There is FRUIT When We Just Believe God Over Everything Else
Psalm 28:7
July 6, 2014 AM
Pastor Craig
Ledbetter
Bible Baptist
Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I.
Introduction (Psalm 28:7)
A.
To most people, faith is tiny, and powerless in their lives – it is just
something people try to have, but it doesn’t do any good for them. At least they
don’t think it does.
B.
So they instead only experience:
1.
Fears
2.
Worries
3.
Frustrations
4.
Disappointments
5.
They become hard, and angry about life
C.
Listen to Psalm 28:7 “my heart trusted in
Him, and I am helped”
D.
Oh for the help that strong, dependant faith in God gives!
E.
If you have ever been overwhelmed by fear and worry (resulting in panic), I want
you to imagine what it would be like if you instead experienced the effect of
Biblical faith (resulting in praise).
F.
You see, There is FRUIT when we just believe God, a benefit, a help, that is
only experienced by someone willing to do something different than they have
always done
1.
Instead of getting angry, Believe God
2.
Instead of giving up, Believe God
3.
Instead of worrying and panicking, Believe God
II.
Background
A.
We are told NOT to worry, not to fret, not to be full of care (Psalm 37:7,8;
Philp 4:6).
B.
Why?
1.
Because fear and worry LOWERS your view of God.
2.
It ruins your health.
3.
Wastes you time.
4.
Brings us into bondage.
5.
Gives False sense of spirituality.
6.
False sense of control.
7.
Paralyzes you.
8.
Burn out.
9.
Neglects Others.
10.
Certain defeat.
11.
All because you are not trusting the Lord
C.
It is impossible to not worry, unless you have something better to replace it
with!
D.
And that is Biblical Faith
1.
Biblical faith CHOOSES to trust in the Lord – who He is, and Whatever He is
doing!
a.
Faith doesn’t trust because we feel like trusting
b.
Faith doesn’t trust because it is easy
c.
Faith doesn’t trust because it makes perfect sense!
d.
Faith just decides that God is the real deal, and chooses to trust HIM over
everything and everyone else
1)
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all
thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
2)
Psalm 40:4 Blessed is that man that
maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside
to lies.
3)
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my
salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength
and my song; he also is become my salvation.
2.
Biblical faith lets God work everything out for good (Romans 8:28)
3.
Biblical faith digs your heels in and locks your thoughts into one way of
thinking – God’s way!
a.
Psa 112:7 He shall not be afraid of
evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
b.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in
perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
c.
Prov 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
d.
This is how every army prepares (drills) their soldiers to fight and win – by
getting them to focus on the task and believe in their mission, ignoring bomb
explosions, and bullets flying overhead, rejecting the panic that would cause
them to get killed!
e.
Those constant drills, will ultimately keep them calm under fire!
E.
What Trusting God is NOT
1.
People have a lot of crazy ideas about what it means to trust in the Lord…
2.
It is NOT ignoring your responsibilities
a.
God did not say just sit back and He would be doing everything from now on
b.
You still have to do right, and keep your heart right, and stay humble towards
God and others
c.
You still have to do what you can do
1)
You CAN be in church, and learning these truths
2)
You CAN read your Bible, every day, chapter by chapter
3)
You CAN pray for your needs and even for your enemies
4)
You CAN open your mouth and tell someone how they can be saved from the wrath to
come
5)
You CAN love your wives, gentlemen
6)
And you CAN reverence your husbands, ladies
7)
And you CAN honour and obey your parents, young people
8)
And you CAN just stay faithful
d.
But you can then trust God to do what only HE can do!
1)
Only HE can break the hard hearted, and make them soft again
2)
Only HE can take ashes and make something beautiful
3)
Only HE can take what the devil meant for evil, and make it for good
4)
Only HE can answer your prayers
5)
Only HE can get you through the valleys, all the way home to heaven!
3.
It is not acting like there is nothing to worry about – there is plenty to worry
about – but the Christian chooses to INSTEAD, believe God (Acts 27:14-25),
according to what HE has promised!
4.
It is not the getting rid of your enemies, and your problems, but no longer
worrying about them!
F.
Let’s look at the fruits, the results of trusting God, believing God, and
overruling our fears and worries with a confidence in who He is!
G.
Because, real, active trust in God, helps!
III.
Message – What Happens When You Trust God
If you trust the
Lord, you will find yourself…
A.
You Are Better Protected when you just believe God (Psalm 34:7,8; Proverbs
29:25)
1.
Psa 34:7,8 The angel of the LORD
encampeth round about them
that fear him, and delivereth
them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man
that trusteth in him.
2.
David discovered that there was no safety in the size of his army – only safe in
the protective hand of the Lord
3.
Moses found out that God takes good care of His people, even though they were
being chased by Pharaoh’s army, and faced enemies for 40 years
4.
A Christian is safer, every minute that they choose to just trust God!
5.
Pro 29:25 The fear of man bringeth
a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
6.
It would do you well to start believing that!
B.
You get Through your troubles, when
you just believe God (Psalm 23:4; 28:7; 37:40)
1.
You are NOT promised no troubles, or heartaches, setbacks, failures
2.
Just promised to get through them
(Psalm 23:4)
3.
Psa 28:7 The LORD is my strength
and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart
greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
4.
Psa 37:40 And the LORD shall help
them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them,
because they trust in him.
C.
You Are Blessed Just By Believing God (Psalm 34:8; 84:12)
1.
I know what the world offers
a.
The concerts, the thrills, the drink, the girls, the buzz, the money
b.
It all comes with sorrow attached at the end
2.
But I know what faith offers – and it is better!
a.
Pro 10:22 The blessing of the
LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
b.
Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the
LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
c.
Psa 84:12 O LORD of hosts,
blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
d.
Heb 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.
e.
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
3.
“All Spiritual Blessings” include:
a.
God’s Forgiveness, instead of His condemnation – salvation (Acts 16:31)
b.
Eternal life instead of hell
c.
Peace with God – no more at war with the judge of all the earth
d.
A huge family – the household of God – we may not look like much, but the people
in this room are a HUGE spiritual blessing to have around you and your family!
e.
A home in heaven, with your name on it – forever!
f.
The comforting presence of the Holy Spirit of God in you, sealed in forever!
4.
All this happened in an instant, the very moment you just believed God’s Son,
and trusted His abilities, instead of your own. Trusted the saving power of
Jesus Christ instead of your church, or of Mary, or of your own best efforts!
D.
You are Healthier, both mentally, emotionally and physically, Just by Believing
God!
1.
Every time you give in to the temptation to worry and panic, you allow the devil
to drain you, and hurt you!
2.
But, Every time you decide to trust in the Lord, with all your heart, you allow
the LORD to strengthen you and help you!
a.
A lot of people are looking for help from a bottle, from some pills, from their
friends
b.
But listen to…
1)
Psa 28:7 The LORD is my strength
and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my
heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
2)
Psa_42:11 Why art thou cast down, O
my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall
yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
3)
Psa_43:5 Why art thou cast down, O
my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet
praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
4)
Prov 4:20-22 My son, attend to my
words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine
heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to
all their flesh.
E.
You Laugh a Lot More when You Believe God!
1.
Many people THINK they believe God, but their face shows otherwise! NO JOY!
a.
Psa 33:21 For our heart shall
rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
b.
Pro 16:20 He that handleth a matter
wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
2.
The devil has laughed all throughout history at mankind. He has had a good long
laugh at how easy it is to trip up and destroy God’s work
3.
Just believing God in the midst of our storms, wins every time!
a.
1Jn 5:4,5 For whatsoever is born of
God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that
Jesus is the Son of God?
F.
You Get Answers to Prayers (Psalm 37:3,5; Mark 11:24)
1.
There are many things that stop us from getting the answers to prayer, like:
a.
Sin in our heart – rebellion against God
b.
Unforgiveness towards people who have hurt you
c.
Spiritual warfare – satanic attacks
2.
But the one thing that should be ever active in the life of a Christian is faith
in God – believing that God can do for us what we ask of Him – no doubting, no
wavering
3.
Those who live a life of trust and faith, usually get what they need from God!
a.
Psa 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
b.
Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the
LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
c.
Mar 11:24 Therefore I say unto you,
What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye
shall have them.
G.
Lastly, You Experience Perfect Peace (Isaiah 12:2; 26:3)
1.
Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my
salvation; I will trust,
and not be afraid: for the LORD
JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
2.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in
perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
3.
You just can’t get any better than this!
4.
If you are full of anger, and bitterness and have a hard heart towards doing
right, then you are NOT trusting in the Lord with all your heart – your are NOT
believing God. And it is showing in all those wrong ways.
5.
Take a moment now and repent of unbelief – of not just believing God, of not
trusting God with all the endings of your life!
IV.
Conclusion
A.
Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly.” All of that is what He gives, if you would just trust Him.
Just follow Him, believing He is on the throne, he loves you, and He is all you
will ever need!
B.
But you have to believe it! Biblical Faith
1.
CHOOSES to trust in the Lord – who He is, and Whatever He is doing!
2.
Lets God work everything out for good (Romans 8:28)
3.
Digs your heels in and locks your thoughts into one way of thinking – God’s way!
Not YOUR way anymore!
C.
You just can’t get any better than this!
1.
I will say it again, If you are full of anger, and bitterness and have a hard
heart towards doing right, then you are NOT trusting in the Lord with all your
heart – your are NOT believing God. And it is showing in all those wrong ways.
2.
Take a moment now and repent of unbelief – of not just believing God
3.
Take a good look at your “faith” and see if God is the centre of it, or if worry
and frustration and anger is!
4.
If He is not, then it is time to decide to start believing God
a.
It will save your soul
b.
It will save your home