December 8, 2014
Learning to Trust and Obey
As a newly saved boy of 12, I didn't automatically know how to trust and follow God. For more than 60 years, the Lord has been training me in His "School of Obedience." The most basic principle I learned there is also an essential key to spiritual maturity: Believers must trust God.
People do not obey a God whom they do not trust. In fact, I would say that most rebellion happens when a believer says, "I know what the Lord says, but . . . " When we hang a "but" at the end of a biblical promise, we're about to make an excuse to disobey.
The key lesson for trusting the Lord is recognizing His identity. God is the loving Creator and sovereign Ruler of the universe (Psalm 33; Psalm 103:19). His nature prevents Him from making promises that He will not fulfill (Psalm 89:34). And His ancient scriptural statutes apply to modern lives because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Men and women who believe that the Lord is who He claims to be are willing to surrender to Him. They'll commit to obey Him in all things and then observe the results. (Hint: Obedience = Blessing, whereas Rebellion = Sorrow.) If you need assurance that the trust principle works, take a look at the lives of other believers, including biblical saints like David and Paul.
We cannot follow God on a case-by-case basis. Either we trust and obey or we don't. The Sovereign of the universe invites us to depend upon Him to direct our path. Since He is in charge anyway, isn't it better to walk beside Him than to resist His efforts to steer us right?
Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc.
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Current Sermon Series:
Fear attacks us right where our faith lives and keeps us from stepping into the plans God has for us. Created for the Christmas season, Fear Not helps us overcome fear and transform it into faith and obedience. With messages on the angels' visits to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, Fear Not assures us that God will always give us the guidance we need to reject fear.
Last Week:Why is it that we are often afraid of God's plans? We talked about two of these reasons: 1) God's interruptions are often inconvenient. 2) God's purpose is often different than your plans.
Sunday's message is available for streaming or for download on our website, just under the calendar, or by visiting us on iTunes.
Next Week: Lord willing, we will be continuing our series Fear Not next Sunday by looking into the Fear Of What People Think About Me.
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December 9 - Men's Bible Study at the church beginning at 7 PM. We will be covering James 4.
December 15 - Trustee Meeting at 7 PM.
December 21 - Sunday School Christmas Program at 11 AM
December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 5 PM
December 31 - New Year's Eve Family Game Night at the Church. More details to come.
January - Get to Know You Dinners. This is for our church to get to know one another better. Please sign up in the foyer for this great time of fellowship. See pastor or deacons for more details.
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