Moments of peace are precious. When we find them, we hold on tight and pray they last. But there’s a peace that goes beyond our understanding — beyond the pain and fear we face today. This Christmas season, if you’ve been Missing Peace, come discover it with us! SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER
Message Series: MISSING PEACE
Today: Why Is God Making Me Wait?
Text(s): Matthew 1:20-23 (NLT), Galatians 4:4-5 (NLT)
Pastor Tom Cogle
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Matthew 1:20-23 NLT
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
Isaiah 7:14 NLT
The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
Intertestamental Period: 400-year period after the Old Testament ends and before the New Testament begins.
While you are waiting, God is working.
Galatians 4:4-5 NLT
4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.
5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.
pleroma chronou—complete, full measure, the perfect time
But when the time was right … Galatians 4:4 CEV
But when the fullness of time had come …
Galatians 4:4 ESV
God’s delays are not necessarily God’s denials.
Isaiah 64:4 NKJV
For since the beginning of the world
Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,
Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,
Who acts for the one who waits for Him.
2 Peter 3:9 NLT
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
What if the God you are waiting for is waiting for you?
TALK IT OVER
Has there ever been a time when you wondered whether God was actually at work in a season of waiting, only to later find out that He was? What happened?
It’s important to not waste our waiting. What do you think that looks like, practically?
Have you been waiting on something? What are some ways you can lean on God and trust what He’s doing in the middle of your waiting?