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Sunday 1 September 2002 - "Wait for the Father's time"

(Summary of sermon by Friedel Stegen)

Lk 15:11 & 12

11 ¶ And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

Many of us have grown up as Christians, or we've been a Christian for a long time. We must watch that we do not fall like this son. We know the Christian way and we get use to Christian traditions. We take our rich inheritance in Christ for granted. We get dissatisfied with the Lord's way.

Do you still remember your first love as you came to Christ? You lived for God's glory only, and was completely satisfied in fellowship with Him. You did not seek recognition, but it was your joy to be spent for Him. You lived daily in His presence in the realization of what He's done for you. Is it still like that?

Jesus said of Himself that He did not do anything out of Himself, but always did His Father's will. Christians that have lost that first love, get tired of always obeying their Father. They desire recognition and their prayers revolve around themselves and what they want from the Lord.

If this son had wait on his father's time, the inheritance would have just grown, but he could not wait. Just as this father gave him his request, so too God might even grant you your request, but it will just be to your detriment.

You might claim God's promise for your life, but try to fulfill it yourself. Why do you not wait His time, knowing that if this promise is truly from Him, then He will perform His Word. Many claim God's promise, when God never spoke to them.

The Bible is full of examples of people that could not wait on the Lord and do His will. In Mt 7:21 & 22 Jesus says that only those that have done their Lord's will, will enter heaven. In Rom 8:25 we see how we ought to wait eagerly with perseverance on the Lord.