When God Puts You on Hold | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, October 27
Scriptures
Acts 16:25-28, Acts 16:6-10, Romans 8:28, Exodus 11:4, Judges 16:3, Matthew 16:18, Ruth 3:8, Isaiah 40:31, Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:35-39
Key Points
- The Holy Spirit may present stop signs. Just because God tells you to wait doesn't mean it won't happen; the timing must be right. A closed door is just as much a part of God's will as an open door. A midnight miracle is on its way!
- God's plan continues to work behind the scenes. If God has placed you on hold, don't give up! You must hold on and not hang up on God. He is working all things together for your good.
- Midnight is God's favorite time. At 11:59, you might feel bound, enslaved, and broken, but God will "suddenly" boom forth at midnight and perform a miracle! You never know when you're standing in your 11:59 moment. You could be one minute away from a miracle.
- Trust the facts over your feelings. If you're feeling lonely and sad, you must refuse to be guided by those emotions. God's truths are greater than your current feelings. Weeping may last for the night, but joy is coming in the morning!
- You're about to enter into a miracle. If you've had a fall, Jesus can put you back together! God crafts beautiful murals from broken pieces.
*Terminology: Before moving forward, discuss the terminology used in the message pertaining to midnight (breakthrough) and 11:59 (bound, enslaved, waiting, etc.).
Introduction
Acts 16:25-26 (NKJV)
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
In Acts 16:25-26, we encounter Paul and Silas at a critical, life-threatening moment—imprisoned, chained, and surrounded by darkness, both physically and spiritually. But instead of surrendering to despair, they choose to sing praises and pray to God. Pastor Jentezen’s message, "When God Puts You on Hold," reminds us that even in our darkest times, worship is a powerful act of faith. It shifts our focus from our circumstances to God's faithfulness and power, releasing us from the chains of fear, doubt, and hopelessness.
- How did Paul and Silas’ response to imprisonment impact the other prisoners and the jailer, and what does this teach us about the influence of our faith during difficult times?
- What are some practical ways we can incorporate praise and prayer into our lives during challenging seasons?
Closed Doors and God's Perfect Timing
The dissemination of the gospel has always been driven by God's plan, not by Paul, the apostles, or any human effort. It was the Holy Spirit who set the course and the schedule, which Paul and Silas followed. Have you ever tried your best to make something work or happen, and God gives you a stop sign?
Acts 16:6-10
“Paul and his companions traveled all through the area of Phrygia and Galatia. The Holy Spirit had kept them from preaching the word in Asia Minor. 7 They came to the border of Mysia. From there they tried to enter Bithynia. But the Spirit of Jesus would not let them. 8 So they passed by Mysia. Then they went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision. He saw a man from Macedonia standing and begging him. “Come over to Macedonia!” the man said. “Help us!” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia. We decided that God had called us to preach the good news there.”
Paul wanted to do much in ministry, but it felt like God had closed the door and put him on hold. Paul tried to go to Asia, and the Holy Spirit forbade him. He did not understand everything that was going on, but he was praising and trusting God anyhow.
In times when God closes a door, it’s important to remember that as a believer, it's working out for your good. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." Paul was forbidden from going where he thought he was supposed to go at that time, but God said, "No, it's not time yet." A closed door might be just as much a part of God's plan as an open one. It's all about His timing.
Stay patient and undeterred; surrender to God's will. Continue to trust, pray, and praise Him without faltering. Your breakthrough is coming; keep pushing forward.
- Reflect on a Time of Closed Doors: Can you recall a situation in your life where you felt like God was closing a door or giving you a stop sign? How did you react at the time, and looking back, can you see how it might have been part of God's timing or plan for you?
- Understanding God's Timing: When Paul was prevented from going to Asia, he continued to trust and praise God despite not understanding the full picture. How can we cultivate patience and trust in God's timing, especially when His plans seem contrary to our own desires or expectations?
- Applying Romans 8:28: Discuss how you interpret and apply Romans 8:28 in your life, especially during times when things don't go as planned or when doors are closed. How does this verse encourage or challenge your faith in God's overarching plan for good?
Trusting Through Brokenness and Setbacks
In life, setbacks and brokenness often make us feel defeated, yet God shows through His Word that these experiences are not the end. They are opportunities for growth, trust, and ultimately, redemption. Looking at Judges 16:3 and Genesis 50:20, we see examples of God’s ability to work through difficult situations.
In Judges 16, we see Samson, a man chosen by God, in a moment of vulnerability and danger. Despite his flaws and the mess he finds himself in, God empowers him to break free, tearing the gates from the city walls to escape the Philistines.
Judges 16:3 (NIV)
“But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.”
Samson's strength here represents how God can equip us to break free from anything that holds us back, even if it seems insurmountable. Samson’s story teaches us that no setback can limit God’s ability to bring freedom, and no mistake can prevent Him from accomplishing His purpose.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 NIV
In Genesis 50:20, we witness Joseph's response to his brothers, who betrayed him, sold him into slavery, and caused him years of suffering. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.” Joseph's words reveal a profound truth: even in the worst moments, God is at work, orchestrating a greater purpose. Though Joseph’s journey was full of betrayal, false accusations, and years of separation from his family, God ultimately used those trials to save an entire nation.
Both verses remind us that in our brokenness and setbacks, God has a plan. He can turn betrayal, hardship, and even our own mistakes into testimonies of His grace and power. Trusting God means believing that our setbacks are setups for His purpose and that our brokenness can be the very place where His strength and redemption shine the brightest.
- From his brothers’ evil deeds to the false charges by Potiphar's wife, from the cupbearer's forgetfulness to the seven years of famine, God brought good from evil in Joseph's life. God can transform adversity into something beneficial. Are you willing to trust God sufficiently to remain patient while He turns negative circumstances into positive ones?
God’s Unfailing Love and Presence Amid Trials
In the message, Pastor Franklin recounted the story of a Vietnamese Evangelist who was captured and imprisoned by the government. During his two and a half years, he was isolated from the Word of God and others. In his darkest time, he cried out, "If you are there, God, I need to see You." God responded in the most unexpected way. While cleaning the latrines, he discovered pages of the Bible, including Romans 8:35-39.
Romans 8:35-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
At the heart of this verse is the concept of His Unfailing Love. The Hebrew word for God's unfailing love? Chesed. It means faithful, loyal, lovingkindness, steadfast love, and mercy. It is love put into action. It refers to and interacts with 'strength' and includes the concepts of generosity, favor, loyalty, and grace, of goodness, devotion, and of protection and blessing.
God invites us to come to Him, to find hope. In His Word, we have the assurance of His unfailing love, and His enduring presence in our lives – even amidst the trials we will face. These trials could be an unexpected diagnosis, the loss of a loved one, unexpected loss of a job…the list can go on. Even success can turn out differently, and our hopes can be dashed. When things go awry, we question God.
- When have you been led to question God’s faithfulness? How can the hope of Romans 8:35-39 help you defy your difficulties?
- The term "Powers" refers to invisible evil entities in the universe, like Satan and his demons. For those of us with faith, equipped with Jesus' strength, we are destined for triumph in this life and beyond (Romans 8:37). Embed these verses into your soul. Embrace them personally to continually affirm God's unwavering love and concern for you
It is significant to note in Pastor Jentezen’s illustration, God did not remove the evangelist from the circumstances but met him through the circumstances.
God’s Power at Midnight Brings Deliverance and New Beginnings
Exodus 11:4 “So Moses said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt.”
Midnight is not to be taken literally; it references the time after a trial or persecution. It is when God fulfills His promises and acts on our behalf, when prisons are broken open, judgment passes over us, and we find His strength renewing us. Midnight brings deliverance and new beginnings.
"Midnight" signifies the time when the blood on the doorposts protected God's people from the judgment upon the Egyptians. Today, it is still the Blood of Jesus that holds power over the enemy at our 'midnight'.
Pastor Jentezen mentioned that 'midnight is God’s favorite time, which means that 11:59 is Satan’s favorite time.' We must stay vigilant during times of closed doors, prolonged waiting, seemingly unanswered prayers, and persistent uncertainties. God is at work even when we do not see it. According to Pastor Jentezen, we are currently living in the '11:59' of our world, making it crucial to persevere and hold fast to the truth that God is ready to fulfill His promises at 'midnight'.
- What did Pastor Jentezen imply when he mentioned 'it is time for the spirit of Samson to come upon the church'?
- How can we support and keep each other uplifted during this 11:59 season we find ourselves in?
Will Not Prevail
Here's the corrected version: In Matthew 16, Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say I am?" to which he responded, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus commended Peter for his declaration of belief. It's this kind of faith, exemplified by Peter, that forms the bedrock of Christ's Kingdom.
Matthew 16:18 (NIV) "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
According to Barnes Commentary, the phrase 'the gates of hell' refers to ancient cities encircled by walls, where gates were not only for entry but also served as centers for legal, commercial, and civic activities. Thus, "gates" symbolize the plans, schemes, and intentions of these cities.
"Hell" means, here, the place of departed spirits, particularly evil spirits; and the meaning of the passage is, that all the plots and schemes of the enemies of the church would not be able to overcome it, which is a promise that has been remarkably fulfilled.
- What do you think Jesus meant when He said that "on this rock I will build my church"? Discuss how Peter's confession of faith relates to the foundation of the church and what that implies for us today.
- Considering the interpretation of "the gates of Hades," how does this passage give you hope or strength when facing opposition or challenges to your faith or to the church's mission? How can we as a community or individually stand firm against the 'gates of Hades'?
Conclusion
Even when nothing seems to be happening, God is present and at work. Like Paul and Silas, we are called to worship and pray through our "11:59 moments"—those times just before the breakthrough. When we choose to worship despite our circumstances, we align ourselves with God’s strength, opening the way for His purpose and presence in our lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us trust Your timing and purpose, even when doors seem closed or we're in the waiting of our '11:59' moments. Grant us the faith to praise You continually while awaiting a midnight miracle to come!
Resources