True Love Waits on God
True love waits on God, and when we do, He works and brings about a new plan, often different from what we expected.
The preacher delves into the concept of 'sunteleia,' meaning completion or consummation, as a term rich in eschatological significance used in both the Old and New Testaments to describe the end of the age. This term is particularly emphasized in apocalyptic or prophetic portions of Scripture, such as in the book of Daniel. The sermon explores how 'sunteleia' is intricately tied to the final events of history and the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes.
Text
For those who thus wait, God works; and as surely as men wait for Him while He works for them, there will come to them, presently, the clarion call to arise and cooperate. When it comes, the plan is almost invariably a different one from that which had been expected. "In ways we looked not for," said the prophet, "Thou hast wrought for us in the past." Is not that the history of every forward movement in the economy of God? A period of darkness, a period of desolation, a period of difficulty in which His people were brought to the point of knowing that they did not know and understanding that they could not understand.
A period of being clever enough to be done with their own cleverness, and then, while they waited, a period of adjusting their lives to God, severing all ties that held them, abandoning all prejudices that paralyzed, putting an end to every effort that was likely to conflict with the practical definite command and program and plan. When the call comes, it is almost invariably to something new and surprising and startling, in the doing of which we seem to have to go back upon things that we have said and done in the past.
The peril of the people of God is always that they shall be so wedded to yesterday that they are no ready for God's tomorrow; or that they shall be so busy today making their programs that when God brings His program, their own arrangements interfere with the carrying out of His will.
Sermon Outline
- Waiting on God
- The Unexpected Plan
- The Peril of Being Unprepared
- Being wedded to yesterday
- Interfering with God's will
- Adjusting to God's plan
Key Quotes
“In ways we looked not for, Thou hast wrought for us in the past.” — G. Campbell Morgan
“The peril of the people of God is always that they shall be so wedded to yesterday that they are not ready for God's tomorrow;” — G. Campbell Morgan
Application Points
- We must be willing to let go of our own ways and programs to follow God's plan.
- Cooperating with God is key to being ready for His tomorrow.
- We must be willing to adjust to God's plan, even if it's different from what we expected.