When God Interrupts Your Plans | Tim Dilema | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

When God Interrupts Your Plans

Times Square Church • Oct 11, 2026 • 149 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this powerful message, Pastor Tim Dilema cautions against allowing work, projects, and busyness for God to replace personal intimacy with Him. Drawing from Solomon's construction of the temple in 1 Kings 6, he emphasizes that God's interruptions are acts of mercy designed to keep us from spiritual drift. Believers are called to turn away from human performance and manufacturing artificial spiritual experiences, seeking instead God's genuine presence, His guiding voice, and His will every day of the week.

Themes

God's Presence over PerformanceHearing God's Interrupting VoiceIntimacy vs. ActivityObedience to God's WillAvoiding Artificial Faith

Pastor's Points

1.

God's Will

2.

God's Presence

3.

God's Voice

Key Points

1.
God's interruptions are designed for our protection, preventing good projects and blessings from taking the place of the Giver.
2.
Puritan writer Thomas Watson noted that 'the stars vanish when the sun appears,' reminding believers that ministry must exalt Jesus rather than human personalities.
3.
Solomon added ornate windows to a temple originally designed to be lit by God's Shekinah glory, serving as a warning against creating man-made light when God's presence should be central.
4.
Activity for God can never replace genuine intimacy with God; busyness in church work can still leave a soul shriveled.
5.
Times Square Church founder David Wilkerson declared that if God's presence is not present, the church should shut its doors and sell the building.
6.
Missionary martyr Jim Elliot observed that 'the saint who advances on his knees never retreats,' highlighting prayer and sacrifice as essential to true faith.
7.
God often speaks a personal word of direction to an individual directly in the middle of a crowd or heavy activity.

Sermon Moments

“Thomas Watson quote: 'The stars vanish when the sun appears.'”

“The story of the Titanic captain ignoring six iceberg warnings, responding, 'Shut up. I'm busy.'”

“Dr. Dobson quote: 'If Satan can't make you sin, he'll make you busy.'”

“Solomon placing ornate windows in the temple as an illustration of manufacturing man-made light.”

“Warning against smoke machines becoming a 'plagiarism of the presence of God.'”

“David Wilkerson's declaration: 'If His presence is not here, shut the doors and sell the building.'”

“Jim Elliot quote: 'The saint who advances on his knees never retreats.'”

“The contrast between 'dating Jesus' on weekends and living as a fully surrendered Bride every day.”

This Week

Pause during busy routines to ask God whether your work or projects have become more important than your relationship with Him.

Examine your heart's motivations in ministry and service to ensure you are pointing people to Jesus rather than seeking recognition.

Refuse to rely on human effort or artificial excitement to compensate for a lack of spiritual depth.

Listen for God's personal, quiet whispers throughout the week and respond with immediate obedience.

Move beyond a 'weekend relationship' with Jesus by worshipping Him daily in your home, workplace, and daily commute.

Commit to spending consistent time in prayer on your knees, seeking true spiritual transformation rather than superficial activity.

Surrender your career plans and ambitions to God, inviting Him to interrupt anything that strays from His will.

Remember This

God interrupts our plans in mercy to protect us from spiritual drift, calling us back to His will, His voice, and His abiding presence.

A Challenge for You

Stop trying to build a career, ministry, or life without God; surrender every day to Him and refuse to move forward without His abiding presence.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.