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The Confidence To Face The Unknown

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Timothy Sausa
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157 views3 pages

The Confidence To Face The Unknown

Uploaded by

Timothy Sausa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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THE COURAGE TO EMBRACE THE UNKOWN

KEY PASSAGE: Hebrews 11:23-29

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES: Exodus 33:20 | Psalm 16:8 | Matthew 5:8 | John 1:1-3, 18 | Romans 15:4 |
Colossians 1:15 | 1 Timothy 6:15-16 | James 1:2-4

SUMMARY

Believers can have confidence to face the future.

This life is full of uncertainty. Nothing is guaranteed—jobs, family, finances, health—and none of these
provide lasting refuge. And no one can predict the challenges that will come tomorrow, much less in the
years or decades to come. But genuine, unchanging security can be found in our relationship with Jesus
Christ.

SERMON POINTS

Believers today can be encouraged by studying how the Old Testament saints maintained their trust in
God. Hebrews 11:27 says of Moses: “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he
endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.” In other words, the prophet set his spiritual gaze on the Lord. In
following his example, we should daily view our circumstances in light of our loving Father’s complete
sovereignty.

Why should we care what the Old Testament has to say?

When we see how God diligently worked in the lives of believers, we can be encouraged that He will
guide and comfort us in similar ways. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever was written in earlier times was
written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we
might have hope.” As you read the Bible, look for principles that show how God operates in the lives of
the faithful. He hasn’t changed. The Father desires to guide you into His perfect will for your life, the
same way He did for the saints of old.

How did Moses survive uncertainty?

Over and over, the prophet walked through adversity with assurance. Consider how he went back to
Pharaoh to demand freedom for God’s people, endured the 10 plagues, or coped with the people’s
rebellion and idolatry in the desert.

The secret is that Moses “endured, as seeing Him who is unseen” (Heb. 11:27). The word translated
endure comes from a root word meaning “strength, courage, or the capacity to bear up under difficult
circumstances and not give up in spite of the pressure.” Despite hardship, this leader did the will of the
Lord with confidence.
Why does God expect us to have joy in difficulties?

Hardship is the Lord’s tool to develop our spiritual maturity. No suffering is wasted in the life of a
believer. James encouraged his readers to “Consider it all joy … when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). God knows exactly what kind
of hardship or trial to bring into our lives to develop our spiritual maturity.

What is the key to our endurance?

Scripture says the reason Moses could endure was because he saw God. How can that be? He certainly
didn’t see God the Father who is invisible and “dwells in unapproachable light” (1 Tim. 6:16). The Bible
says no one has ever seen Him (see Exodus 33:20).

The answer is that Moses saw the Lord through eyes of faith, rather than physical vision. King David also
gained spiritual strength by keeping his Creator in mind: “I have set the Lord continually before me;
because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8). Although they used different
terminology, both these leaders made a continual choice to focus on God.

Today we have the benefit of knowing even more of what the Father is like because Jesus revealed Him
perfectly (Colossians 1:15; “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” see also
John 1:1-3, 18). Also, the Holy Spirit lives inside each believer and helps us discern spiritual realities that
are not visible to human eyes.

How can we see that which is invisible?

· Open God’s Word and begin to read. See how He acts in the lives of people like Joseph, Moses,
David, Daniel, and Paul. Look for biblical principles that portray patterns of how the Lord
interacts with believers. He wants to be just as real to you as He was to the biblical saints.

· Identify the works of God around you. Once you see the Lord’s ways in the Bible, you will start
to see His work in your life and in that of your friends and family. This is seeing the
manifestation of God. The Holy Spirit dwells within each believer and enables us to be aware of
His presence and see Him at work all around us (see Heb. 13:5 Let your conduct be without
covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never
leave you nor forsake you.").

· Seek a closer walk with God. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8)? This doesn’t refer to sinless perfection. Rather, we keep
a clear conscience by quickly repenting of sin. When our minds are untainted, we can “see,” or
experience, the presence of the Lord. Consider this daily habit: Thank God at the end of each
day for the ways He worked in your life, and commit to Him your plans for the following day.

What difference will this make in your life?


· You will view life from a whole different perspective. Instead of thinking about what you lack,
you will focus on our capable, omnipotent God. This leads to thinking more positively, having
greater confidence when making decisions, seeing hardships as opportunities to grow, and
desiring greater intimacy with God.

· Obedience becomes more desirable than worldly pleasures. Consider praying, “God, draw me
to Yourself so closely that sin has no appeal to me. Let holiness be the attitude of my heart.” You
will get excited about God’s love and devotion for you and His willingness to show Himself real
in your life.

· You will begin to see things as they really are. You will have discernment to see through Satan’s
lies about what truly brings satisfaction. Also, you will have greater discernment in interpersonal
relationships.

· The eternal will gain priority over the temporal. Things of this life become less important in
contrast to those with lasting value. You begin thinking about how best to invest the resources
you have—time, money, talents—for God’s eternal kingdom.

· Criticism and misunderstanding no longer affect us the same way. While never pleasant,
judgments no longer powerfully discourage us.

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