Faith That Knows Series

Faith understands that God not only cares for our needs but that He answers to meet those needs. Faith places a trust in God to fulfill His word, to extend His grace, to move on our behalf. Faith is simply placing our trust in the word of Jesus. Trust sounds like a simple things but it is any but simple. Trust requires us to allow God control of our lives. Trust means that we

Common Challenges to trust

Burden

29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:29-31

Independence

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD. Isaiah 31:1

Uncertainty

6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:6-8

Mistrust

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Sin

But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Galatians 3:22

Distress

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? Psalm 56:4

What does it mean to trust?

Webster: Basic dependence on someone or something, Belief that something will happen or someone will act is a prescribed way

Trust is found in our unswerving belief that the God of Heaven will indeed work on our behalf to bring His perfect will for our lives into being

Biblical Examples of Trust

Moses trusted God to deliver the Israelites at the Red Sea.

Joseph trusted God while he languished in the Pharaoh’s prison.

Hezekiah trusted God to extend his life

Jehoshaphat trusted God to deliver Jerusalem from their enemies

Jonah trusted God to answer his prayer in the belly of the whale.

Peter and John trusted God as they stood before the Sanhedrin and gave their defense of the Christian faith.

1 When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Luke 7:1-10

Unusual nature of this story

1. Roman centurion is concerned about the servant

2. Roman centurion has a good relationship with Jewish leaders

3. Roman centurion approaches Jesus

4. Roman centurion has great faith

Trusting faith starts with a spirit of dependence

Dependence means that we understand our need

The centurion was in a place in life where his power, his position and all that made him a great success meant nothing. There are times in life when God brings us to the point that we need to solely depend on Him. We face problems that are beyond our ability to solve, we suffer with pain we cannot overcome, and we struggle with peace we cannot seem to find.