“When Delays Happen”W E E K O N E :

“What’s the Best Way to Deal with Discouragement?”

W E E K T W O :

“Why Together Takes Longer”

“Aaron answered them, ‘Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.’ So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. "en they said, ‘"ese are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’”

- Exodus 32:2-4

"en the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’

- Exodus 33:1

“When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments.”

- Exodus 33:4

Exodus 33:12-18

๏ The average person has 2.03 close friends

๏ Marriage – oneness of spirit, mind, body

Closeness requires work

๏ Trust – community, respect, sacri!cial love

Exodus 32:31-32 and 33:13b๏ Scripture teaches us to stay clear of people who

do not respect our commitments to God and others, to choose our friends carefully... But to accept, love and serve one another in the community of faith. To bear one another’s burdens, restore the fallen in meekness...to make the Church together

Comm-UNITY requires sacri!ce

“I don’t need this” criteria does not see completions

Completion requires waiting

Moses waited

“I don’t need this” criteria does not see completions

Completion requires waiting

Keith Smith waited

“I don’t need this” criteria does not see completions

Completion requires waiting

Jesus Christ waited

“I don’t need this” criteria does not see completions

Completion requires waiting

Jesus Christ waited

“Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” - Ma#hew 26:23

“Let us $x our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition %om sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” - Hebrews 12:2-3

You...waiting?