Proverbs 29:25
The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord and overcoming the fear of man, which can lead to sin, lower the dignity of good men, and hinder Christian service.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord over succumbing to the fear of man, which can lead to sin and hinder our Christian service. He illustrates how fear can trap us, using examples from the Bible such as Aaron, Pilate, and Peter, and highlights that true safety comes from placing our trust in God, as seen in the lives of Joseph and the three Hebrew children. Smith reassures that while trusting in God may not always lead to earthly safety, it guarantees spiritual security and eternal salvation. He encourages believers to be conscious of God's presence, assured of His love, and fully committed to trusting Him, regardless of circumstances.
Text
"TRUSTING IN THE LORD"
Intro: Our actions greatly governed by peer pressure. We often do things we
really don't want to do, or we fail to do what we really want.
I. THE FEAR OF MAN BRINGETH A SNARE.
A. It leads us to sin.
1. Aaron made molten calf.
2. Pilate feared Caesar.
3. Peter's fear of the soldiers.
4. Most drug use begins under pressure.
B. It lowers the dignity of good men.
1. Abraham denied his wife Sarah.
2. David before king Achish.
C. It hinders Christian service.
1. Mark left Paul and Barnabas.
2. So many times we fail to witness.
D. The fear of man is a trap.
1. It will keep you from being a Christian.
a. Many would really like to accept Christ.
1. Fear what others would say.
2. Couples have sat together.
2. It will keep you from being effective Christian.
E. We fear the forces of man.
1. They're so well organized.
2. They have so much influence.
3. "If God be for us, who can be against us?"
II. "WHOSO PUTTETH HIS TRUST IN JEHOVAH SHALL BE SAFE."
A. Joseph - His masters wife sought to entice him.
1. "How can I do this sin against Jehovah."
2. What do you mean safe? Thrown in prison.
a. Safe from her enticements.
b. Better to be a Christian in jail than a free
sinner.
B. Three Hebrew children, "The God that we serve."
1. Safe in the fire.
C. Paul in the storm.
D. This is only place of real safety.
1. Trusting in myself is folly.
a. My power to stand.
b. My power to resist.
2. Trusting in friends disappointment.
a. They may not be around in need.
b. When pressure on we may discover they're not
friend. Lone Ranger.
III. THE SECRET OF TRUSTING IN THE LORD.
A. Conscious of His presence.
1. Potiphar's wife may say "no one will see."
a. Joseph knows God is there. He sees.
B. Assured of His love.
1. I may not understand His workings but I trust His love.
C. Fully committed to trust in Him.
1. Hebrew children "the God that we serve..."
D. These results from communion with Him.
IV. WHAT IT MEANS "SHALL BE SAFE."
A. Isaiah trusted in the Lord the wicked king has him sawed in half.
B. Paul trusted in the Lord, was beheaded.
C. Jesus trusted in the Father, was crucified.
D. Jesus said: "Don not fear those who can kill your body but are
not able to kill your soul, but rather fear him who is able to
destroy both body and soul in Gehenna."
E. God looks beyond death and speaks of eternal salvation.
Sermon Outline
- The Fear of Man Bringseth a Snare points: - It leads us to sin - It lowers the dignity of good men - It hinders Christian service - The fear of man is a trap
- Whoso Putteth His Trust in Jehovah Shall Be Safe points: - Joseph's trust in Jehovah - Three Hebrew children's trust in Jehovah - Paul's trust in Jehovah - This is the only place of real safety
- The Secret of Trusting in the Lord points: - Conscious of His presence - Assured of His love - Fully committed to trust in Him - These results from communion with Him
- What It Means 'Shall Be Safe' points: - Examples of trusting in the Lord - Jesus' teaching on fear
Key Quotes
“If God be for us, who can be against us?” — Chuck Smith
“The God that we serve” — Chuck Smith
“Don't fear those who can kill your body but are not able to kill your soul, but rather fear him who is able to destroy both body and soul in Gehenna.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must trust in the Lord and not fear the forces of man.
- To overcome the fear of man, we must be conscious of God's presence and assured of His love.
- We must be fully committed to trust in the Lord and not rely on ourselves or others for safety.