"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
with me, and that goes for any other kinds of
storms as well-storms of sickness, family problems,
lonliness, grief, whatever! We can make it if
we put our faith and trust in the Master of the
storms, who can speak to the wind and water, or
whatever, and bring calmness and peace. In whom
do you trust right now? Is your faith in Christ,
and in Christ alone? Only He can save. He is the
Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes unto
God but by Him.
