Silence - Frustration

First Announcements

Welcome! My name is Joe Vivian, I’m the Associate Pastor for Children and Families here at Eastern Hills.

It’s so wonderful for joining us this morning.

I want to say welcome and thank you to those joining us online this morning as well. Welcome!

-Cornerstone Game Day

-This Thursday, the 20th at 9:30am in Miller Hall.

-A great fun morning for all

-Women’s Ministry “Christmas in July” Event

-Saturday the 22nd, this coming Saturday from 10am to 2pm in miller Hall

-This is open for all ladies, from Birth all the way to…I’ll stop there.

-Bring a Wreath Frame and School Supplies for the Baptist Children’s Home.

-EHBC Choir Ice Cream Social-We all SING for Ice Cream!

-Wednesday the 26th at 6:30pm in the Choir Room

-Bring your favorite ice cream or favorite topper to share

-This is for all your are interested as well as all current choir members and their families.

-Dinner for 8

-We are creating new Dinner for 8 groups as we speak.

-A reminder: you can be creative as to the location when you host: Use Miller Hall or the Courtyard, or even a local park. This is just an opportunity for each of us here at EHBC to get to know new faces and make new friends, “Let’s Pause, Catch our Breath and Build New Friendships.

-Forms are available in the foyer at the Get Connected table. Turn them in this week.

Prior to Message Announcements

Good Morning Everyone.

Thank you so very much Worship 24. Appreciate how you bring us into the throne room of God every Sunday morning.

Senior Pastor Bill Connors is on his sabbatical, with his family. We will keep him as well as his family lifted up in prayer.

Once again, I’m Joe Vivian, Associate Pastor of Children and Families here at Eastern Hills, welcome to our family worship.

I’m humbled to be able to journey with each of you for the next 4 weeks as we study the book of Habakkuk.

I would like the opportunity to greet you personally if you’re visiting for the first time in person today, so at the end of the service, would you please plan to come down and say hello? I have a thank you gift to give you: a mug filled with chocolate.

We would also like the chance to send you a card to thank you for joining us this morning, whether you’re in the room or online. You can text the word “WELCOME” to 505-339-2004, and you’ll get a text back that will have a link to our digital communication card. If you’d rather fill out a physical card, you’ll find one in the back of the pew in front of you. You can bring those to me when you come to say hi, or you can drop those in the offering boxes by the doors as you go out after service later this morning.

Before we get started, I have two items to share with you all.

-WHDR Announcement

(Goal: $6,000; Received: $3,460)

-World Hunger and Disaster Relief Offering that we take up through July

-Business Meeting

-Tonight at 5:30 here in the Sanctuary. We have so very much to go over, some items to vote on and updates on the beginning of Phase 1 of the Building Master Plan. So please plan on attending tonight.

Message

Like i said, This morning we will begin a new 4-week series titled Silence: the Book of Habakkuk. We will take time to dive into the difficult topic of how we can trust God when He seems silent and distant.

Habakkuk, one of the minor prophets faced many of the same questions and objections that we still face today:

“Where is God in the midst of injustice?”

“Why doesn’t God do something about all this wickedness and suffering in the world?”

How can I still trust God when what I believe in my heart doesn’t match what I see with my eyes?”

So this is where we will journey together for the next 4 weeks.

Turn your bibles if you will to the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. It’s a 3 chapter, 56 verse book located between Nahum and Zephaniah.

Before we read our focal passage and pray, let me share with you some background information as it pertains to the Book of Habakkuk.

The author is the prophet Habakkuk. Not much more is known about him except what is written in this book. His name means “he that embraces” or “a wrestler.” Instead of speaking to the people on behalf of God, Habakkuk spoke to God on behalf of the people.

Habakkuk’s ministry probably revolved around the two most significant events in the last quarter of the seventh century BC in the history of the ancient Near East: the fall of Nineveh to a collation of Medes and Babylonians and the establishment of Babylon as the greatest power of the region. Serving from 625BC to 575BC.

What we will need to fully understand throughout the next 4 weeks is that Habakkuk refused to have simply a faith that he received without reflection. He also refused to have a God whose actions could be predicted.

Habakkuk insisted on speaking to his God face to face and asking God the hard questions of life. He was not satisfied until answers came and dialogue ensued.

Understand this friends. It only after Habakkuk had wrestled in conversation with God and created a faith understanding of his own did he then present a message to the people.

This is where we will start today and continue for the next three weeks to follow.

A time of Frustration that will lead to God’s Perspective then a growing faithfulness that flows into a heart of worship.

Will you please stand if you are able as we read this morning’s focal passage from the first chapter of Habakkuk and some from the second.

Habakkuk 1–2:1 CSB

1 The pronouncement that the prophet Habakkuk saw. 2 How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence and you do not save? 3 Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates. 4 This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted. 5 Look at the nations and observe— be utterly astounded! For I am doing something in your days that you will not believe when you hear about it. 6 Look! I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter, impetuous nation that marches across the earth’s open spaces to seize territories not its own. 7 They are fierce and terrifying; their views of justice and sovereignty stem from themselves. 8 Their horses are swifter than leopards and more fierce than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead; their horsemen come from distant lands. They fly like eagles, swooping to devour. 9 All of them come to do violence; their faces are set in determination. They gather prisoners like sand. 10 They mock kings, and rulers are a joke to them. They laugh at every fortress and build siege ramps to capture it. 11 Then they sweep by like the wind and pass through. They are guilty; their strength is their god. 12 Are you not from eternity, Lord my God? My Holy One, you will not die. Lord, you appointed them to execute judgment; my Rock, you destined them to punish us. 13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, and you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do you tolerate those who are treacherous? Why are you silent while one who is wicked swallows up one who is more righteous than himself? 14 You have made mankind like the fish of the sea, like marine creatures that have no ruler. 15 The Chaldeans pull them all up with a hook, catch them in their dragnet, and gather them in their fishing net; that is why they are glad and rejoice. 16 That is why they sacrifice to their dragnet and burn incense to their fishing net, for by these things their portion is rich and their food plentiful. 17 Will they therefore empty their net and continually slaughter nations without mercy? 1 I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what he will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint.

(Pray)

Please be seated

It was Christmas Eve of 2016. Kerry and I asked Samantha and Ryne what a good Christmas gift for our first grandchild would be, Piper. She will be 17 months old and we wanted to go all “Grandparent” this year.

They sent us the link earlier in November for a Play Kitchen. A handcrafted, solid wood play kitchen from a German toy company. Yup, full grandparent mode.

I waited till Christmas Eve to put it together. Seriously, how hard could it be? I’ve raised two daughters and have felt I had become somewhat of a Christmas Eve toy maker throughout my tenure.

I was soooo fooling myself. I opened the box, carefully removed all 3,000 pieces, at least it looked like that. I pulled out the instructions to find out it was all written in German and no diagrams! Yup. This made IKEA furniture look like a blessing.

After 6 hours I was successful in the creation of an heirloom for Piper’s children in the future as well.

The key word for that evening was Frustration.

Frustration in the lack of translation.

Frustration in waiting to build this gift.

Frustration in sleep lost.

Frustration that my IQ dropped to single digits during this time.

Frustration. We have all been there. Frustration with a spouse, a child. Frustration with a sibling or a parent or relative.

Frustration with a diagnosis or a test result.

Frustration with a job or lack of job.

Frustration with our finances or situation that you are in right now.

Or…Frustration with God.

The definition of Frustration is disappointment or defeat by one’s own attempt. The feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something we want to control.

Notice, frustration is self-directed and a result of our choice to be disappointed by the events surrounding us. We truly get frustrated when we try to control things that are out of our control.

Plain and simple, we choose frustration.

As we read in the first chapter, it is safe to say the Habakkuk is frustrated with God.

Let’s take time this morning to allow God’s Word to speak to each of us and learn, glean what God teaches us about frustration. Because there is not a single individual in this room this morning or online, that does not deal with frustration, in some way or form.

Let’s focus on the Problem: Frustration

The Problem: Frustration

We read in the first few verses of Habakkuk’s frustration he has with God.

Habakkuk 1:2–4 CSB

2 How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence and you do not save? 3 Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates. 4 This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.

You do not listen

You do not save

You force me

You tolerate wrongdoings

You, you, you.

See friends, when frustration sets in, it leads to blame shifting

When Frustrated

-We Blame Shift

We choose to deflect our sinful action of disappointment of the events or actions around us, and we transfer that sin to others.

We Blame Shift.

We point fingers at others or events to justify our frustration, our anger.

Reminds me of what Aaron did at the base of Mt. Sinai with the Israelites when Moses did not come back when they expected him to return.

Exodus 32:1–4 CSB

1 When the people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, “Come, make gods for us who will go before us because this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!” 2 Aaron replied to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the gold rings that were on their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took the gold from them, fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it into an image of a calf. Then they said, “Israel, these are your gods, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”

Exodus 32:21–24 CSB

21 Then Moses asked Aaron, “What did these people do to you that you have led them into such a grave sin?” 22 “Don’t be enraged, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know that the people are intent on evil. 23 They said to me, ‘Make gods for us who will go before us because this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’ 24 So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off,’ and they gave it to me. When I threw it into the fire, out came this calf!”

Wow, poof, the golden calf was a surprise to Aaron. It wasn’t his fault.

Blame shifting began in the garden.

Genesis 3:12–13 CSB

12 The man replied, “The woman you gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.” 13 So the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Continued with Cain

Genesis 4:8–10 CSB

8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” 10 Then he said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!

When you blame shift, you become a hypocrite. You try so hard to put on this façade of perfection and “holiness” instead of humility and trust in God.

Jesus spoke directly to this towards the scribes and pharisees.

Matthew 23:25–28 CSB

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside of it may also become clean. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of the bones of the dead and every kind of impurity. 28 In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

And when we remained frustrated, we continue to blame shift and grumble more and more, it leads to an overreaction of the situation at hand.

When Frustrated

-We Blame shift

-We Overreact

This is what we read Habakkuk doing as he responded to God’s answer to when Habakkuk blamed God.

Let’s read Habakkuk’s overreaction.

Habakkuk 1:12–17 CSB

12 Are you not from eternity, Lord my God? My Holy One, you will not die. Lord, you appointed them to execute judgment; my Rock, you destined them to punish us. 13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, and you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do you tolerate those who are treacherous? Why are you silent while one who is wicked swallows up one who is more righteous than himself? 14 You have made mankind like the fish of the sea, like marine creatures that have no ruler. 15 The Chaldeans pull them all up with a hook, catch them in their dragnet, and gather them in their fishing net; that is why they are glad and rejoice. 16 That is why they sacrifice to their dragnet and burn incense to their fishing net, for by these things their portion is rich and their food plentiful. 17 Will they therefore empty their net and continually slaughter nations without mercy?

Habakkuk had the audacity to begin to question God’s character. He did not listen to God’s response and interact with it. Have a dialogue that was focused on understanding God’s actions, but instead, Habakkuk chose to overreact and, in my observation, became sarcastic.

See, we read in verse 13 how Habakkuk complained and overreacted to God that rewarding the more wicked nation, the Babylonians, in order to punish the less wicked, the Israelites, seemed inconsistent with God’s pure goodness.

See, Habakkuk began his dialogue in the first verses complaining about King Jehoiakim’s reign, and wanting to know why God was doing nothing about it and now, after God explains to him His plan, that isn’t good enough and the complaining amplifies.

Friends, again, when we are frustrated, we have taken the focus off of our hearts and God’s sovereignty and begun the self-centered journey of pointing fingers and overreacting.

Think back to that last frustration you had with either another individual or a situation.

Did your reaction reflect that of a follower of Jesus Christ or did it reflect that of a toddler?

I know what you may be thinking, “Joe, that’s a drastic swing between a Follower of Christ or a child.” But is it.

When we overreact in situations or in relationship conflicts, we usually reflect that of a selfish child. Why?

Because we want it our way. We have taken our eyes off of Christ.

Many verses in Proverbs speak to controlling our actions, our words, our hearts in times of trials and conflicts.

Proverbs 14:29 CSB

29 A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

Proverbs 15:1 CSB

1 A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

Proverbs 15:18 CSB

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but one slow to anger calms strife.

Proverbs 29:11 CSB

11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise person holds it in check.

Paul says it beautifully in his letter to the church at Ephesus.

Ephesians 4:1–2 CSB

1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Satan would love nothing more than to keep you frustrated with one another. To make sure you are deflecting any responsibility off of you and onto others. Satan is excited each time that you overreact in times of discussion because you are focused on your victory, your win, your throne.

1 Peter 5:8 CSB

8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

Again, the problem with frustration is we blame shift, and we overreact. We have taken our eyes off Jesus Christ. We are focused horizontally and no longer focused vertically.

So, let’s look at the Answer.

The Answer: Contentment in Jesus Christ

Whereas Frustration thrives when we focus on what we feel we deserve, Contentment is when we focus on being right with God and knowing that He is in control of all that happens to us.

Paul teaches it best when he said in Philippians

Philippians 4:11–13 CSB

11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

Regardless of the circumstances, win or lose, strength or weakness, hungry or satiated, it’s all about Jesus.

It’s about our relationship with Him. And God is calling out to us to Look to him, to Look and listen to Him

Brings us to the fist pivot point in practicing Contentment

Practicing Contentment

-Look to God’s Truth

When God answers Habakkuk for the first time, He begins with the command, the imperative. LOOK.

Habakkuk 1:5 CSB

5 Look at the nations and observe— be utterly astounded! For I am doing something in your days that you will not believe when you hear about it.

Yes, God is beginning to explain how He will use the Chaldeans, the Babylonians, to punish Israel.

However, God begins by snapping Habakkuk’s attention to what He’s about to share with Him.

Observe

Be Astounded

You Will Not Believe

Then God repeats the same word…LOOK!

(Hold up my Bible)

Friends, this is not a book that is to be used on Sundays and maybe an occasional “let me look up a verse for me to use” kind of book.

No, this is God’s letter of love to each of us.

He wants us to Look to Him through His Word and through prayer.

He wants each of us to have a personal relationship with Him.

And it starts with who do you say Jesus is.

Is He your Lord and Savior?

Is He the rescuer of your sins?

Friends, are you Looking, are you deliberately turning your face to Jesus?

Contentment, trust in God begins when we recognize where are gaze is centered. On Him or on ourselves?

However, we also have to speak to the reality of the silence we will, at times, experience when we are waiting to hear from God.

That’s why this series is titled, Silence.

We have become a very impatient society. We expect instantaneous results.

Dare I say, we feel entitled to results on out time frame, our schedule.

So why shouldn’t it be the same with our relationship and conversations with God.

If I ask, then let me get a response right away.

I truly feel that this is how we, at times of deep distress or frustration, we approach God.

“Give me an answer now because I have allowed my own flesh to take over and I have neglected my time with you, so now my impatience and selfishness constitutes an emergency on your part God. PS, thank you.”

We are now at the next facet of Practicing Contentment: Listening and Receiving

Practicing Contentment

-Look to God’s Truth

-Listen and Receive

Let’s get the proper perspective right now. Habakkuk is bracing himself for God’s response.

Habakkuk 2:1 CSB

1 I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what he will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint.

We see Habakkuk doing just that after he asks another question of God. He once again has challenged God, remember, we see him overreacting to God’s first response.

So Habakkuk waits for God’s correction. He is willing to listen and receive what God has planned for him.

Listening is an art form. Kerry and I experience couples in our marriage counseling that have either lost the ability to effectively listen or have not mastered the skill to be an effective listener. They are stuck in a reactive mode instead of an interactive mode.

Let me explain.

We too often are listening to what we want to use as our rebuttal to the conversation or conflict at hand. We begin to argue our defense instead of listening to the heart of the one speaking.

We want to “win” the argument and be victorious.

We must learn the art of listening to interact with each other’s hearts instead of listening to overreact and attack the other person’s soul, just so we can say we win.

It’s the same with our relationship with God. We are content and at peace in our soul when we are listening closest to God’s heart, His will for us, His love for us.

When we take time to stop, listen and receive what He is teaching us. We will grow in God’s truth, His wisdom.

Proverbs 2 shares this truth.

Proverbs 2:1–6 CSB

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; 3 furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

From God’s mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

Are you willing to listen?

Are you willing to receive it and apply it into your life?

John 3:21 is my life verse and it speaks directly to where we are this morning.

John 3:21 CSB

21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

When we live by God’s Truth, we look for it and receive it. We allow God to shine by our words, actions and deeds that will ALWAYS point back to God.

This now begs the question again…

“Who do you say Jesus is?”

Jesus posed the same question to His disciples.

Luke 9:18–20 CSB

18 While he was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.” 20 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”

Let’s put away what other people say. Let’s not shift the focus elsewhere. Let’s stick with what you say. Again, who do YOU say Jesus is.

We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

We are in need of a savior. One who can bring us back into a relationship with God Himself.

If frustration and a heart of discontent is “normal” for you. If you are angry and frustrated with where you are today.

I encourage you to turn to Jesus. God gave us the gracious gift of eternal life in and through His Son Jesus Christ.

You may feel like you are too far gone or your anger to God places you too far from His love.

That’s not true. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Jesus wants to meet you right at your pain.

He will take your burdens and frustrations. He will then give you his peace, his mercy, his grace.

It’s as easy as confessing with your heart that you are a sinner in need of a savior. That today is the day to surrender your life to Jesus. Ask for forgiveness, turn from your anger, frustrations, and bitterness…turn from your sin and turn to God.

Romans 10:9 CSB

9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For those in the room or online that are allowing frustration to keep it’s grip on your heart, I encourage you to seek God’s face. Look to His truth, His love. Listen and receive. Allow His love to redirect your heart for all to see.

It’s your choice.

Again, “Who do you say Jesus is?”

We have spent time this morning examining the theme of Frustration in the first chapter of Habakkuk.

Next week, we will go deeper into God’s View, His perspective, but today, we will look at the problem of frustration and the answer of contentment.

See, when we shift our eyes, our focus to Him during the times of our frustrations, we see and experience a new view of the situation at hand.

So as we close this morning, I invite those who are struggling with frustration: with a spouse, a friend, work or even with God, to spend time in prayer during this time of invitation. Seeking forgiveness from God and allowing Jesus to envelop your life. You can do that in the pew or come down to the steps or join us here up front.

For those of you who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. This morning you have heard the truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ. He wants to have a personal relationship with you. We will be down here this morning to pray with you if this is your decision. We want to celebrate with you. I’ll be here along with Pastor Trevor, Pastor Rich and Ms. Noreen.

The same is that for you online. If you have surrendered your life to Jesus this morning, we want to know. Please email me at [e-mail] so I can follow up with you.

Remember the problem: Frustration. It leads to blame shifting and overreaction. However, the answer is Contentment in Jesus Christ. When we look to His Truth and listen and receive His love and direction, we are enveloped by Him!

As the band comes down right now along with the Pastors and Noreen, will you please stand during this time of invitation.

Let’s pray.

Closing Announcements

Please be seated

-Bible Reading Plan

-We are in Job this month and today in chapter 26 of Job. We will stay in this book through July.

-Prayer Meeting

-Reminder that Prayer Meeting is in Miller Hall Wednesday evenings at 5:45-6:30. Please join us as Pastor Rich leads us in a study on the 5 Types of Prayer. Last Wednesday was focused on Praise, this Wednesday will be on Intercession.

-No Pastor’s Bible Study…because...Business Meeting

-Again, tonight is our Business Meeting here in the Sanctuary at 5:30pm.

-We have so very much to go over, some items to vote on and updates on the beginning of Phase 1 of the Building Master Plan. Speaking of Phase 1.

-Construction Update

-I need to give all of us a quick update so as to prepare everyone for this week as well as for next Sunday.

-Beginning tomorrow morning

-Scaffolding, Fences, New Entrances, North Parking Lot: Senior Adults Only and Handicapped, EHBC KIDS Check-In will be at each of their rooms, Offices are still open.

-3 weeks for the fences due to new roof construction

-The entire Phase 1 will continue into the fall.

-Please call ahead if possible or make appointments please.

-We cannot “buzz” you in from that door, we have to physically open those doors.

-Additional questions will be addressed tonight at the Business Meeting

-For Now…beginning tomorrow, new entrance for the Church Office and next Sunday, new entrances at both sides of the building.

Friends!! Phase 1 is beginning!!

Let’s stand as we read our benediction verse

Benediction Verse

1 Chronicles 16:8–11 CSB

8 Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. 9 Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell about all his wondrous works! 10 Boast in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

See you all tonight at Business Meeting