God is in control

Trusting God

Red Green Video

Change

Can anyone besides me relate to that video? It’s kind of funny. There’s a nugget of truth in there though, that sometimes we hang on to some things, like short sleeved polyester dress shirts, that don’t matter. Change stretches us, it forces us to put trust in the direction we’re going. It forces us to trust not just God’s plan, but to the very core, allowing change forces a foundational belief that God loves us and wants what is best for us. When it comes down to it, allowing change is about trusting God.

Stuart McAllister

Stuart McAllister was a missionary serving in Eastern Europe in the early 80’s, working to bring Bibles and other Christian Books to believers who were trapped behind the iron curtain. On one attempted crossing through Austria for Czechoslovakia, his hidden cargo was discovered. Stuart was whisked away to a confinement cell. As you can probably imagine, it wasn’t a pleasant place. Years later in relaying his experience to others Stuart recalled a gauntlet of emotions. He said, “the walls were closing in on me and I began to experience intense doubts”. Did you catch that? Intense Doubts. He doubted his faith, He doubted his organization, He doubted that he’d ever see his friends and family again. He had trusted God and acted out in obedience. He had pushed the realm of earthly legality and now he was questioning if maybe he had been wrong. He questioned his very faith. He had questioned whether that mustard seed would indeed grow into the tree his faith said it would.

That’s a reference…let’s read it real quick.

Matthew 13:31-32

31 He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;

32 and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), .

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), .

Just prior this passage is another parable, or story that Jesus told to illustrate a message. He spoke about preparing soil, so that the seeds have not just the best chance, but the best opportunity…let me say that again, best opportunity, for supernatural growth. Remember the mustard seed? Mustard trees, the ones that grow from mustard seeds (Because there are actually trees called mustard trees which aren’t the same thing), aren’t generally large enough to support a flock of birds. Jesus is saying that faith of even the smallest amount results in supernatural growth. Birds throughout history, and in the bible as well, often symbolize evil. There is a speculation which is rooted in historical truth that Jesus is saying that the supernatural growth of the branches will allow birds to plant themselves on the branches. I’ll unpack that more in another sermon, suffice it to say a supernaturally sized ministry will attract ignorant and evil “Christians” who will want to rest on our branches. Their own faith isn’t enough to plant a tree, they must rest in someone else’s tree. But enough on that. Let’s get back to faith, specifically faith to obey God’s direction and instructions. A Faith that trusts that when God calls us to make moves outside of our comfort zone, is for HIS works. Let me tell you something, If GOD wants to use you for HIS plan, and it stretches you…it is for YOU ALSO! I’ll show you another example of that.

God wants to Stretch Us

Let’s talk about another instance where Jesus teaches this lesson to His disciples. If you’d like to follow along, I’m going to read from Luke so start finding Luke chapter 8. In this passage of scripture Jesus has been teaching, and there is some speculation that Jesus may have been tired, and wanted a small break. He was after all a man in flesh, He did grow physically weary. Others think that he just wanted to get over to the Gadarenes, as a well known demon possessed man was there. In this case, maybe the answer is a bit of both. I’ll show you why in a minute, but first, let’s read the passage.

Luke 8:22–25 NASB95

Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

Jesus Stills the Sea,

22 Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out.

23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.

25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

So One last line…it isn’t in my New American Standard Bible, but in most other versions you’ll notice in verse 26, most text starts with “and they arrived…” It’s important, perhaps even MOST important, that you catch that phrase. Verse 22 says, “let us go” and then in 26 “and they arrived”. People of the church if GOD tells you to go, you WILL arrive. Amen? Trust Him.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), .

Jesus stretched their Faith

Jesus didn’ cause the storm, in fact there’s a good chance that the enemy did. To make mince any words, we recognize that there is an enemy to good who deceives, steals, kills, and destroys. If you look at the way that Jesus rebuked the storm, you’ll find in further study that He did it in the same way that he rebukes and casts out demons. See luke 4:35 for illustration. You don’t need to turn there, I’m not going there right now, but if you want to check that reference, write this down in your notes.

So a freak storm has come up, unexpected (because surely they wouldn’t have launched into the storm, or more would have been written about it). It’s a rough enough storm that it freaks out the disciples, many of whom are seasoned fisherman, boat people. Perhaps they aren’t Alaskan crabbers…but for certain, this was a serious storm. Perhaps a supernatural storm. Obviously, Jesus wasn’t concerned. He isn’t concerned with the barriers and walls that the enemy throws in His way. Neither should we be concerned. The enemy holds no power over us!

Jesus actually gets frustrated here, he says to them, “Where is your faith?”

Where is your faith?

This is the part that I was referencing earlier, Perhaps Satan was attempting to rattle Jesus, or perhaps he was concerned about the bee-line Jesus was making for a man he was busy tormenting. I don’t know. What we know is, Jesus wasn’t concerned with the storm. What did get under his skin was a lack of faith. He actually got frustrated with his disciples for their lack of faith. It’s one of the few ways that God actually gets frustrated with us, here’s what He has to say about us having Faith in him:

“But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

I’m going to unpack more of that in the weeks to come, and put that into a more complete context, for now let me explain that James is telling us that in asking God to test our faith, we build through a history of obedience, a faith that is proven through endurance. It’s a part of casting out doubts in our life.

It is not going to work!

Have you ever said that to yourself? Have you ever gotten half way through something, and started to doubt yourself? Well, sure, all of us have! At some point in our lives, we’ve all done it. Even if you can’t admit it to yourself right now. History is full of people stepping out in Faith, Luis & Clark, even more recently Elon Musk. In the bible Moses comes to mind.

What if Moses was afraid to reveal his ugly feet?

Remember in , when God calls out to Moses to remove his sandals and come and speak with him? Moses sees this out-of-this world flaming bush, and a voice calls out to him to approach and take off his shoes. Not only that, but when he gets there, God tells him to go back to Egypt where there is a death warrant on his head, and to do the IMPOSSIBLE. Moses says, “Who am I?” He had doubt!

Who am I?

Moses doesn’t feel qualified. The task seems too great. Obedience is going to require a stretching of his faith, and it’s going to require him to change his normal. That doesn’t sound like much fun. Charlton Heston didn’t make it look like much fun. He aged 40 years in an instant in the movie. For those who don’t know the rest of the story, that wasn’t the end to the difficult tasks. The enemy didn’t make it easy. There were times when Moses had doubts, but his obedience allowed God to use him. You see when we say yes to God, he works through us, and supernatural things happen. It’s how we know that it’s God, and not us. Because God could operate through Moses, a whole nation of people was saved. Remember Stuart?

, and even the parts of it that are recorded in the bible,Remember Stuart?

What about Stuart ?!

Stuart was sitting in a confinement cell in a communist controlled country. Stuart was even doubting if his calling to this mission field was even real. Stuart suffered physically and mentally at the harsh treatment of his captors. For over 2 weeks. But he was freed. Eventually his organization was able to negotiate for his release, and he was sent back to his home and family. Later he relayed that though he was shaken on the inside, others were touched by the expressions of God through him on the outside. Even though he was uncertain on the inside, God was using him. He remained faithful to God. It stretched him. It stretched him physically, mentally, and spiritually. But he overcame the enemy. He overcame his doubts, and he overcame his time of struggle. God got him out! Now we don’t know if a whole nation was saved because of Stuart…but I’ve been back to the part of the world where he was imprisoned. God is alive there, and revival is at work. God never wants us to endure hardship, but He never forgets us.

And they arrived!

Even when we don’t understand it, God has not just a plan but a complete picture! Flip back to , and look at the last part of this passage. It isn’t in my New American Standard Bible, but in most other versions you’ll notice in verse 26, most text starts with “and they arrived…” It’s important, perhaps even MOST important, that you catch that phrase. Verse 22 says, “let us go” and then in 26 “and they arrived”. God doesn’t call us to go to a place and then not make sure that we get there. People of the church if GOD tells you to go, you WILL arrive. Amen? Trust Him. It might not be easy. We’re probably going to need help.

Look, it is a process, and we’re going to need God’s help, so lets ask him.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Rob

As Rob works his way up here, please bow your heads and begin to be still with God. Still your hearts and ask God where He needs you to begin stretching and changing. If you feel like God is speaking to you in this way, go ahead and raise your hand so I can agree with you in this.

Ok, I see all of you, you can lower your hands now, and the second part of might be even related to the first challenge. It’s simply this, perhaps God is challenging your heart that you need to be trusting him first in your life and need to give your life to him so that He can begin this work in you. For some of you this might mean that you’ve not given you heart to him, for others perhaps you’re just in a season of life where God has not been in control, or you’ve moved away from him. As I’m saying this You may be feeling something inside your heart that you’ve not felt before, even now I know that is striking a cord with someone here. For you that God is tugging on you, let me tell you something. First, God loves you. He wants you. He made you, and he wants you exactly where you are, and exactly who you are…no matter how you see yourself or how you think others see you, God loves you and has chosen you. YOU. For those that know I’m speaking about what God’s doing inside you right now, with EVERY head bowed, and all eyes closed, if you choose the God who loves you, then look up at me right now. Catch my eyes, don’t let me miss you. OK, I see you. Bless you. God Loves you.

OK, Let’s pray. Jesus thank you for believing in us even through our doubts. Help us to understand that doubting you is a failure of faith. Lord I ask that you would challenge each of us this week in some way to step out in faith and trust you with something in our lives. For those who are stepping out now repeat these words in your heart as I say them here, “ Jesus I put you first in my life from this point forward. I recognize that I need you in my life, and I ask that you help me live a life for you, with you in me. I ask today that you forgive me of the wrongs I’ve done. I accept your sacrifice for me as a price already paid for my sin. Secondly, for those here who have raised a hand asking for help in trusting You, Father embrace your servants who are seeking you, help them to increase their faith. Help them to seek you in all things, and as such trust you in all ways. Father praise you for your love and complete understanding of all things great and small. Amen.

That passage is referencing

Books and Resources Referenced in Sermon

Stuart McAllister was a missionary serving in Eastern Europe in the early 80’s, working to bring Bibles and other Christian Books to believers who were trapped behind the iron curtain. On one attempted crossing through Austria for Czechoslovakia, his hidden cargo was discovered. Stuart was whisked away to a confinement cell. As you can probably imagine, it wasn’t a pleasant place. Years later in relaying his experience to others Stuart recalled a gauntlet of emotions. He said, the walls were closing in on me and I began to experience intense doubts. He doubted his faith, He doubted his organization, He doubted that he’d ever see his friends and family again.

Doubts. Stuart was certainly in an extreme situation. To be certain, there were very legitimate worldly reasons for Stuart to have these kinds of doubts. We all have them from time to time.

James 1:6 NASB95

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

Books and Resources Referenced in Sermon

Ravi Zacharias, Beyond Opinion: Living the Faith We Defend (Thomas Nelson, 2007), pp. 258-261;