Sermon, “I Will Never Leave Thee, Nor Forsake Thee”
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Textual Sermon OutlinesSermon, “I Will Never Leave Thee, Nor Forsake Thee”
INTRODUCTION: Read Heb. 13:5-6.
1. We are often anxious about the things of this life.
1) In our youth: We ask-
a. What will I do when I finish school? I’ll be on my own.
b. Will I ever be able to afford the things I dream of?
c. What will I eat? Or What will I wear? See Matt. 6:31.
d. Is it wise to turn down that profitable situation that takes me away from family and the Lord’s work?
2) In later years:
a. What about retirement? Will there be enough?
b. Will I continue to be able to manage my ailments?
c. How will I make it when my husband/wife dies?
2. The world says, “Look out for Number One.” “You can handle anything if you’ve got enough money.” “He who has the gold makes the rules.”
3. The world teaches that you have to take care of yourself at all costs, therefore covetousness is right and good.
4. The Gospel of Christ doesn’t take away the questions. However, an answer is provided in the form of a promise. “I will NEVER leave thee nor forsake thee.”
5. This promise makes God’s command not to covet make sense.
6. This hour our text will provide three commands to go with that promise:
1) Live without covetousness.
2) Live content.
3) Live without fear.
DISCUSSION:
I. LIVE WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS
1. What does it mean to covet? Exo. 20:17
1) Has to do with the belongings of others. Not simply wanting what another has else there could be no buying and selling. An inordinate desire (to the point that you’d take it or destroy it to keep another from it) for that which would otherwise be legitimate or a desire for the illegitimate (neighbor’s wife).
2) Also, gaining wealth and not being rich toward God, Luke 12:15-21. see Matt. 6:19-21.
2. Covetousness was the downfall of David, 2 Sam. 11:2-5.
3. Caused the death of Nabal, 1 Sam. 25.
4. The downfall of Judas Iscariot, John 12:1-7.
5. The solution, the remedy for covetousness is to give, 1 Tim. 6:7-19; Eph. 4:28; Gal. 6:10.
6. Completing the remedy for covetousness brings us to our second point.
II. LIVE CONTENT
1. Godliness with contentment is great gain, 1 Tim. 6:6-8.
2. John shows contentment to be the absence of desire to gain by violence or threat of violence or misuse of authority, Luke 3:14.
3. This has nothing whatever to do with the desire to increase one’s earnings by legitimate means AND be rich toward God, Luke 12:15-21.
4. Abraham was content, Gen. 14:22-23. Would not profit by misfortune of others. Abraham would’ve spoken against price gouging.
5. Contented youth will not steal. Will not ruin reputations to get ahead, will not neglect their families to advance.
6. Content elderly will not hoard but will be rich toward God. Will not seek advantage in the matters of estates and inheritance. Will not seek pleasure at the expense of holiness.
III. LIVE WITHOUT FEAR
1. Doesn’t mean every kind of fear. We are to fear God, Matt. 10:28; Prov. 1:7; Psa. 111:10; Ecc. 12:13-14. It means fear of lack or persecution.
2. God promised to be with Joshua, Deu. 31:1-8; Josh. 1:1-9.
3. God was with Moses, no doubt, but now will be with Joshua.
4. God was with Jesus and the apostles, John 3:2.
5. Will he be with us? Heb. 13:5; Josh 1:5.
1) In the spread of the Gospel, Matt. 28:20.
2) Shall we fear in our youth? Matt. 6:33; Psa. 37:25
3) Shall we fear in old age? John 14:3; Psa. 23
4) Ask Stephen. Even in death he will be with us, Act 7:56.
5) Ask Paul, 2 Tim. 4:17; Act 23:11; 27:24.
CONCLUSION:
1. Much of the world’s ills are solved in today’s lesson:
1) Live without covetousness.
2) Live content.
3) Live without fear.
2. We would live happier, more productive lives in Christ if we would take heed.