This is a sermon that was preached on March 29, 2020. The service was recorded with no audience / congregation present because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings. The message shares a few brief truths that we can know for certain from God's Word regardless of the uncertain circumstances in our world.
Written Excerpts:
Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV) By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Introduction:
Today we are experiencing something entirely new for our congregation.
Rather than coming together in one place and enjoying the benefits of corporate
worship, we are joining together by online video from the safety of our homes
or other personal spaces.
We are living in uncertain days, facing many situations that daily
remind us there are many things we do not know for certain. We hear so many
different messages and sometimes we really don’t know what the truth is.
I found a verse in 1 Cor. 8 that I think accurately describes how many
of us probably feel right about now.
1 Cor. 8:2 (NKJV) And
if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to
know.
As I thought and prayed about what the Lord wanted me to speak about
today, my mind went to a familiar passage of Scripture – verse 3 in the 11th
chapter of Hebrews.
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God…
Several years ago, I gave a series of messages on this whole chapter.
In commenting about that verse, I said “faith will provide knowledge I would
not otherwise have.”
By faith we understand…
In these days when there is so much uncertainty; unrest; and anxiety
about the future it is good to have faith that enables us to know some things
for sure even if we are perplexed about the things happening in our world.
So I want to share some Scriptures with you that remind us of things we
know for sure because of our faith. These are all things you have already heard
many times before, but I share them today to help us stay focused on
these truths.
Remember what Paul said to the Philippians?
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) … whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever
things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are
of good report… think on these things.
Whether we are filled with anxiety or serenity will often be determined
by what we allow our minds to dwell on and think about.
I know there have been times when I’ve had to quit reading the news
because of all the negative information that was getting me too discouraged (this
was even before this current crisis).
Let’s think about some biblical truths that we know for sure.
1. I know for sure that God is sovereign.
That means He is still on the throne and in control of the entire
universe including our health and wellbeing.
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NKJV)
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The
victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is
Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head
over all. [David blessing Israel before Solomon becomes king.]
Psalm 10:16 (NKJV)
The LORD is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out
of His land.
Psalm 22:28 (NKJV)
For the kingdom is the LORD'S, And He rules over the nations.
Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
None of the current circumstances have taken Him by surprise. Nothing
about this current situation in our nation and our world has diminished His
power or His governance over His creation.
2. I know for sure that I am a child of God.
Romans 8:16 (NKJV) The
Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
1 John 5:13 (NKJV) These
things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that
you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to
believe in the name of the Son of God.
John repeatedly states in his letter that believers can “know some
things for certain” also. He uses the word “know” over thirty times in the 5
chapters of this letter.
The Apostle declares that we can
know we are His children and because of that, we know we have eternal life.
When we surrender to Christ
through repentance and faith, the Bible declares we are born again, and we
become children of God.
2 Corinthians 5:1 (NKJV)
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is
destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in
the heavens.
3. I know for sure that God cares for His people.
Psalm 34:7 (NKJV)
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers
them.
Psalm 121:4 (NKJV)
Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NKJV) Have you not known? Have you not
heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He
gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases
strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the
young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the
LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like
eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV) When you pass through the waters, I
will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame
scorch you.
One NT example of God’s divine protection and care for His child is
found in the book of Acts with the story of Peter’s deliverance. Listen to the
words of the Apostle Peter as he declares what he knew for sure.
Acts 12:11 (NKJV)
And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for
certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the
hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."
God’s care comes in various ways and forms. He not only provides
deliverance like he did for Peter, but He provides protection, He provides
peace for the anxious heart and He provides direction and guidance to the
perplexed and confused.
We all know that sometimes He doesn’t respond exactly in the way we
wish, but we also know that He is always faithful.
Conclusion:
We have talked about a number of
Scriptures today that inform us about the nature of God, our relationship with
Him, and His care for us.
Because of our faith in Him and
His Word, we have assurance and knowledge that we wouldn’t have otherwise.
I hope that each of us will have
a renewed confidence in God and know for certain He is in control.
I trust that we will hope in and
rely on His divine care for each one of us, and rest assured that He will bring
us through each and every trial we face.
I know many of you are facing
difficult circumstances that are far more serious to you right now than a
pandemic. Staying isolated may protect you from the virus, but it won’t change
any of the ongoing circumstances you face daily.
But God hasn’t forgotten about
you. Keep leaning on Him and He will give you what He sees is best.
(Today's Best Illustrations – Volumes 1-4) Several months ago our
family went to a swimming pool. I was down in the deep end by the diving board
swimming around, and my four-year-old, Savannah, came tottering into the
shallow end of the pool. She can't swim yet, but she wears these big orange
"floaties." She can't sink with these huge orange floaties on.
Savannah came down the steps, and as soon as she got out there in the
water, she said "Daddy, I'm scared. I want to come where you are."
I chuckled at her [innocence] and said, "Savannah, it's a lot
deeper down here."
She said, "I don't care. I want to be where you are."
"Okay, come on," I said.
She began dog-paddling across the pool... three-foot... six-foot...
nine-foot... 12-foot-deep water. When she came up to me she grabbed my neck,
and her look of panic gave way to relief. Next to her father she felt secure,
and it made very little difference how deep or how dangerous the water was. — Dave
Stone, "Keep the Dust Off the Highchair," Preaching Today,
Tape No. 143.
If you are scared because of the uncertainty related to the current national
crisis, or because of any other dreadful circumstances in your life right now,
I admonish you to get up next to your heavenly Father. He can change your feelings
of fear to security and confidence.
Closing Song: He Giveth More Grace
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