Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 11:1-16 NIV [1] Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. [2] This is what the ancients were commended for. [3] By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. [4] By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. [5] By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. [6] And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. [7] By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. [8] By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. [9] By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. [10] For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. [11] And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. [12] And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. [13] All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. [14] People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. [15] If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. [16] Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Sermon Text:
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Sermon:
As I say nearly every week we live in a world that often feels like a whirlwind of chaos and confusion. The headlines are filled with turmoil, our personal lives are often filled with uncertainty, and it can be difficult to find solid ground to stand on. In these moments, it is tempting to lean on our own understanding, to try and reason our way out of the mess. But as our text from Proverbs reminds us, that is not the path to peace. Instead, we are called to a radical act of trust: to "trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."
This is not a call to be naive or to ignore the realities of our world. Rather, it is an invitation to anchor our souls in something far more enduring than the fleeting circumstances around us. The writer of Hebrews tells us that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." It is the firm belief that even when our vision is clouded, God is at work.
Think of Abraham, who we talk about a lot when we talk about faith. Abraham was called to leave his home and travel to a land he had never seen. The journey was full of uncertainty, but he went anyway. His faith was not a blind leap into the dark, but a confident step based on the character of the one who had called him.
Here’s what it says in Genesis 12:1-5 NIV The Lord had said to Abram (which was Abraham's name when God called him to leave his familiar surroundings), “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai (which was Sarah's name at the time), his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
In another example God told Abraham to sacrifice the son that God had promised that he and his wife Sarah would have in their old age, and Abraham never asked God why or questioned God.
The account of Abraham being commanded to sacrifice his son is found in Genesis, chapter 22. But I want us to look at
Hebrews 11:17-19 NIV, which James read earlier, where the writer of Hebrews referenced this commandment from God to Abraham By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” [Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
Abraham's faith was so strong that he believed God could bring Isaac back to life in order to fulfill His promise. Abraham's trust in God's character and promises was what allowed him to obey Him.
The same is true for us. When we face a difficult diagnosis, a financial crisis or conflict in a relationship, the chaos can feel overwhelming. Our minds race, and we try to find a solution. But our faith calls us to a different response. It calls us to pray, to seek God's guidance, and to remember that His wisdom is infinitely greater than our own.
We’ve read and referred to this scripture a few times in our sermons on faith this year;
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
When we face confusion, hardship, or situations that don't make sense, the scripture we just read reminds us that there is a purpose far greater than what we can see. We may not understand why certain things are happening, but we can have peace in the knowledge that God's plans are always working for our good, even if that good is not immediately apparent to us.
This is at the heart of what it means to live a life of faith. It's about trusting God's will over our own, recognizing that His guidance is always superior. His thoughts and ways are not just different, but are infinitely better.
Remember the story of Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14?
After Jesus miraculously fed a crowd of over 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, He sent His disciples ahead of Him in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. He then went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. As night fell, the disciples' boat was far from shore, and a strong storm suddenly popped up, which was not unusual for the Sea of Galilee. Here were Jesus’ disciples struggling against a strong headwind and rough waves. They were straining at the oars, making little progress.
Sometime between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., the disciples saw a figure approaching them, walking on the water.
We are going to start reading at
Matthew 14:25-31 NIV Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
When Peter stepped out of the boat, he was able to walk on the water as long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus.
Verse [29] says “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he looked at the wind and the waves—the chaos and confusion around him—he began to sink.
Verse [30] says “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Peter’s faith was not in his ability to walk on water, but in the power of Jesus to sustain him.
hen we take our eyes off of Jesus and focus on the storms in our lives, we, too, begin to sink under the weight of worry and fear.
So, how do we cultivate this trust in the midst of chaos? As I have said before, faith is not a one-time decision but a continuous journey. It's a process that requires intentional effort and reliance on God's grace.
First, we must ground ourselves in God's Word. The Bible is our primary source of guidance and strength. It's not just a book of stories; it's a living, active testament to God's faithfulness.
The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path."
When our surroundings are shrouded in darkness and confusion, His Word illuminates the next step. By regularly reading and meditating on scripture, we fill our minds with His truth, which helps us to counter the lies of fear and anxiety.
Philippians 4:8 NIV says “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
This is a reminder that our thoughts have a significant impact on our spiritual well-being and that we are called to be intentional about what we allow to occupy our minds.
Romans 12:2 NIV says Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
To resist the patterns of the world and be transformed, the process begins with the intentional study and meditation on God's Word, the Bible.
This is a call to actively resist the values, attitudes, and behaviors of society that are not aligned with God's will. The primary tool for this resistance and for changing our way of thinking is immersing ourselves in Scripture. As we study and meditate on the Bible, we are actively reshaping our perspectives and beliefs, replacing worldly thoughts with God's truth.
When our minds are renewed through this continuous engagement with His Word, and our priorities are aligned with His, we gain the spiritual clarity needed to discern and follow His purpose for our lives.
The practice of studying and meditating on the Bible is the practical, ongoing work of allowing God to transform us from the inside out, empowering us to live according to His good, pleasing, and perfect will. When our minds are renewed and our priorities are aligned with God's, we gain the spiritual clarity to discern and follow His purpose for our lives.
We are also reminded in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
So first we must ground ourselves in God's Word. Second, we cultivate this trust in the midst of chaos by embracing the power of prayer and being open to God's guidance.
Trust is built through communication. When we are facing uncertainty, we are called to bring our fears and concerns directly to God in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Why are we to not be anxious and we are to tell God what is bothering us, and when we do He gives us peace. And the the Bible tells us why He gives us this fantastic peace in
1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him (why?) because he cares for you.
This promise doesn't mean our problems will disappear, but that we will receive a peace that guards our hearts and minds.
This isn't just a fleeting feeling of calm. It is a deep, supernatural peace that comes from a relationship with God. It's not dependent on our circumstances changing; it is an internal state of tranquility. It's the kind of peace that allows a person to be calm in the midst of a storm, or to have hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. It doesn't make sense from a worldly perspective.
This peace acts as a protective force, shielding our emotions and thoughts from being overwhelmed by worry, fear, and despair. It keeps us stable and centered, rooted in our faith in Christ Jesus.
Third, and this is really important in cultivating our trust in the midst of chaos, we must seek and be a part of a community of believers. Faith is not meant to be practiced in isolation. In times of crisis, a supportive community of fellow believers can be a lifeline. They can offer encouragement, share burdens, and remind us of God's promises when we feel weak.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV encourages us; it says “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
When we are surrounded by people who share our faith, we are strengthened and reminded that we are not alone in our struggles.
Last week we talked about the great crowd of witnesses that is cheering us on.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
This is a powerful image. In Hebrews, chapter 11, we get a list of men and women of faith—Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and many others who faced incredible challenges, opposition, and even persecution, yet they persevered. They are cheering us on from the stands of eternity. They remind us that it is possible to live a life of faith, no matter the circumstances.
Finally, cultivating trust involves aligning our priorities with God's will. This means seeking His kingdom first and His righteousness, as Jesus teaches in
Matthew 6:31-33 NIV So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
When our primary focus is on what God desires for our lives, which is love, justice, mercy, and faithfulness, the chaos of the world loses its grip on us. We shift our focus from temporary problems to eternal purposes. This change of perspective allows us to see our difficulties not just as obstacles or problems, but as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and provision. It's about trusting that His plan for us is good, even when the path is unclear.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV says For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
It all comes back to remembering the ultimate act of faith: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On the cross, it looked like chaos and defeat. But in the resurrection, we find the ultimate proof that God is sovereign over all things—even death itself.
So, let us not be defined by the chaos and confusion of this world. Let us instead be defined by our trust in the Lord. Let us lean not on our own understanding, but on the God who holds the universe in His hands and when we acknowledge Him He promises to make our paths straight.
Prayer
Gracious and loving God,
We acknowledge that our lives can often feel like a storm of confusion and chaos. The world around us is loud and pulls us in countless directions, and our own hearts can be filled with doubt and anxiety.
We thank you for the promise that our faith is not a flimsy hope but a strong foundation—a trust in you, the One who is not shaken by the things that shake us. We pray now for the grace to live out this faith. Strengthen our hearts to believe your promises even when we cannot see the path ahead. Help us to find peace in your presence when the noise of the world becomes overwhelming.
Lord, guide our steps and align our priorities with your will. When we are tempted to lean on our own understanding, remind us to cast our anxieties on you because you care for us. When our minds are filled with worry, help us to turn our thoughts toward what is true, noble, and praiseworthy.
May our lives be a testament to your faithfulness. May our calm in the midst of chaos point others to the source of our strength—you, our rock and our redeemer.
We ask this in the powerful and holy name of Jesus.
Amen.
