The Confident
Christian
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.
Intro: We live in a society that brands
and ostracizes anybody that tries to stand for what is right.
ILLUSTRATION: Dr. Ben Carson was put on the extremist watch
list by a far left liberal group for saying that homosexuals do not have the
right to re-define marriage.
ILLUSTRATION: People today are quick to label a church a
cult if they believe in the King James Bible, the importance of Christian
education for their children, confrontational soul-winning, living holy,
dressing modestly and abstaining from worldliness. (It’s usually people that do not even know
the meaning of the word – if they disagree with you, that makes you a cult in
their opinion!)
New Testament, Bible-believing, sold-out
Christians are confident Christians.
The millions
of believers that have been martyred didn’t die for their faith because they
were shy, bashful, timid, weak, politically correct or tongue-tied.
I want to qualify this statement. Christians should be confident - but their
confidence is not in themselves. Paul
said “…I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST…”
Yet, CHRIST said,
·
John 5:30
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I
hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but
the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Our
confidence is essential to a healthy existence.
God doesn’t
want His children walking around with an inferiority complex and an attitude of
“I can’t…”
·
Proverbs
3:26 For the LORD shall be thy
confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Not only
should a child of God have confidence, but they should have MUCH confidence.
·
Proverbs
14:26 In the fear of the LORD is
strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
ILLUSTRATION: Paul was an
extremely intelligent man; but he prayed for boldness many times. (Eph. 6:21,
22)
Paul realized
that his ability was not good enough. He
needed God.
·
1 Timothy
1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
In our text,
Paul’s statement of confidence was in the context of making through tough,
financial times.
Several
examples of biblical confidence:
I. Confident because of Exposure To
God
·
Caleb
– Numbers 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at
once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
CALEB WAS CONFIDENT BECAUSE OF HIS
EXPOSURE
How could
Caleb be so confident? Look at Numbers
14:6-9
Their
confidence was in God.
Their
confidence was also AIDED in their GREAT DESIRE to EXPERIENCE the goodness of
God!
Caleb saw
something that created an UNDYING DESIRE in his heart.
TURN TO JOSHUA 14:6-15
II. Confident because of Experiences With God
·
David – I Samuel 17:32
He was the
youngest.
They had
more EXPERIENCE; EDUCATION; EQUIPMENT.
But David
had more confidence. Why??
Because
David had established a track record of watching God HELP HIM DO THE
IMPOSSIBLE.
DAVID WAS CONFIDENT BECAUSE OF HIS
EXPERIENCES (the lion and the bear)
His attitude
of courage and confidence made his brethren angry.
It worried
the king. (he offered his own armor)
David RAN
TOWARD THE GIANT.
·
1 Samuel
17:48 And it came to pass, when the
Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and
ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
III. Confident because of Expectations
From God
The Three Hebrew Children – Daniel 3:16, 17
Understand
the scene: This is the CNN version of what was going on.
There’s a
world class band playing on a world class stage. There’s a fire in the fireplace.
Everybody
that is anybody is there. Fall is in the air. (everybody WAS falling down)
There was no
three strikes and you’re out policy with King Nebuchadnezzar.
These boys
were in serious trouble with the boss.
Notice their
response when they were hauled in before the king.
“…we are not careful to answer thee in this
matter.”
NOTE: Their confidence was not in their
EXPOSURE to the Promised Land. (they were in bondage)
Their
confidence was not in their EXPERIENCES of watching God deliver them from the
fire. (they didn’t know He would)
The
confidence was in the fact that they were very clear about GOD’S EXPECTATION of
them!
Notice verse
18 – WE WILL NOT SERVE THY GODS.
They were
confident because they were doing the right things – there was no gray area at
all.
There was no
uncertainty.
NOTE: Where God has put a
period, don’t put a comma.
Never doubt
in the dark what God has spoken in the light.
Their
obedience to God’s Word was not a bargaining chip. They were going to obey – regardless.
Conclusion: 1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him;
that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before
him at his coming.
