In Whom Do You Trust?
Allow me to ask you a very important question this morning. In what -- or whom -- do you put your trust?
If someone were to evaluate your life at this very moment -- under the harsh spotlight of reality -- in what would they say you have put your trust?
Let me ask the Question another way. The phone rings -- & a voice on the other end announces that you have just a few more minutes to live. Already your tombstone is being prepared. -- You are being given a choice as to what epitaph will be chiseled on your stone. You are welcome to fill in the blank: -- "He put his trust in ..." -- "She put her trust in ..." -- How would you fill in the blank? On what have you -- or are you -- basing your life?
Whether it ever will appear chiseled in stone is questionable. But I can assure you that in an eternal sense you & I -- right now -- are chiseling into the very granite of eternity the reality of putting our trust in something -- or someone!
Please don't give a quick superficial, pious answer. Be honest. -- No one has to hear your answer but you & God. You cannot fool God with your answer -- & you ought not try to fool yourself.
Are you placing your trust in your intelligence?
Are you placing your trust in your talent?
Are you placing your trust in your reputation?
Are you placing your trust in your money?
Are you placing your trust in your family name?
Are you placing your trust in your right connections?
Are you placing your trust in your good looks?
Are you placing your trust in your good works?
The list could go on & on. -- Be honest with yourself & with God. There is an alternative answer to this question! You can imagine what it is. -- But please don't give it unless it's true. We must be very honest that we do not too quickly jump to our feet with the "right answer" -- if it isn't altogether true! Can you have chiseled on your tombstone this: -- "She put her trust in Jesus Christ?" -- "He put his trust in Jesus Christ?" Take a moment this morning to truly & honestly inventory your life! In Proverbs 3:5-6 -- we are told to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, & lean not on your own understanding; -- In all your ways acknowledge Him, & He shall direct your paths."
My friends -- in this world -- & in the world to come -- the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is above every name! I earnestly commend to you -- as well as to myself -- the importance of putting your trust in Jesus Christ alone!
We have the privilege of being Christ-centered men & women. How privileged we are to be able to sing with confidence the words from that great old hymn, "The Solid Rock" -- My hope is built on nothing less --Than Jesus' blood & righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, -- But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand -- All other ground is sinking sand; -- All other ground is sinking sand.
The all important question is -- Do you put your trust in Jesus Christ? -- Do you allow everything else that is important to you to fit around Him at the center? Or have you rejected Him? -- thrown Him to the side? Can you truthfully declare & say: "On Christ the solid rock I stand?"
This morning I urge you -- to put your full trust & faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! -- Three things I want you to hear today!
1. Trust the Lord Jesus Christ for your Salvation!
When Peter was arrested & brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin (the high court) -- he declared: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
That is just as true today as it was when it was first spoken! No one else can do for us what Jesus does!
Jesus Christ is the only One who can save you from sin.
Jesus Christ is the only One who can forgive your sins.
Jesus Christ is the only One who can grant you peace with God.
Jesus Christ is the only One who can prepare you for Heaven.
Jesus Christ is the only One who can save your soul.
You cannot save yourself; -- you cannot earn your way in; -- buy your way in -- work your way in -- educate your way in -- reform your way in.
Salvation is found in no one else, but Jesus Christ alone! Call the roll of great financiers; -- No redeemer is found among them! -- Bill Gates' fortune cannot save! Call the roll of politicians; -- No deliverer is found among them! --The President's policies -- or the Congress cannot save! Call the roll of educators; -- No savior is found among them! -- Harvard's wisdom cannot save! Call the roll of scientist; -- No rescuer is found among them! -- Einstein's theories cannot save! -- And evolution will not save you!
Oh, their achievements may help to civilize -- but only Jesus -- crucified & risen -- has the power to redeem from sin & reconcile to God! Only the name of Jesus is vested with such saving power! Only Jesus offers a future & a hope to our perishing world.
Some would argue that the name of Buddha, or Mohammed, or others should take their place on an equality with Jesus Christ. They argue that Christ headed a great religion & taught a wonderful ethic -- but so did these others!
We answer thus: -- Christ was the Son of God; -- were they?
Christ was virgin born; -- were they?
Christ did no sin; -- did they?
Christ died a sacrificial death; -- did they?
Christ was raised from the dead on the third day; -- were they?
Christ is exalted & seated at the right hand of the Father; -- were they?
Jesus is the Bread of Life; -- there is none other!
Jesus is the Light of the world; -- there is none other!
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, & the Life; -- there is none other!
Jesus is the Resurrection & the Life; -- there is none other!
Jesus is the Door of the sheepfold; -- there is none other!
It is not Paul -- nor Peter -- nor John; -- It is Jesus Christ only!
It is not Luther -- nor Wesley -- nor Moody -- nor Billy Graham.
It is not Buddha -- nor Mohammed. -- It is Jesus Christ alone!
There is no other! -- He & He alone is our only hope for salvation!
Charles Spurgeon -- that great prince of a preacher -- tells the story of his own conversion. -- As a young lad -- with concern for his soul -- he resolved that he would attend all the places of worship in the town where he lived -- in order to find the way of salvation. Young Spurgeon set off -- determined to go round to all the chapels -- & he did go to every place of worship -- but for a long time he went in vain.
Spurgeon might never have gotten saved -- had it not been for the goodness of God in sending a snowstorm one Sunday morning -- while Spurgeon was making his way to attend yet another place of worship. When Spurgeon could go no further in the snowstorm -- he turned down a side street -- & came upon a little Primitive Methodist Chapel. In that small chapel there may have been only a dozen or fifteen people. Spurgeon had heard of the Primitive Methodist -- how they sang so loudly that they made people's heads ache -- but that did not matter to him. Spurgeon wanted to know how he might be saved -- & if they could tell him that -- he did not care how much they made his head ache.
Due to the snowstorm -- the minister had not come that morning. At last, a very thin-looking man, a shoemaker, or tailor, or something of that sort -- went up into the pulpit to preach. In the words of Spurgeon -- "This man was really rather stupid." He took his text from Isaiah 45:22 -- "Look unto me, & be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." -- The poor man did not even pronounce the words correctly -- but that did not matter to young Spurgeon. There was, he thought, a glimpse of hope for him in that text. The preacher began by saying: -- "My dear friends -- this is a very simple text indeed. -- It says 'Look.' -- Well, a man needn't go to College to learn to look. -- You may be the biggest fool -- & yet you can look. -- Anyone can look; -- even a child can look. -- But then the text says, 'Look unto
2. Trust the Lord Jesus Christ with your Life!
My friend -- He has your best interest in mind. -- He cares for you! He knows what is best for you & for me. He can guide your life day by day as no one else can!
Our Scripture lessons tells us: -- "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, & He shall direct your path."
Life is like a blind ally to countless numbers of people; -- they grope through life with no real sense of purpose or direction. They just keep traveling up & down dead end streets. Then they wonder where their life is going; -- why they move in circles; -- why they cannot make any real progress; -- why they have no purpose.
That is one reason why Rick Warren's book -- A Purpose Driven Life -- has become so popular -- read by millions. People are seeking purpose!
The words of Jesus comes echoing down through the ages: -- "I am the Way, the Truth, & the Life" He not only has the answers to life; -- He is the answer!
What are you doing with your life? Jesus has a plan -- a blue print -- & if you follow it faithfully -- He will bring you the greatest amount of happiness & joy your life can experience.
His ways are so much higher than our ways; -- His wisdom so much greater than ours! He has already chosen for us the path we would choose for ourselves if we had the fore-knowledge & wisdom He possess!
A Christ filled life is a satisfying life -- a fruitful life -- a maturing life -- & even more importantly -- an everlasting life -- life eternal.
Day by day -- moment by moment -- day in & day out -- I urge you to fellow Jesus! --Trust Him with your life!
3. Trust the Lord Jesus Christ with your Future!
I had someone recently ask me if I thought I would ever go back to
What will the future hold for me? -- for you?
Will it bring prosperity -- or poverty?
Will we enjoy good health -- or suffer serious illnesses?
While I do not know the answers to these questions -- I can still be at peace, knowing my future is in the hands of Jesus! I don't know about tomorrow. -- I just live from day to day. I don't borrow from its sunshine, -- For its skies may turn to gray. I don't worry over the future, -- For I know what Jesus said;
And today I'll walk beside Him, -- For He knows what is ahead. Many things about tomorrow, -- I don't seem to understand; But I know who holds tomorrow, -- & I know who holds my hand.
Oh, my dear friend -- be at Peace! Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life. Rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are -- will deliver you. He has kept you hitherto -- & He will lead you safely through all things! And when you cannot stand it -- God will carry you in His arms through Jesus Christ our Lord. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow -- the same everlasting Lord Who cares for you today -- will take care of you then & everyday! He will either shield you from suffering -- or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. So be at peace & put aside all anxious thought & imaginations!
I love that promise found in Jeremiah 29:11 -- "For I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord. "They are plans for good & not for disaster, to give you a future & a hope" (NLT).
You may wonder -- where will I spend eternity? What can we expect beyond the grave? When our life here on earth is ended -- will there be a joyful continuance of life on the other side? That depends -- of course -- on what we do with Jesus Christ! Whether or not we embrace Him as Savior & Lord. Or turn Him aside in your hot pursuit of pleasure.
We do not have to guess at what eternity holds for those who love God -- or for those who do not! God reveals this to us in His Holy Word! Everlasting judgment awaits those who reject God's love & mercy. Everlasting life awaits those who give Him the allegiance of their hearts.
Conclusion: -- So trust the Lord Jesus with your salvation -- your life -- your future! -- Trust! -- Trust! -- Trust in the Lord with all your heart!
A rather interesting advertisement for Commerce Bank & Trust Company -- called on the public to take a realistic view of making out wills -- & offering the service of their trust department. The ad closed with these words: -- "Trust us. After all, trust is a very important part of our name." Could not God Almighty say that to us? -- "Trust is a very important part of My Name."
In what do you put your trust? -- In what -- or whom -- do you trust?
No one deserves our trust -- or has paid the price to earn our trust -- in a greater way than has the Lord Jesus!
Trust is a key word in the Bible! -- It calls for a deliberate act of our faith! Trust is a choice & a continuing activity of believing & obeying God. -- Make Him your choice today! -- Trust in the Lord! He is still the Solid Rock -- & He will be throughout all Eternity!
Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ
www.wynnechapel.org