Introduction
A. When everyone else lets us down, it is even more comforting to know that we can always trust in God (Psalm 22; Job 13:15).
B. It is easy to say we trust God when all is well, but it is during the trying times that we learn how much we really trust Him.
I. Why should we trust God?
A. We should trust Him because He never fails or forsakes (Joshua 23:14; 1 Kings 8:56; 1 Samuel 12:22; Psalm 9:9-10).
B. We should...
Just and Justifier
Introduction
A. The third chapter of Romans probably comes closer than any other single chapter to summarizing Paul’s message.
B. One of the most extraordinary points about God’s plan for redeeming man lies in His ability to justify sinners while maintaining His own justice at the same time.
I. Man has a problem.
A. Man’s problem is sin (1 John 3:4).
B. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
C. The problem...
Trusting God to Supply Our Needs
Introduction
In a time when the economy is fragile and Social Security is nearing bankruptcy, we need to keep in mind the fact that God is really the One Who provides for us.
I. God knows and provides our physical needs.
A. God provides for the flowers and the fowl (Matthew 6:26-31).
B. Even in lean times He has always satisfied His children’s basic needs (Exodus 16:14-24; Genesis 45:5; 1 Kings 17:1-16).
C. We must...
Matthew 4: Understanding the Enemy
Understanding our spiritual enemy is a critical endeavor when it comes to temptation. Eve ignored the devil’s devices, and became enticed with “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16; cf. Genesis 3:1-6). On the other hand, Jesus knew His enemy, and defeated him with the power of the Word (vss. 4,7,10).
There are some things the temptation of our Lord reveals about the devil...
Trusting God to Keep His Word
Introduction
A. Unlike those who serve Him, our God is always faithful (Lamentations 3:23; 1 Corinthians 10:13).
B. We can always know that God will keep His promises to us.
I. God has never failed to keep His word.
A. He kept His word to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-7; Numbers 1:46).
B. He kept His word to Israel (Joshua 23:15-16).
C. He kept His word to the saints of the early church (Matthew 26:32; 28:10; Revelation...
The Just Shall Live by Faith
Introduction
A. There are many who would tell us that salvation is by faith alone.
B. While there are many who recognize the essentiality of faith, there are but few who understand the Biblical principle of living by faith.
I. God taught Habakkuk to live by faith.
A. To this man it appeared that God was allowing the wickedness of His people to go unpunished (Habakkuk 1:1-4).
B. When God says He will punish them by the...
Not Done in a Corner
Introduction
A. As a man whose heritage was largely Jewish and whose family had ruled the Jewish people for many years, he was indeed “expert in all customs and questions” about the Jews (vs. 3).
B. When Paul tells Agrippa that these things “were not done in a corner” (vs. 26), what does he mean by this?
I. God had been announcing these things for centuries.
A. Paul was only declaring what the prophets of God...
In God We Trust
Introduction
A. On July 30, 1956, President Eisenhower signed a legislation making the phrase “In God We Trust” the official motto of the U.S.
B. What does it really mean, however, if we imprint this on our currency but don’t make any effort to live by it?
I. The world puts its trust in all the wrong places.
A. It puts trust in earthly treasure (cf. Matthew 6:19; 1 Samuel 17:33-39).
B. The world puts confidence in the flesh...
Paul’s Defense
Introduction
A. When Paul made his defense in Jerusalem (his first in a long series of such), no man stood with him, but the Lord did (Acts 23:11).
B. Paul was always ready to give a defense, not just of himself, but of the Gospel that he preached with such boldness.
I. This was neither the first time nor the last that Paul had to make a defense.
A. Paul’s defense was for the Gospel (Philippians 1:17).
B. Paul had made his defense...
Being Good Stewards of God’s Word
Introduction
A. Of all the gifts that God has entrusted to human hands, surely the Scriptures are chief among these (Romans 1:16; Psalm 119:105).
B. Are we being good stewards of this precious gift?
I. What is the conduct of a bad steward of God’s Word?
A. A bad steward often will not allow the Word into his heart in the first place (Matthew 13:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
B. A bad steward will allow other things to choke...