WAX ON, WAX OFF

Sermon Notes, June 24, 2012

Pastor Phil Perkins

            Pastor Phil’s sermon Sunday was titled “Wax on, wax off,” reminding us that much of life is repetition of seemingly mundane tasks.  His text was Jeremiah 29:11-14, “I know the plans I have for you..., you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me...when you seek me with all your heart...” 

God sees past what we see in the mirror to how He wants us to be.  When we are going through stuff, God gives us strength.  Sometimes we don’t see the big picture.  We get into the self-doubt cycle.  Is what we’re doing what God wants us to do, or what we think God wants us to do?  Questions can be productive if they help us seek God.

Verses 12-14 contain promises and responsibilities.  We are to SEEK and His will. (Matthew 6:33) The problem is not the questions, but in not seeking.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust, seek, lean on and be confident in God, and acknowledge that He will direct our paths.  We are not only to seek Him, but to REST in Him.  Take time to stop and rest in the Lord.  And we are to REJOICE in Him.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to rejoice always, not only in the good times, but also in the bad times (not for the bad times but in the bad times).

We are to seek meaning for Him, not for ourselves, Colossians 3:23-24 tells us that whatever we do should be done for God, not man, and that He will reward us.

Christianity is not something you do; it’s a way of life.  It takes discipline and understanding.  Like the Karate Kid, we learn that the seemingly mundane things of life (wax on, wax off,) are preparing us for the fight. There are six things to help us: prayer—not just a wish list, but how we relate to God, as in Jesus’ model prayer (Matthew 6:9-13); humility; perseverance; patience; waiting; faith—trust in God.  God gives us a choice: His way, or our way.  But only His way gives our lives meaning and purpose.