By Bro. Gale Nelson
Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Lesson Scripture(s): Hebrews 9:27-28
Tags: #Waiting #Fear #SecondComing

In this mid-week study, as the world contends with much political unrest, Bro. Nelson revisits the topic of fear and reverence in respect to "Waiting on the Lord." Jesus is Coming Again!

KEY LESSON QUESTIONS

• What has been your biggest challenge in waiting on the Lord?
• Where have you grown the most in your spiritual maturation?
• What are you afraid of?
• What does Godly fear mean?

LESSON AT A GLANCE

• Death is appointed for all men (v. 27); Joy awaits for those who early wait for him (v. 27-28); Trials will come.

• Two distinct views on the Second Coming:

○ Ungodly: our time on the earth is all there is to our existence (fear when he comes)

○ Faithful Christians: trust his promise that he will come again to receive us (joy upon his return) (see John 14:1-3)

• Defining Waiting:

○ It does not mean sitting back and doing nothing.

○ It means hoping, respecting, and continuing to obey God. We refrain from sinful solutions to situations, and remain strong and exercise courage.

○ To "wait on the Lord" is to put our complete trust and dependence in Him (see Psalm 27:1). It is an attitude, not an activity!

• Bible is not silent about waiting on the Lord:

○ There is no fear of man when we wait on the Lord (see Psalm 27:14)

○ When we rest in the Lord, we are willing to wait on his will to be done (see Psalm 37:7)

○ If we trust in his second coming, we will do his will while waiting (see Psalm 37:34)

○ When you wait, you place your hope in the Lord--his word (see Psalm 130:5)

○ It means not saying I will repay evil, but wait for the Lord (see Proverbs 20:22)

○ Those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength (see Isaiah 40:31)

• From the Word: We KNOW he is coming… 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10

• Faith over Fear… 2 Timothy 1:7

• Two Kinds of Fear

○ The fear commanded: Reverence (see Eccl. 12:13; Luke 12:5; Acts 9:31)
○ The fear forbidden: Anxiety (see Psalm 91:5; 2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 55:5)

• Biblical Examples of Fear

○ Israel: "the people are greater and taller" (see Deuteronomy 1:26,28-30)
○ One Talent Man: "I was afraid" (see Matthew 25:25)
○ "What will other people say…" (see Proverbs 29:25)

• Tragic Effects of Fear

○ Brings on what we fear (see Matthew 14:30-31)
○ Renders One Useless (see Judges 7:3)
○ Causes one to be lost (see Revelation 21:8)


CALL TO ACTION

• Trust in God… Psalm 27:1
• Work at living one day at a time… Philippians 3:13-14
• What are you looking for? Titus 2:11-13
• God's Plan of Salvation... https://miamigardenscoc.net/salvation.php
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RECOMMENDED LINKS
* There's a Rainbow in the Cloud: https://youtu.be/QOTonCfetB8
* Fear Less or Fearless: https://youtu.be/NkBME1BtNw0
* Whom Shall I fear: https://youtu.be/nhh2YI_IZvU
* Website: https://www.miamigardenscoc.net