Scripture Reading: Psalm 18:1-3

In God We Trust

Intro.

1. Paul and his companions faced the threat of death in Asia, 2 Cor. 1:8-11 (Acts 19:21-41). Although greatly burdened, they trusted in God, and He delivered them.

2. Trust is the primary idea of faith: To be fully persuaded to believe and to act upon what is believed (out of that trust), Heb. 11:11; Rom. 4:18-21.

3. Question: In whom or what do you trust to save you from your sins? To direct you in the decisions you make in your life?

I. IN WHOM DO YOU TRUST TO SAVE YOU?

A. The Savior: Saves from Sin and Death, Acts 4:12; 5:31; 13:23.

1. His name signifies salvation from sins, Matt. 1:21. (Savior)

2. He claimed this as His mission, Lk. 19:10.

3. He claimed to be the physician who heals sinners, Matt. 9:9-13.

4. He who believes on (trusts) Him will not be put to shame, 1 Pet. 2:6.

5. Call on His name and be saved, Acts 2:21, 37-41.

B. Self: Jno. 9:35-41 (3:18).

1. This person already knows (“we know”): Unwilling to be humble before God, Jno. 9:41, 24, 29.

2. This arrogant refusal to trust God puts trust in...

a. Intellect, Rom. 1:21; cf. Acts 17:18-21, 32; 1 Cor. 1:18-21.

b. Emotions, Acts 26:9 (feel saved). What we think we need is not always what we really need, cf. Jno. 4:7, 10, 13-15.

c. Experiences: Subjectivism demands no higher authority than the individual, Jgs. 21:25.

d. Desires, cf. Naaman, 2 Kgs. 5:11-12.

II. IN WHOM DO YOU TRUST TO TEACH YOU?

A. Truth: The Word of God, Jno. 17:17 (8:31-32; 45-47).

1. Lights the path of life, Psa. 119:105.

2. Protects from sin, Psa. 119:9-11.

3. Good judgment, Psa. 119:66.

4. Applications: Parents, Elders, Preachers, Teachers.

B. Tradition: Things handed down by men to other men.

1. Human tradition, cf. 1 Pet. 1:18.

2. Church tradition, cf. Matt. 15:1-9; Jer. 18:18.

a. cf. Catholicism: Appeals to church tradition as authoritative; right to establish doctrine for the church. Who gave the church such authority? Not Christ. Matt. 28:18-20

b. cf. Protestantism: Appeals to creeds and confessions to define who they are in relation to others. Who gave them this authority?

3. Applications:

a. Christmas (about the birth of Jesus).

b. Acceptable worldliness (social drinking; unscriptural remarriages).

c. Unauthorized worship (instrumental music in worship).

III. IN WHOM OR WHAT DO YOU TRUST TO DEFINE YOU?

A. Faith, Heb. 11:1.

1. Defined as one who trusts in God, Rom. 8:31-37.

2. Defined as an obedient disciple, Heb. 5:8-9; 11:4, 7-11, 17 et al.

3. Defined as a friend of God, Jas. 2:20-23.

B. Friends and Family, cf. Psa. 146:3.

-We want to believe our friends and family are trustworthy and always have our best interests at heart. Sadly, that is not always the case.

1. Friends who entice you to sin with them, Prov. 1:10-19.

2. Family who encourage you to devoted to them at the expense of your faith and salvation, 1 Cor. 7:15.

Conclusion

1. Choice: In whom we trust brings either a curse of a blessing, Jer. 17:5-8.

2. God delivers the righteous! 2 Tim. 4:17-18

a. My strength and salvation, Psa. 18:1-2.

b. “I will put My trust in Him”, Heb. 2:13.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: December 19, 2013