Confidence in God 1a
In this V Paul, under the inspiration of the HS, is saying that everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Listen to how the NIV words it, (Hebrews 12:26-28) “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” (27) The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken -- that is, created things -- so that what cannot be shaken may remain. (28) Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” (NIV)
We need to put our trust, our confidence, and our security in what can not be shaken, putting our confidence in what will endure.
I) ISA 40:8
A) The Bible says that the Word of God will endure forever.
1) In (HEB 12:26 & 27) He’s saying that everything that can be shaken will be shaken.
(a) We can expect a shaking or a storm from time to time, but the question is will you be moved?
(b) When that shaking goes on, stay put on that firm foundation.
(c) Don’t be moved by a shaking or a storm.
B) MATT 7:24-27
1) Jesus is our sure foundation.
2) Turn with me to ISA 28:16
(a) Listen to it from the NIV translation, (Isaiah 28:16) “So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’” NIV
(i) This is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ.
3) (Ephesians 2:19-20) Says, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” KJV
(a) Jesus is our SURE FOUNDATION and our lives need to be built upon that foundation.
4) How do you build upon that sure foundation?
(a) Back in (ISA 28:16 here) the KJV says, “BELIEVETH,” the NIV says, “The 1 who “TRUST” will never be DISMAYED.”
(b) You build your life on that sure foundation by PLACING your TRUST in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His Word, IF YOU DO YOU WILL NEVER BE DISMAYED.
C) Back in (MATT 7:24-27) where the man that built His house on a rock was a man that built his life on the Word of God.
1) He heard the Word, he was a doer of the Word, but He also had to believe the Word.
2) When the storms of life came, when there was a shaking that came, he had a sure foundation.
(a) The Bible says that Jesus is that precious cornerstone, that sure foundation.
(b) This sure foundation is Jesus, but it’s also the Word of God.
(c) (JOHN 1:14) Says, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.”
3) The man in (MATT 7:27) that built his house on the sand (a week foundation) heard the same words, but was not a doer of the Word, and apparently didn’t put his faith in those words.
(a) We need to have our confidence in the Word of God, which is our sure foundation.
D) MATT 24:35
1) Here again we see that the Word of God will endure forever. It will never pass away. (Isa 40:8)
(a) The Word of God is not one of those created things that we were talking about from (HEB 12:27 NIV) it is one of the eternal things that will not be shaken. (Never a beginning or an end it always was and always will be.)
(b) Put your confidence in what will endure. Put your confidence in what God says in His Word. When you do, when the storms come, you will not be moved.
II) Definition of CONFIDENCE
A) FAITH, BELIEF, RELIANCE, TRUST, or ASSURANCE in someone.
1) Our confidence is not to be in things or in someone else, because they will let you down. Our confidence has to be in God and in His Word.
III) In order for you to gain someone’s confidence, it’s going to take time; it doesn’t just happen over night. It takes time to build confidence.
A) HOW CAN WE BUILD CONFIDENCE IN GOD?
1) How would you build confidence in anyone?
(a) GET TO KNOW THEM.
2) 2TIM 1:12
(a) Paul said, “For I know whom I have believed.” (The NIV adds “And am convinced”).
(b) As you get to know Him you too will be convinced or confident in Him.
(c) In referring to Abraham the Lord said in (GEN 18:19), “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him.”
(i) You have to get to know someone to have confidence in them.
B) What else builds confidence in God?
1) TO KNOW the POWER IN the BLOOD OF JESUS.
(a) Of course, (REV 12:11) says, “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb.”
2) HEB 10:19
(a) The NIV says, (Hebrews 10:19) “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus. NIV
(i) We have confidence because of the blood of Jesus.
(b) The only way that we could enter into the Holy of Holies is by the blood of Jesus.
(i) The only way we could come to God is through the blood of Jesus.
3) (1JOHN 1:7) Says, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
(a) It all comes down to the Blood of Jesus that has cleansed us from sin.
(b) (EPH 2:13) Says, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
(c) (HEB 9:14) Says, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
(i) To have that confidence in God you have to know that there is power in the Blood.
C) The way that you build confidence in God is 1st to know Him, 2nd To know the power that is in the Blood of Jesus and the 3rd is to KNOW HIS WILL.
1) (1JOHN 5:14-15) Says, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, he heareth us: (15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
2) For us to have this confidence that we’re talking about it’s essential to know God’s will & His commandments.
IV) What are some of the things that we can have confidence in?
A) # 1 ETERNAL LIFE
1) (1JOHN 2:17) Says, “He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
B) # 2 That God will SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS.
1) (PHIL 4:19) Says, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
C) # 3 That God will WORK OUT ALL THINGS FOR GOOD.
1) (ROM 8:28) Says, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to {his} purpose.”
D) And # 4 God will DO WHAT HE PROMISES.
1) NUM 23:19
(a) Whatever God says, He will hasten to perform it.
2) HEB 10:35-36
(a) When that storm comes or that shaking, keep your confidence in God and in His Word and you will not be moved, firmly fixed on that sure foundation.
SUN 4/14/91 TFC & WOLCC SUN AM 10/13/91 and 2/13/94 and WOLCC Sun AM 3/16/97