TRUSTING GOD

FOLLOW GOD OR THE WORLD

1JO 2:15-17, Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {16} For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. {17} And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

ROM 12:1-2, I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. {2} And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

FOLLOW THE FLESH OR SPIRIT

ROM 8:1-11, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. {2} For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. {3} For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, {4} in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. {5} For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. {6} For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, {7} because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; {8} and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. {9} However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. {10} And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. {11} But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.

TRUST IN GOD

PSA 91:1-2, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. {2} I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"

• Once my hands were always trying;
• Trying hard to do my best;
• Now my heart is sweetly trusting,
• And my soul is all at rest.

• Once my brain was always planning,
• And my heart, with cares oppressed;
• Now I trust the Lord to lead me,
• And my life is all at rest.

• Once my life was full of effort,
• Now 'tis full of joy and zest;
• Since I took His yoke upon me,
• Jesus gives to me His rest. (A.B. Simpson)

If we are following something besides God it will show up as attempts to satisfy the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, or pride of life. Let's look as a few types of people and maybe you will see yourselves there at times.

1. LEGAL LARRY:

a. Always drives the legal speed regardless of conditions.

b. As shoppers they always buy the same thing.

c. Always go by their traditions - which they see as the "law". but they have a unique set of laws which they have determined are necessary.

Their zeal is good but their attention is focused on self and their trust is in "their" ways and understanding.

Prov 3:5, Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

THEIR TRADITION AND LAW IS HOW THEY MAKE THEIR NAME

Genesis 11:4, And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth."

THEY THINK THEY ARE STRONG BUT SO DID PETER

John 13:37-38, Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake." Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

2. FAST FREDY:

a. They always drive at top speed.

b. Shop for the latest fads.

c. Energetic but never plan ahead - always late.

Again, their zeal is generally good but their lack of planning prevents them from being ready for many tasks the Holy Ghost would have for them. They think planning shows a lack of faith, but the lack of preparation shows a lack of faith. Seldom does the Holy Ghost send anyone to do a work without preparing him first. They satisfy the lust of the flesh by being lazy, and the lust of the eyes by following whatever appears good without thinking first. They follow the pride of life by teaching that they are the only ones who are "spiritual".

Prov 26:12, Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Romans 12:16, Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

3. SELFISH SAM

a. Always drives the same speed regardless of conditions of the law.

b. Measures every action by its effect on them.

This shows up in all of us at times. We go out to "save ourselves" at the expense of others. Let our light shine to show us not to show the way to God. The only real good we can have for ourselves comes from taking o ur eyes off ourselves and putting them on God. Trust Him.

Psalm 34:8, Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 18:30, As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

Psalm 118:8, It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.

4. COMPETITIVE CHARLIE

a. Drives to beat others.

b. Shops for fads.

c. Eyes on others. Wants to outdue everyone.

Follows the pride of life, lust of the eye, and lust of the flesh. Good they pay attention to others, but still fails to care about others.

2 Cor 10:12, For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

2 Cor 10:18, For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Eph 6:12, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

If we trust in our own heart (desires) we are fools.

Prov 28:26, He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

SOME TRUST IN THEIR OWN ABILITIES OR POSSESSIONS

Psalm 20:7, Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 44:6, For I will not trust in my bow, Nor shall my sword save me.

Isaiah 31:1, Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD!

Isaiah 31:3, Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together.

Mark 10:24, And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!

TRUSTING GOD WILL NOT BE POPULAR

Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Romans 1:17, For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Psalm 118:8, It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.

• To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
• To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
• To reach for another is to risk involvement.
• To expose your feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
• To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.
• To love is to risk not being loved in return.
• To live is to risk dying.
• To believe is to risk despair.
• To try is to risk failure.
• But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
• The people who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, are nothing.
• They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
• Chained by their attitudes they are slaves; they have forfeited their freedom.
• Only a person who risks is free.

(President's Newsletter, Nov.1982, Phi Delta Kappa, Bloomington, IN)

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