A God We Can Trust (Psalm 37)
This sermon delves into the bedrock of Christian faith: the trustworthiness of God. It gently guides listeners through scriptural truths that anchor our assurance in His unchanging character.
This sermon explores why we can confidently trust God even amidst life's difficulties. It presents biblical reasons rooted in His unique nature, truthfulness, faithfulness, power, unconditional love, and unchangeable character.
Overview
The sermon begins by acknowledging the difficulty of trusting others and the even greater challenge of trusting God during hardship. It introduces Psalm 37 and Proverbs 3:5-6 as foundational calls to trust the Lord, emphasizing that a lifestyle of faith means continually trusting God.
Dr. Stanley then lays out several biblical reasons for God's trustworthiness. He is presented as the only true God, superior to any idol, and the very essence of truth who cannot lie. Furthermore, God is absolutely faithful, reliably keeping every promise, from pardon and provision to protection and answered prayer.
The sermon continues by explaining that God possesses all power, making Him capable of fulfilling every promise He makes. Crucially, He loves unconditionally, a love so perfect that Jesus compared it to the Father's love for Him. These attributes form a solid foundation for our trust.
Finally, the message addresses the concept of God's unchangeable nature, clarifying that while circumstances may change and God responds to intercession and repentance, His character, purpose, and power remain constant. This unchanging God provides unwavering assurance and hope for all who place their faith in Him.
Key points
- Trusting God is often challenging, especially during trials, despite scriptural admonitions to do so.
- We can trust God because He is the only true God, and anything else dominating our lives is an idol.
- God is the essence of truth itself; He cannot lie because it is not His nature.
- God is absolutely faithful, reliable, and trustworthy, keeping every promise He makes.
- God possesses all power and authority, enabling Him to accomplish everything He promises.
- God loves us unconditionally, a love Jesus describes as comparable to the Father's love for Him.
- God does not change in His person, being, perfections, purpose, plans, or power, providing an immovable foundation for faith.
In Charles Stanley's words
“God cannot lie. He does not lie. You know why He can't lie? Because it is not His nature to lie.”
“God, in the essence of who He is, does not change.”
“I didn't say He was satisfied, I said He loves you just the way you are.”
Outline
- Introduction: The Challenge and Call to Trust God
- I. Biblical Reasons Why We Can Trust God
- A. He is the only God.
- B. He is the essence of truth itself.
- C. He is absolutely faithful.
- 1. Promises of pardon and forgiveness.
- 2. Promises of provision.
- 3. Promises of protection.
- 4. Promises of answered prayer.
- 5. Promises of His continued presence.
- 6. Promises of faultless presentation.
- 7. Promises of pleasure.
- D. He has all power.
- E. He loves us unconditionally.
- II. God Does Not Change
- A. God does not change in His person, being, perfections, purpose, plans, or power.
- B. Understanding apparent changes in God's mind.
- 1. God's response to Moses' intercessory prayer (Exodus 32).
- 2. God's response to Nineveh's repentance (Jonah).
- C. The implications of God's unchangeableness for our faith.
- Conclusion: Assurance in God's Unchanging Love
Scripture references
- Psalm 37
- Proverbs 3:5-6
- Genesis 1
- 2 Samuel 7:18
- 2 Samuel 7:21
- Psalm 31:5
- John 14
- John 15
- John 16
- John 17:17
- Titus
- Lamentations 3:23
- Psalm 91
- Psalm 16:11
- Psalm 103:19
- Ephesians 5:1-2
- John 15:9
- Exodus 32:10-14
- Jonah
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
18 Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
21 For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
11 And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
Insights
Trusting God is often easier to sing about than to live through.
What ultimately dominates our decisions is an indicator of our truest worship.
God’s truthfulness is woven into His very being, making deceit impossible.
Questions & answers
What is the main point of this sermon?
The main point is that we can confidently place our trust in Almighty God, because His character—His uniqueness, truthfulness, faithfulness, power, love, and unchangeableness—makes Him completely trustworthy even in life's most challenging circumstances.
How does the sermon define an idol?
The sermon defines an idol as whatever dominates, controls, or causes our ultimate decisions in life. It is the highest motivating factor that governs and dominates our thinking and actions, whether it's money, position, or anything else besides the one true God.
What does it mean that God is the 'essence of truth'?
Being the 'essence of truth' means that truth is God's very nature and being. He only speaks truth, always speaks truth, and is truth itself, making it impossible for Him to lie under any condition.
How does the sermon explain instances where God seems to 'change His mind'?
The sermon clarifies that God does not change His character or nature. Instead, passages like Exodus 32 and Jonah illustrate that God responds to intercessory prayer and genuine repentance, which is consistent with His unchangeable nature and attributes.
What is God's goal for believers, according to the sermon?
God's goal for believers is to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, Jesus. This involves God working to change our attitudes, conduct, thought patterns, and devotion to Him, not because His love changes, but because He desires our growth.
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Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.