SERMON - WAITING FOR THE PROMISE

In this message from September 12th, 2010 at Bethel Church in Redding CA, Kris Vallotton shares about the “in between” of the promise and the palace. He reminds us that success isn’t measured by accomplishment but by who you serve, and it’s not our circumstances but our stance in those circumstances that matters.The trials of life will reveal what is inside of us and we can either be crushed by trials or choose to believe that our inner world will determine our outer world.

- In between the promise and the palace there is a process and for an eternal God, “suddenly” can take a long time. In Revelation 22:20, Jesus said he is coming soon and here we are two thousand years later. 

- In Exodus 23, God tells the Israelites that He would be with them but they were the ones who would drive their enemies out. There will be enemies in any promised land because it is that opposition that builds the faith and character required to rule the land. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

- Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tested by the devil and he left the desert physically weak but victorious and in the power of the Holy Spirit. The goal of the wilderness is not to destroy you but to destroy your enemy. There has to be a private victory before there can be public ministry.

Hebrews 5:8 “Although he [Jesus] was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.”

- Jesus learned obedience and God used the first 30 years of Jesus’ life to mold him to be launched into ministry. Often when we receive a prophetic word, we expect it to happen immediately but the reality is that between where you are and the open door, there is often “hell in the hallway.” (Ellen Debenport)

- When someone keeps getting the same prophetic word it is typically because their circumstances are strongly opposing it. There is a process to greatness and God often waits a long time to act instantly. The process and trials are good for us because only through the pressure of the potter’s hands are we transformed. 

- There is one way into the kingdom but many ways into the palace. We may not be able to shorten the “hallway” process but we can certainly extend it if we are not willing to gain wisdom through what we suffer. 

- What we learn in suffering prepares us for favor because favor often causes people to react in one of two ways: (1) They will hate you or (2) They will take advantage of you. 

“If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.” -Mother Theresa

- In the story of David and Goliath, we see that God uses the University of Brotherhood as a first training ground. Often before conflict with a giant, you will have to fight your brother. David’s brother was the first to confront him before he ever faced the giant.

- As you see God’s favor on others, be careful to guard your heart because jealousy builds a highway to hell and discernment anointed by jealousy becomes suspicion. If you are jealous of someone, invest in them so your victory becomes their victory.

- One of the goals of this culture is that people will outgrow us and we can stand on the sideline and celebrate them. Success isn’t measured by what you accomplish but by who you serve. Joseph was considered successful to God when he was a servant because he was faithful to God in hard circumstances.

- Trials do not test your character, trials test your faith and the greater the destination, the longer the gestation.The word of the Lord tested Joseph until his word came to pass. Like Joseph, when you put a prince in a prison, he makes it a palace because your inner world determines your outer world. 

- The invitation today is to search your heart. Are you living from virtues, values and relationships or are you living controlled by your circumstances? 

- The irritations and trials of life are designed by God so you can be a beautiful pearl. Your life isn’t to share the message, you become the message. God’s idea of blessing you isn’t your idea of blessing because God is in the people making business and God uses trials to mold you into the person you were created to be! He measures success differently. 

- The goal is that when we get to the palace, we can stay in the palace because we have beat our giants and now have the character to remain.

Scripture: 

Genesis 37:3; James 3:14-16; James 1:2-4;James 3:14-16; Proverbs 27:21; Proverbs 17:3; Acts 14:22