Encouraging Your Children

Temple Baptist Church - 11-13-2013

Colossians 3:21

 

Introduction:

A. This verse concerning our children goes hand-in-hand with Ephesians 6:1-4 which says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (2) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) (3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (4) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

B. As I said with the submission of a wife, it is so much easier to love and obey someone who loves you! Notice, in Ephesians, the honoring goes with both the father and the mother but the admonition of not provoking you children unto wrath is pointed at the father. Nothing is Scripture is by accident nor is anything unnecessary. God wastes no words!

C. The reason is that mothers are “heart creatures” who are by nature more longsuffering and compassionate than us men. Their hearts often make them too soft in correction, thus the often used phrase, “Just wait until your daddy gets home!” Children need the correction of both parents but the correction of a father is different from mother’s.

D. Once again, the woman was made to complete (to make up that which is lacking) the man. A man has a tendency to be too harsh with children, therefore the admonition in Ephesians 6 and Colossians 3.

1. Wrath – to anger in action. We live in days of angry young people. I want our children to have conviction and stand strong but in a godly manner. Kids now run in gangs, shoot innocent people in shopping centers—movie theatres—schools, etc. because they are angry and that anger is directed towards the innocents. When I was a kid, these things were not heard of.

2. Discouraged – disheartened, dismayed, or spiritless. Discouragement causes children to give up because they are disillusioned and disheartened.

E. Though this is “aimed” at us fathers, I want to talk to both fathers and mothers tonight because it takes both to properly raise a child. Many of America’s children come from dysfunctional homes or single parent homes. Your children NEED you.

F. Let us look at this and compare it to the Lord’s relationship to His children.

1. Parents can discourage their children by showing a lack of compassion. Parenting without parental love is impossible. If all children see and hear it the “ruling” aspect of parenting, they will feel like they are not loved or have become a burden to their parents. We need to give our children the love and support that they deserve. God always shows His love to you and me in a limitless fashion.

2. Parents can discourage their children by setting unrealistic goals for them. Each child is an individual and need to be treated as such. Not every child will be an engineer or doctor; not every child will be rich in this world. They have different abilities and talents. Where an A- is a poor grade to one, a C is a good grade to others. God never expects us to go beyond the realm of our gifts or abilities.

3. Parents can discourage their children by constantly criticizing them or depreciating their worth. Children need to be encouraged through praise. If we only show them attention when they do wrong, we discourage them from doing right. God loves you and me when we are good and when we are bad.

4. Parents can discourage their children by showing favoritism. I have seen so many grandparents who shower a certain child with their love while virtually ignoring another child. God loves us with equality! Favoritism will destroy children.

5. Parents can discourage their children by being too harsh in their discipline. Children are children! They do have to learn, they do make mistakes, and they do mess up. The Bible says much about child discipline but a whipping is the last choice of discipline. Discipline needs to be progressive in nature. God does not use a whip on us when we willfully sin. He gently speaks to us and is better to us than we deserve. God has been gently and longsuffering with the pastor!

6. Parents can discourage their children through neglect. I am not speaking of not feeding or sheltering them. I am talking about not giving them your prime time instead of letting a TV set, video game, cell phone, or social media raise them. God spends quality time with His children and His ear is always open to their voice.

7. Parents can discourage their children by not administering spiritual food to them. The
nurture of the Lord is just as important as the admonition! Give them a home where Christian values are a way of life. Set a proper, biblical example for them. The Lord is our Example.

Study

Temple Baptist Church - 11-10-2013

2 Timothy 2:15

 

A. Study – a command. “Endeavor or diligence” One of the most important aspects of practical Christianity is found in this verse. The average believer never studies the bible. They may read the bible through in a systematic manner but never systematically study it. Reading programs are good; reading the bible through each year is good; but with all thy getting, get understanding! We also grow through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word but even this does not take the place of personal endeavor in the area of bible study.

Ecclesiastes 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

One of the five warning sections of Hebrews deals with perpetual “spiritual babes” who “useth” milk instead of desiring meat.

Hebrews 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

B. Study – an important part of our spiritual well-being. “Approved unto God.” Babies must be fed by others but, as our children begin to grow, we eventually allow them to begin to feed themselves. They make a mess and we take pictures of them with food all over their faces. We are proud of them.

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

C. Study – a labor spiritually rewarded. “A workman that needeth not to be ashamed.”

1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Psalms 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

D. I want to begin by giving several good reasons for personal bible study:

1. Bible study gives us a better understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. This may sound simplistic to many but one of the problems with professing believers is a lack of understand of who Jesus is, what He did for us, and what He expects from us. Most people have a worldly view of the Saviour which is the “another Jesus” of 2 Corinthians 11:4. Rightly dividing the Word of Truth will keep your perspective of the Lord right.

Philippians 3:7-10 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2. Bible study provides for us a firm, unshakable foundation. Today, almost everything is shaking including the faith of those who have come to Christ by faith. It is a shaking that is not of God. Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2 said for the believers to be not soon shaken. The bible will keep you from drifting spiritually and doctrinally. Rightly dividing the Word of Truth will keep you from shaking.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (Those who know and study the bible understand the times and look forward to the coming of the Lord with anticipation and excitement.)

3. Bible study amplifies the effectiveness of the soul winner. Too many of God’s people do not know how to witness to the Lost. They have confidence in the Saviour and what He has done for them but are nervous or shy about witnessing boldly to others. Rightly dividing the Word of Truth will keep you from doubting.

Romans 10:14-17 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

4. Bible study will give the believer a blessed assurance in salvation. So many people have actually been saved and then begin to doubt their salvation. They do not doubt God for virtually every one of them will tell you that God cannot lie and that He will do what He says He will do. Rightly dividing the Word of Truth will keep you from doubting.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Why Do We Need A Reliable Bible?

Temple Baptist Church - 11-10-2013

2 Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 1:18-25

 

Introduction:

A. Over the past few weeks, we have looked at both biblical inspiration (the infusing of divine life into the bible) and biblical preservation (the preservation of that infused life into the bible that we have). Whereas so called Bible scholars will not deny biblical inspiration in the originals, they will almost categorically deny divine preservation and, therefore, the retention of inspiration in our Bible.

B. Biblical preservation without biblical inspiration is useless to all other than those who had the original autographs.

1. Biblical inspiration is imperative if we are to claim to have the Word of God. It is either God’s Word or it is man’s rendition of what he thinks that God may have said in the originals that he has never seen. Without biblical inspiration, biblical preservation is useless because we have no inerrant, infallible Word to preserve. Therefore, inspiration or the infusing of the life of God in the scripture must be continuing in order to give life to the believer. Life begets life. Peter said that the Word of God “liveth!”

2. Biblical preservation without biblical inspiration is useless because the inerrant, infallible Word perished with the original autographs and we do not have them to reference. If men are preserving that which is not inspired, then the process of preservation is in vain. Corruption begets corruption!

C. Before we can hear the Word of God, we must have it. If salvation comes through hearing the Word of God (and it does) then we must have the Word of God in order to be saved.

D. Before we can heed the Word of God, we MUST have the Word of God (does that make sense or what?). Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

1. Our Lord said that man was not to live by bread alone but by EVERY WORD (preservation) that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (inspiration).

2. You cannot have biblical inspiration without biblical preservation for they are both of necessity to every generation. That is why Psalms 12:6-7 says, “ The words of the LORD (inspiration) are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (7) Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them (preservation) from this generation for ever.”

E. What is all of the fuss about? The fuss is this: we MUST have the Word of God and know where it is.

1. We Must Have The Word Of God Because Our Salvation Depends Upon It. We can only be born again through the Word of God; therefore, the Word of God is essential for our time.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

2. We Must Have The Word Of God Because Sound Doctrine Demands It. As fundamental Baptists, how do we know that our doctrine is right? This assurance comes only through our doctrinal adherence to the Bible! We do not make the Bible conform to our doctrine. We make our doctrine conform to the Bible. We are Biblicists!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3. We Must Have The Word Of God Because Christian Maturity Necessitates It. In order to spiritually grow right, we must spiritually feed right. Right spiritual growth demands the right Bible. In life, if you eat bad food, you end up with food poisoning. If you eat bad spiritual food, you end up spiritually poisoned.

Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

1 Peter 2:1-2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

4. We Must Have The Word Of God Because Sanctification Counts On It. In order to live a life that is pleasing to God, we must have His infallible guide which the Bible declares to be “all truth.” If it is all truth, then it must be without mixture of error.

Colossians 2:6-8 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

5. We Must Have The Word Of God Because Exposing False Teachers Requires It. If we are to “try” men to see of what sort they are, then we must have an unchanging standard by which to measure them and their words. That unchanging standard is the Bible!

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

6. We Must Have The Word Of God Because Our Blessed Hope Is Found In It. Is there life after death; is there a real God; is Jesus Christ the only Saviour; is salvation through the blood of Christ; are we born again through faith and faith alone; is our salvation eternal; and is there a real heaven and hell? These things demand an inerrant, infallible Bible!!!

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Conclusion: Why all of the fuss over the Bible or which Bible? Because if it is not God’s Word, inerrant and infallible, then we cannot be assured of anything in the spiritual realm and everyman will once again do that which is right in his own eyes.

The Blessings of Obedience

Temple Baptist Church - 11-6-2013

Colossians 3:20

 

Introduction:

A. I want to talk to our young people for a few minutes tonight.

1. First of all, I want you to know how important that you are to both your families and the church. You are the future of America!

2. I want you to know just how blessed you are to be raised in a good home and a good church. You are future parents and the hope of the local churches. One day, you will be where your parents and this pastor is as we will be gone, leaving you to follow the truth. Young people, if you have good parents and a stable home life, you need to thank the Lord for it. So many children in our day are raised by family other than parents; day care centers; complete strangers in the person of nannies, etc.; or raised on the streets. You are blessed if you have a mom and dad sitting together in church tonight. You are blessed if you have food on your table and a safe, dry bed to sleep in tonight when you get home. You are blessed if you are loved, protected, trained, and provided for!

3. Though you are young and still at home, you have a very important responsibility.

B. Your responsibility right now is to “obey your parents in ALL things.”

1. Obedience to parents should be a joy! These parents love the Lord and love you. These parents only want the very best for you. These parents are actually “smart” also.

2. Your parents have sat where you sit; have been faced with the decisions that you are faced with; and can look back with the wisdom of years under their belts so as to guide you rightly in an uncertain world.

C. I just want to look at three things in this verse tonight:

1. The Duty of Obedience – Children owe obedience to mom and dad.

a. It is a prevalent problem. Things are a lot different today than when I was a child. I did not have the option of disobeying my parents while growing up. As a matter of fact, it did not occur to me because of my upbringing. Not that I was a perfect little angel, but I was raised “old school” by parents who loved me and wanted only the best for me. Spare the rod and spoil the child was the rule of the day and it helped me to grow into a responsible adult.

b. It is a prophetic problem! God “called it” and it is so. One of the signs of the last days, found in 2 Timothy 3, is that of “disobedient to parents.” There is a general breakdown in authority today and it has had its beginning in the home. The home affects the schools which affects our nation! Disobedience is on every hand and overflows into society: public schools, work places, etc. If children will not obey their parents, they will not bow to authority in general.

c. With the Lord, obedience is not optional. You will be under someone’s authority all of your life, be it in school—on the job—or in the military.

2. The Directive of Obedience – Children are to obey mom and dad in all things.

a. Remember the definition of all? “All means all and that’s all all means!” Obedience is not a “pick and choose” thing.

b. Again, obedience should not be a hard thing because it is to be based upon your love and respect for your parents. The bible says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” If you love mom and dad, obey them!

3. The Dedication of Obedience – For God’s pleasing and glory.

a. Obedience is well pleasing to the Lord and also brings glory and honor to Him! Not just pleasing but well pleasing.

b. Obedience is beneficial! It is the first command with promise and that promise is “That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” If you want a long, full, and blessed life, honor and obey your parents. I personally have no regrets that I loved, obeyed, and honored my mom and dad all of the days of their lives and continue to do so after their deaths.

Remembering

Temple Baptist Church - 11-3-2013

2 Timothy 2:8-14

 

Introduction:

A. Remember! One of the greatest problems with our failure is that of forgetting what God has done for us, where He has brought us from, and what He is going to continue to do for us!

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (To slip is allowed to escape you or to slip your mind: simply to FORGET!)

B. We become so involved with life and living that we often forget that we are somebody going somewhere: God’s children and going to heaven. YES, we are going to have problems, face hardship, persecution, failure, and often the seemingly silence from heaven.

1. The ministry is often hard. I have said often that it is a bitter-sweet experience but, thank the Lord, more sweet than bitter and I have no regrets.

2. The Christian life is often hard. It too is often a bitter-sweet experience but, I thank the Lord that it is more sweet than bitter and I have no regrets.

C. But, YES the Lord has been there and will be there with us and for us!

Matthew 28:20b … and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

D. Remembering is important in order for all of us to continue living for Christ in these last, perilous times. 2 Timothy 3 spoke of those times along with 2 Thessalonians 2.

1. In times of discouragement, we need to be encouraged. God still rules from heaven.

2. In times of hardship, we need to be expectant. God still is able to do for us.

3. In times of decline and decay, we need to be excited. Our Lord is soon coming for us.

1. We need to remember Who our Lord is and what He has done. Verse 8.

a. His Person – “Jesus Christ” Jesus – Jehovah Saves Christ – anointed or Messiah

b. His Pedigree – “seed of David” The sovereign Monarch of both heaven and earth. Royal Seed that will reign forever and ever.

c. His Pleasing – “raised” His acceptance as the spotless Lamb of God by the Father. Acceptance.

d. His Propitiation – “the dead” Because He lives, we may live also.

e. His Plan – “gospel” The fullness of the gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection: a finished work, once forever.

2. We need to remember what the Lord allows. Verses 9-10.

a. Our Suffering – “suffer trouble … unto bonds” Live godly, suffer persecution!

b. Our Slander – “as an evil doer” Good has become evil and evil good.

c. Our Submission – “endure all things for the elect’s sake” Souls hang in the balance and our children need Old Paths to follow.

d. Our Strength – “the word of God is not bound” It is in the bible that we are encouraged and strengthened.

3. We need to remember what we have. Verses 10b-12.

a. Eternal Salvation – “salvation” not probation. To live is Christ but to die, gain.

b. Eternal Glory – “eternal glory” There is a better day coming.

c. Eternal Communion – “live with him”

d. Eternal Reward – “shall also reign” Suffer with Christ, reign with Him.

4. We need to remember our security. Verse 13.

a. Our Failure – “if we believe not” We will fail at times because we are still living in sinful flesh.

b. His Faithfulness – “he abideth faithful” Though we let the Lord down, He will never fail us.

Troubled Hearts

Temple Baptist Church - 11-3-2013

John 14:1-6

 

Introduction: My message this morning will be simple in content and yet profound in practical application. There will be no great “depths of theology,” but rather a simple, down-to-earth message geared to help each of us.

A. I believe that all of God’s people, at one time or another-in one way or the other, have troubled hearts.

1. Moses, a man who spoke to God face to face, was troubled. Numbers 11:11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?

2. David, a man after God’s own heart, was troubled. 1 Samuel 27:1 And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

3. John the Baptist, the greatest preacher born of woman, was troubled. Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

4. Paul, the greatest missionary who ever lived, was troubled. 2 Corinthians 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

5. The list could go on but I think we all get the message. There are times when each of us has a troubled heart.

B. One of the signs of the last days (I know that this verse is speaking of the Tribulation Period and I am simply making application) is “Men’s hearts failing them for fear.” With great knowledge comes great fear. With our ability to see or hear the news in a moment’s time lends to more and more worries. When I was a boy, people did not know what was going on around the world like they do now.

C. The number one killer in America today is stress related problems. God’s people are not exempt and I know of even preachers who have taken their own lives when their fears were not handled properly. People are different and their areas of concern are often diverse.

D. Some people are strong in certain areas while having weakness in others. We can have great faith in one area of live and then have a trembling soul in another. This makes it easy for us to indict others when they become troubled or worried while we worry about our problems in other areas.

1. Fearful Concerning Our Health

2. Fearful Concerning Our Finances

3. Fearful Concerning Our Families

4. Fearful Concerning Our Future

5. Fearful Concerning Our Foes

6. Fearful Concerning Our Failures

E. The key to peace of heart could be summed up in one word: TRUST! Trust is a big word! Troubled and fearful are the exact opposites of trust. God’s Word says much about trust and we will tie those verses to those concerning fears.

F. Fear is a hard taskmaster that can both control and ruin the lives of God’s people. Even those who have placed into the Lord’s hands the safe keeping of their souls have concerns and fears. Fear and faith are polar opposites and cannot cohabitate.

Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable-and, most of all, fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while faith rejoices in its God.

G. Martha, the sister of Lazarus, was troubled about “many things.” Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.

H. Some people worry about not having anything to worry about while others live in a more peaceful existence. One of the main culprits in this area of worry and distress is found in Psalms 25:17, which reads, “The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.” (Notice that the troubles were enlarged in the heart. Not that the problems were enlarged for they remained constant but they became enlarged when the heart became troubled and fearful. The more you worry about something the worse it seems to get.)

I. God’s Word commands us not to worry - Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1. There Is The Certainty Of Troubled Hearts – “be troubled” - 2 Corinthians 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. (Notice I said, “The certainty of troubled hearts.” Everyone is plagued with this problem. Even God’s men are troubled in heart at times.)

2. There Is The Choice Of Troubled Hearts – “Let not” - John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (It is simply up to us when and how much we worry! We can either have a trusting heart or a troubled one.)

3. There Is The Cause Of Troubled Hearts – “if it were not so” (Troubled hearts are a result of unbelief and mistrust.)

Mark 4:35-38 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

a. They Relied Upon Their Own Strength – “so that it was now full.” (They rowed and bailed until all hope was gone before awaking the Lord.)

b. They Failed To Realize Who Was With Them – “Master” (Dear Lord, you got us into trouble again!)

1) The Realization Of His Omnipresence

2) The Realization Of His Omniscience

3) The Realization Of His Omnipotence

c. They Forgot Who They Were – “carest thou not” (You had better believe that He cares! Oh, yes He cares!)

d. They Forgot His Promise – “Let us pass over unto the other side.”

4. There Is The Cure Of Troubled Hearts – “ye believe in God, believe also in me”

a. Trust In The Lord - Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Psalms 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

b. Rest In The Lord - Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

c. Commit Unto The Lord - Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Job 23:10-11 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.