Wait on the Lord
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In this sermon titled 'Wait on the Lord,' Stevie, a lay preacher and longtime member of Harvest Hills Baptist Church, delivers a reflective and personal message centered on Isaiah 40:31: 'But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.' Drawing from his own journey of faith—growing up outside the church, discovering Christ at 13, and learning to serve without a mentor—he unpacks the meaning of 'waiting' not as passive inaction, but as active, expectant reliance on God. He challenges the common misinterpretation of the verse as a self-empowerment mantra, arguing instead that the strength God gives is ultimately for His glory, not personal triumph. Stevie divides the verse into three rhythms of life: the fast (quick, fleeting encounters), the moderate (enduring seasons like long-term jobs or ministry), and the slow (lifelong commitments like parenting or pastoral service). Through personal stories—from a mission trip in India to a friend’s life-changing encounter during a VBS flyer drop—he illustrates how every moment, no matter how brief or prolonged, is an opportunity to glorify God. The sermon concludes with a call to remain faithful in all seasons, trusting that God renews strength in every stage of life, so that His name may be exalted.
Waiting on the Lord is not passive; it’s active, expectant trust that leads to spiritual renewal.
God’s strength is given not for personal glory, but to honor and glorify Him in all seasons of life.
Life unfolds in three rhythms: fast (brief encounters), moderate (enduring seasons), and slow (lifelong commitments)—all opportunities to serve God.
Even small, seemingly insignificant actions (like handing out a flyer) can have eternal impact, often unseen.
We are called to serve God in every phase of life, whether sprinting, running, or walking, with eyes fixed on Him.
Opening Declaration: Not I but Christ
The sermon opens with a repeated declaration of surrender—'Not I but Christ'—setting a tone of humility and Christ-centered focus. Stevie uses this refrain to establish the core theme: Christ must be exalted above self.
Personal Background and Call to Ministry
Stevie shares his non-traditional faith journey—growing up outside the church, being saved at 13, and learning to walk with God independently. He recounts early experiences in youth ministry, lay preaching, and prison ministry that shaped his calling.
The Context of Isaiah 40:31
Stevie provides biblical context, explaining that Isaiah 40 follows God’s judgment on Judah and introduces the promise of comfort. He emphasizes that the verse is part of a larger message of God’s power, majesty, and faithfulness.
Reframing 'Waiting' as Active Expectation
“We are not naturally waiters, but we're taught to wait. Over time, we have to wait. As we grow up, as we get more mature, we wait more and more and more and more.”
The Misuse of the Verse: From 'I'm an Overcomer' to 'Glory to God'
“I'm an overcomer because I am in Christ. But it's only because I am in Christ that I'm an overcomer. Right? And so you start thinking about it. I'm an overcomer. I. Me, me, me, I.”
“I'm an overcomer because I am in Christ. But it's only because I am in Christ that I'm an overcomer. Right? And so you start thinking about it. I'm an overcomer. I. Me, me, me, I.”
“God would not spend most of chapter 40 glorifying himself, showing himself, only to say if we're going to be overcomers, it would not have to do with the fact that we are supposed to be praising, honoring, and glorifying him as a part of what he is giving us.”
“You never know the impact of a quick encounter with somebody. And it's like he told me that I just like, whoa, it blew my mind.”
Host
God
other
Christ
other
Stevie
person
Isaiah
person
Pastor Shirk
person
Harvest Hills Baptist Church
organization
Mission Trip
other
India
place
Romans chapter 12
other
Remember the Titans
media
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