Reliance On God

"RELIANCE ON GOD"

Text: (2 Chronicles 16:8)

SERMON CHARACTERS & STORY LINE

Asa = King of Judah / Baasha = King of Israel

Benhadad = King of Syria

"Instead of reliance on God to defeat Baasha and his army, King Asa made a deal with Benhadad the King of Syria to help defeat Judah. The deal included payment with Temple dedications. Why can’t we just look back to the past and see how God has delivered us and then look forward to the future and rely on the promises He has made to us; and completely rely on HIM?"

SERMON QUESTION = Can Christians really rely on God?

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Remember God’s grace in the Past. (Gratitude)

"Gratitude looks back to grace received in the past and feels thankful."

"Look back at the times God has worked in your life and be thankful that you can rely on Him."

(Psalm 116:3-9) "The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!" Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord In the land of the living."

(2 Tim. 3:11) "persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me."

(2 Tim. 1:9) "(God) Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"

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Expect God’s grace in the Future. (Faith)

"Faith looks forward to grace promised in the future and feels hopeful."

"Look forward to all of the promises that God has made to His children in the Scriptures and have faith in Him to provide all that you will need to serve."

(Heb. 11:1) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

(Joshua 1:9) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

(Num. 14:6-8) "But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ’a land which flows with milk and honey."

(2 Tim. 1:12) "I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

Other Examples: Noah building the Ark, Moses before Pharaoh, Abraham offering Isaac.

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Live for God today w/gratitude & by faith. (Obedience)

"Today’s Obedience comes from Gratitude (Past) and Faith (Future) in God."

"Based on your past experiences with God and on the sure promises found in Scripture, risk everything to obey Him with all that you have."

(Hab. 3:17-19) "Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls-- Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills."

(Luke 14:23) "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."

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Can Christians really rely on God? Yes!

"God is faithful to all of His children; He will "never leave us or forsake us."

(Phil. 4:13) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Conclusion

"As a Christian, I can rely on Him because He has given me His Spirit and He gives me the strength to make it through each day. We can rely on Him because He is the Shepherd who will always care for His sheep."