Sermons from Good News: Thank God for good fathers

Note: In this season, God is continuing to till my heart. Of the points in the message below, Point #5 hit me the most because it is absolutely apropos. [When we face delays, God may be building your faith] I still struggle with waiting, whether it's on God or on anyone (or anything) else. Over the last month, however (and probably longer), I've had both some deep longings unearthed, as well as some long-held idols exposed to my awareness that I've been working to surrender. Another thing I still struggle with is trusting that the rewards granted for enduring various trials are worth those trials, for a milieu of reasons. It's one of the many reasons why sticking close to Jesus is that crucial, and why the remedy in this case and in many cases is simply to get my focus off the situation and onto Him. Two recent passages that God has highlighted have really been giving me food for deep thought (bold emphases are mine, which I will expound upon further below):

Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die):

Remove falsehood and lies far from me;

Give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me;

Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the Lord?”

Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.

Proverbs 30:7-9, NKJV

Even though the below passage immediately precedes the above passage, I felt God highlight this to me after He had brought to mind the above passage. Therefore, I'm sharing these in this order:

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

Proverbs 30:5-6, NKJV

So much to unpack, but so as not to steal from the notes of the below sermon, I'll just state this much: I've been guilty of adding to His words (consciously or subconsciously), and I remember one of the words I received at my previous church 10 years ago (among many words of encouragement) was a stern warning: do not self-edit God's voice. I agreed with that warning then, and still do now. But as I look back, I find that I've been doing that.

The other conviction has to do with my continued idolization of riches. While it's not wrong to dream about a successful and abundant life, the other thing I've been recently convicted of is idolizing the various forms of riches, that the riches are for me (emphasis on self). The difference between dreaming vs idolizing is whether or not I feel at peace with my present circumstances, particularly the waiting. And the prescription is still the same: get your eyes off your circumstances (and the frustration of waiting) and back onto Jesus. Even when I still struggle to understand or believe in the reward (God will continue to help me with that), having my eyes back on Jesus is still the critical step.

Church 6/17/2023

Offertory scripture:

Jeremiah 29:11

Don’t give up. Keep running after God.

Sermon notes:

Thesis: Thank God for good fathers.

A father’s job is to protect their children, to love our children, and to train their children.

Proverbs 22:6

If you had a good father, thank God for him.

Exodus 20:12

God’s plan is that your father was there to protect, love, and train you. But sometimes our earthly fathers don’t or didn’t do that. Remember this: God is your Heavenly Father and He will protect, love, and train you.

Important truths:

Point #1: When you have a need, take it to God.

If you’re a dad, tell your child the above.

Point #2: When we humble ourselves, God can move.

Pride will block God from moving in your life. But humility will invite God to move in your life.

Proverbs 6:16-17 (the six/seven things God hates)

James 4:6

Mark 5:22-23

Matthew 9:18-19

Point #3: When we worship God, we welcome His presence.

Psalm 22:3

Point #4: What you say is important.

Proverbs 18:21

If you have a need, take it to God. If you humble yourself, God can move. When you worship God, you welcome His presence.

Matthew 9:18 A certain ruler came to Jesus, humbled himself, and worshiped God. Even so, he believed Jesus could revive his daughter.

Mark 5:23 same passage reference as above.

Point #5: When we face delays, God may be building your faith.

God didn’t necessarily cause the delay, but He can use it to grow you if you let Him.

Consider David. He was anointed king 15 years before he actually sat on the throne. Consider Joseph, Jacob’s son. He waited 14 years before he was second in command in Egypt. Consider Abraham. He waited 25 years for his promised son to be born.

Mark 5:25-27

Mark 5:28 what you say is important.

Mark 5:29-34

Don’t get jealous of someone else receiving the blessing you desire. Instead use that to build up your faith. If God can bless them, He can bless you also.

Point #6: Don’t let others destroy your faith.

Don’t let others discourage you. Don’t listen to those who won’t build up your faith. No matter how powerful they are or seem.

Psalm 1:1

Mark 5:35:36 Jesus said: do not be afraid, only believe.

Mark 5:37-40

Point #7: The father was rewarded.

Mark 5:41-42

God can change a situation, no matter how tough. And He can comfort you when no one else can.

2 Corinthians 1:3

Psalm 34:18