TOPIC: WHAT WOULD YOU DO WHEN YOUR BLESSING/PROMISE IS DELAYED? TEXTS: GEN 15 : 1 7, 21 : 1 7. PREAMBLE: I thank God for another day in the land of the living, the second Sunday in the month of December 2009. Also, I thank him for the priviledge to be his mouthpiece. I believe that, God of heaven is going to move in our mist today by his grace. Today, God is going to release our delayed blessings in the name of Jesus. In this last month of the year, his promise, shall come to pass in our life, Amen. Turn with me to Gen. 12 : 1-5, here, God spoke to Abram and he is still speaking If you care to listen. 3 things are released in this package, 1) A command from God to Abram Beloved, when God speaks, you must carry it out. You either take it or leave it. Whenever, he gives instructions, it is for our good, Amen. Beloved, there is no partial obedience, remember, the case of saul. 1 st Sam 15 : 3, 20 22. 2) God s promise to Abram: vv 2-3. I believe that you have not received all the blessings of God for this year. I know that I have not received all my blessings and his promises to me. In other words, God is not through with me as far as my blessing for this year is concerned. I know that I still have some blessings that are still hanging which will be released in this month of December. Beloved, if you are here this morning and you have been trusting God for certain blessing since January and you are yet to receive it, this message today is for you. Jeremiah 29 : 11 and Jeremiah 14 : 14. At the appropriate time, you will come to altar. 3) Obedience and Faith in action: Haran s distance to Canaan was 550 miles and at 75years, Abram embarked on the journey to unknown land. Beloved, as God spoken to you in the past, or is he speaking to you, now but because of comfort you are enjoying, you have not obeyed him. Today, take a step of faith i.e. put your faith into action and you will not regret it, Amen. Reaffirmation of the Promise by God. Before the promise was fulfilled, God reaffirm his promise to Abram and even established a covenant with him. Gen 13 vs 14 17; 17 vs 2 & 7. Question: Who or what is that Lot that you must part with in order for God to fulfill his promise? Is it the bad company you are keeping or a sin or a particular habit? He told Abram at 99, work before me and be perfect. Abram worshipped God each time.
Today s Passage In today s passage also, God reaffirmed his promise to Abram, he talked about what could happen to anybody when his blessing/promise is delayed. - Fear of whether or not it will come to pass - I don t know your situation or problem, may be you are seeing as a result of fear, 1) Will I ever get married? 2) Will I ever give such to my children? 3) Will I ever build my house with the situation o f things in the country? 4) Will I ever pass this Exam? 5) Will I ever be healed of this sickness? 6) Will I ever get to that position? 7) Will peace ever return to this house? Here what God is saying to you, fear not don t be afraid. Is there anyone here this morning, saying like Abram (vv 2-3). Is this niece/nephew or my housemaid going to inherit my wealth and property? Beloved, hear the response of God to you in verse 4. This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowel shall be thine heir. Beloved, I prophesy in the name of the Lord most high that, you will not die childless, as a result of that sickness, as a tenant, before your marriage, before that delayed blessing is fulfilled in the name of Jesus. Second Passage Genesis 21 vs 1 7 From this passage, did God fulfill his promise or not? Of course Yes, though delayed for 25years but fulfilled in God s time. Eccl 3:11. V1, says, the Lord visited sarah as he said. Today the same God shall visit you in your situation in Jesus Name, Amen. V2 says, at the set time which God has spoken, Sarah brought forth a son for Abraham in his old age. In the name of Jesus, at his set time, which I believe start from today, that blessing shall be released to you, Amen. V6, Sarah declared, God has made me to laugh and others laughed with her. In the name of Jesus, in this month of December, the Lord will fill your mouth with laughter and people shall celebrate with you.
In v7, Sarah exclaimed, who will have said unto Abraham that Sarah will give children suck? For I have born him a son in his old age. In the month of December, the very last month in year 2009, the almighty God shall surprise you in Jesus Name, Amen. Today, Abraham is not only the father of Isaac but through his family tree, came Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Today, Abraham is the father of Nations as promised by God. Things to do in order to receive delayed blessing and promises 1) Be obedient. I believe God is still speaking to some people about solution to their problem, about steps to take in order to receive you miracle. It may look stupid to you. The wall of Jericho fell as a result of blowing trumpet, children of Israel, went on dry land at the red sea, Exodus 14, Naman was cleansed of his leprosy by washing in river Jordan. God s ways is not our ways. Isaiah 55 : 8. 2) Exercise a strong faith like Abraham. Don t give room to the devil by doubting. James 1 : 6 7. Put your faith into action like the woman with issue of blood. Mark 5 : 28. Abraham put his faith into action by leaving Haram. Esther says, if I perish, I perish. Esther 4 : 16. 3) Pray about the delayed promise or remind God about the delayed blessing. Mark 7 : 7, ASK. 4) Worship or Praise the Lord regularly for the delayed blessing. Worship characterized the life of father Abraham to the extent of readiness to sacrifice Isaac. Gen 22. Our sacrifice today is praise and worship. Act 16 vs 25. 5) Be Holy: even at 99 years, the Lord commanded Abraham in Gen. 17 vs 1, saying, I m the Almighty God; work before me and be thou perfect. God is saying the same thing to us today. 6) Make peace with all men: Father Abraham made peace with Lot his nephew. Couples should be united in spirit before they pray. The world of God says, if you have any ought with anyone, first go and settle it, so that your prayer will not be hindered. 7) Meet the need of others: Do not allow your problem to over shadow you to the extent of closing your eyes to the needs of others. In short, be hospitality like Father Abraham. Gen 18 : 10 14.
CALLS 1) If God has been speaking to you about something and you are yet to take a step of faith probably due to your present comfort where you are or because it looks impossible, please come to the Altar. 2) If you are believing God for the fruit of the womb, please come. 3) If you are believing God for your house i.e. you will not die as a tenant, please come. 4) If you can hear the Lord saying, I will heal you of the ailment and you are ready to take a step of faith, please come. Or if you have any abandon project or whatever problem, please come. The power of resurrection is still available.