for. 

 

D.  The Old Testament saints, with a few exceptions, waited for a period of 4,000 years—gave up on the promises of God and slept spiritually before the First Advent. 

 

E.  God’s men have preached over 2,000 years concerning the Second Advent or Second Coming of Christ. 

 

1.  In John 14, Our Lord said, “If I go away, I will come again.” 

 

2.  In Acts 1:11, the angel said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” 

 

F.  2 Thessalonians 3:5  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

 

G.  God is not in a hurry, we are.  If God can accomplish anything immediately and He can, then why does He often make us wait for the answers to our problems?  Often, His silences are hard to understand because His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are higher than ours.

 

H.  The word “patient,” in one form or another, is found 15x in 14 verses.  All but three are found in the New Testament.  Not that the Old Testament saints had no problem with patience, but the New Testament saints live in busier times with more things to distract.

 

J.  By being patient, James is not saying to just sit still and do nothing.  While we wait, we have things to do. 

 

1.  Rest In Patience - Psalms 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.  (I began with this one because I dealt with learning to rest in the Lord as we wait this morning.)

 

2.  Pray In Patience - Psalms 40:1  I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  (God has a time and we have a time.  Thus the human problem arises when we expect immediate answers to every prayer.  As the widow before the unjust judge, we need to continue to pray until the answer comes.)

 

3.  Continue In Patience - Romans 2:7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:  (Patient in godliness is one of our greatest witnessing tools.  People watch to see how long we will last.)

 

Hebrews 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

 

4.  Suffer In Patience - Romans 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;  (One of the harder aspects of patience is patient in suffering.)

 

1 Peter 2:20  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

 

5.  Fellowship In Patience - 1 Thessalonians 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.  (Love the brotherhood, though they may say and do things that offend.  (Be ye kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.  Christ set the example to follow.)

 

6.  Labor In Patience - 1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  (We plow, sow, water, watch, and wait for the fruit of our labors.)

 

7.  Witness In Patience - James 5:7-8  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.  (8)  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  (Never give up on a lost loved one!)

 

8.  Hope In Patience - Hebrews 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.  (“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  John 14:3) 

 

Patience’s Perfect Work

Temple Baptist Church - 6-9-2021

James 1:1-4

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Patience, one of the most hated words in our vocabulary.  Patience means that we do not get what we want when we want it.  Patience means that we have to sit tight and wait.

 

1.  I want what I want when I want it!  Do not look at me wide-eyed as you are just like me and most others.  I have always been one to

 

2.  I am not a “waiter,” I am a “worker.”  I hate to have a job sitting and staring at me. 

 

3.  I am over punctual!  If I am on time, I am 15 minutes late.  I will not make others wait on me; I wait on others because I value their time.

 

B.  That being said, my prayer is: “Lord, give me patience right now!”  PATIENCE - the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset:

 

C.  As a husband, father, and pastor—I strive to be patient with others.  Patience is essential and therefore a qualification for the pastorate.

 

1 Timothy 3:3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

 

1 Timothy 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.

 

D.  Patience is a virtue to be added to our faith.  2 Peter 1:5-6  “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  (6)  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;”

 

1.  Patiently waiting upon the Lord.  “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:” (Psalm 37:7)  He only works on His time schedule.

 

2.  Patience in continuance.  “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:” (Romans 2:7)

 

3.  Patience in tribulation.  “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” (Romans 12:12)

 

4.  Patience with all men.  “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”  (1 Timothy 5:14)

 

5.  Patience in suffering.  “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”  (1 Peter 2:20)

 

6.  Patience in hope.  “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”  (Romans 12:12)

 

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 

E.  Patience, patience, patience!  Romans 15:5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

 

F.  Now, to our text.  We joy in temptations because of who and what God does but we also joy because the trying of our faith worketh patience!

 

1.  Knowing this!  All of us need to understand that the trying of our faith is a good thing, not something to be hated.  We NEED patience!  Hebrews 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

 

2.  Worketh!  Patience is not an immediate thing; it is a progression that takes time.  Worketh - To fully accomplish, to finish, to fashion,

 

3.  But let!  To allow patience or not to allow patience is our part.  We have nothing to do with the “trying” of our faith because, as humans, we would never allow trials to happen in the first place.

 

4.  Have her perfect work!  Perfect – completeness, of full age, to accomplish, finish, fashion, to perform.

 

5.  The ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  Mature, complete, satisfied with the result!