Introduction
• Last week we discussed avoiding offenses. As one of the 1st steps in living a Godly life is to avoid offenses.
• When we experience offense, we must 1st pray. Offense is a blessing blocker and the devil uses it to distract us from the work of God.
• When you take offense you choose not to walk in love.
• This week I want to look at another practical step in living our lives like Jesus. I want to examine faith verse trust.
• Faith is confidence in the Word of God. Trust is a commitment to the Word of God.
• While many of us have faith, we may not have learned to trust God completely. Faith and trust are two different things.
• This morning we will look at what the Bible has to say about faith and trust and we can begin to apply to principles in order to walk in a blessed life.
(AMP) Jeremiah 17 7[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.
1) Success comes when we place our trust in God alone.
a) Shout… When I trust God I will have great success.
(NKJV) Psalm 34 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
b) When we truly trust God, we seek Him before we do anything else.
i) We don’t call ten friends to make a decision. We seek God, our source, the one we trust and have placed our faith in.
ii) We have to examine our lives and be sure we are truly relying on God.
(1) Relying on people instead of God sets us up for failure.
(NKJV) Jeremiah 17 5 Thus says the LORD: “ Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD.
(2) We cannot rely on our own understanding of situations and circumstances.
(AMP) Proverbs 3 5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
(3) We must always focus on what God says. Then do what He says to do.
2) The difference between faith and trust.
a) Faith is confidence.
b) Shout…Faith is confidence in God and His Word.
c) Sometimes our faith can fail but trust will not.
(NKJV) Luke 22 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
(NKJV) Hebrews 10 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
i) The devil will try to cause you to lose your confidence.
d) Shout… I commit to do the Word of God.
e) Trust is commitment.
i) When we trust God, we are unstoppable because we become one with Him through our commitment to trust Him.
ii) When we trust God completely, we become like a mountain that cannot be moved.
(NKJV) Psalm 125 1 Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
f) Paul trusted God because he was sure of His love for him.
i) We should know that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
ii) Trust is eternal; it stands out and cannot be moved. Amen!
3) Rest on the Word of God.
a) Shout…I show my trust and faith in God when I rest on His Word.
b) God only fights when we rest.
(NKJV) 2 Chronicles 20 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”
c) Rest releases God’s divine intervention.
i) God tells us to “Be still and know that I am God …” (Psalm 46:10).
ii) Don’t worry about tomorrow, have confidence and be committed that God is working things out for good.
d) Those who trust the Lord will increase abundantly.
(NKJV) Proverbs 28 25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.
e) Your diligence will cause you to be enriched.
(NKJV) Proverbs 13 4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
Conclusion
• There are many benefits when we trust and have faith in God.
• We know that faith is confidence in the Word of God. Confidence carries you from victory to victory.
• Trust is commitment in the Word of God. Trust is knowing that my God will direct me and stir me on the right course.
• Trusting God will my whole being including my fiancés…tithes and offerings, children, family, work, etc.
• When we mix our faith and trust in God, we can do the impossible, we can move mountains in our lives.
• This morning, begin to apply this practical life principle to your life. Take time this week to build you faith and trust in Him.
• Shout…Jesus, I place my trust in you alone. Jesus, I am committed to doing this your way. I will not question you on the how, what and why’s. I walk in faith and not by sight. Jesus, I want an increase in my faith walk today. My faith comes by hearing the Word of God. I have confidence that your Word will work for me in my life. Holy Spirit, help me to trust God in all things. Amen.
• Let us pray.
