At Christ Church 2025 is a year of renewed Faith. This is the sermon preached at Christ Church Sunday February 2, 2025.
Scripture Reading:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV) "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
Text:
Psalms 27:14 NIV Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
In our fast-paced world, patience is often in short supply. We expect immediate results and instant gratification. But faith in God's timing is a foundational aspect of our spiritual journey. The scripture that James read this morning, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, reminds us that there is a time for everything, and this divine timetable is perfect, even if it doesn't line up with our own timetable.
Trusting God's Timing
The story of Abraham and Sarah exemplifies the challenge and beauty of waiting on God's timing, and in the book of Hebrews they were commended for it.
Hebrews 11:8-12 NIV [8] By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. [9] By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. [10] For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. [11] And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. [12] And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
God's timing is part of His perfect plan for us. Our role is to trust and remain patient, knowing that His timing is always for our best.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Trusting God's timing requires a deep level of faith, patience, and surrender. It's about recognizing that God's ways are higher than our ways and that His plans are always for our good, even when we don't understand them.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV says [8] “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. [9] “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Let’s look at a few examples from scripture of people that waited and trusted in God’s timing.
We already talked about Abraham and Sarah who waited 25 years for a son.
Abraham was 75 when God first told him to leave his home and go somewhere he had never been before, he was an old man then and then he was 100 when Isaac was born. That’s 25 years,
Joseph waited 13 years from the time that he was sold into slavery and imprisoned until he was appointed governor of Egypt.
Though anointed king by Samuel as a youth, likely a teenager, David endured years of hardship before finally ascending the throne.
How about Noah.
God instructed Noah to build an ark, a massive undertaking that would take many years. Noah didn't know exactly when the flood would come, but he trusted God's instructions and timing, and he faithfully worked on the ark.
After the ark was completed, Noah and his family had to wait for God's appointed time for the flood to begin. This required patience and trust, as they didn't know when it would happen.
The flood itself lasted a long time, and Noah and his family were confined to the ark. They had to trust that God would protect them and bring them safely through the ordeal in His own time.
Even after the rain stopped, Noah and his family had to wait for the waters to recede before they could leave the ark. Again, this required patience and faith in God's timing.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, yes to God's call to bear the Messiah required immense trust in God's plan and timing. She accepted the responsibility and the potential social implications, trusting that God would work everything according to His purpose.
Luke 1:38 NIV [38] “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Zechariah and Elizabeth the parents of John the Baptist were a elderly couple who had longed for a child, but Elizabeth was barren. The entire account is in Luke chapter 1.
Their story illustrates trusting God's timing for fulfilling promises. God's timing was perfect, and their son, John the Baptist, became the forerunner of Jesus.
Then there's Simeon and Anna. These two devout individuals waited patiently for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, they encountered the infant Jesus in the temple, recognizing Him as the promised Savior.
Their stories are in Luke chapter 2. .
Their steadfast faith and trust in God's timing were rewarded.
The Disciples had to learn to trust in God's timing after Jesus's ascension. They waited for the Holy Spirit to come upon them, as Jesus had promised, and then embarked on their mission to spread the Gospel.
Acts 1:4-5 NIV [4] On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:1-4 NIV [1] When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Paul's conversion experience on the road to Damascus dramatically altered the course of his life. That conversion experience is recorded in Acts 9:1-17.
Acts 9:15-16 NIV [15] But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. [16] I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
He trusted in God's call and timing for his ministry, enduring trials and hardships as he spread the Gospel.
Paul's letters often emphasize the importance of trusting in God's perfect timing for salvation and the unfolding of His plan.
Galatians 4:4-5 NIV [4] But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Jesus Himself frequently referred to His "hour" or "appointed time.
John 12:23-26 NIV [23] Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. [24] Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. [25] Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
In His final prayer before His arrest, Jesus acknowledges that the appointed time had arrived.
John 17:1-5 NIV [1] After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. [2] For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. [3] Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. [4] I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. [5] And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus was aware of a divine timetable. He understood that His life and ministry were unfolding according to God's plan. Jesus submitted to God's timing. He didn't rush ahead or shrink back, but faithfully waited for the appointed hour.
Even though He knew His "hour" would involve suffering and death, He willingly embraced it out of obedience to His Father.
Those are examples from scripture but how about some more recent examples;
Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who, along with her family, helped Jews hide from the Nazis during World War II. They were eventually arrested and sent to concentration camps. Corrie endured horrific suffering, but she maintained her faith and trust in God's love and plan, even in the darkest of times. After the war, she dedicated her life to sharing her story and teaching about forgiveness and reconciliation.
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his fight against apartheid in South Africa. Throughout his imprisonment, he remained steadfast in his belief that apartheid would be overthrown and that a just and equal society would be established. He emerged from prison as a symbol of hope and reconciliation, leading South Africa through a peaceful transition to democracy.
Let me give you another one, the television personality Kathie Lee Gifford. Her life has included significant periods of waiting and loss.
Before her long run on "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee," she worked in local television and faced rejections. She experienced the loss of her husband, Frank Gifford, and has spoken about the challenges of navigating grief and finding new purpose. This involved a period of waiting and healing.
While she hasn't always explicitly used the phrase "waiting on God's timing," her public statements and life story reflect it.
She has spoken about her faith and how it has sustained her through difficult times indicating her belief that there is a purpose to life's journey, even when it involves waiting or hardship.
These people, from different times and circumstances, all share a common thread: they faced challenges and uncertainties, but they chose to trust in a greater plan and wait patiently for God's timing to unfold. Their stories remind us that even when we don't understand what's happening, we can have faith that God is working in our lives and that good will ultimately prevail.
Romans 8:28-29 NIV [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Faith and Patience
In his letter James uses the analogy of a farmer waiting for the land to yield its valuable crop, emphasizing patience. Planting seeds is an act of faith. The farmer trusts that with proper care and time, the seed will germinate, grow, and eventually yield a harvest. This requires a long-term perspective and the ability to delay gratification.
James 5:7-8 NIV [7] Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. [8] You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Weather patterns, pests, and unforeseen challenges are always a possibility in farming. A successful farmer must be patient and resilient, adapting to changing conditions and weathering setbacks without losing hope.
Farming requires consistent effort – watering, weeding, and protecting the crops. It's a gradual process, and the farmer must be patient enough to nurture the growth and resist the urge to rush things.
The farmer's patience serves as a powerful metaphor for many aspects of life, reminding us that good things often take time and that perseverance is key to achieving our goals. The farmer teaches us the value of patience and steadfastness in our faith journey.
How can we show faith in God's timing today?
Here’s a couple of examples;
1. How about when we face some health challenge?
Trusting in God’s timing means:
Accepting the Situation: Accepting the limitations imposed by the illness and focusing on what you can control.
It means finding Joy in the Present Moment: Appreciating the small blessings and finding ways to enjoy life despite the challenges.
It means believing that God is working in your life, even if the healing process takes longer than expected.
2. How about when we are waiting for a breakthrough whether it's a project, a personal goal, or a breakthrough in a difficult situation, trusting God's timing means:
Persisting in Prayer: Continuing to pray for guidance and strength, even when it feels like nothing is happening.
It means Learning from and through the Waiting Period: Using the time to grow in patience, perseverance, and reliance on God.
James 1:2-4 NIV [2] Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3] because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. [4] Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
When we trust in God’s timing we can Celebrate Small Victories: Acknowledging and appreciating the progress made, even if it's not the ultimate breakthrough yet.
We can wait with hope and trust knowing that God will renew our strength during times of waiting and He offers us this powerful promise
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV [28] Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. [29] He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [30] Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Learning from the Past
When we look back, over our lives we often realize that God's timing was perfect in our lives, even when we didn't understand it at the time.
As Romans 8:28-30 reminds us,
Romans 8:28-30 NIV [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Conclusion
Faith in God's timing requires trust, patience, and a deep understanding that His plans are far greater than ours. As we navigate life's uncertainties, let us remember what
Psalms 27:14 NIV says [14] Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Prayer
Lord, we come before you today, acknowledging that your ways are higher than our ways, and your timing is perfect, even when it doesn't make sense to us. We've heard the message today about waiting on your timing, and sometimes, Lord, that feels so difficult. We live in a world that prizes instant gratification, where we want everything now. Help us to resist that pressure and instead cultivate a spirit of patience.
We confess that we often get ahead of you, trying to force things to happen in our own way and in our own time. Forgive us for those moments of impatience, for those times when we doubt your goodness and your plan for our lives.
We know, Lord, that trials and challenges come, and often those are the very times when waiting feels the hardest. But we also know, from your Word, that these trials can produce endurance, perseverance, and ultimately, hope. Help us to embrace those difficult seasons, trusting that you are using them to shape us and mold us into the people you want us to be.
Give us the grace to wait patiently, not passively, but actively seeking you, learning from you, and preparing ourselves for the opportunities you have in store for us. Help us to discern your voice, to recognize your hand at work in our lives, and to trust that your timing is always best.
We ask for the strength to surrender our own desires and timelines to your perfect will. Help us to find peace in the waiting, knowing that you are with us, even in the midst of uncertainty. May our faith grow stronger as we learn to trust in your perfect timing.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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