1. Hold, Please! John 11:1-6 Delays of Love Help in God’s Time No Delays

2. Delays of Love  Jesus’ delays are always delays of love  Jesus delayed because He loved them  They are never delays of indifference  Luke 18:1-8  Indifference is not a characteristic of God  They are never a product of preoccupation  1 Kings 18  God is never too preoccupied to be there for you Hold, Please! John 11:1-6

3. Delays of Love  Jesus’ delays are always purposeful  Jesus’ love always has a purpose  We are right to seek purpose in God’s delays  However, we might not always find it  God’s delays mold our wills to His perfect will  God’s delays are used to strengthen our faith  God sometimes delays to bring honor to His name  Learn to interpret circumstances by the love of Jesus and not Jesus’ love by our circumstances! Hold, Please! John 11:1-6

4. Help in God’s Time  Jesus’ delayed help always comes at the right time!  “Heaven’s clock is different from ours”  God works in a time frame called eternity!  Those few days were an eternity to the sisters  But, how did they feel after Lazarus was raised?  Acts 12  Isaiah 36,37  God never comes too early or too late! Hold, Please! John 11:1-6

5. No Delays  The best help is never delayed  The principles of delay, at best, deal with only half of our prayers  Things like guidance, healing, and changing of circumstances  But there is no delay in prayers having to do with spiritual help, growth, salvation, and blessing  Isaiah 65:24  Matthew 14:30-32 Hold, Please! John 11:1-6

6. Application 1. If God delays, it is because He has purpose in the delay!  Seek that purpose  But trust, even when you cannot find it 2. When we need help immediately, we get it! 3. When God helps, we always find what we need most! Hold, Please! John 11:1-6