GOD OF THE ZERO HOUR

Title: GOD OF THE ZERO HOUR

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: John 11:39-44
“Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me; but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’”

Supporting Texts: Daniel 3:16-30, Matthew 14:24-33, Luke 1:57-63

INTRODUCTION:
The God of the Zero Hour is the God who shows up at the very last moment, when all hope seems lost, and performs what seems impossible. His timing is always perfect, and He is never early nor late. Just when situations appear to be at their worst, He intervenes in ways that bring glory to His name. In the story of Lazarus, Jesus arrived at what seemed to be the zero hour—the moment when all hope was gone—and yet He turned the situation around. This sermon will explore the nature of the God who works at the zero hour and how He moves in our lives when all seems lost.

1. GOD OF THE LAST MINUTE INTERVENTION

a) Divine Timing:
God is never too early or too late; He shows up exactly when He needs to (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

b) Impossible Situations:
He specializes in turning around situations that seem impossible (Luke 1:37).

c) The Power of Faith:
Faith in God’s power to intervene is critical in the zero hour (Mark 11:24).

d) God's Glory Revealed:
The last-minute intervention often leads to the display of God’s glory (John 11:4).

e) Biblical Example: In John 11, Jesus arrived at the tomb of Lazarus after he had been dead for four days, and through His timely intervention, He raised him from the dead, showing the power of God at the zero hour.

2. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ZERO HOUR

a) When All Hope is Gone:
The zero hour is a time when human efforts have failed, and there is no way out except divine intervention (Daniel 3:17-18).

b) Testing of Faith:
It is a moment when God tests our faith to trust Him even in the darkest situations (Matthew 14:31).

c) Strengthened Belief:
God’s intervention at the zero hour strengthens our belief in His ability to do the impossible (Romans 4:20-21).

d) Amplified Glory:
The greater the difficulty, the greater the display of God's power when He steps in (Isaiah 55:9).

e) Biblical Example: In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, but God’s intervention at the last moment preserved them, and His power was glorified.

3. HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S HELP AT THE ZERO HOUR

a) Trust in His Timing:
Understand that God’s timing is perfect, even when it seems like it’s the last moment (Psalm 31:15).

b) Persistence in Prayer:
Keep praying and seeking God, even when it feels like all hope is lost (Luke 18:1).

c) Praise in the Waiting:
Praise God even before the breakthrough comes; this positions you for His intervention (Acts 16:25-26).

d) Obedience to His Word:
Follow God’s instructions, even when they seem unconventional, and trust that He will act at the right time (2 Kings 5:10-14).

e) Biblical Example: In Luke 1, when Elizabeth and Zechariah had been barren for many years, God intervened at the zero hour and gave them a son, John the Baptist, as they continued to pray and trust in His promises.

4. THE OUTCOME OF GOD’S ZERO HOUR INTERVENTION

a) Restoration of Hope:
God's intervention at the last minute restores hope and faith in His ability to deliver (Psalm 42:11).

b) Miracles that Glorify God:
The zero hour is often when miracles happen that bring glory to God (John 9:3).

c) Transformation of Lives:
Through God's intervention, lives are transformed, and testimonies are born (Acts 9:18-20).

d) Deliverance from the Enemy:
At the zero hour, God brings deliverance from all enemies, whether physical or spiritual (2 Chronicles 20:17).

e) Biblical Example: In Acts 12, when Peter was imprisoned and the church prayed, God intervened at the last moment, sending an angel to deliver Peter from his chains.

5. DEVELOPING A ZERO HOUR FAITH

a) Recognize the Power of God’s Sovereignty:
Understand that God is sovereign and has control over every situation, even in the zero hour (Isaiah 46:10).

b) Be Confident in His Ability:
Cultivate confidence in God’s ability to turn things around at any moment (Ephesians 3:20).

c) Hope Against Hope:
Even when the situation seems hopeless, believe that God will make a way (Romans 4:18).

d) Stand Firm in Belief:
Stand firm in faith, knowing that God will show up at the appointed time (1 Corinthians 16:13).

e) Biblical Example: In Matthew 14, when the disciples were caught in the storm, Jesus came to them at the zero hour, showing that God always knows when to intervene and that our faith should stand firm in His power.

CONCLUSION:
The God of the zero hour is the God who works in the impossible. He is never too early nor too late but always shows up exactly when needed. When all hope is lost, and it seems like there is no way out, God steps in and demonstrates His power, glory, and sovereignty. Let us continue to trust in His perfect timing and believe that He will intervene for us at the appointed time, just when we need it most.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, I thank You for being the God of the zero hour who always shows up on time.

2. Lord, help me trust in Your perfect timing, even when I don’t understand the situation.

3. Father, I ask for Your divine intervention in every area of my life that seems hopeless.

4. Lord, strengthen my faith to believe in Your power to turn situations around at the last moment.

5. Father, I receive the miracle You are about to perform in my life today.

6. Lord, intervene in my finances, health, and relationships at the zero hour.

7. Father, let Your glory be revealed through the miracles You perform in my life.

8. Lord, give me the patience to wait for Your intervention and the grace to remain faithful.

9. Father, let every hopeless situation in my life be transformed by Your mighty hand.

10. Lord, I declare that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf, and I receive Your victory.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. The God of the zero hour is turning your situation around right now.

2. Every area of your life that seems impossible will experience a divine turnaround.

3. You will testify of the miraculous intervention of God at the last moment.

4. God is opening doors for you that were previously closed, even at the last hour.

5. Your faith will bring you to the place of divine intervention.

6. Every enemy that has held you captive will see your divine deliverance in the zero hour.

7. Your miracle will be so great that it will bring glory to the name of the Lord.

8. The God of the zero hour will cause you to recover all that you have lost.

9. Expect supernatural breakthrough at the appointed time in your life.

10. Your testimony will be a living proof of the God who shows up when all hope is gone.