
Introduction
For this particular study, I have chosen the picture of a mother pregnant with a Baby. A baby is not born overnight. Once conceived a baby takes at least ten months before being formed into the fullness and ready to see the light of this world. In the meantime, the mother has to wait patiently and take great care of her unborn, until the time appointed for the birth will come to pass.
The bible says that God also has an appointed time for everything.
“For everything, there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NET)
God is always on time and there are many examples of people in the Bible, who patiently waited for God to move in their life. Abraham is one such man and tonight in our group study we will learn from the life of Abraham. There are many sermons and studies that deal with Abraham’s bright side. For this particular study, however, we are going to consider three mistakes he made.
Read Genesis 15:1-6; 16:1-16
1. Lacked a Receptive Attitude
Genesis 15:1-3
A. Abraham is one of the few people in the Old Testament to enjoy privilege of hearing from God in person. God’s message to Abraham was three fold. He gave assurance to his servant (Do not be afraid), promised divine protection (I’m your shield) and to give great rewards (your very great reward).
B. God’s message was a message of hope. But Abraham was a prisoner of his circumstances. He questioned God’s ability (…what can you give me…?) and complained (…you have given me no children…). God offered him hope. But he was a prisoner of his circumstances.
C. God offers us hope through his word every day. But we miss because we haven’t taken time to grow a receptive attitude. A receptive attitude is essential if we want to wait for God’s appointed time. Without it, our faith will suffer.
2. Attempted to fit God into a Box
Genesis 15:4-5
A. Abraham wanted nothing but a son and an heir. His expectations were narrow. But God’s plan was much broader and higher. He wanted to produce a whole nation through Abraham’s offspring.
B. Abraham’s only concern was what he wanted to do with his life. Not what God wanted to do with it. Waiting can get very uncomfortable when we try to fit God into a box.
C. We need to accept that waiting is all about God and what he wants to do with us. Not even our wildest dreams can fathom the glorious things he wants to accomplish with our lives.
3. Failed to exercise Discernment
Genesis 16:1-16
A. The Bible often portrays her as a woman of feeble faith or no faith at all, (Genesis 18:12). She grew tired of waiting and told Abraham to lay with her servant and have a son.
B. The English Standard Version says, “And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” It’s very sad that Abraham lacked sound discernment when he needed it most. God had promised Abraham in person that he will have a son. Abraham should have told her about the promise instead of listening to her.
C. We hear many voices while we wait for God’s appointed time. It’s not wrong to consider other people’s opinion but we need to exercise discernment. Discernment often sounds like a mysterious verb but it’s not. To discern means to weigh the voices we hear against God’s word. Any voice, if it is not in line with God’s word, is against his word.
Conclusion
In closing, if God has promised you something you will have to wait for its fulfillment. It can be a day, week, month, years or even a lifetime (Abraham waited for 100 years before his promised son was born). We do not know. Some of us will not see the fruit of our waiting until the next life. (Abraham did not live long enough to see his offspring become a nation.) But God is worth the wait. Therefore I urge you tonight to keep your hopes alive. It’s my prayer that the three truths I shared with you tonight will help you to do just that.
Image: Vanessa Porter
If this sermon was helpful to you, please consider leaving your feedback in the comments section at the bottom. It would be a great encouragement to me personally.
God led me to speak about “God’s appointed time”. That’s how I came here and was much blessed by these insightful truths about Abraham.
Sermon on how to wait for God’s appointed time is insightful.
This is really inspiring and challenging. Thanks and more unction.
Very fulfilling message. More grace unto you, Sirs.
I understand much better now.
Wonderful teachings. Thank you for the marvelous insights and the reminder.
I was strenghtened by this sermon on waiting. I feel so fortunate because everything is in God’s control and waiting patiently by faith is pleasing to God.
I have a fellowship program to attend where I’m to preach on the topic “Revive Thy work oh Lord”. As I saw your posts on revival, it assisted me and gave my teaching another dimension. Your work is appreciated here in Nigeria. More divine inspiration to you Sir.
I was led to Habakkuk 2:3 while I was praying. I prayed it over my son but stopped. Then I was led to the same tonight. In the mean time I found what you wrote here and it made sense and was helpful. Thank you and God Bless.
Great study.
This is a real treasure of well put together material. May God bless you richly for allowing us to be a part of this. I am excited to dig deeper into God’s Word with these materials and I want to start being the evangelist spoken to me 40 years ago. The very first one I read was “God’s appointed time” – Once again, God bless you very much.
I am indeed blessed by your messages. Could you please send more sermons directly on my email. Thank you and God bless you.
This study and the sermon on waiting on the Lord has really propped me up. May the Lord himself bless the writer bountifully.
This is wonderful and inspiring indeed. Keep up the lords work and He will bless you.
Thanks.
Sir, your messages are so encouraging, I will be grateful if you can send them to my e-mail address. Thanks.
Remain blessed.
I like the titles of the sermons in your site and I would like you to send them into my mail. Thank you.
Dear Brother in Christ Greetings to you in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Your website is very useful for me and it inspired and motivated me to stand firm in the Lord’s Ministry. I Pray for you and for your ministries . May God of Hosts shall pour His blessings on you and in your ministries as well as your efforts that you have taken to bless the mankind .
Yours Lovingly
B.V. Moses {Pastor}
South India
Quite practical indeed. Understanding the appointed time is truly important as sometimes we tend to want to rush things – yet there is the right time for which we can have the necessary outcome. Abraham as an example is a good one which I think really brings out the point. Be blessed.