"In Whom Do We Trust?"

"IN WHOM DO WE TRUST?"

Text-Luke 8:22-25

Introduction-

We have just endured a major disaster in our

State of Mississippi named Hurricane Katrina. In

the midst of this disaster many people found that

what they were depending on to bring immediate

help to them, the government, miserably failed.

Lives were lost, critical needs went unmet, and

people were hungry, scarred, thirsty, hot, tired,

and angry. They felt forsaken and abandoned at

their time of most critical need. I am not trying

to lay a lot of blame on anyone. This storm was

of monumental intensity, and no one had adequately

prepared for it. What we all should have learned

by this, I believe, is in whom we can trust-God

alone.

The Bible has a lot to say about in whom, and

in what people place their trust. Listen to some

of the notable passages dealing with this subject.

Men fail us in our time of need, for various

reasons such as-

-a lack of desire to help, a lack of concern

-a lack of knowledge of how to help us

-a lack of power or ability to help us

-a lack of remembering to help us

-a lack of resources to help us

-a lack of understanding us and our needs

Almighty God lacks nothing that would hinder

Him from helping us-

-He never lies to us.

-He has all knowledge, wisdom, & power to help.

-He loves us and longs to help us.

-He doesn’t forget us or forsake us.

-He understands all our needs.

Psalm 60:11-"Give us help from trouble; for vain

is the help of man."

Proverbs 28:26-"He that trusteth in his own heart

is a fool..."

Psalm 20:7-"Some trust in chariots, and some in

horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord

our God."

-

Job 13:5-"Though He slay me, yet will I trust in

Him(God)."

Mark 10:24-"And the disciples were astonished at

His words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith

unto them, ’Children, how hard is it for them that

trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God.’"

Luke 18:9-"And He spake this parable unto certain

which trusted in themselves that they were right-

eous, and despised others:"

Proverbs 3:5-"Trust in the Lord with all thine

heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Isaiah 12:2-"Behold, God is my salvation; I will

trust, and not be afraid..."

What Jesus wanted His disciples to realize, and

what He wants us to realize is in whom do we really

put our faith, our hope, our assurance? When the

storms come, as they sometimes do, who are we going

to trust to take care of us and protect us? When

we face troubles and trials, on whom are we going

to lean? Are we going to try to rescue ourselves,

and think that we can get ourselves out of any

problem and situation? That is foolish pride. We

will come to a place where we will be heartbroken &

disappointed. We cannot weather the storms of

life without God. The disciples of Jesus were

afraid, because their situation seemed desperate

and hopeless. They just knew that they were going

to die, but the Master of the Storms knew better.

He knew what He would do, and He wanted them to

learn that they could depend on God.

Let’s ask some important questions in relation to

this.

I. In whom, or what do we trust to provide our

material and physical needs?

A. Do we depend on our checking and savings

account, or our stocks and bonds?

If so, what will we do if some disaster makes

us bankrupt?

B. Do we trust in family, or friends, or

our own efforts?

Then, what will we do if family and friends

can’t help, or our own health fails?

II. Secondly, in whom, or what do we trust for our

salvation?

A. Do we believe that our goodness, or deeds

are going to save us?

B. Do we put our faith in our religious

connections?(going to church, giving,

praying, reading our Bible)

C. Do we trust in Christ alone, and what He

accomplished on the cross and through the

empty tomb?

III. Thirdly, in whom, or what do we trust for our

hope?

A. Is our hope in man, or science, or tech-

nology?

What happens when those things fail?

B. Is our hope in the God of hope, who

always keeps His word, and never fails?

Invitation-Where is your faith? Be honest with

God. Are you trusting in yourself, or in Him?

Are you depending upon Him, or your baptism,

church membership, or something else?

I don’t know about you, but whenever I get in

a situation like the disciples, in a boat with

water pouring in, and the storm raging all around

me, I want to be sure that Jesus is in the boat