Waiting on the Promises - Blessing Boat Church Service

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Opening Prayer

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Oliver, Charlotte, and Elliot.

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Waiting?

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Sermon

“Waiting for My Ship to Come In”

Visual/Thumbnail Tie-In:

The old joke goes - A pious, good man is in desperate straights. He needs money to pay off his debts and save his family from eviction. Every Friday before bed, he would pray to God to win the lottery. Each Saturday he would wake up to learn that once again he hadn't won. The final night before he is being evicted, in his prayer the man screams out, "God, why have you forsaken me!". A booming voice from the heavens responds - "Meet me halfway, would you, and at least buy a ticket!?"

Biblically correct joke? No, but… many of us aren’t sure what to do while we wait.

What part is my responsibility? What is God’s?

Here’s a little cartoon to also illustrate the quandary.

We, too, often sit and watch for our dreams, solutions, and breakthroughs to arrive.

Transition to Theme:

In life, we wait on all kinds of things—healings, answers, success in ministry, deliverance from disasters, or even something as simple as a first snowfall.

Today, we’ll learn from Scripture how God’s promises are sure, even when the waiting is long or the outcome looks different than we expect.

2. The Abrahamic Covenant: A Lesson in Waiting

Scripture Focus

Bible in a Year

Genesis 12:1–4 – God’s initial call and promise to Abram.

Genesis 12:1–4 ESV

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Abram was 75 years old.

He left all he knew, obeyed and went.

Time had passed and still no heir.

“Good things come…?” (Heinz commercial) Does it always?

You ever get frustrated waiting?

Not being heard?

How much longer?

The idea behind the commercial was trusting that the waiting would be worth it, yet we would beat the bottle...

Nowadays we want same day delivery.

Genesis 15:1–6 – Abram’s doubt and God’s reassurance (stars in the sky).

Genesis 15:1–6 ESV

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

“After these things… Fear not.”

In between chapters 12 and 15, Abram had been through a lot.

Egypt due to a famine.

Lied about his wife due to fear.

Separated from his uncle due to strife between their communities.

Had to fight against 10 kings with just 318 men to rescue his uncle.

Then he has this run in with this special High Priest named Melchizedek.

Time span 11 years between chapters 12 and 16.

Abram doubted.

“Abram believed and it was credited to him, righteousness.”

He believed at that moment.

Believing when we first pray about something, or first receive that calling, or insight that something is going to change.

But eventually, we begin to question again.

My calling...

After the famine, the trip to Egypt, and the separation from Lot, Abram went back...

Genesis 13:4 ESV

to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord.

Where’s your “altar?” You reminder that the Lord has made promises and He will keep them?

We need to be “re-strengthened” or reminded from time to time.

When we are battling doubts, or in the depths of depression, we need that reminder, that “altar” to go back to. And there, call on the Lord.

Tired of Waiting

Sometimes we get weary in the waiting.

Sometimes we take matters into our own hands and try to make the promises of God come to fruition.

Genesis 16 – Impatience leads to Ishmael’s birth through Hagar.

Sarai’s tired of waiting, and so she convinces Abram.

Truth: her doubt rubs off on Abram.

Ever have someone else in your life make you doubt if the Lord’s promise or calling on your life is true?

Innovate church… numbers… someone asked me “what’s wrong?”

I’ve questioned myself. I’ve questioned God’s blessing and His calling.

Allison’s anxiety - we’ve prayed, many have prayed, and yet, no healing has come.

I’ve even blamed myself for this… for not being as faithful as I should have been at some point in my faith journey. Or even due to some things I’ve done in my past.

Genesis 17:1–8; 15–19 – Covenant reaffirmed, God promises Isaac specifically.

More years pass for Abram and Sarai, and finally the Lord appears to Abram again.

God reiterates, “reminds”, Abram of His covenant/promise with him.

A New Name

Abram’s name is changed to Abraham, meaning, “Father of multitudes.”

Sometimes, something like a name change can say more than just a change in name.

For Abraham, it was a promise.

For some of us, it may be a new title or position in life. Or maybe it is now, “mother” or “father” for the first time.

Maybe it’s “Christian Creator” for some. For others, maybe it’s being called a “Christian” in the first place. We can sometimes hide from that one due to it’s connotations today.

Being called “Pastor.”

Abraham is now 99 years old, and God tells him he will finally have a child.

Abraham questioned, and asked “Oh that it might be Ishmael.”

He laughed about the idea of being 100 and having a child and Sarah, also did the same when she over heard the Lord tell Abraham she would have a child in her old age of 90+ as well.

Earlier dreams/plans

Have you ever had something finally happen that you’d at once prayed for, and now think, “Oh that this would have happened when I was younger?”

We tend to think we know what, and when, is best at times right?

Allison and I and children...

Genesis 21:1–7 – Fulfillment: Isaac is finally born.

Genesis 21:1–7 ESV

The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

To their amazement, 25 years after the Lord had first promised descendants to Abram and Sarai, Isaac was born.

To which Sarai is quoted as saying, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet, I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Key Observations

God’s Promise vs. Our Timetable

Abram was 75 when called, and Isaac arrived 25 years later.

Waiting was part of the plan; our idea of “slow” is often God’s perfect pace.

God’s promises have no expiration date.

Healing, growth, recovery, and blessing can happen at anytime after He has promised it.

Temptation to “Help” God

Abram and Sarai’s attempt with Hagar caused painful fallout.

We often do this in ministry (trying to boost numbers), or with personal crises (shortcut solutions).

We need to be careful about trying to “make” things happen outside of the Lord’s timing.

For me, Innovate, I’m seeing how God has been walking with us. I’m trusting that our growth is under His watch and not mine. He’s always said to me, “I will build My Church.” Innovate is His Church.

Your content creation, your own ministry in your own home or wherever you are, is His gifting and promise to you.

Our task isn’t always to “work” at something. Often it is to just be faithful with what He has given and trust He will build it into what He wants it to be.

Often times, the waiting, is a time of preparation for us.

Assurance Through Covenant

God formalized His promise, showing He is covenant-keeping and unchanging.

Even when we waver, God remains faithful.

Even though Abraham and Sarah made mistakes, doubted God, and even sinned against Him, God is a gracious, merciful, and ever faithful God. He kept His promise to them and He will keep His promises to you and I as well.

The Scope

Sometimes, the promise not only doesn’t come in the time we want, but sometimes, when it finally comes, it isn’t in the way we want.

Innovate Church’s size and the pressure of numbers—like Abram, we can be tempted to force growth or gauge success by quick metrics. But God might have a different scope.

Personal Needs: God promises “good” for those who love Him.

Sometimes “Good” is not about our health, finances, mental health, or even our basic necessities.

God’s “good” may not always look or arrive as we expect.

Maybe His good is the health issue or the limitation in finances or people.

Waiting Examples (Brief Mentions)

Joseph (Genesis 37–50): 13 years from the pit to the palace—God uses detours to refine us.

David (1 Samuel 16–2 Samuel 5): Anointed young, waited years while fleeing Saul—training ground for leadership.

4. The Ultimate Waiting: Jesus’s Return & Full Redemption

Scripture References:

John 14:1–3 – Jesus promises to prepare a place for us.

2 Peter 3:8–9 – God’s apparent delay is actually patience for more to be saved.Key Point:

We’re all waiting on the final and greatest promise: Jesus’s return and the new heavens and new earth.

While we wait, we stand on His promises, living faithfully, obediently, trusting Him, and serving others.

He will return and restore all things. But until then let me encourage you do a few things:

5. Practical Encouragements for the Waiting Season

Prayerful Patience

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Bring your anxieties to God in prayer. Waiting is not passive; it’s actively trusting.

When you give them to God, I mean really give them to Him, you receive His peace in return.

Community Support

Share with fellow believers your burdens—digital or local.

Don’t wait in isolation.

Faith Over Feelings

Abram repeatedly doubted (Genesis 15:2–3), but God reassured him.

Our doubts are normal; we bring them to God.

Obedience in the Interim

MIT operations researcher Richard Larson, says, “the length of our wait is not as important as what we're doing while we wait.” Give us something to do while we wait, and the wait becomes endurable.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Keep serving, keep loving, keep living righteously while you wait.

Conclusion: Standing on the Promises

Summarize Main Thought

Waiting is part of the Christian journey—from Abraham’s promise to Jesus’s second coming.

We can trust God’s character and remember that His delays are never failures of His promise.

Call to Action

“Will you choose trust over impatience?”

What is it you are still waiting on?

Identify one area where you’re waiting—health, provision, ministry goals, disaster relief—and commit it to the Lord anew.

Song:

“Standing on the Promises” – a reminder that God’s Word is solid rock, worthy of our trust.

Prayer

Thank God for His faithfulness and sovereignty.

Lift up those in disasters, health crises, ministry pursuits—asking for perseverance and hope in the waiting.

Final Encouragement

Just as Abraham eventually saw the birth of Isaac, each of us can have assurance that God’s promises—for healing, provision, the growth of His Church, and ultimately the return of Christ—are unwavering. While we wait, we don’t sit idly; we lean into faith, love, and obedience. And one day, whether in this life or the next, we’ll see the full picture of what God was doing all along. Until then, we stand on His promises.

Post-Service Discussion

1. Waiting vs. Working

Scripture: Genesis 12:1–4 (God calls Abram at 75), Galatians 6:9

Question: In the sermon, we heard the joke about buying a lottery ticket while waiting on God. How do you discern what part is your responsibility versus what is God’s when you’re waiting on His promises?

Follow-Up: How does Galatians 6:9 encourage you to keep going instead of giving up?

2. Dealing with Doubt

Scripture: Genesis 15:2–3; Genesis 15:6

Question: Abram believed God initially, yet he still questioned how God’s promise would come true. What do you do when you start off confident but begin to question again over time?

Follow-Up: Can you share a personal “altar” or reminder in your life—something that helps you recall God’s faithfulness?

3. Impatience and Its Fallout

Scripture: Genesis 16 (Hagar and Ishmael)

Question: Abram and Sarai tried to “help” God by taking matters into their own hands. Have you ever done something similar? What consequences or lessons arose from that decision?

Follow-Up: How can we guard ourselves against shortcuts when waiting on God’s timing?

4. The Power of God’s Reassurance

Scripture: Genesis 17:1–5 (God reaffirms the covenant; name change)

Question: God reaffirmed His promise to Abram and changed his name to Abraham. Has there been a time God “reaffirmed” a calling or promise to you? What form did that reassurance take?

Follow-Up: In what ways does a new name, title, or identity in Christ bolster our faith in the waiting season?

5. When the Promise Arrives Later Than Expected

Scripture: Genesis 21:1–7 (Isaac’s birth), 2 Peter 3:8–9

Question: Twenty-five years passed before Isaac was born. How do you handle it emotionally and spiritually when God’s answer or provision arrives much later than you hoped?

Follow-Up: How does 2 Peter 3:8–9 help you see God’s patience and timing differently?

6. Personal “Ships” We’re Waiting For

Scripture: Romans 8:28 (All things work together for good…)

Question: We wait on many things: healing, provisions, ministry growth, relief from disasters. Which “ship” are you currently waiting for, and how does it challenge your faith?

Follow-Up: In what ways might God be using this waiting period to prepare or refine you (Joseph’s or David’s example)?

7. Living Actively While We Wait

Scripture: John 14:1–3 (Jesus prepares a place), Philippians 4:6–7 (prayer and peace)

Question: The sermon mentioned that waiting isn’t passive—what does actively trusting God look like for you right now?

Follow-Up: How can prayer, community support, and obedience to God’s Word help you endure prolonged waiting without losing hope?

8. Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness

Scripture: Psalm 145:13 (“The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises…”)

Question: Looking back, can you identify a time when you clearly saw God’s faithfulness and fulfillment of a promise (big or small)? How does remembering past faithfulness affect your current waiting situation?

Follow-Up: How might sharing these testimonies bring encouragement to others also in a waiting season?

Daily Text

Day 1

Scripture: Genesis 12:4

Question: What area of your life is God asking you to step out in faith, even before you see the outcome?

Encouragement: Like Abram, you can trust that God has a plan—even if you don’t know all the details yet.

Day 2

Scripture: Genesis 15:6 Question: Do you still believe God’s promise when circumstances look the opposite? Encouragement: A simple act of faith today can realign your heart with God’s unchanging Word.

Day 3

Scripture: Genesis 16:2

Question: Where are you tempted to “help” God fulfill His promise instead of waiting on His timing?

Encouragement: Patience, not shortcuts, leads you to God’s best in the end.

Day 4

Scripture: Genesis 17:5

Question: Is God renewing or reshaping any part of your identity in this waiting season?

Encouragement: Remember, a fresh name or role often points to a fresh work of God in your life.

Day 5

Scripture: Genesis 21:1

Question: In what way has God shown up “right on time,” even if it felt late to you?

Encouragement: Reflecting on past faithfulness fuels hope for what you’re waiting on today.

Day 6

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9

Question: How does understanding God’s patience shift your perspective on waiting?

Encouragement: God’s delays aren’t denials—He’s working a bigger plan for you and those around you.

Day 7

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Question: Where do you need renewed strength to keep doing good while you wait?

Encouragement: Don’t grow weary; your faithfulness in this season will yield a harvest at the right time.