• 3 months ago
Transcript
00:00I want to talk to you today about day 41 is coming
00:05We all go through seasons of testing and proving and times of adversity and struggle
00:11Well, we're praying and believing but things aren't changing in the scripture. These seasons are described as 40 days
00:2040 is a symbolic number
00:22It refers to seasons of testing and struggle where it doesn't look like things are going to change
00:29After Noah built the ark it rained for 40 days
00:33Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40 days
00:37Goliath taunted the Israelites 40 days
00:40Modus that made Moses made a mistake
00:42wandered in the desert 40 years
00:45In life, we'll all have a few 40-day experiences where we're facing a giant that looks too big a
00:53Slow season in the desert so to speak a storm where it keeps raining
00:59Medical reports not improving child not coming home still haven't met the right person
01:05It's tempting to get discouraged and give up on our dreams
01:08But when you're in one of these 40 days
01:11Thoughts telling you it's never going to change you have to know day 41 is coming
01:17The scripture says God has set an end to the difficulty and I can't promise you you will have some 40 days
01:25But I can promise you day 41 will always come
01:30But the number 40 gets a lot of attention. You have to stay focused on the 41
01:35Yes, it rained for 40 days, but on day 41 the rain stopped and Noah and his family were saved
01:43Yes, the enemy tempted Jesus 40 days, but on day 41 angel showed up and strengthened him
01:50Yes, Goliath taunted the Israelites 40 days, but on day 41 David showed up and put an end to him
01:58You may be in a 40-day period now
02:01Doesn't look like you'll ever get well or get out of debt see your family restored
02:07You could complain and be negative
02:10Try a new approach father. Thank you that my day 41 is coming
02:14Thank you that you've already set an expiration date for this trouble
02:20When God told Noah to build the ark it had never rained
02:24He could have come up with good excuses to not do it, but he obeyed he did the right thing when it was hard
02:31He didn't have trouble because he was lazy and wouldn't listen
02:35He faced his 40 days because he was faithful because he honored God and wouldn't take the easy way out
02:43When you're in a 40-day period thoughts will whisper
02:47Because you've made those mistakes
02:49You should have done better God's upset with you. We think the storm is always God's judgment
02:56But sometimes like Noah your 40 days is a result of being obedient
03:02It's because you're honoring God
03:04Not that you've done something wrong, but you've done something, right?
03:08God can trust you to pass the test to keep an attitude of faith
03:13You know, we don't like the trials
03:15It's uncomfortable, but that 40 days is positioning you for greater things
03:22God knows the end from the beginning
03:25We see the 40 days, but God sees day 41
03:29He sees what he's about to do you have to go through it to get to it
03:35You have to persevere you have to stand in faith. The scripture says having done all to stand
03:42That means you just keep standing your attitude is I will not give up. I will not get bitter
03:49Yes, it's still raining
03:50I don't see a sign of things changing
03:53But I know a secret these 40 days is not how my story ends day 41 is coming
04:00God has not brought you this far to leave you get your passion back
04:05This test is only temporary God being for you is more than what's coming against you
04:12Now I love the faith of Noah because everyone would have been making fun of him
04:17This crazy guy building a boat out in the desert, there's no water to put it in he says it's gonna flood
04:25Despite all the negative chatter. He just kept doing what God put in his heart
04:30He finished building the boat got him and all of his family on it. The scripture says God closed the door
04:37There was a time no one else could get in
04:40Started raining one day two days a week two weeks three weeks
04:46The whole earth was flooded
04:48Walked out all the people and animals plants and houses. The scripture says it was torrential rains
04:54Not just a little sprinkle. This was a huge storm
04:57I'm sure it was chaotic the boat rocking the winds blowing
05:02But think about how good God is Noah was rising above what was destroying others
05:09Even though he was in a storm. God was sustaining him not letting him go down
05:15When you're in a 40-day season, you may not realize it, but God's not letting you go under
05:21That sickness couldn't take you out had trouble at work. It was hard, but you had the strength to endure
05:29That child that broke your heart you look back now and think how did you make it through that was God keeping you?
05:36strengthening you favoring you
05:38You can't always see it in the storm, but God is working
05:42He's a very present help in times of trouble. That means in the 40 days. He's close to you
05:49He's not allowing the difficulty to take you out
05:53Now I'm sure after a couple of weeks of rain
05:57wind
05:58Thoughts whispered to Noah. It's never gonna stop raining. This storm is permanent
06:04Same thoughts that come to us. You'll always have that trouble and always struggling your finances
06:11Always have to deal with this depression
06:14Noah would wake up each morning. I can imagine first thing he'd do was check. Oh, man, it's still raining
06:2119 days in a row
06:2325 days 33 days no sign of the rain stopping
06:27He went to bed on day 40
06:30Seemed like just another ordinary day more wind more rain dark clouds
06:36Little did he know when he woke up on day 41 the rain had stopped
06:41The wind had ceased the sky cleared the Sun began to shine
06:46Was the dawning of a new season?
06:49All those thoughts that had told him it was never gonna stop raining and he'd always be in that limited environment
06:56He realized they weren't true that God had set an end to the difficulty that it was just a season
07:03Just a season of set of testing a season of struggle
07:08Like Noah, you may be in your 40 days. You've done the right thing
07:14You've honored God, but it's raining the medical reports not good
07:19Doors have closed on your dreams you're dealing with that anxiety
07:23Thoughts will whisper. It's never going to change God's forgotten about you. Can I encourage you day 41 is coming?
07:31The rain will cease the storm will stop the trouble will end
07:37You are closer than you think you can't see it, but things are about to shift in your favor
07:43You're on the verge of a breakthrough
07:46Your health turning around your child coming home your business taking off. It's going to happen suddenly
07:54Unexpectedly, you didn't see it coming
07:56Like Noah you went to bed one night thinking everything would be the same you woke up the next morning and the rain had stopped
08:04God stepped in and did what only he can do
08:08See some storms you can't stop. There are some battles. You can't win
08:13It's going to take the Most High God breathing on your life
08:17The good news is he's watching over you
08:20He sees a little sparrow when they fall to the ground
08:24How much more is God concerned about you?
08:27He knows the struggles. He knows who did you wrong and what looks impossible
08:33He wouldn't have let you get in that difficulty if he couldn't bring you out
08:38The scripture tells us to wait with expectancy
08:42Wait believing that is coming wait thanking God that it's on the way wait expecting things to change in your favor
08:50Not waiting discouraged, and I don't think I'll ever get well
08:54I'll never get that scholarship this addictions been in my family for years
09:00You're the one to break it
09:02God raised you up to set a new standard may have been that way a long time, but don't accept it as permanent
09:09That's the mistake the Israelites made they wandered in the desert 40 years
09:15Because they never believed they complained had a limited mindset
09:20But their children had a different mentality
09:24They didn't see themselves as former slaves. These enemies are too big. We'll never had success
09:31They had a victorious mentality
09:33They realized they were children of Almighty God that defeat was not their destiny
09:39And after their parents wandered around the same mountain for 40 years these children came into 41
09:47They went into the promised land. They lived in houses. They didn't build they ate from vineyards
09:53They didn't plant in a land flowing with milk and honey
09:58Abundance more than enough that happened after 40 years of lack 40 years of struggle
10:0540 years of mediocrity
10:07There may be things that have been in your family a long time
10:11Can't get ahead
10:13stuck in a limited environment
10:15unhealthy relationships
10:17people that compromise addictions loneliness
10:20God is saying that 40 years has run its course
10:24You're coming in to 41 in 41. You break out of the box and go into your promised land
10:32In 41 you see favor that your family's never seen in 41
10:37There's opportunity chasing you down the right people knocking at your door in 41
10:44There's creativity ideas and talent that you didn't know you had in
10:4941 you're catapulted into influence leadership
10:53positions of honor and authority
10:56You may be in some wilderness years now where there's struggle and adversity you have to know that is not your destiny
11:04Day 41 is coming
11:07Six months after the rain stopped the waters begin to receive and recede and Noah sent a raven out to see if it could
11:14Find dry ground
11:16Hoping he could get off the boat, but the raven came back. There was no way to know where to land
11:22It was still flooded
11:23Well, no one didn't get discouraged
11:25Thinking it was never going to change. He waited a few weeks and sent another bird out
11:30This time it came back with an olive leaf in its beak
11:34The bird couldn't land but no one knew things were getting better a week later
11:38He sent a dove out and the dove never returned. There was dry ground. They were able to get off the boat
11:46But notice how Noah kept looking
11:49Believing knowing that the boat was not his destiny
11:52He knew that God was faithful that it may storm for 40 days, but day 41 is coming
11:59When you're in a storm you have to do like Noah keep expecting things to change
12:05Don't let it become permanent keep sending out that bird so to speak keep looking for God's goodness
12:11Keeping expecting your health to improve keep believing for your business to turn around keep thanking God that the right people
12:19Will show up. I
12:21Talked to a lady that was in town for treatment at the Medical Center
12:25She had been diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer. She'd had it for six years
12:31She'd been through chemotherapy several times. The doctors had put her on a special trial
12:38Experimenting with new medicines, but with no success
12:41She'd come to church when she is in town and she was always full of faith. I couldn't encourage her
12:47She would encourage me
12:48She told me how that cancer was temporary that it would pass that she was going to be a testimony of God's goodness
12:55I just smile and agree with her. Well, she came last Sunday so exciting
13:01She showed me the scans of her kidney on one you could see the dark spot
13:07The cancer but on the newest scan, it's perfectly clean. There's no sign of cancer
13:13the doctor said
13:15Of all the hundreds of patients on this special trial. She's the only one that's seen improvement
13:22She's not just the medicine. It's Jehovah Rapha the Lord our healer
13:27What happened?
13:29She came in to a 41st day
13:32You may be dealing with a sickness or some difficulty and you're in your 18th day
13:39the 25th day your
13:4137th day you have to do like her and keep reminding yourself
13:45The day 41 is coming that the storm is not going to last that the trouble is not permanent
13:52The same God that stopped this rain for Noah is going to stop the rain in your life
13:57The same God that took the children of the Israelites into the promised land is going to take you into your promised land
14:05Where there's no more wandering no more sickness. No more can't get ahead
14:11Day 41 is on your calendar
14:14God has already scheduled the turnaround the healing
14:18It's already lined up the breakthrough the divine connections just a matter of time before the wind cease
14:25The waters recede and you step in to a new level of your destiny
14:31So the scripture says don't think it's strange when you face fiery trials that test the quality of your faith
14:39Sometimes the 40 days is simply a test
14:43It's a time to prove to God who you are to show him that you're not going to be discouraged by the rain
14:50You're not going to get bitter over who did you wrong?
14:52You're not going to complain because your plans didn't work out your business hasn't taken off yet. You lost a loved one
15:00Your attitude in the storm how we respond to the trials will have a great impact on
15:07We when we see the 41st day
15:10When you show God that you trust him, you're not moved by the rain. You're still believing
15:16Praising thanking smiling you're passing the test. That's when he'll release greater things in your life
15:24when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist he came up out of the water and the dove landed on his shoulder a
15:31Voice boomed out of the heavens said this is my beloved son and whom I'm well pleased
15:37It's an incredible moment where Jesus was publicly announced for the first time
15:42You would think Jesus would go to the city and start healing people doing great miracles
15:48I'm sure he's all fired up and ready to go
15:51But the scripture says the Spirit led him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil
15:59Doesn't say that the enemy led in there that the opposition was trying to hold him back
16:04It said God led him to the desert for a period of testing
16:09You can be in God's will and be in the desert
16:13For 40 days the enemy tempted Jesus you're hungry turn these stones into bread
16:19Bow down and worship me. I'll give you the kingdoms of the world jump off this building prove that you're the Son of God
16:2640 days it was a struggle
16:28Jesus was hungry. He had been fasting. He had to endure
16:34resist and outlast
16:35But he passed the test and proved that he was faithful that he wouldn't compromise
16:4140 days it was difficult
16:43Then day 41 came angel showed up to strengthen him and empower him day 41
16:51Jesus came out of the desert the scripture says in the power of the Spirit
16:57He stepped into a new authority a new anointing a new dimension of his destiny
17:03It says in Luke that he went to the temple
17:06Stood in front of the people and read from the scroll of Isaiah
17:11It said the Spirit of the Lord is upon me to preach the good news
17:16To heal the sick to set at Liberty those that are captive to declare the acceptable year of God's favor
17:24He rolled up the scroll and said this day this scripture is fulfilled
17:30Was 700 years earlier
17:32Isaiah had written this prophecy
17:35Jesus said today it's coming to pass
17:39After being tempted for 40 days on day 41
17:43Jesus stepped in to what was declared about him hundreds of years earlier
17:49You may be in a time of testing and proving now
17:53It's difficult, but you're keeping the right attitude
17:56The medical report hasn't improved, but you keep thanking God for healing
18:02People at work didn't give you the credit. You keep being your best each day
18:06You could be bitter over the door that closed the person that walked away, but you know God has something better coming
18:14You're passing the test like Jesus. You're going to come in to the 41st day
18:21Not only will you feel a strength and power that you've never felt
18:26But you're going to step into things that God prophesied over you long before you got here
18:32Things he has spoken over your destiny before you were born
18:37God said to Jeremiah before you were formed in your mother's womb
18:41I ordained you to be a prophet to the nations on your 41st day
18:47You'll fulfill prophecy favor influence greater than you've imagined
18:53Now don't get discouraged in the testing in the wilderness seasons. Those are times
19:00Approving where you have to show God what you're made of
19:03You may be in day 15 now thoughts whisper. This is never going to change
19:10Day 22 you'll always be overlooked
19:13Day 34 just take the easy way out. Everyone's doing it. No stand strong
19:19Keep doing the right thing. The end is already set
19:23the time of struggle
19:25Testing loneliness that expiration date is already scheduled day 41 is coming
19:32Day 41 is an anointing of ease where what used to be a struggle is not a struggle anymore
19:39Day 41 is when the person of your dream shows up someone better than you've imagined
19:45Day 41 is when you see restoration
19:49Beauty for ashes God working all things for your good
19:53And some of you don't realize you're in day 38 day 39. You're too close to quit
20:00You're on the verge of what you've been believing for
20:03This is not the time to get discouraged give up you have to dig down deep and say I am in it for the long
20:10Haul, I will not be moved God. I believe my day 41 is coming
20:15This storm will cease and I'll see your goodness in new ways
20:19When you do that, you're gonna feel a second wind God breathing fresh strength greater endurance new vision
20:27So you can make it to 41
20:30My father pastored Lakewood for 40 years he and my mother started the church
20:371959 and he passed in
20:391999 and I stepped up to pastor and we thought if we could just keep the church going who we'd be doing great
20:46If we could just maintain and not let it go down. That would be a victory
20:51My father was such a strong leader
20:54Powerful minister big personality
20:56He was my hero, but man if I could be half of what he was I'd be doing great
21:02I've been behind the scenes all those years doing the production and I'm naturally more quiet and reserved
21:08I didn't have all the training the experience
21:11But when my father suddenly passed, I didn't realize I stepped in to year 41
21:17I stepped into favor influence opportunity
21:22That my father never saw
21:2441 is where God catapults you ahead
21:28We were hoping to maintain the church, but here we are in the form of compact center. You know what this is day 41
21:37There are some 41s in your future. You've been faithful
21:41You passed the test you're going to see God show out in your life
21:46Open doors, you never dreamed would open turn situations around that you thought were permanent
21:52I don't believe those lies that you've seen your best days day 41 is coming
21:58Goliath was the champion the Philistine army. He was over 9 feet tall
22:04This scripture says for 40 days
22:06He stood on the side of the mountain morning and evening and taunted the Israelites making threats
22:13insults pestering them
22:16When the Israelite army heard them or heard him they were terrified. They'd run and hide
22:2240 days paralyzed in fear
22:2540 days they thought there were no way out facing an angry giant twice their size
22:31All of us will have some Goliaths in line. Not just the size, but how about the negative chatter?
22:39People that tell you you can't accomplish your dream. You'll never get well
22:44Sometimes the Goliath is our own thoughts. You're too small. You're not attractive. You don't have what it takes
22:51For 40 days God allowed the giant to speak to insult to threaten
22:56But God has set an end to the difficulty day 41 a teenage boy named David showed up
23:04He heard Goliath mocking the Israelites
23:07He saw everyone run and hide but something rose up in him a fire a passion of courage
23:14He looked at Goliath and said who is this?
23:18Uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of a living God
23:22He was saying in effect. This may have gone on for 40 days, but day 41 is here
23:28He picked up a smooth stone slung that rock and knocked Goliath to the ground
23:34He took Goliath sword cut his head off
23:38Well, Joel, I can't wait till David shows up and does something about my giant. Can I tell you a secret?
23:44You're the David. You're the one to defeat what's limiting you
23:50God allowed it for a 40-day season a certain amount of time, but it's not permanent
23:56You're not supposed to run and hide
23:59Live intimidated this sickness is too big. These people at work are so much more powerful. I'm the underdog
24:06God loves to use the underdog. He loves to take those who people think are too small
24:13Don't have the training. They expect you to hide live with the dysfunction
24:18deep down you're gonna feel what David felt a
24:22Supernatural power a divine enablement a favor on your slingshot
24:27To where you rise up and say I'm the giant killer. I'm the difference maker
24:32I'm the one to put an end to what's hindering my family
24:37May have gone on for 40 days or 40 years
24:40God is saying day 41 is here. The giant is about to come down
24:46The sickness about to turn around that struggle and lack is coming to an end
24:52Friends, I can't promise you that you won't have some 40 days like Noah where it rains and storms
24:58Like Jesus where you in the desert being tempted like David facing a big obstacle
25:04Thoughts taunting you but I can promise you day 41 is coming
25:10God is faithful. He has you in the palm of his hand
25:14He sees you being faithful
25:16Doing the right thing when it's hard you are passing the test
25:20When those lies whisper that it's never going to change. No, remember God has set an end to your difficulty
25:27He's already scheduled the expiration date now
25:30I believe and declare like with Noah the storm is about to cease like the children of the Israelites
25:38Bondages that have held your family back are being broken
25:42Like David that giant that's been taunting you the sickness the addiction the trouble at work is coming down and you
25:50Will go into your promised land in Jesus name
25:54And if you receive it, can you say amen?
26:01Let's pray together if you have five minutes stick with me Lord, thank you for what we've heard today
26:07Lord, I know it falls on great ground
26:10Faithful people here at Lakewood and all those watching and listening and Lord we're going out with faith risen in our hearts
26:17Believe in that you're in control
26:20Lord, I know everyone's in some kind of 40-day period but Lord we trust you with our lives that you'll order in our steps
26:27That day 41 is coming
26:29Help us to believe
26:31Help us to honor you to make decisions that move us toward our God-given destiny
26:37So we can become who you've created us to be Lord
26:41I ask you to protect your people as they go out there this week and watch over their children at school
26:47Thank you that you have that hedge of protection around each one of them in Jesus name
26:52With our heads bowed in prayer. Just a quick question if your heart stopped beating in the next few minutes
26:59Are you at peace with God?
27:02Do you know where you'd spend eternity you died a little while from now
27:07If not, I would love to pray with you
27:11I'm not here to condemn anybody. I'm here to help you find a new beginning
27:16I know this comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
27:22And in just a moment if you're not at peace with the Lord, or maybe you are a Christian
27:27But you've grown cold toward God, you know, you need to rededicate your life
27:32You need a fresh new start if that's you in just a moment
27:36I'm gonna ask you to take a step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together. I
27:42Can't think of a better time to get on the road to victory than right now
27:47God is not mad at you
27:49Your sins have already been forgiven. All you have to do is accept the free gift of Christ salvation
27:57Will you do it today?
27:59The enemy in your thoughts he'll whisper do it next week. Do it another time. Listen, the Bible says
28:05Today is the day of salvation
28:08You're not hearing this by accident
28:10But y'all it's embarrassing to stand in front of everyone. I have people at the house. I can't lift my hand
28:15Listen what Jesus said if you won't be ashamed of me before people
28:21Then I won't be ashamed of you before my Father in heaven
28:26I'm gonna give you a great opportunity to show God that you're not ashamed of him
28:30If you're not at peace with the Lord or you just need to rededicate your life
28:35You need a fresh new start a new beginning if that's you
28:39Would you be bold take that step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together
28:44Would you do that? Come on Lakewood. Let's give him a hand as they stand all over the building
28:50I
28:57Feel like there ought to be a few more anybody else your heart's beating fast God's drawing you up top
29:04watching listening
29:06They put one more hand. They're still standing anybody else
29:12Well, God bless you
29:14Please remain standing if you don't mind
29:16Let me tell you how proud we are of you and more importantly
29:19I know the angels are rejoicing in the heavens
29:22God's never going to be ashamed of you because you took this step of faith
29:26And the scripture says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
29:31Let me help you to call do you mind all praying this after me if you would please Lord Jesus. I
29:38repent of my sins
29:41Come into my heart
29:43Wash me clean. I
29:46Make you my Lord and Savior
29:49Amen remain sitting one more moment. I want to tell you how proud we are of you more importantly
29:54I want to tell you that I know God God loves you
29:57He's got it you in the palm of his hand and here's the thing
29:59We always challenge new believers give us the next year of your life
30:04Make a commitment just like you go to work for the next year
30:07You're gonna be here online in person on the radio. However, you do it
30:11I'll make a promise before that year is over. Your life will never be the same for the better
30:17We will help you grow and become who God's created you to be
30:21And I know you're busy Sunday may be a day off and you could grocery shop you could do it
30:26But let me tell you this you can never give God something without him giving you more back in return
30:32There is a blessing on your life when you put God first place you get into a community of faith
30:38We'd love to have you here get involved in some of our volunteer teams, you'll meet some awesome people. Hey after service
30:44There's a class right over here a room called new beginnings
30:47If you need anything stop by and and meet some of the Lakewood folks
30:51I'll be in the lobby out there. You can't do it today whenever you can
30:55I'd be honored to meet you, but we also have some classes after the service and online as well
31:00But know this the moment you stood up God washed away all your sins your mistakes your failures
31:06You are starting with the fresh clean slate
31:09Write it down in your Bible September 22nd
31:132024 a new day of victory in your life in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Well, let's all stand together if you would, please
31:21Thanks for coming out today. How many of you going home better off than you were before? Amen
31:27All right, let me speak this blessing until we meet again
31:30May the Lord bless you and keep you
31:33May the Lord show you his favor and have mercy on you and may the Lord watch over you and give you his peace
31:39God bless you. Have a great week. We love you very much and we'll see you back real soon