What Are You Waiting For?

Romans 8:24–25 NLT

We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

Introduction:

There are 2 things I recognize this morning as stand before you:

(1) Waiting is a part of life. and…

(2) We don’t like to wait.

According to a recent search, Americans spend 13 hours a year waiting on hold for customer service.

They wait 38 hours a year waiting in traffic…

Another study done in Great Britain revealed that they spend about 7 years of their lives waiting.

The word “waiting” can be defined as: [to]stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens

or

[to] stay where one is or delay action until (someone) arrives or is ready

I recall someone’s very funny impression of a day at Disney World and laughed.

I also recall one of the greatest advertising campaigns ever created for Heinz Catsup in 1979. It featured two young boys pouring the catsup over their hamburgers and the one says he’s never tried it and the now classic song by Carly Simon played in the background:

Anticipation, is making me wait.

The whole idea was that the delicious ketchup was worth waiting for.

I for one have been disappointed too many times but must admit that there are some things worth waiting for. Wouldn’t you agree?

As a Child of God there are somethings that we have but their are also things that we are waiting for.

Let’s talk about What We are Waiting For

An Event

Many great movies have been made where the plot is the foretelling or prophecy of an ending or some kind of apocalyptic event. The Matrix was on television just the other day and you all may remember that Morpheus believes that Neo is “The One” that the Oracle has told about. He will be the one who will bring and end to the rule of the machines and people will be free.

There are many other movies just like that. Hollywood has made lots of money telling stories about an end of time and its no wonder why it so popular, because like many other things, it is based on things that the Bible talks about.

The Bible tells us that a day is coming and it may very well be soon. It could even be today.

Matthew 24:36–44 NLT

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Angels Said It

Acts 1:11 ““Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!””

Paul Said It

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.”

Job Said It

Job 19:25 ““But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.”

You can be sure that a day is coming that the Son of Man will return to get His church. The rapture is real and it will happen.

One thing we are waiting for is a specific event, its called the rapture. If it were to happen today, are you ready?

A New Body

I don’t know about you but as I age, I hurt more and more. Some people age so gracefully, but even so these bodies wear out eventually.

But thank God if you put your trust in Jesus you’re gonna get a new body.

1 John 3:2 “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”

1 Corinthians 15:51 “But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!”

It is totally amazing the strides that science has made over the years. Heart transplants are common place and people are living longer than ever before.

No one can give you a new body, only God can do that!

Aren’t you glad you're gonna get a new body?

A Place

Do you ever just feel out of place?

Do you feel like you belong somewhere?

Do you have that longing inside you for a place you’ve never been before?

Look what the Bible tells us:

John 14:2–3 “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.””

My television has been blowing up with advertising for “Wicked.” Its the modern take on the 1939 classic “Wizard of Oz.” All of us have seen it probably a dozen times and can recall when Dorothy clicks her ruby red slippers together and says “There’s no place like home” and she wakes up back home in Kansas.

Well can I just tell you today, that there is no place like home and this ain’t it.

One of the songs that I love, I love many of them, is Beulah Land. It really hits home this thought of a place that we are waiting on.

I'm kind of homesick for a country To which I've never been before. No sad goodbyes will there be spoken For time won't matter anymore.

Beulah Land (Beulah Land) I'm longing for you (I'm longing for you) And some day (And some day) on thee I'll stand (Someday we will stand) There my home (There my home) shall be eternal (Eternal) Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land

I'm looking now, just across the river To where my faith, shall end in sight (Shall end in sight) There's just a few more days to labor. Then I will take my heavenly flight.

Beulah Land (Beulah Land) I'm longing for you (I'm longing for you) And some day (And some day) on thee I'll stand (Someday we will stand) There my home (There my home) shall be eternal Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land Beulah Land, oh it's Beulah Land Oh Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land

A Crown

You and I may seem like just ordinary ole folks but the truth is that we belong to royalty.

We were born poor ole paupers but we were reborn into the family of a King. One day God will give us a crown to prove it.

I cannot earn salvation but what I do with my faith after trusting God with my life will be measured.

The Imperishable Crown

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”

The Crown of Rejoicing

1 Thessalonians 2:19 “After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!”

The Crown of Righteousness

2 Timothy 4:6–8 “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

The Crown of Glory

1 Peter 5:4 “And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.”

The Crown of Life

Revelation 2:10 “Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.”

Stand with me please.

Many people walk around quoting John 3:16 and that is great. God does love the world. But how many would say yes, and oh I love Him so.

I want you to know its not enough knowing that God loves you, do you love Him back. Let’s be found following his commands (1 John 5:3 “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.”

God gave us some pretty clear direction of what it is that we are to do:

We must wait patiently and confidently.

We have confidence that it will happen.

Don’t give up the hope that you have!

Altar Call