Read: v28-30
Here is a familiar picture; a mother waiting for her son to return home. Those of us who are parents know exactly how she feels. I certainly remember the times I waited as my sons were late coming home. One evening Brandon decided to go get pizza with some of his friends after work, but didn't let me know! I was just getting ready to get in the car and go looking for him when he pulled into our drive. At the same time I remembered a time when my dad had to come looking for me! That old saying came to mind. "Just wait until you have children of your own!"
But this story is tragic, you see, her son was never going to come home. He had gone to battle and when the battle went badly, he fled and sought shelter in Jael's tent…but she killed him! [Judges 4:17-21] Now let's shift our focus back to his mother as she looks out the window for her son who would never return. She is trying to convince herself that everything is fine…he is probably just celebrating a great victory. So she continues to wait, but she is waiting in vain!
This morning, what are you waiting for? Are you also waiting in vain? You are if you are waiting…
I. To find peace with God apart from the blood of Christ.
A. Many folks don't like to talk about the blood of Christ.
B. As a matter of fact, many would just as soon rewrite history and convince themselves that although Jesus' death was tragic…it wasn't necessary.
C. I have met a number of folks who have told me that they were trying to live their life like Jesus; thinking that is the way to find peace with God.
D. But it wasn't His life, though perfect and sinless, that brings salvation…it was His death…His shedding of blood on Calvary!
Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Ro 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
E. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can find peace with God!
2Co 5:19a To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself
F. God authored the plan of redemption and we cannot work around it, we can only accept it or reject it!
Ac 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
II. We are waiting in vain if we are waiting…For a better time to get saved!
A. Plenty of time…
1. Of course that is a lie of the devil!
2. We don't have plenty of time.
3. How often people have said, "Not now, I'll accept Christ someday, but not right now."
2Co 6:2b …Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
4. Did you catch that subtle statement? NOW!
5. Why is it imperative that we trust Christ today?
6. Because we have no promise of tomorrow!
Pr 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
B. This morning, if you are here without a personal relationship with Christ…
C. There is no better time to come to Him in faith.
D. It is presumptuous to think that we will have plenty of time to make the decision to trust Christ.
E. God calls us to salvation today, not tomorrow!
III. We are waiting in vain if we are waiting…For God to bless unfaithfulness
A. God is not obligated to bless our lives if we are not faithful to be obedient to His Word!
B. There is no doubt in my mind that we want the blessings of God upon our lives…but
C. We cannot separate His blessings from our obedience!
Joh 20:27b …Be not faithless, but believing.
1Co 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
D. God expects faithfulness in…
1. Prayer
Jas 4:2b …Ye have not, because ye ask not. Php 4:6b …In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
2. Bible study
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
3. Witness
1Pe 3:15b …Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…
4. Giving
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse … I will … open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Lu 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
5. Worship
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
E. Faithfulness to God is not an option for us if we are truly born again…God expects it from everyone who has been saved!
F. If we are waiting for God to bless us, and we have not been faithful…we are waiting in vain!
Let's go back to that scene we saw earlier. Sisera's mother looking out her window and wondering why her son was taking so long to return from the battle. Sad, but…
What are you waiting for today? Are you waiting in vain? This morning, someone else is waiting…Jesus is waiting for you to come to Him and find peace with God…He is waiting for you to trust Him for salvation TODAY…He is waiting for believers to live faithfully for Him. Will you come? Do not wait one moment…come today!