Waiting For Your Miracle

City Church of Chattanooga
Sermon Series: Do You Need A Miracle?
Message Six: WAITING FOR YOUR MIRACLE
Pastor Mike Chapman
One of the most disturbing discoveries we make in the
life of faith is that God does not operate according to our
time schedule. This is particularly difficult for American
Christians because we are used to getting everything in an
instant.
The interim between asking and receiving can be a very
precarious time for us. Our faith may become frustrated,
and we become vulnerable to attacks of the enemy, who
would make us think that a delay is a denial.
WHY WE HAVE TO WAIT
Sometimes, God waits until we are mature enough to
handle the blessing.
Galatians 4:1, As long as an heir is a minor, he has no
advantage over a slave. (Message)
God may be testing the sincerity of our request.
Hebrews 11:6, He rewards those who sincerely seek
him. (NLT)
God uses delays to strengthen our character.
James 1:3, 4, When your faith is tested, your
endurance has a chance to grow…when your
endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in
character, ready for anything. (NLT)
God often withholds the answer until the blessing
becomes of secondary importance.
Hebrews 11:6, He rewards those who sincerely seek
him. (NLT)
God rewards those who desire his fellowship more than
his favors.
God’s timing is perfect and his delays are redemptive.
There are two aspects of faith: (1) The initial act of trust
and (2) The “hanging on” trust.
Hebrews 10:32-39, shows us the three essential
ingredients of hanging on faith: confidence, obedience,
and endurance…
Don’t ever forget those early days when you first learned
about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even
though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were
exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and
sometimes you helped others who were suffering the
same things. You suffered along with those who were
thrown into jail. When all you owned was taken from
you, you accepted it with joy. You knew you had better
things waiting for you in eternity. Do not throw away this
confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens.
Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient
endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to
do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has
promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will
come and not delay. And a righteous person will live by
faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone one who
turns away.” But we are not like those who turn their
backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that
assures our salvation.
MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE BASED ON GOD’S PAST
FAITHFULNESS
Don’t throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no
matter what happens. (v. 35)
Confidence is conspicuous courage in the face of
adversity.
This confidence is based on remembering.
Twice he said, “Remember,” and said, “Don’t ever
forget.”
Psalm 77:11, I will remember the deeds of the Lord.
Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
CONTINUE TO DO GOD’S WILL.
So you will continue to do God’s will. (v. 36)
Faith is not idle. It works while it waits.
Obedience is a central part of our faith.
Psalm 37:3, Trust in the Lord and do good.
While you wait, keep your obedience up to date.
ENDURE WITH HOPE.
Patient endurance is what you need now. V. 36)
This is athletic language.
“steadfastness, constancy, staying power.”
Faith never escapes testing.
1 Peter 1:6, 7, So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy
ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure
many trials for a while. These trials are only to test
your faith, to show that it is strong and pure.
Faith endures because of future anticipation.
In a little while, the Coming One will come and not
delay.
This grammatical expression teaches us that it is part
of God’s nature to come to us. God is always coming
to his children.
Psalm 130:6, My soul waits for the Lord more than the
watchman waits for the morning.
GOD’S PEOPLE LIVE BY FAITH!
Hebrews 11:1, What is faith? It is the confident assurance
that what we hope for is gong to happen. It is the evidence
of those things we cannot yet see. (NLT)

Series: Do You Need a Miracle? - City Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
Denomination: Church of God
Author(s): Dr. Mike Chapman

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