In the Waiting: With the End in Mind - Hebrews 12:1-2

·20 min·2 clips

Stephen Covey's 'begin with the end in mind' principle explains why some TV shows lose their way after a few seasons.

The episode opens with a reference to Stephen Covey's 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,' specifically the principle 'begin with the end in mind.' The speaker illustrates this with examples from television shows like Lost and Fast and Furious, noting how some stories lose coherence when not planned with an end goal. He then transitions to the season of Advent, explaining it as the arrival of Jesus and the beginning of his life with the end of salvation in mind. The sermon delves into the biblical concept of waiting, citing the frequent lament 'How long?' in the Psalms. King David's experience is highlighted, including his decades-long wait to become king and being hunted by Saul and his own son. Psalm 13 is read, showcasing David's raw emotions of feeling forgotten and alone. The speaker connects this to common human experiences of waiting for God's help. The prophecy in Isaiah 9 about a child being born is mentioned as a promise that took 700 years to fulfill with Jesus's birth. Jesus is described as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, with his life starting with humanity's redemption as the goal. The writer of Hebrews 12:1-2 is referenced, calling Jesus the founder and perfecter of faith. The sermon addresses the difficulty of waiting on God's timing versus human desires for instant solutions. It emphasizes that God does not waste time but is worth waiting on due to his goodness. Returning to Psalm 13, the speaker notes David's response in verses 5-6, where he chooses to trust in God's steadfast love and worship despite his circumstances. Practical advice is given: to become experts in recalling how God has blessed us historically, which fosters thankfulness and worship. The message concludes with a prayer, affirming God's presence in all seasons, including waiting.

As heard by us

A patient sermon about carrying unanswered prayer toward the promise of Christ.

Waiting is treated here as the discipline of keeping the promised ending in view. The episode opens with Stephen Covey's "begin with the end in mind," then moves through images of a future book signing and being in tip-top shape before widening into a call to picture the outcome…

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Why you'd press play

If waiting has made prayer feel like a stalled plan, this sermon keeps the promised ending in view.

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