1. purposeful
2. powerful
3. benefits His people

We see God’s patience with us in this passage. Listen to what Jesus says about the patience of the Lord in Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

He is patient to see that the world hears about Him. One of many reasons for missions is to proclaim Christ to the unreached people groups. They are dying without hearing about Him, where as, here in the U.S., they can most likely hear. It’s spiritual triage. They are expected to die without hearing about Christ. He’s patience! We’re patient on God yet urgent in service.

Be Holy vv.11-12

I use the word surrender to holiness because it will take an all-out denial of self and dependence upon the Holy Spirit to live for Christ.

What does the word Hasten mean in verse 12? Look back to verse 9. Those who repent, thirst for Christ, make their sole desire to see Christ, those are ones who hasten. The Greek word for hasten is to be urgent. How can you be patient and urgent at the same time. You’re urgently laboring for Christ at the same time aware that you’re not the Holy Spirit. Time is in the hands of God’s sovereign reign.

1 Peter 1:16 “since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Ephesians 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

Be Informed v.13

This specifically speaks of the new heavens and new earth. God does not leave us to wonder, but gives us instructions for our hope to grow! I want to be with Christ! He is my Savior, the joy of my life! Let’s explore the new heavens and new earth. There are three other specific passages that refer to this subject:

Isaiah 65:17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.”

Isaiah 66:22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain.”

Revelations 21:1-8 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Be Ready v.14

Matthew 24:44-46 “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.”

What does readiness look like?

1. Be Looking for the Lord
2. Be Longing for the Lord
3. Be Laboring for the Lord