LEARNING TO TRUST
WISDOM FROM CHILDREN:
Patrick, age 10, said, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.”
Michael, 14, said, “When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don’t answer him.”
Josh, age 9, said, “Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.”
Naomi, 15 said, “If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.”
Lauren, age 9 said, “Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick.”
Joel, 10 years old, said, “Don’t pick on your sister when she’s holding a baseball bat.”
Eileen, age 8 said, “Never try to baptize a cat.”
Andrew aged 9: "Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a Polo mint."
Taylia aged 11: "When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair."
Armir aged 9: "You can't hide a piece of broccoli in your milk."
OPENING SCRIPTURES:
David said: “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:1-3).
Asaph said: “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works.” (Psalm 73:8).
KEY TEXT: Solomon wrote:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Amplified Bible says, “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord…”
• That last one is perhaps one of the most familiar Scriptures talking about trusting God.
• But – how many of you today can say that you trust God with all of your heart?
• Trust… is an interesting and challenging thing!
TRUST DEFINED:
• reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
• The more you know someone, the more you will trust them.
ILLUSTRATION:
A young lady was sunbathing on the beach when a little boy in his swimming trunks, carrying a towel, came up to her and asked her, "Do you believe in God?"
She was surprised by the question but she replied, "Why, yes, I do."
Then he asked her: "Do you go to church every Sunday?"
Again, her answer was "Yes!"
He then asked: "Do you read your Bible and pray every day?"
Again she said, "Yes!" By now her curiosity was very much aroused.
The little lad sighed with relief and said, "Will you hold my money while I go swimming?"
PERSONAL STORIES: I have always had a hard time trusting people. Why?
• My dad was an alcoholic who abandoned my mom, sisters and I.
• When I first moved out on my own, my place was broken into.
• After becoming a Christian, I got an accountability partner and I confessed a sin I was struggling with to him, and he shared it with someone else that I didn’t trust.
• So – trust hasn’t come easy for me. Fears of betrayal, rejection, trying to be ‘perfect’.
BIBLE STORY – LEARNING TO TRUST JESUS:
“22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God.” (Matthew 18:22-32).
POINTS FROM THE STORY:
• Just because we’re following Jesus doesn’t mean we’re not going to go through storms.
• Jesus comes to us to bring joy and freedom from fear.
• Jesus wants us to get out of the boat and trust Him like Peter did.
• Even when we step out in faith and trust God, we may still fall.
• When we fall, Jesus is always there to catch us.
A CLOSER LOOK AT FAITH:
“32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented-- 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” (Hebrews 11:32-40).
• Faith doesn’t mean that nothing bad will ever happen to you.
“1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
• Faith means keeping our eyes on Jesus and running our race and not giving up.
APPLICATION:
1. Faith not only believes that God exists, but also that He is good.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
2. If you have a hard time trusting God, get into His Word.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17).
3. When you trust God, you will experience peace in your heart.
Jesus said: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1).
CLOSING SONG: Learning to Trust by David Meece
PRAYER: For people to learn to trust in God – and people – again.
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/
