"Why God Makes You Wait" | Pastor Bobby Chandler | Don't Lose Your Glow

A Bittersweet Farewell to the Building

Reflecting on the Journey

• The speaker expresses excitement about being in the house of the Lord, acknowledging it as a bittersweet moment since it's the last Sunday for Authentic Church in this building.

• Emphasizes gratitude for past miracles, salvations, and healings that occurred in this space.

Personal Anecdote

• Shares a personal story about renovations when they first moved into the building, recalling feelings of uncertainty about what God would do next.

• Remembers speaking a blessing over the stage with faith that they would reach the world for God's gospel, which has come to fruition.

The Unstoppable Series: Boldness Through Acts

Overview of Current Study

• The series titled "Unstoppable" focuses on the book of Acts, exploring how the Holy Spirit empowered believers to become bolder in their faith.

• Highlights Stephen's story from Acts chapter 6, emphasizing his miraculous acts and preaching despite facing jealousy from religious leaders.

Key Takeaway from Stephen's Trial

• Warns listeners to be cautious about what fills them; Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit while his accusers were filled with jealousy leading to their desire to harm him.

The Glow: Presence and Holiness of God

Understanding Stephen's Radiance

• Discusses how Stephen’s face shone like an angel’s during his trial, symbolizing God's presence and holiness amidst adversity.

• Explains that this glow represents God's purity and His ability to show up even in dark situations. References Moses' experience on Mount Sinai as an example of divine radiance.

Biblical Context

• Cites Exodus 34:29–30 where Moses’ face glowed after being in God’s presence, illustrating how spending time with God results in visible transformation.

Jesus Living Inside You: Eternal Light

Significance of Inner Glow

• Asserts that if one shines brightly, it is due to Jesus living within them rather than personal merit or effort alone. This inner light is eternal unlike Moses' fading glory under the old covenant.

New Covenant vs Old Covenant

• Discusses how under the new covenant through Jesus Christ, believers are meant to shine continuously without fading away as seen with Moses who covered his face due to diminishing glory over time (2 Corinthians 3).

Maintaining Your Glow Amid Trials

Encouragement During Hardships

• Introduces today's message theme "Don't lose your glow," encouraging listeners not to let trials diminish their spiritual brightness or peace amidst chaos and challenges they may face daily.

Focus Determines Peace

• Stresses that one's focus directly influences their peace; encourages shifting focus from problems (like fear or anxiety) towards God's promises instead (Isaiah 26:3).

Example from Scripture

• Uses Acts 6:15 where religious leaders could not look away from Stephen because he radiated something different despite facing death threats; emphasizes looking at heaven rather than earthly troubles for strength and clarity during trials.(937)(983)s

Finding True Peace Through Jesus

Gift of Peace

• Quotes John 14:27 highlighting that true peace comes only through Jesus Christ—it's a gift not found elsewhere—and encourages surrendering burdens directly to Him for rest and relief.(1177)(1256)s

Testimony Highlight

• Concludes by sharing a powerful testimony about someone who found hope through unexpected means during despair—a reminder of God's ability to meet people anywhere regardless of circumstances.(1460)(1552)s

The Hidden Work of God in Our Lives

God's Presence in Darkness

• Life can feel overwhelming, and we may not see the impact of our struggles, but God is actively working behind the scenes to save lives.

• Even when we feel lost in darkness or depression, we cannot hide from God; His light shines through all circumstances.

Trusting God's Timing

• In difficult times, it’s essential to trust that God will show up and perform the impossible, even when hope seems lost.

• Growth often occurs during periods of waiting; patience is crucial as we learn to wait on God's timing without rushing ahead.

Lessons from Abraham's Journey

Leaving the Past Behind

• Stephen references Abraham's journey, emphasizing that some people struggle because they haven't left behind what God has instructed them to abandon.

• To step into God's promises, one must believe they exist and be willing to walk towards them.

Faith Amidst Uncertainty

• Abraham was promised land he did not yet possess; his faith led him to move despite not seeing immediate results.

• The journey requires faith even when circumstances do not align with expectations; sometimes we question if we've received the promise meant for us.

Understanding God's Promises

The Amazon Package Analogy

• Just like ordering an item online, receiving a promise from God means you own it before you see its physical manifestation.

• Many become frustrated waiting for their "package" (promise), forgetting that significant things take time before delivery.

Building Faith Through Waiting

• God prioritizes building our faith over our comfort; challenges are necessary for character development and spiritual growth.

• Miracles often arise from problems; without issues to overcome, there would be no need for divine intervention.

Celebrating Faithfulness

Stephen's Boldness in Preaching

• Stephen delivers a powerful sermon recounting Israel's history while confronting religious leaders about their rejection of Jesus Christ.

• He emphasizes that rejecting Jesus makes them no better than their ancestors who persecuted prophets sent by God.

Heaven's Response to Faithfulness

• Despite facing death, Stephen remains faithful and sees Jesus standing at God's right hand—symbolizing heaven’s approval of his steadfastness.

Living for Eternal Applause

The Importance of Divine Approval

• Seeking applause from people can diminish one's spiritual glow; true fulfillment comes from living for Jesus' approval instead.

Accountability Before God

• Each person will stand before God and account for their life choices. Emphasizing personal responsibility highlights the importance of living righteously.

This structured summary captures key insights and discussions within the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference.