God Works for Those Who Wait for Him
A John Piper Sermon Summary
God shows His greatness by working for His people (Acts 17:25). He doesn’t actually need our service, but He gives us everything we need (2 Chronicles 16:9).
God doesn’t need your help. In the day of trouble, you call on Him. He saves you and you glorify Him (Psalms 50:15).
Don’t trust your intelligence or technologies but trust God.
He works for those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:1-4, 30:18; Psalm 20:7).
Our God is unique. Isaiah contrasted Him to the Babylonian idols. God sustained, rescued, and showed the Israelites compassion from birth to death. But the Babylonian idols were their burdens instead (Isaiah 46:1-4).
Christ came not to be served but to serve, even by giving His life, treating us far better than we deserve (Mark 10:41-45).
God not only wants to help us, but He is also infinitely competent (Isaiah 46:9-10).
So, pause and pray to God. Consult Him, particularly when you aren’t sure what to do according to His will.
If God tells you to be still, you should let Him take over and just quietly observe (Exodus 14:13-14).
God told the Israelites to wait for Him, and not to run to Egypt for help or fight for themselves. But they fought and quickly lost (Isaiah 30:15-16, 31:1).
God may fight for you as He split the Red Sea for the Israelites. Or He may fight through you as He helped David swing the stone at Goliath.
If God tells you to act, then let Him work through you (Isaiah 41:10). Note that even when you are charging on your war horses, you still wait for the Lord, listening to His voice (Psalm 33:16-22). Also, when you are working hard, know that it is God’s grace working in you (Proverbs 21:31, 1 Corinthians 15:10).
Greatness is not measured by how many people work for you, but by you working for many, lifting them up, like Christ sacrificing His life for us.
Never act as if you are in charge and God is irrelevant. Remember all authorities in heaven and earth are His. Always maintain an open channel with God and pray to Him. If He wants you to be still, then stand back and observe God acting on behalf of those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:4).
Summary of a sermon by John Piper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6t-iFeVavw
God doesn’t need your help. In the day of trouble, you call on Him. He saves you and you glorify Him (Psalms 50:15).
Don’t trust your intelligence or technologies but trust God.
He works for those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:1-4, 30:18; Psalm 20:7).
Our God is unique. Isaiah contrasted Him to the Babylonian idols. God sustained, rescued, and showed the Israelites compassion from birth to death. But the Babylonian idols were their burdens instead (Isaiah 46:1-4).
Christ came not to be served but to serve, even by giving His life, treating us far better than we deserve (Mark 10:41-45).
God not only wants to help us, but He is also infinitely competent (Isaiah 46:9-10).
So, pause and pray to God. Consult Him, particularly when you aren’t sure what to do according to His will.
If God tells you to be still, you should let Him take over and just quietly observe (Exodus 14:13-14).
God told the Israelites to wait for Him, and not to run to Egypt for help or fight for themselves. But they fought and quickly lost (Isaiah 30:15-16, 31:1).
God may fight for you as He split the Red Sea for the Israelites. Or He may fight through you as He helped David swing the stone at Goliath.
If God tells you to act, then let Him work through you (Isaiah 41:10). Note that even when you are charging on your war horses, you still wait for the Lord, listening to His voice (Psalm 33:16-22). Also, when you are working hard, know that it is God’s grace working in you (Proverbs 21:31, 1 Corinthians 15:10).
Greatness is not measured by how many people work for you, but by you working for many, lifting them up, like Christ sacrificing His life for us.
Never act as if you are in charge and God is irrelevant. Remember all authorities in heaven and earth are His. Always maintain an open channel with God and pray to Him. If He wants you to be still, then stand back and observe God acting on behalf of those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:4).
Summary of a sermon by John Piper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6t-iFeVavw