He is There
Notes
Transcript
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.”
6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Life is Uncertain. We don’t know the future. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. You don’t know how much time you have or how long you will live. James says it like this.
14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
With these uncertainties, you cannot be sure if you will experience
Success or Stress
Triumphs or Tragedies
Advancement or Adversities
Delight or Disaster
Agony or Adoration
Peace or Pain
When you have doubt concerning the future, what do you do?
Some of you may be leaning on the government or family and friends. Yet, when it come to the future
Leaders will let you down
Love ones will let you down
The Bible advises each of us to
3 Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
Don’t become impressed by money or Loot, because it will leave you
5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
The writer of the book of Hebrews gave his readers some last words of wisdom, in chapter 13.
I. Repel Covetousness
I. Repel Covetousness
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.”
In verses 5, he tells the people of God not live life loving money or not to be greedy for money. Some people look for security in their finances. In the midst of uncertainty, they put their trust in money. Is that you?
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
II. Remain Content
II. Remain Content
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.”
The way you see your life is that you are content or that you have enough material things. You are satisfied with what has been provided by God.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:31
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Paul testified in Phil 4:11 by saying
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
III. Rely on Him
III. Rely on Him
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.”
The reason your conduct should be characterized by a life that is without being greedy or loving money and a life of contentment is because you are relying on Him. Look at what He said concerning His promised presence.
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.”
God said, “I will never leave or abandon you” Earthly fathers and mothers have said this to their children. Spouses have said this to each other. Friends have said this to each other and maybe you have said this to someone. Yet, the truth is you can’t always be with them. You are not omnipresent.
God is in all places at all times and is fully present at all times. There is not a place where God is not. God is not bound by time or space. His Being transcends time and space.
You are bound by time and space. You cannot be at all places and at all times. The only One qualified to make the statement that He will never leave you is the Lord God Almighty.
God is without spatial limitations
God is without spatial limitations
4 The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high,
6 Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
God is fully present throughout heaven and earth
God is fully present throughout heaven and earth
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.
23 “Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord, “And not a God afar off?
24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
This statement has been used in the Old Testament 3 different times
Look at the first. Jacob in the midst of an uncertain future. He is journeying to Laban’s house to flee from his brother who wanted to kill him. Yet on the way he has an encounter with the Omnipresent God who says,
15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
Look at the second occurrence. Joshua and the children of Israel are in the midst of an uncertain future. Moses is about to leave them to be with the LORD and Joshua is about to be their leader. Moses assures Joshua and the people of Israel concerning the Omnipresent God. Moses says,
6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Look at the last occurrence. Moses is dead and Joshua is in the midst of an uncertain future. Yet, the LORD the Omnipresent God reassures him by promising him that
5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
Just like with Jacob, God’s Presence should calm your fears
Just like with the nation of Israel, God’s Presence should calm our fears
Just like with Joshua, God’s Presence should calm your fears.
Despite the challenges you may face
RELY ON HIM, HE WILL NEVER LEAVE NOR FORSAKE YOU
NOW YOU CAN BE
Tranquil in the midst of Trials
Courageous in the midst of a Crisis
Brave in the midst of Battle
Daring in the midst of Danger
Heroic in the midst of Hardship
Persevering in the midst of Pain
And Determined in the midst of a Difficulty
2 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.
12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.
IV. Rejoice in Him
IV. Rejoice in Him
6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”