Just Wait on God
The sermon encourages listeners to slow down, be still, and wait on God, rather than constantly trying to please Him through busy activity.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of waiting on God rather than being overly busy in religious activities. He critiques the tendency of Christians to rush into action without seeking divine guidance, using the example of Peter who was instructed to wait for the Holy Spirit before preaching. Tozer suggests that the Church would benefit from a period of inactivity to truly listen for God's direction, similar to the waiting period before Pentecost. He encourages believers to pause and seek God's will, recognizing that true power comes from being spiritually prepared. The sermon calls for a deeper reliance on God rather than mere busyness in ministry.
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But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him. --Habakkuk 2:20
I think we are the busiest bunch of eager beavers ever seen in the religious world. The idea seems to be that if we are not running in a circle, breathing down the back of our own neck, we are not pleasing God!
When Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15 KJV), Peter probably leaped to his feet and, no doubt, scooped up his hat on the way out. He was going to go right then!
But the Lord said, "Peter, come back, and 'stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high' (Luke 24:49)."
I heard a Christian leader warn recently that we are suffering from a rash of amateurism in Christian circles. Christianity has leveled down and down and down. We are as light as butterflies-- though we flit, flit, flit around in the sunshine and imagine that we are eagles flapping our broad wings.
Sometimes I think the Church would be better off if we would call a moratorium on activity for about six weeks and just wait on God to see what He is waiting to do for us. That's what they did before Pentecost. The Counselor, 95.
"Lord, this morning I'll stop for a while at least to 'just wait on God.' I know You're wanting to work, and I for one am willing to wait this morning to hear Your voice and discover what You want to do for me today. Amen."
Sermon Outline
- The Busyness of the Church
- The Importance of Waiting on God
- A Call to Action
- The need for the Church to slow down and wait on God
- The potential for God to work in our lives when we wait
Key Quotes
“Sometimes I think the Church would be better off if we would call a moratorium on activity for about six weeks and just wait on God to see what He is waiting to do for us.” — A.W. Tozer
“The idea seems to be that if we are not running in a circle, breathing down the back of our own neck, we are not pleasing God!” — A.W. Tozer
“Lord, this morning I'll stop for a while at least to 'just wait on God.' I know You're wanting to work, and I for one am willing to wait this morning to hear Your voice and discover what You want to do for me today.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Take time each day to slow down, be still, and listen for God's voice and guidance in your life.
- Be aware of the tendency to try to please God through busy activity, and instead focus on waiting on Him and trusting in His plan.
- Recognize the benefits of waiting on God, including a deeper relationship with Him, increased spiritual growth, and a greater sense of purpose and direction in life.