1. The document discusses how delays in God's plans are opportunities for both God rejectors and God trusters. For rejectors, delays reveal God, while for trusters delays grow their trust and perseverance.
2. It provides examples from the story of Moses and the Exodus to illustrate how delays revealed God's power and trustworthiness through the plagues in Egypt. Delays also grew Moses' ability to carry out God's plans.
3. The building of APC church is discussed as an example where delays in obtaining permits have allowed thorough planning and fundraising to progress the expansion in a prudent manner.
4. The People’s Response:
“Moses and Aaron brought together all the
elders of the Israelites, and Aaron told them
everything the LORD had said to Moses. He
also performed the signs before the people, and
they believed. And when they heard that the
LORD was concerned about them and had seen
their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.”
- Exodus 4:29-31
5. Pharaoh’s Response:
“Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD, that I
should obey him and let Israel go? I do not
know the LORD and I will not let Israel go . . .
Go and get your own straw wherever you can
nd it, but your work will not be reduced at
all.’” - Exodus 5:2,11
6. Moses’ Response:
“Moses returned to the LORD and said,
‘O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon
this people? Is this why you sent me?’”
- Exodus 5:22
7. God’s Response:
“ erefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the
LORD, and I will bring you out om under the
yoke of the Egyptians. I will ee you om being
slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an
outstretched arm and with mighty acts of
judgment. I will take you as my own people,
and I will be your God...
8. God’s Response:
“ en you will know that I am the LORD your
God, who brought you out om under the yoke
of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the
land I swore with upli ed hand to give to
Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to
you as a possession. I am the LORD.’”
- Exodus 6:6-8
10. Why did
9 DELAYS happen?
Delays are opportunities for:
1 - God Rejectors
2 - God Trusters
11. For God Rejectors,
delays are opportunities
God uses to reveal Himself
again and again
12. Delays
REVEALED:
1 The rightness of
trusting God alone
The 9 plagues exposed the
inadequacy of trusting false gods
13. Delays
REVEALED:
2 Pride + sel shness are
a dead end destination
God’s warnings, and
Jesus’ woes
14. Delays
REVEALED:
3 That God ultimately lets people
have what their hearts insist on
• Pharaoh • Egyptians
“ e Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some
understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting
anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
- 2 Peter 3:9
16. 1 Trusting God deeper with each
delay is the only way we discover
how completely trustworthy He is
Discover His care amidst catastrophe
• No swarms of ies in Goshen (8:22)
• No livestock die from plague in Goshen (9:9)
• No hail destroys in Goshen (9:26)
17. 1 Trusting God deeper with each
delay is the only way we discover
how completely trustworthy He is
Discover how His Word prepares you
• Before each plague – preparation
• During the delays – promises
18. 2 Perseverance through delays
grows us to handle the ful llment
of His plans
Moses at beginning of Exodus
“I can’t”
19. 2 Perseverance through delays
grows us to handle the ful llment
of His plans
Moses at the end of Exodus
“Yes, we can”
20. 2 Perseverance through delays
grows us to handle the ful llment
of His plans
Moses at the end of Exodus
“Yes, we will”
21. 2 Perseverance through delays
grows us to handle the ful llment
of His plans
Moses at the Red Sea
“ e Lord will ght for you”
- Exodus 14:14
22. Facility planning for “The Next Generation”
BUILDING EXPANSION approved by the Board of Deacons (Nov. 4, 2008)
APC’s Building Committee, with the help of
Redbox Design Group (student education design
specialists) prepared plans
Engagement of Reinders and Reider Ltd as our
architects (Nov. 2009)
Presentation to and approval by members to
proceed (Sept. 26, 2010)
Presentation to congregation with a message
about “The Next Generation” (April 30/May 1, 2011)
Fundraising began with pledges and offerings
(during 2011, $281,105.45 was raised)
23. BUILDING EXPANSION
Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the required archeological
study was completed over six months (2011)
Many meetings to remove property changes
required by the City of Toronto resulted in
$80,000 of savings for us
Deposit cheques submitted to the City
Currently awaiting a building permit
from the City
24.
25. 3 Daily choosing to move ahead
in God’s plan makes you
permanently unstoppable
26. One step at a time...
1 is the only way we discover how
Trusting God deeper with each delay
completely trustworthy He is
Perseverance through delays
2 grows us to handle the ful llment
of His plans
3 Daily choosing to move ahead in
God’s plan makes you permanently
unstoppable