DO as He did and let’s see what God can do. Trust. Let’s see what God can do We are coming to the end of a several month journey. We began this journey with a series of talks about being with Jesus. Learning how to be with Jesus – abiding in him – and experiencing his presence. Then we moved to what we called “crockpot theology.” Developing habits and practices in our life where we could be shaped to be more like Jesus. Today we move into the last leg of this series and for the next four weeks we’re going to talk about doing what Jesus did. We are called to be doers in this world. Not just believers. Luke 9:1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. But today I want to talk to you about the exact moment God works. The exact moment God shows up in your space. Jesus is stripping his disciples down to the bare essentials. Jesus is stripping away everything that they/we normally depend on. But what Jesus is teaching them is one of the greatest lessons – and one of the hardest lessons – that they/we will ever learn. It is the lesson of trust. It is the lesson that you can depend on God. It is a lesson that you can depend on a power greater than yourself. It is the lesson that the exact moment God moves is the moment that you trust him. Trust is a dependence upon God that invites him into our space to do what we can’t do. Trust says, “I don’t know how it’s going to happen, I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but I will do everything God asks because I believe He will respond to my dependence upon him.” Trust is the exact moment God moves. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. The what of this verse is trust. The how of trust is with all your heart. The who of trust is the Lord. The challenge of trust is not a lean on our understanding. The path of trust is to acknowledge him in all our ways. The reward of trust is the movement of God and his direction. All trust relies upon the integrity of the one we trust. The cornerstone of this verse is that we trust in the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, 1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. Exodus 34:6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness… Faithfulness means that God is; Totally reliable Absolutely trustworthy Entirely dependable Never fails to show up Never failing (this is mentioned 365 times the bible!) Committed to His eternal plan and your best 2. What Trust is. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. What is the trust that God is looking for from us in order for him to get involved in the path of our life? This little proverb actually answers it in three ways. First, trust is an “all your heart” thing. Secondly, trust means not leaning on your own understanding. Thirdly, acknowledge him in all your ways. 3. And then comes the beauty of trust… Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. He will make something happen. He will become the director of your path. This is the exact moment God moves. The moment that we trust. Let’s see what GOD can do! Pastor Brian Harrell