Assurance in Faith, Hope in Adversity

Bible Study Date:  May 20, 2015

Sermon Topic: Assurance in Faith, Hope in Adversity

Foundational Scripture:  Luke 8:22

Scriptures: Matthew 6:33, Psalm 20:7, Habakkuk 3:17, Romans 15:4, 1 Timothy 6:20 – 21, Job 1:6, Psalm 138:7, Hebrews 10:35 – 36, Isaiah 40:28, Romans 8:35, 1 John 1:6

Sermon Notes:

We must have the assurance that what God promised will come to pass. Don’t rationalize it, don’t figure it out, have faith.

If you have the God-kind of faith, you will do greater things.

Every morning get up with that kind of mindset. Not only have the mindset but even in your prayer time, keep the mindset that there is nothing that God can’t do.

We need the God-kind of faith. Today, I will have no distractions or suffer defeat.

Never let your circumstances prophesize to you. Your situations are always saying something to you, but you need discipline not to agree with the situation.

You are committed to what you confess. Profess your position in Christ. Ephesians 1

Matthew 6:33 – Seek the kingdom first. We must make sure that we’re closer to God. The closer you move to God, the smaller everything else appears.

We must have confidence in God’s purpose, presence and protection.

When I have confidence in his presence it makes me bold.

Psalm 20:7 – Remember the name of God. I don’t follow after those who are trusting in other things.

No matter the relationships, if they don’t trust in the word of God, I can’t be in agreement with them. I can’t be in agreement with them and be in agreement with God.

The disciples were unified in their unbelief. There will be times where you’ll be in a storm and you won’t receive confidence or encouragement from anyone, but you must trust in God.

While you trust in God, be careful of the words you receive. Unless they’re quoting the word of God, it counteracts our faith.

We must have confidence in God’s presence and his purpose.

Confidence in God enables believers to endure difficulty.  Believers don’t believe that they won’t have to ensure anything many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers.

There are times in our lives when you can encourage yourself by remembering what God did in the past.

David slayed Goliath and recalled the lion and bear that God allowed him to kill.

Habakkuk 3:17 – The example that God gives is an example of how the farmers lost everything but they rejoiced in the Lord.

I’m going to rejoice even though I’m facing difficulties. Never allow circumstances to rob you of your destiny.

You’re going to have to deal with doubt. In dealing with doubt you gain assurance though God’s word.

Knowing the word of God is key. You must know the word of God in order to deal. Remember God’s past goodness and reflect on the power of God.

Bear ye one another burdens. When one of us is down we are supposed to be in prayer for someone – knowing that some day I may need it. We deal with doubt and gain assurance from God’s word.

That’s why studying the scripture is important. Romans 15:4 – everything in the book was written for our learning and admonition. It was written for us.

In dealing with doubt avoid idle speculation. Avoid idle talk.

1 Timothy 6:20 – 21 – Avoid profane and vain babbling. Things people say that is not spiritual is profane babbling.

Some things that people say have been said so many times that some take it as the word of God.

Avoid foolish questions. When we’re dealing with situations and circumstances one of the key is to say focused on what the word of God says.

Our success is linked to our doing something. I must continually apply the word of God to the situation.  Jesus spoke to the wind – the wind was the cause of the rough seas.

You need a relationship with God to appropriate the grace of God.

If I don’t have a relationship with God I can’t submit my requests to him.

Job 1:6 – God doesn’t have to talk to us about our storms. God knew that Job would stand the test.

When you’re going through – don’t get weary in the storm because God knows what he placed in you. He knows you won’t fail.

There may be some things that you’re dealing with but don’t blame the devil for what happens in your life.

If you have the grace to obey God, you will be successful.

We are persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed – I’m not forsaken. I have to endure some things, but I keep looking for the time when it’s over.

I verbalize it then get an image of an overcomer. My mouth is a weapon.

Meditate on the word, so before you get to a circumstance you have already been meditating on the word of God.

When you do this, the Holy Spirit will agree with your spirit so that the things you speak will happen.

The word of God is a strong tower. It’s his will to teach us by example. Read, meditate, verbalize and then internalize the word.

When we praise God, we’re able to endure the pain.

Psalm 138:7 – When is his hand saving me? In the midst of trouble I have the assurance that he saves me.

Hebrews 10:35 – 36 – We need patience and the will of God must be paramount in our lives. I will continue to do the will of God. Trust in God.

You can’t allow doubt or idle speculation to remain in your mind.

Isaiah 40:28 – We don’t try to use our finite minds and limited understanding to figure out what’s going on.

You must remain focused on the word of God.

We will all get to the point where no matter what we’re dealing with we want to handle it, but we must wait on the Lord.

There is a season where you’re in a trial and a season where you come out of it.

Having that understanding, we need assurance of faith and hope in adversity.

It doesn’t matter what we’re dealing with, we want to handle it, but we must wait on the Lord.

It doesn’t matter what others say, what does the Lord say? Your latter end will be greater. There is greater for you in the future than what you’re experiencing now. You can’t convince me that God can’t do something.

There are no impossibilities with God. All of us were in a place where it seemed impossible – But God!

He brought us out. We have an assurance of faith in adversity.

Romans 8:35 – No matter the situation it can’t separate us from the love of God. We need that assurance in our lives.

I don’t say/do things that counteract that promise.

Self-assurance can be proved false by our conduct.

1 John 1:6 – Not only should my relationship with God be upright, so should my relationship with others.

If I’m seeking God for something, I’m loving my neighbor as myself.

Whenever you face a crisis, the first person to deal with is yourself. Psalm 139 – Search me and know me. God knows us – so we must be honest with the word of God.

Get all bitterness and impropriety out of the way.

I can’t be bitter about my situation.

Never ask “Why me?” ask “Lord, what do you want me to do?”

Trust in God.

He will give you instructions.