7. Yes, No, Wait!

Opening - 6:30-6:45

Announcements

Music

Prayer

Memory Verse: Romans 8:15

Romans 8:15 NKJV

15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Song of the Month: “Abba, Father” Philip S.

Peewee class (age 4-Kindergarten) dismissed, follow Ms. Ellen & Ms. Brooke

Bible Impact Lesson - 6:45-7:00

Intro

How do we know if God answered our prayers?

Situational Illustration:

- Yes: Friend you’ve been praying for gets saved.

Did God answer that prayer? (Yes)

- No: Not on your friend’s hockey team.

Did God answer that prayer?

- Wait: Praying for God to heal your sickness, but you don’t heal right away.

We tend to think that our prayers are only answered when God says yes, but that’s not the case. God is always at work answering your prayers, they just look different sometimes.

Yes

If God told you that you could have anything you want, what would you ask for?

Sometimes when we pray, God says yes right away! This happened to Solomon...

1 Kings 3:5 NKJV

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

God told Solomon he could have anything he wanted, he’s the king, imagine all the things he could’ve had! But look at what Solomon says in vs. 7...

1 Kings 3:7 NKJV

7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.

Greyson, how would you feel if I told you, that tomorrow you start your first day as the prime minister of Canada?

- AAAHHHHHH

I’d be shaking out of my boots! Imagine how Solomon felt; he would’ve been around your age, not much older, and now God’s telling him that he’s becoming the king of the nation! That’s crazy! He wouldn’t even be allowed to drive a car at that age today! So, look at what he asks for in vs. 9.

1 Kings 3:9 NKJV

9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

Solomn made a humble prayer request, and it happened to be exactly what God wanted to give him.

1 Kings 3:12 NKJV

12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.

Does God end up answering Solomon’s prayer? (Absolutely!)

Sometimes, God answers with a big YES!

No

But other times, God says no. Let’s take a look at Paul...

2 Corinthians 12:7 NKJV

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

Who knows what a thorn in the flesh is? (Some sort of physical pain/disability)

God gave him an amazing vision in heaven, but he didn’t want Paul to brag about it..

Church next Sunday… “Hey everybody! Look at me, I’m the vision man! God showed me awesome stuff! (Go to one person in particular) Did God show you heaven last night? No? WELL HE SHOWED ME, HAHAHAHA!”

Thorn to keep him humble.

Eyesight?

Sickness?

We don’t know exactly what that thorn was, but it was so bad that Paul couldn’t help but beg God to take it away...

2 Corinthians 12:8 NKJV

8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

“Please oh please take this away from me!”

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Is this a yes or a no? (No)

So, did God answer his prayer? (YES!)

Sometimes, God says no to us, because if we got what we asked for, it would harm us.

Wait

But then, other times, God wants us to wait...

King David is at the prime of his rule; peace, prosperity. And he wants to build God a temple. “I live in this wonderful palace, and God, well God lives in a tent!”

Is that fair? (No, but that is the way God wanted it)

God spoke to the prophet Nathan at night, and tells him this...

2 Samuel 7:5–6 NKJV

5 “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? 6 For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle.

“This is what I wanted David, I designed the tabernacle. I don’t need a temple.”

Given the assurance that a temple will be built, but not David...

1 Chronicles 22:8 NKJV

8 but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.

Why is David not allowed to build the temple? (Fought too many fights)

So, God said no to David, but that’s not the whole story...

He makes another promise...

2 Samuel 7:12–13 NKJV

12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

What’s God’s answer to this one? (The temple will be built, but it’s not going to be right now, wait David)

Praying for that family member, God is saying, wait...