When Your Plans Are Put on Hold: Finding God's Purpose in Delays

Title: When Your Plans Are Put on Hold: Finding God's Purpose in Delays

You’ve probably wondered why your plans sometimes don’t work out. Maybe you’ve felt the frustration of having your dreams put on hold. If you’re like me, you’ve experienced the disappointment of seeing your carefully laid plans fall apart. But what if these delays are part of God’s greater plan for your life?

In a recent sermon, we explored the idea that our plans, especially those we believe are God-centered, can often face opposition and obstacles. But these challenges are not the end of the story. They can be opportunities in disguise, leading us to grow in faith and trust in God’s timing.

Facing Opposition and Obstacles

Every Christian will face opposition. The Apostle Paul experienced this firsthand. In 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18, Paul writes about his deep desire to visit the Thessalonian believers but acknowledges that “Satan hindered us.” Paul’s plans were put on hold, not because he lacked faith, but because he faced real spiritual opposition.

Opposition often produces obstacles. For Paul, these obstacles included distance, time, and a lack of personnel. He was physically separated from the Thessalonians, worried about their faith, and had limited resources to support them. Yet, Paul didn’t let these obstacles stop him. Instead, he saw them as opportunities to focus on what mattered most.

Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

Paul’s response to these obstacles offers us a blueprint for our own lives. Here are three ways Paul turned his obstacles into opportunities:

1. Focus on What Matters Most: Paul used his time apart from the Thessalonians to pray for them and encourage them through letters. He reminded them that their faith and love were his “hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). When your plans are put on hold, take the time to refocus on your relationship with God and the people He has placed in your life.

2. Recruit Others to Help: Paul couldn’t be with the Thessalonians, so he sent Timothy to support and encourage them. Timothy was a young believer, but Paul saw his potential and invested in him. Who can you recruit to help you achieve your God-centered goals? Investing in others not only helps you but also builds up the body of Christ.

3. Seek God’s Guidance Through Prayer: Paul prayed earnestly for the Thessalonians, asking God to “direct our way to you” and to “make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all” (1 Thessalonians 3:11-12). When faced with obstacles, turn to prayer. Seek God’s guidance and trust that He is working all things for your good.

Conclusion

The point is, Jesus wants your whole heart, even when your plans are put on hold. What will you do this week to trust Him more? Will you refocus on what matters most, invest in others, and seek God’s guidance through prayer? Remember, opposition and obstacles are inevitable, but letting them take you out of the race is optional.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the reminder that our plans are in Your hands. Help us to trust You when our plans are put on hold. Give us the wisdom to see obstacles as opportunities to grow in faith and to invest in others. Guide us through prayer and strengthen our hearts to follow Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

2024-08-18 Why Biblical Preaching Matters

Title: Why Biblical Preaching Matters

You might wonder why preaching is such a big deal in our worship services. Have you ever thought about what makes a sermon impactful or why it should matter to you? Imagine walking into church and treating the worship service like a buffet, picking and choosing what you want to engage with. But what if I told you that preaching is not just another item on the menu, but the main course that nourishes your soul? Let's dive into why biblical preaching is essential and how it can transform your life.

What is Biblical Preaching?

Biblical preaching is more than just a speech or a monologue. It’s the oral communication of God's Word through a commissioned messenger to a given audience. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, emphasizes that preaching involves both a message and a messenger. The message is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the messenger is someone whose life aligns with the message they preach.

Paul and his team worked tirelessly, not to burden the Thessalonians, but to bring them the good news of Jesus. They lived devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly among the believers, ensuring that their conduct matched their message. This alignment between message and messenger is crucial for biblical preaching to be effective.

Why Does Biblical Preaching Matter?

You might ask, "Why should I care about biblical preaching?" The answer is simple: because it has the power to change lives. The gospel is not just a set of ideas or moral teachings; it is the life-giving Word of God. When you hear biblical preaching, you are not just listening to a man speak; you are hearing God speak through that man to your heart.

Paul's preaching was centered on the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. He didn't rely on eloquent wisdom or persuasive words but on the power of God. This power is what transforms lives, freeing us from the penalty and power of sin and ultimately from its presence.

How Should You Listen to Biblical Preaching?

Listening to a sermon is not a passive activity. To get the most out of biblical preaching, you need to listen expectantly so that God's Word can work effectively in your life. Here are three ways to do that:

1. Welcome the Word: Approach the sermon with a joyful and open heart. Recognize that the message is not just human words but the Word of God. When you welcome the message with joy, you are more likely to receive it deeply.

2. Receive the Word: Let the message penetrate your heart. Don't just hear it; internalize it. Allow God's Word to challenge and change you. The Thessalonians received Paul's message and let it transform their lives.

3. Believe the Word: Be convinced that what you are hearing is true. Faith in the gospel is what activates its power in your life. When you believe God's Word, it works effectively in you, bringing about real change.

Conclusion

So, why does biblical preaching matter? Because it is through preaching that the Spirit of God takes the Word of God and applies it to the child of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified in the church of God. This week, I challenge you to approach the next sermon you hear with an open heart, ready to welcome, receive, and believe the Word of God. What steps will you take to let God's Word work effectively in your life?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word and the power it has to transform our lives. Help us to welcome, receive, and believe Your message with open hearts. May Your Spirit work effectively in us, so that we may glorify Your Son, Jesus, in all that we do. Amen.