Challenge to Trust & Obey

2002040

Subject: trust; obedience

Introduction:

A. Trust & Obey – words of interest.

1. to launch out fully into Christian life we must learn to trust in God & the reality of His promises.

2. Convinced that major problem men face = realizing the reality of heaven/hell & the reality that God keeps his promises & means what He says.

3. A challenge we face: to be willing to trust enough in God to bring our lives into submission to His will.

4. Our lives can often spell out that we believe in God – but how far are we willing to go in our trust in Him?

B. Charles Blondin, in 1859-60, made himself famous by walking a tightrope over the Niagra gorge blind folded, pushing a wheelbarrow, & carrying his manager on his back.

1. after the latter he asked the crowd, who believed he could do it again, and everyone asserted.

2. then he asked them who would ride on his back & everyone declined.

3. They believed – but did not trust him.

C. Similar to Jhn. 12:42-43 – a statement concerning the reluctance of some of the religious believers to follow after Jesus.

1. Note: they believed in Him

2. but not enough to follow Him.

3. They believed in Jesus but did not trust Him.

I. 2 Tim. 1:12 – The Difference between simple belief & overwhelming trust.

A. Paul knew whom he had believed & was convinced/persuaded & trusted that God would deliver on His promises.

B. Belief = conviction based upon grounds insufficient for positive knowledge.

1. Heb. 11:1

2. W/o it – heaven will NOT be ours – Jhn. 3:16; Acts 16:31

C. Trust = reliance on the integrity, justice, or some quality of a person or a thing.

1. AHD – to have or place confidence in as being dependable or reliable; to depend, rely, or count on.

2. The Christian places his trust – the care of his soul – into the hands of Jesus – for eternity. Friends…this = bottom line. Not much more simple than this.

II. A Look at Some Bible Heroes…

A. Abraham Trusted:

1. Heb. 11:17-19

a) note 17-18 – Isaac = the son of promise. 2 out of 3 pro. Hinged on Isaac.

b) We see no argument/doubt/disagreement out of Abraham.

1. 22:3 – immediately arose on next AM

2. 22:5 – “we” will return

3. 22:8 – God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering.

c) what motivated him to do/say all of this?

2. Heb. 11:19 – trusted in God that He is able to raise people from dead.

3. Abraham trusted – his confidence said so.

B. Noah trusted

1. Gen. 6:3-9 – 120 years (6:3) 6:5 – thoughts of men heart only on evil continually. 6:9 – Noah = righteous; blameless; walked w/God.

a) note command from God – 6:14-21

b) responds immediately. Does ALL that God commands.

2. 7:1 – remained righteous – despite all going on around him; despite the rejection of his preaching righteousness w/no response. (2 Pet. 2:5)

3. Noah trusted – his righteousness said so.

C. Paul trusted.

1. text we read earlier – 2 Tim. 1:12. See also Phil. 3:7-8; 12-14

2. this trust is further emphasized when one takes into account what he left behind to follow Christ.

a) Phil. 3:4a-6

b) Says he counted these things as loss for Christ.

3. Look at how he trusted in God by the suffering he went through – 2 Cor. 11:23-29

4. would we be willing to throw away as much as he did? Do we trust enough?

5. Paul trusted – his sacrifice said so.

D. sometimes we reluctant to launch out in trust/rely upon God under far less circumstances!

1. thought of: how frustrated has God been w/me at times – b/c I haven’t fully trusted in Him as I should have?

a) maybe He’s put something there – to glorify Him & strengthen me - & I failed the test b/c I too scared to act?

III. What does this Mean to Us?

A. Prov. 3:5 – Solomon has said:

1. One who relies upon (trusts) in God has assurances.

a) Psa. 37:3-6 – trust in Him & he will do it!

b) Psa. 62:8 – will be a refuge for us – if we will pour out heart before Him.

B. We MUST rely upon the assurances made to us in this book! Say we b/l in this book. May I suggest that if we don’t trust – that we really believe?

IV. The one who trusts WILL obey!

C. One who trusts….will put the kingdom first – Mt. 6:33

1. what does this mean? (speak of this often)

a) placing spiritual priorities above everything else!

2. Go out of way to attend; study; give; work w/in congregation

3. where is kingdom on your list of priorities? Improvement?

D. one who trusts….will act on God’s word – Mt. 7:24-25

1. This is where OBEDIENCE comes in!

2. no pick/choosing. HUMBLE submission

3. seek to comply & help others comply as well!

E. one who trusts….will sacrifice – Rom. 12:1

1. sacrifice cares/wants/fleshly desires.

2. Sacrifice to maintain influence – there may be some personal liberties I must forego to not to cause someone else to stumble.

a) Note words “spiritual service” NASV

F. one who trusts….will run with endurance – Heb. 12:1

1. runs continually – even when the going gets tough spiritually.

2. Trust is real – when dealing w/adversity. At times – easy thing to throw up arms & quit.

a) Rally around/help others.

G. one who trusts….is going to grow & mature in Christ. 2 Pet. 3:18

1. our direction spiritually – should be moving upward 7 one that is growing stronger.

2. Heavenward – Phil. 3:13-14 – NIV

V. The Secret to all of this is loving God!

A. God has always desired obedience motivated by love!

2. Deut. 6:4-5; 7:9; 10:12-13; 11:1

B. Obedience motivated by love for God is necessary to be in the kingdom! Mk. 12:28-34

C. Those who obey are those who are blessed. Rev. 22:14

Conclusion:

A. TRUST – complete reliance.

1. do you put complete reliance on God?

2. Are you/Am I allowing Him to make a difference in your life?

B. This why we sing Trust & Obey. This why we talk so much about obedience.

C. What if you’re here & not a Christian?

1. have you place trust in God by responding in obedience?

2. will you trust & obey?

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Challenge to Trust & Obey 2002040 Subject: trust; obedience Introduction: A. Trust & Obey – words of interest. 1. to launch out fully into Christian life we must learn to trust in God & the reality of His promises. 2. Convinced that major problem men face = realizing the reality of heaven/hell & the reality that God keeps his promises & means what He says. 3. A challenge we face: to be willing to trust enough in God to bring our lives into submission to His will. 4. Our lives can often spell out that we believe in God – but how far are we willing to go in our trust in Him? B. Charles Blondin, in 1859-60, made himself famous by walking a tightrope over the Niagra gorge blind folded, pushing a wheelbarrow, & carrying his manager on his back. 1. after the latter he asked the crowd, who believed he could do it again, and everyone asserted. 2. then he asked them who would ride on his back & everyone declined. 3. They believed – but did not trust him. C. Similar to Jhn. 12:42-43 – a statement concerning the reluctance of some of the religious believers to follow after Jesus. 1. Note: they believed in Him 2. but not enough to follow Him. 3. They believed in Jesus but did not trust Him. I. 2 Tim. 1:12 – The Difference between simple belief & overwhelming trust. A. Paul knew whom he had believed & was convinced/persuaded & trusted that God would deliver on His promises. B. Belief = conviction based upon grounds insufficient for positive knowledge. 1. Heb. 11:1 2. W/o it – heaven will NOT be ours – Jhn. 3:16; Acts 16:31 C. Trust = reliance on the integrity, justice, or some quality of a person or a thing. 1. AHD – to have or place confidence in as being dependable or reliable; to depend, rely, or count on. 2. The Christian places his trust – the care of his soul – into the hands of Jesus – for eternity. Friends…this = bottom line. Not much more simple than this. II. A Look at Some Bible Heroes… A. Abraham Trusted: 1. Heb. 11:17-19 a) note 17-18 – Isaac = the son of promise. 2 out of 3 pro. Hinged on Isaac. b) We see no argument/doubt/disagreement out of Abraham. 1. 22:3 – immediately arose on next AM 2. 22:5 – “we” will return 3. 22:8 – God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering. c) what motivated him to do/say all of this? 2. Heb. 11:19 – trusted in God that He is able to raise people from dead. 3. Abraham trusted – his confidence said so. B. Noah trusted 1. Gen. 6:3-9 – 120 years (6:3) 6:5 – thoughts of men heart only on evil continually. 6:9 – Noah = righteous; blameless; walked w/God. a) note command from God – 6:14-21 b) responds immediately. Does ALL that God commands. 2. 7:1 – remained righteous – despite all going on around him; despite the rejection of his preaching righteousness w/no response. (2 Pet. 2:5) 3. Noah trusted – his righteousness said so. C. Paul trusted. 1. text we read earlier – 2 Tim. 1:12. See also Phil. 3:7-8; 12-14 2. this trust is further emphasized when one takes into account what he left behind to follow Christ. a) Phil. 3:4a-6 b) Says he counted these things as loss for Christ. 3. Look at how he trusted in God by the suffering he went through – 2 Cor. 11:23-29 4. would we be willing to throw away as much as he did? Do we trust enough? 5. Paul trusted – his sacrifice said so. D. sometimes we reluctant to launch out in trust/rely upon God under far less circumstances! 1. thought of: how frustrated has God been w/me at times – b/c I haven’t fully trusted in Him as I should have? a) maybe He’s put something there – to glorify Him & strengthen me - & I failed the test b/c I too scared to act? III. What does this Mean to Us? A. Prov. 3:5 – Solomon has said: 1. One who relies upon (trusts) in God has assurances. a) Psa. 37:3-6 – trust in Him & he will do it! b) Psa. 62:8 – will be a refuge for us – if we will pour out heart before Him. B. We MUST rely upon the assurances made to us in this book! Say we b/l in this book. May I suggest that if we don’t trust – that we really believe? IV. The one who trusts WILL obey! C. One who trusts….will put the kingdom first – Mt. 6:33 1. what does this mean? (speak of this often) a) placing spiritual priorities above everything else! 2. Go out of way to attend; study; give; work w/in congregation 3. where is kingdom on your list of priorities? Improvement? D. one who trusts….will act on God’s word – Mt. 7:24-25 1. This is where OBEDIENCE comes in! 2. no pick/choosing. HUMBLE submission 3. seek to comply & help others comply as well! E. one who trusts….will sacrifice – Rom. 12:1 1. sacrifice cares/wants/fleshly desires. 2. Sacrifice to maintain influence – there may be some personal liberties I must forego to not to cause someone else to stumble. a) Note words “spiritual service” NASV F. one who trusts….will run with endurance – Heb. 12:1 1. runs continually – even when the going gets tough spiritually. 2. Trust is real – when dealing w/adversity. At times – easy thing to throw up arms & quit. a) Rally around/help others. G. one who trusts….is going to grow & mature in Christ. 2 Pet. 3:18 1. our direction spiritually – should be moving upward 7 one that is growing stronger. 2. Heavenward – Phil. 3:13-14 – NIV V. The Secret to all of this is loving God! A. God has always desired obedience motivated by love! 2. Deut. 6:4-5; 7:9; 10:12-13; 11:1 B. Obedience motivated by love for God is necessary to be in the kingdom! Mk. 12:28-34 C. Those who obey are those who are blessed. Rev. 22:14 Conclusion: A. TRUST – complete reliance. 1. do you put complete reliance on God? 2. Are you/Am I allowing Him to make a difference in your life? B. This why we sing Trust & Obey. This why we talk so much about obedience. C. What if you’re here & not a Christian? 1. have you place trust in God by responding in obedience? 2. will you trust & obey? D. I N V I T A T I O N