Trusting in Jesus

The Call To Confidence

What did the prophet Isaiah predict of Christ?

“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.” Isaiah 11:10.

Note – Paul renders this, “ The Root of Jesse will spring up, and who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.” Romans 15:12.

Why does God wish us to trust in Jesus?

“In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:12. 

Drawing Back From The Call

How does God regard one who abandons his faith?

“But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” Hebrews 10:38.

Is there danger of believers losing hold on Christ?

“Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12. 

Answering The Call

What did the Ephesians do upon hearing the gospel?

“And you were also included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked with him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”  Ephesians 1:13.

What experience followed this trust in Jesus?

“Having believed, you were marked with him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”

Verse 13.

Note – To trust in Jesus is to believe in Him, to have abiding and unbounded confidence in Him. When such trust exists, the Holy Spirit of promise seals us.

What is the gospel to every one that believes?

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. First the Jew, then for the Gentiles.”

By what does one gain the victory over the world?

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4.

What encouragement does Jesus give us to meet cheerfully the troubles and trails of life?

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

What has this firm trust in Jesus led many to do?

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:11.

What did it led Moses to do?

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”

Verses 24-26.

What is promised those who put their complete trust in Jesus?

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.  Mark 10:29,30.  

What is Jesus able to do?

‘To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” Jude 24. 

Patience Taught and Exemplified

What has the Bible to say concerning patience? 

“The end of the matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”

Ecclesiastes 7:8. “And we urge you brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14. “By standing firm you will gain life.”Luke 21:19.

What contrast is drawn between the patient and the hasty in spirit?

“A patient man has great understanding. But a quick-tempered man displays folly.”

Proverbs 14:29. 

Who are cited as examples of patience?

“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:10,11.  

Development of Patience

What does the trying of faith work?

“Because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:3. “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3.   

What grace is to be added to endurance, or self-control?

“And to self-control, perseverance.”  2 Peter 1:6.

Why are we exhorted to patience?

“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4.

What important test of perfection of character is given?

“We all stumble in many ways. If any one is never at fault in what he says, he is perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” James 3:2.

Winning The Race

How are we expected to run the Christian race?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12: 1,2.

What is said of those who endure?

“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.” James 5:11. “Bless is the man who perseveres under trial, because he has stood the test.” James 1:12. “But he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22.   

For what glorious event are we bidden patiently to wait? 

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”

2 Thessalonians 3:5. “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn rains and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5: 7,8.

What will one characteristic of the remnant church?

“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” Revelation 14:12.

What should be the language of every heart?

“I will wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5.

When Christ comes, what will His people say?

“In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us, This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

 Isaiah 25:9.    

Contentment

What does the apostle say is great gain?

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” 1 Timothy 6:6,7.

With what are we warned to be content?

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.

Concerning what does Christ tell us not to be anxious?

“So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” Matthew 6: 31,32.

What evil befall those who are determined to be rich?

“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s.” 1 Timothy 6:9,10.

By what illustration did Christ teach contentment?

“Consider the ravens; they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” Luke 12: 24-28. 

What lesson in contentment did Paul say he had learned?

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11.

What ancient promise should lead to contentment?

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22.

Upon whom should we cast all our care?

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. [Lord Jesus]

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