These are my notes from Sunday’s sermon at the Pentecostal church. It might be a little disjointed because it is just notes, it’s not meant to be a polished article. I hope it’s of benefit to somebody.
This was actually an awesome, honest sermon – the Christian life is hard. We pray & things seem to get harder. Learning lessons is painful.
Don’t listen to the health and wealth prosperity gospel that tells you that you will get it all if you just do A, B and C. It’s not that simple.
“Count it all blessing when trials and temptations come.”
Between the vision and the season of fruition is an ‘out of season’ waiting period. Waiting for the breakthrough is the crucial time.
The day-to-day challenges of life are what move us towards the fruition of the vision.
It took Jesus 30 years before he moved into ministry. Before he came into the fullness of his destiny.
Focus on the small things to change the big things.
Luke 8:40 Jairus’ daughter. Jesus was on his way.
The woman with the issue of blood had waited 12 years. She had tried many things to be healed.
She grabbed hold of Jesus when the opportunity arose and was healed. “Your faith has healed you”.
Jairus was a synagogue leader, he must have been desperate to go to Jesus.
The woman delays Jesus, (and the girl dies). Did Jairus think she had got in the way of his miracle?
Seeing others get their breakthrough, miracle, healing, job, promotion etc. Makes us stop looking at Jesus and look jealously at them.
What about me, God?!
Then things get worse! The girl dies!
The breakthrough is impossible now! God! You missed your chance!
But Jairus doesn’t complain. He doesn’t listen when he is told “Don’t bother the teacher any more”.
Jairus trusts Jesus’ promise that he will go to his house.
“She’s not dead, she’s only sleeping.” The family doubts, but Jesus is confident, He knows the unlimited power of God.
Jesus brings life. But it might take him a while to get there.
God works on Cornish time.
We must live at peace with God’s promises. Even when Jesus’ attention seems to be elsewhere. Wait until he arrives.
Luke 8:22 Jesus calms the storm. The disciples fear they will lose their lives.
Jesus was fast asleep in the boat.
‘Waking Jesus up’ with prayer. He calms the sea but then rebukes them: “O ye of little faith”!
The disciples panicked. But Jairus did not panic.
Jesus is there in the boat, but we should know he has destiny on his life, everything will be alright. We don’t need to panic.
Jesus will bring to completion what he sets out to do. His word will not return to him void. You are in safe hands.
Luke 2: The prophetess Anna: waits in the temple, waited her whole lifetime to hear Jesus. Her faithfulness to the promise was incredible. She was 84 years old when she saw the fulfilment of the promise.
God is no liar. “All the promises of God in Christ are yea and Amen.”
Worry will not add one day to your life.
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness 40 years. Why? Because they did not trust God.
In the reality of God, all things are possible. Even when hope seems dead and buried.
You have a God for whom *all things are possible*.
If the promises are from God, they will come to fruition.
You need to be in a child-like place of trusting. You can trust Him because you are a child of God.
Are you in a place of peace?
We must understand the premise of resting and waiting on the Lord.
Jesus understood rest, taking time out to be with the Father. He was okay with the enormity of his destiny. He was at peace.
Get your eyes off other people’s blessings. Fix your eyes upon Jesus.
Apply yourself to the Word, we can hold the Word accountable. Walk, stand on the promises. Trust that they will come eventually.
Do the simple things well, because that’s what you are given now, on the way to your destiny.
City Borg on the Prairie 