Trust - The Key To Successful Living Series

TRUST - THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL LIVING

Proverbs 3:1-10

John Maxwell

INTRODUCTION:

In Proverbs 3:1﷓10, there are some marvelous words of wisdom for us on our relationship with God. This morning, and for the next four Sundays, I want to talk to you about what I consider the key to successful Christian living. I want to talk to you about trusting God, his being able to trust us, and what happens when our whole relationship is based upon obedience and trust. As I was a kid growing up, we use to sing a song in our church a lot: "Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Top two questions Christians ask:

1. "How can know God’s will? "

2. "How can I be a success for God, others, and myself? "

Series Title: "Stewardship...It’s a Matter of Trust"

Series Thesis: Trust is the most important factor in...

Knowing God and His will for my life.

Growing His Kingdom and myself as a steward.

Open your Bibles now to Proverbs 3:1. I want you to have your pen ready, because I’m going to have you underline some words. Let’s get going. "My child, remember my teachings and instructions and obey them completely." Would you take your pen out and just circle or underline the word "completely." As the Proverb writer begins to talk to us about this relationship with God, he talks about complete obedience.

Now, the result of this obedience is found in verse 2. "If we obey His teachings and instructions completely, then we will live a long and prosperous life." Verse 3, "Let love and loyalty always show like a necklace and write them in your mind." Underline the word "always." He talks about love and loyalty always being at the very fore place of our life, and the result is that God and people will like you and consider you a success.

Verse 5,6, "With all your heart, you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow." In verse 5 underline the word "all." "With all your heart," the Proverb writer says we must trust the Lord. And in verse 6 underline the word "always". "Always let Him lead you." The Proverb writer tells us if we do these things, that He will clear the road for us to follow. Verse 7, "Don’t ever think that you are wise enough." Underline the word "ever." "Don’t ever think that you are wise enough, but respect the Lord and stay away from evil." "If we do this" verse 8 says he, "...will make you healthy, and you will feel strong." Verse 9, "Honor the Lord by giving Him your money, and the first part of all your crops." Again, underline the word "all." "Then you will have more grain and grapes than you will ever need."

Observations on Proverbs 3:1-10:

1. The commands are all-inclusive.

Did you notice that there were no exceptions? He didn’t say that we were to partially obey our Lord’s teachings and instructions. He didn’t say with most of our heart we were to trust in Him, and that we were sometimes supposed to let Him lead us. Notice these words: completely, always, all, always, ever, all of your crops. These words are all inclusive. No exceptions. No leaks. He says, "I want you to understand that trust is a total affair in your heart and in mine."

2. The commands precede a promise.

God tells us that if we do these things, He will do some wonderful things in return.

3. The promises are conditional.

We do our part, and God does His part. If we trust Him completely, if we obey Him completely, then He has some wonderful provisions for us as children.

Stewardship statements:

1. God is trustworthy.

2. God has entrusted (placed within our care) the possessions, opportunities, talents, and time

that we now experience.

3. We are trustees of everything God has given us.

I suppose now we’re going to have to ask ourselves some questions, aren’t we? Ask yourself: Do I trust God? Where do I place my faith? Where do I place my confidence?

Now, I know it’s easy to say, "I trust God." It’s easy to say, "Oh, yes. I obey God completely. I trust God completely." But this is just for personal introspection. Do I trust God? Is He truly my source? Do I trust Him in everything? Do I trust in Him some things? Do I trust Him in big things and not in small things? Or do I trust Him in small things but with big things, I kind of want to take control? This is an incredible question. I’ve been wrestling with it now for three weeks. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s only the key to success, and it’s not an easy thing to do in a self﷓reliant society. Well, that’s why I want you to stay with me the next four weeks. And, folks, I tell you what, the potential for your spiritual growth is greater than anything I’m going to do all year. Because we’re going to really look at these penetrating questions. Can I trust God? Do I trust God?