Psalms 37:7
Chuck Smith teaches on the importance of resting in the Lord, trusting in His ability to handle our situations, and committing our ways unto Him.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of resting in the Lord amidst a chaotic world where the wicked seem to prosper and the righteous suffer. He discusses the difficulty of obeying the simple command to 'rest in the Lord,' especially when faced with injustice and personal struggles. Smith highlights that worry and anxiety do not solve problems and can lead to further issues, urging believers to trust in God's timing and care. He provides practical steps to rest in the Lord, including refraining from fretting and committing one's way to God. Ultimately, he reassures that true rest comes from fully trusting and delighting in the Lord.
Text
"REST IN THE LORD"
I. THE DIFFICULTY.
A. We are living in a topsy turry world.
1. The wicked seem to prosper more than the righteous.
2. The wicked have the advantage, they are crooked, corrupt and prosperous.
3. The good honest people are often their victims.
4. It appears that evil will conquer over good.
a. A public school teacher was recently fired for suggesting that
man was possibly created.
b. A court ruling ordered the schools to give a classroom for use
by a gay club.
1. A court ruling upheld the right of the school to refuse
a classroom for a Bible Club.
c. Your little girl can have an abortion without your knowledge
or consent, but not her ears pierced.
d. It is legal to use profane language in school It is not legal
to pray.
5. It's hard to rest in the LORD.
B. Some of the simplest commandments are the hardest to obey.
1. "Rest in the LORD" sounds simple enough, try it!
a. It seems that nothing is changing, I want action.
b. God's timing isn't in sync with mine, I want it now!
c. God seems reluctant to destroy my enemies, I want blood! Jonah
2. Allow me a couple questions.
a. What have you accomplished with all your schemes and efforts?
1. Things are probably in a worse state.
2. Like quicksand the more you struggle the faster
you go down.
b. At this state what have you got to lose by resting in the LORD.
II. THE NECESSITY OF RESTING IN THE LORD.
A. Worry and anxiety will not solve problem.
1. Often makes you less able to cope.
2. Which of you by worrying can add 6 inches to his height?
B. Anxiety often creates other problems.
C. Fretting often leads to wrong actions.
1. I try to fight evil with evil.
2. I become as guilty as those I am asking God to judge.
III. HOW TO REST IN THE LORD.
A. Negative.
1. Fret not.
2. Envy not.
B. Positive.
1. Trust in the LORD.
a. He knows.
b. He cares for you.
c. He is able.
d. He doesn't need my help, "I'll help you grandpa."
2. "Delight thyself in the LORD"
a. Start thanking and praising Him.
b. Get your eyes on Him.
c. "He shall give thee the desires of thy..."
3. Commit thy way unto the LORD.
a. Real secret of rest.
b. You will never fully rest until you have fully committed.
c. LORD I commit it to you, the outcome.
Whatever, Whenever, However!
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The Difficulty - Some of the simplest commandments are the hardest to obey
- II points: - The Necessity of Resting in the Lord - Anxiety often creates other problems - Fretting often leads to wrong actions
- III points: - Negative - '{''1'': ''Trust in the Lord'', ''2'': ''Delight thyself in the Lord'', ''3'': ''Commit thy way unto the Lord''}'
Key Quotes
“What have you accomplished with all your schemes and efforts? Things are probably in a worse state.” — Chuck Smith
“Which of you by worrying can add 6 inches to his height?” — Chuck Smith
“LORD I commit it to you, the outcome. Whatever, Whenever, However!” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must learn to trust in the Lord's ability to handle our situations, rather than trying to control everything ourselves.
- Committing our ways unto the Lord is the secret to true rest and peace.
- We must let go of our desire for action and control, and instead, trust in God's timing and sovereignty.