SERMON TITLE: TRUSTING GOD WHEN THINGS ARE UNCLEAR!

“Now faith(FULNESS) is the substance of things hoped for
and the evidence of things unseen.” —Hebrews 11:1

Big Idea

Faith flourishes when we are trusting God at the deepest level, with a willingness to let go of our insistence for clarity.

• Flourish: to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment. [trials grow & develop faith]

POINT TO REMEMBER: THE TIMES WE MOST WANT CLARITY ARE THE TIMES WE MOST NEED FAITH!!

• It is in the times we have no idea what to do that allow us to lean on God with a whole new level of vulnerability!

Faith

What faith has: it already possesses in the present what God has promised for the future. This is a description of faith. I have to believe that the “vine” will hold!

Faith is about reliability, trustworthiness, and security in God. These are the qualities of JESUS that must be found in those who FOLLOW HIM!

• It is reliable because it yields consistent results
• It is trustworthy because it is able to be trusted
• It is secure because it is resilient

Question

What am I clinging to and must let go of?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6
• Trust is PERSONAL! It is based on relationship interactions that provides the grounds for commitment!
• Trust is CONSISTENT! It is based on God’s unchanging character in fulfilling His Promises!!

Trust means the willingness to become absolutely empty of all terrifying and comforting images of God that we have held, so that the gift of God in Jesus Christ may come to us on God’s terms.

What is the “evidence” (substance)?

TIMES MAY CHANGE, BUT GOD REMAINS THE SAME—HE IS FAITHFUL! HE IS CONSISTENT!!

COMPLICATION: The search for clarity becomes an impediment to faith in times of uncertainty!!

Clarity: easy to understand or clearness in perception

QUESTION: How can we emerge braver, stronger and more compassionate people particularly because we have spent some time in solitude?

ISSUE: Looking for “assurance” and “clarity” in Times of distress
We are all facing major questions and challenges about our health, finances, jobs, family and future!
• Trust=faith (in God in Christ)+ hope (promises of God)