Sunday Words of Encouragement December 12, 2018

Our Sunday School teacher led an interesting discussion on 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 concerning married life. This was a good lesson. We had a nice worship service and then pastor continued his sermon series, Celebrate Christmas.

Last week the focus was on Wonder. Today the message focused on Waiting. There is always a time of build up to Christmas. There is Anticipation. Something exciting is coming. There is hopeful expectation.

When we are waiting do we fill our time with distractions or patient waiting? We should have a building expectation.

Luke 2:22-35 tells the story of two people who had waited patiently, anticipating and expecting a wonderful thing. Simeon was waiting to see the Messiah before he died, and the Holy Spirit urged him to go to the Temple that day. When he held the baby Jesus he proclaimed: ‘I have seen your salvation, prepared for all Nations’. Anna, the Prophetess, was eighty-four years old spending each day at the temple. She came to the child and parents; she gave thanks to God and “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Point: Waiting on God will lead us to the place God wants us at the time He wants us there.

Waiting will lead to the right time and place, just like Simeon. When we are following the Holy Spirit, God is speaking to us. If we will listen.

How well do you wait? Do you wait with a building grudge or do you wait with growing expectation?

God more often says “wait” for Him rather than “hurry”. Although He might say ‘hurry’ to accept the gift of Christ.

Isaiah 40:31 tells what will happen for those who wait upon the Lord...

We need to train ourselves to wait and enjoy the wait; allow our expectancy to grow.
Negative attitude toward waiting creates cynicism. A positive anticipation develops excitement.
Practice waiting on God. Pair your waiting with a growing expectancy.

What are you waiting for?
Don’t put the emphasis on the time of the wait but focus on the what.

Believers are waiting for salvation.
God is waiting for You to accept His precious gift.

This is a song we sang this morning.
We Wait for God and We Adore Him!

Verses for Today
Luke 2:29:32 NIV
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”