WHY JESUS IS WORTHY OF YOUR FAITH

TEXT: Hebrews 4:13-16

INTRODUCTION: A small girl had been promised the privilege of climbing to a nearby hilltop where her brother enjoyed playing. But when she came within sight of the steep, rough path, she drew back in dismay. "Why, there isn't a smooth spot anywhere. It's all bumpy and stony!" she exclaimed. "Yes," said her more experienced older brother, "but how else would we ever climb to the top if it wasn't? The stones and bumps are what we step on to get there." So too, God in His faithfulness allows affliction, and He even puts in our path what some might consider to be stumbling blocks. For the believer, however, obstacles can become steppingstones to the higher ground of Christian victory and blessing.

Often our lives are like this hill climbed by this little girl. We marvel at the bumps and stones we are forced to overcome in our journey. Yet, we fail to realize that in everything we face, God has a plan and even as we struggle, we are just heading up.

    These Hebrews were having a tough time. They were undergoing intense persecution where many were tortured and some killed for their faith. At the very least, they were ostracized in the community and couldn’t buy and sell like others in the towns. Their faith was a daily struggle and many felt like giving up. Some were very tempted to give up the public profession of their faith.

    They wouldn’t stop being saved because they possessed eternal life. However, they were willing to stop proclaiming Jesus publicly so that they could enjoy an easier life.) While we aren’t being persecuted to any great extent this evening, we are still tempted to live outside absolute faith in the Lord Jesus. We are tempted to look to every other source of help, rather than turning to the Lord. May I remind you that Jesus Christ is still vastly superior to any other form of assistance? God’s plan is still that His people live by faith,

Romans 14:23b …for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Habakkuk 2:4b …but the just shall live by his faith.

    It is easy to lose faith, but we must avoid the temptation of falling into doubt.

    Today I want to take these few verses and show you why Jesus is worthy of our faith. I want you to see that He can be trusted with anything you will ever have need of in this life. After all, if we can trust Jesus to wash our sins away and give us eternal life by faith, then surely we can trust Him with life’s smaller issues. Let’s look into these verses today and see just why Jesus Is Worthy Of Your Faith.

I.          HE HAS THE ABILITY TO SEE YOUR PATHWAY v. 13

This verse deals expressly with the idea of judgment. It reminds men that God keeps a perfect record and will, one day, execute swift, accurate judgment,

Revelation 20:11-15. However, the same attribute that allows God to see all the evil deeds of the wicked, also permits him to observe the steps of His children.)

A.        God Is Constantly Watching Your Path – The eyes of the Lord miss nothing –

Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Matthew 10:29-30 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

1.      The Disciples in the storm. were struggling, but Jesus saw it all –

Mark 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

2.      He sees your Trials.

3.      He sees your Temptations.

4.      He sees your Tears, Psa. 56:8

B.        God Is Continually Working Out Your Path

Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

1.      Regardless of where life leads, be sure that God is still in control of all that happens

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

a)      Joseph – Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

b)      Ruth – Ruth 2:3  And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

2.      There is no such thing as coincidence in the life of the child of God. There is only providence!

a)      Not everything God does is pleasant, but everything God does is right!

        A small boy was playing with his sailboat at the edge of a lake. When the wind pulled the sailboat away from the shoreline and out of his reach, he began to cry as he saw it moving farther and farther away from him.

        An older boy came to the scene and began throwing stones at the boat. The smaller boy cried, 'Why are you throwing stones at my boat?' The older boy said,      'You don't know what I'm doing. I'm throwing stones on the far side of the boat to create some waves to bring the sailboat back to you. Trust me; I know what I'm doing.'

        God knows what He is doing when He throws the stones in our lives. They are meant to draw us closer to Him, not to drive us from Him. He is not cruel.

b)      Almost everyone would rather have sunshine than showers. But just imagine what our world would be like if it never rained again.

    An example of such a place is in Northern Chile, a region between the great Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean where rain never falls. Morning after morning the sun rises brilliantly over the tall mountains to the east; each noon it shines brightly down from overhead; evening brings a picturesque sunset. Although storms are often seen raging high in the mountains, and heavy fog banks are observed far out over the sea, the sun continues to shine on this favored and protected strip of land. One would imagine this area to be an earthly paradise; but it is not. Instead, it is a sterile and desolate desert! There are no streams of water, and nothing grows there. Too often we long for total sunshine and joy in life. We have wished to be rid of burdensome responsibilities. But, like this sunny, unfertile part of Chile, life without its burdens and trials would not be creative, productive, or challenging. We need sunshine and showers.

    During the Second World War metallurgists tested the steel being used to build tanks for American soldiers in the front lines. They had to be sure that the metal was not too hard or too soft as it passed through the tempering furnaces. Tension was applied to ascertain its breaking point. Checks were also taken to make certain that the armor would be bulletproof. If any flaws showed up in the steel, it would undergo more tempering. When it left the factory, it was fully prepared to withstand the stress demanded of it.

    So it is with God's children. To make us fit for His work and the instruments of His praise, He puts us through the kiln of trial and places us in the testing room of life. Pressures are constantly applied to sanctify us and to reveal the weaknesses which only His grace can remedy.

    A Christian man lost his home and mill when a flood washed them away. He was brokenhearted and discouraged as he stood surveying his loss. Just then he saw a glittering object that had been uncovered by the waters. It was gold! The disaster he thought had made him a beggar had actually made him wealthy.

    A couple was devastated when both of them lost their jobs and they were left with a staggering mountain of debt. Just a they were coming to terms with this, their septic tank collapsed and the entire back yard caved in. Not having the money needed to hire the repairs done, the husband jumped into the task and decided to do it all by have. As he was digging on day, he noticed something glistening in the dirt. He picked up the object and found in to be a gold coin. Excited, he continued to dig and unearthed several more of the valuable coins. He discovered their value to be around 1.5 million. What he and his wife considered a tragedy, God used to get glory.)

C.        God Is Confidently Waiting At The End Of Your Path – Everything God does in your life, or allows to happen your life, is simply His way of maturing you into the image of His Son Jesus – Eph. 4:13. God’s desire is that we decrease that He might increase!

II.       HE HAS THE ABILITY TO SENSE YOUR PAIN v. 15

A.        He Feels Our Pain – (Ill. Stephen – Acts 7:55-56) (Ill. Saul – He had persecuted many Christians, but Jesus felt their pain – Acts 9:4) Just as He felt the pain of those people, He feels your pain this evening. When you have a need in your life, Heaven is moved to take care of it. Jesus knows what you feel and He loves you. When you hurt, He hurts!

B.        He Is Familiar With Our Problems – Ill. Some may ask, "How can Jesus know what I am going through? He is perfect and way off up in Heaven. How can He possible feel what I feel?" He is able to know what humans feel because He has lived life as a human and has experienced the same hardships that you face tonight.

1.      He Understands Temptation –

a)      Matt. 4:4-11 Jesus was tempted in all the same areas where we are tempted today

b)      You see, Jesus was not only sinless, but He was, and is, incapable of sinning! He has a hatred and repugnance for sin that few of us can imagine.

c)      Therefore, coming face to face with sin was a horrible event for Jesus.) He can help you when you are tempted.

2.      He Understands Rejection –

a)      He knows what it is like to have the world turn its back on you.

b)      In fact, He knows what it is like to face something that no one in this room will ever experience, if you are saved. He knows what it is like to have God turn His back to you –

c)      He endured these things so that He might help you when you face a time of need in your own life.

3.      He Understands Poverty And Need –

a)      Jesus knows what it is like when the ends won’t meet no matter how far you stretch them.

b)      He understands need and is able to offer help during those tough times.

4.      He Understands Grief

a)      Jesus knows exactly what it is like to lose someone you love.

b)      Therefore, He can help you when you face those times of loss. Jesus understands human heartbreak.

5.      He Understands Loneliness –

a)      He knows what it is like to have no one around Him who understands what He is going through.

b)      He knows what it means to hurt alone and He knows how to help you through those troubled times of loneliness also.

III.    HE HAS THE ABILITY TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS v. 16

A.        A Petition –

1.      The Lord gives man an open invitation to come unto Himself for help to get through life.

2.      Why is it that He who should be our first resort is often our last?

3.      We are so guilty of trying everything else before we seriously seek help from the Lord.

4.      We will try worry, pity, self-effort, etc, then when everything else fails us, we will run to Jesus and look to Him for the help we could have received a long while before.

5.      Here is God’s plan for you in trouble

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

B.        His Power –

1.       "Throne" –

a)      Those enthroned during those days held absolute sway over the issues of life, and death.

b)      Earthly kings possessed great power, but all their power combined is nothing next to the power of the Lord Jesus Christ!

c)      Why? The power of any king is only as great as the power of the kingdom behind him!

d)      With that in mind, just what kind of power does Jesus have?

2.      He Has Exceeding Power –

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

3.      He Has Need Meeting Power –

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

4.      He Has Cleansing Power –

1 John 1:7 But 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.

5.      He Has Healing Power – Ill. Numerous times in the Gospels.

6.      He Has Load Lifting Power –

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

7.      He Had Mountain Moving Power –

Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

8.      He Has All Power –

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

a)      His power is all summed up in one phrase from Eph. 3:20, "He is able."

b)      Times down through the ages when He has been able

C.        A Promise –

1.      His promise to us is that when we come to Him by faith, we will find all that we need to meet the need of our heart and life.

2.      He will give us exactly what we need –

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Matthew 7:7-11 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

CONCLUSION: Have you been tempted lately to "lose faith?" Does it seem that the load you are called to bear just gets too heavy at times? Maybe Satan, or foolish people have encouraged you to give up. Don’t give up, come to Jesus! He is ready, willing and able to give you all that you need to get you through whatever you are faced with this evening. If you will trust Jesus with your problem, by faith, He will never fail you! Is there something you need to bring to Jesus right now? If so, just come and let Him have His way in your life. He is all you will ever need!