THE HONORABLE ART OF WAITING

Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Luke 8:40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no  gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

 

Adapted from Lee Roberson by Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Waiting can be disastrous. It can be boring. It can produce stress even if you are not doing anything. Many people today cannot wait for a light to change without pulling out a mobile device and texting or something else- often causing others to wait on them! But waiting can be productive. It can be interesting. Waiting can be a blessing. There is an art to waiting that it behooves us all to learn.

 

God told mankind often that the Messiah, the Christ, the Saviour would come and man had to wait, ant then, “when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. To redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal. 4:4-5).

 

And now He has left again but with this promise, “I will come again” (Jn. 14:3). We are urged to be ready. We are encouraged to be stedfast, to watch, to occupy to love His appearing. Now consider three things regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our waiting for His return.

 

I. THE PROMINENCE OF HIS SECOND COMING - 1st Peter 1:11

 

No truth is mentioned so much in the entire Bible. Both Testaments repeatedly mention the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. When the Bible speaks of our Saviour two truths stand out, as seen in 1st Peter 1:11, sufferings and glory.

 

1. David Spoke of this [Psalm 22-the Psalm of Sobs, and Psalm 24- the Psalm of Glory]

 

2. Isaiah spoke of this [9:6, 53:1-12]

 

3. Paul spoke of this [Hebrews 2:9]

 

II. THE POWER OF HIS SECOND COMING

 

1. Power to Comfort [1 Th. 4:13-18]

 

2. Power to Charge [2 Tm. 4:1]

 

-it will awaken our consciousness to the nearness of Christ- He is near!

-it will increase our faith in God [knowing what He has done already, what He is doing, what He will do]

-it will increase our zeal for souls- we want folks to be ready, the time is short

 

3. Power to Cleanse [2 Pet. 3:14-18, 1 Jn. 2:28-3:3

 

III. THE PURPOSE OF HIS SECOND COMING

 

1. It will bring us into His Presence [Jn. 14:3, 1 Th. 4:17]

2. It will change us into His Likeness [Ps. 17:15, Phil. 3:20-21, 1 Jn. 3:2]

3. It will complete His Promises [2 Pet. 3:3-13]