This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God’s Word.
Living in Fear-provoking Times
By Rev. Greg Johnson
Isaiah 35:3-4
(Isaiah 35:3-4 NIV) "Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; {4} say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.""
We are living in fear-provoking times. During this Advent season there have been disturbed people with guns killing people in malls, churches and places of ministry. Foreclosures are increasing. Gas prices are high. Health insurance is unattainable for many. There are wars and rumors of war. Many have feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety and fear in a season that is to be full of joy. Where is one to turn? Who is one to trust? The only place to turn and the One to trust is Jesus.
Jesus is coming to completely save all of His followers from evil oppressors, the terror and the injustice of this world. Place your trust in God, be patient and continue the work of faith. Salvation is coming!
PLACE YOUR TRUST IN GOD ONLY
Are you facing a crisis today? What do you lose sleep over? What brings anxiety? What brings panic? What provokes fear? What depresses you? What steals your joy? What makes you question God; not only His ability, but also His desire to help you?
Placing your trust in God is the answer to surviving your crisis. As you place your trust in God only, your joy will be unspeakable and full of glory. Your peace will be supernatural. Your praise will be God exalting. The Psalmist knew this secret and said (Psalms 146:5-10 NIV) "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, {6} the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-- the LORD, who remains faithful forever. {7} He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, {8} the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. {9} The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. {10} The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD."
BE PATIENT AND CONTINUE THE WORK OF FAITH
What are you to do while you place your trust in God and you wait on His help? You are to continue the work of faith. Patient hope is the active living out of faith. The prophets of the Bible are our examples. They did not idly flounder in the injustice of their day, nor did they grow cynical or lackadaisical. They actively lived their faith. Jesus showed us this in His life. In the midst of injustice toward Him and others, He continued the work of faith.
James wrote (James 5:7-10 NIV) "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. {8} You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. {9} Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! {10} Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord."
When John the Baptist was suffering injustice and in the midst of a crisis, he asked God a dumb question.
(Matthew 11:2-6 NIV) "When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples {3} to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" {4} Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: {5} The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. {6} Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
John the Baptist had baptized Jesus in the Jordan, heard God’s voice thunder in recognition and saw the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus. John told his followers to behold Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the world’s sin, yet when John the Baptist found himself in prison at the hand of injustice, he asks a dumb question. His question showed a lack of patience in the midst of his current trial. His current trial had brought doubt into his heart and it surfaced through his words.
Notice that Jesus did not answer John’s question. Instead, Jesus gave a report of what He was accomplishing: the blind are given sight, the lame are walking, the diseased are healed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being given life and the gospel is preached to the poor.
Beloved, place your trust in God only. Be patient. While you wait on God’s help, be busy continuing the work of faith. As you work making a difference in our day, your help will come and it will be in God’s timing. Be patient. Continue the work of faith.
We are in the Advent season and are celebrating Jesus’ first coming and being reminded of His second coming. During this season, we are called to trust Jesus and his coming to us.
Jesus has promised:
• To strengthen us where we are weak
• Build us up where we are torn down
• Be with us in the midst of our struggles
• To save us from the evil one
• And to save us from our own unfaithfulness
In the midst of our crisis and in the fear-provoking times that we are living in, Jesus invites us to come to Him. It’s said best by the author of a great hymn:
Come every soul from sin oppressed
There’s mercy with the Lord
And he will surely give thee rest
By trusting in His Word
Only trust him, only trust him, only trust him now
He will save you, he will save you, he will save you now.
Amen.
Know that you are loved,
Greg Johnson
www.GAJohnson.org
Founding Pastor
Loving God Fellowship
www.LovingGodFellowship.org
Loving God Fellowship is an interdenominational Christ following fellowship with a revolutionary new church plant in Salem, Oregon, and a worldwide Internet church community @ http://www.LGFinternetChurch.org .
