VITAL LESSONS AT YEAR END!

Posted by larry on 30-Dec-2000

( John 11:1-16 )
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 30 & 31 December 2000

Today, I would like to share with you some foundational truths which hopefully will help you make sense of what has happened this past year and renew your faith in the coming year.

I. THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM (:4, 11-15)

In verses 4 and 15 we see an important principle: As bad as things seemed…God was doing something good.

  • Where we see conflict…God sees a training ground for character (Romans 5:3-5).
  • Where we see pain…God sees a tool to wean our hearts from that which is temporary (2 Cor.1:4).
  • What we call a burden…God calls a chance to develop empathy (2 Cor.1:4).
  • Where we see struggle…God sees a laboratory for building faith (2 Cor.1:9).
  • Where we see hardship…God sees a pulpit through which He can show His grace (Phil. 1).
  • What we call suffering…God may call discipline (Heb.12:5-11).

Read 1 Kings 6:11-7

II. GOD’S “DELAYS” ARE NOT GOD’S DENIALS (:6)

DIVINE DELAYS MEANT TO DEVELOP US NOT DISCOURAGE US

Jesus is told that His good friend is dying and then he delays for two days! God’s delay are always designed to develop us not discourage us. Here are some of the reasons God may delay or be silent:

  • Delays of Mercy: By saying nothing, God may be extending His mercy to us, giving us time to repent. It is also possible that He is simply withholding knowledge that would devastate us. Rather than being mad at God for not doing what we think He should, we should learn to be grateful that He sometimes hides the truths that would overwhelm us.
  • Delays to Develop Faith: In many ways the hardest part of Job’s troubles was that for a long time God would not answer him. There are times when God wants to see how much confidence we have in Him – if we will persist in knocking on the door until it opens.
  • Delays Waiting for an Opportunity: Often God is waiting for us to get quiet so that He can work.
  • Delays of Preparation: Sometimes God delays to prepare us with the tools we need or to prepare the circumstances. Sometimes we ask for things we are not prepared to receive.
  • Delays Past Finding Out: The Bible tells us that God’s ways are unsearchable. There are some times as with Job that are never explained.

III. GOD CAN TURN OBSTABLES INTO OPPORTUNITIES (:4)

This sickness…it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it (:4). The circumstance will be turned around into divine moments of glory.

2001 is going to be a difficult year. The wise will know how to prepare for it now. 2001 as a year of obstacles will also be a year of opportunity. Economy downturn for many will be an economic upturn for some. Resolve now that for 2001 you will look for opportunities rather than obstacles. 2001 for the church is going to be a Year of Mobilization. We mobilize in order to seize the opportunities to “win souls, touch live and reach nations!”

Read: Revelation 3: 7,8

IV. YOU DON’T “HAVE TO” – YOU “CHOOSE TO” (:16)

Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Now on the one hand we applaud Thomas’s willingness to die with Christ. However, what I want you to see is Thomas’ negative attitude. He doesn’t see the possibility of a miracles, the chance to comfort good friends. He sees the worst.

Charles Swindoll: The longer I lie the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.

As you stand at the beginning of a New Year, determine that you are not going to look back a year from now regretting the time you wasted with anxiety. Take control of your attitude. Resolve that you will cultivate a positive outlook in life, based on God’s Word. Attitude of encouragement, of genuine joy. “It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that will determine your altitude!

CONCLUSION

The most important thing you can do for yourself in 2001 is put your thinking in order. If you can solidify the foundational principles of your life everything else will come naturally.

  1. Things are not always what they seem. Bad things are not always bad.
  2. God’s delays are not God’s denials. When God says “wait” He does not want to discourage us… but to develop us.
  3. God can turn your obstacles into opportunities for His glory!… Focus on the opportunities.
  4. We have the choice of what our attitude will be.

We can sum it up with a simple creed that I try to live by and have shared with you often:

God is in control…He loves you…He never, ever, makes a mistake.


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