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KEEPING SANE IN A CRAZY WORLD
PROVERBS 3:1-8
INTRODUCTION
We are indeed living in a crazy, mixed-up world. More money, time, and energy is spent each day in this country trying to save the whales, sea turtles, and spotted owls while a mothers womb is the most dangerous place for an unborn child.
God’s standard of the traditional marriage of one man and one woman is being replaced by an anything goes sexuality all around us. Anyone who dares to challenge what is happening to marriage is labeled as an uneducated bigoted religious zealot.
Isaiah once pronounced some woes upon what we see happening around us. (Isaiah 5:18-22.)
The changes in the political, social, moral, and medical worlds are unbelievable. We are told that we are “better off” than any generation before us. Yet, with all that we have, there seems to be less happiness and contentment and much more mental and emotional pressures than ever before. All the time-saving devices invented have not created less stress, but in reality have created more, because of the greater expectations of performance and productivity!
Political Correctness has become the "buzz" word of our day. This too causes much undue stress in that people are expected never to say anything about another person that might hurt their feelings.
I'm afraid if our LORD Jesus were here today He would have a tough time being politically correct. Jesus was both controversial and confrontational. He called men hypocrites, vipers, and thieves. He would have never made it with the political correctness crowd!
In a fast paced, changing, wicked world, how can we as God's people keep our sanity or soundness of mind? Sometimes we hear people say, “I think I’m losing it!” OR "I think I am losing my mind." Sanity is only possible through a personal relationship with God.
Isaiah 57:20-21 tells us, "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."
Paul Tournier said, "I am convinced that nine out of every ten persons seeing a psychiatrist do not need one. They need someone who will love them with God's love.. .and they will get well."(Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 133).
How can we keep our sanity in a crazy mixed-up world?:
I. WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EYES ON THE LORD!
A. The Lord Jesus Christ Is Our Pattern.
1. He Was Patient In Tribulation. (1 Peter 2:20-21)
1 Peter 2:20-21–"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His steps."
2. He Guarded His Reaction To What Came Against Him! (1 Peter 2:22)
When we react like the world to our circumstances we are no better off than they are!
3. He Committed Himself To Him That Judgeth Righteously!
(1 Peter 2:23)
Vengeance is the LORD'S (Romans 12:19).
Seeking revenge will destroy us both physically and spiritually. It will make us bitter. And if we are bitter, we cannot serve God right.
Hebrews 12:14-15–“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
4. Other People Are Not Good Patterns Except As They Follow Christ.
We fail each other often.
Psalm 118:8–“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”
But thank God, Jesus never fails! He is our perfect pattern in Love, humility, patience, perseverance, in everything! We must follow His example!
The Lord Jesus Christ Is Our Pattern!
B. The Lord Jesus Christ Is Our Pilot!
1. None Of Us Truly Knows How We Should Direct Our Steps.
Jeremiah 9:23-24–“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
We don’t have the wisdom or the understanding.
2. Jesus Lives For Us.
He has gone before us and He is the one Who can best pilot us.
The hymn-writer Edward Hopper wrote:
"Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea,
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rocks and treacherous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me."
3. We Can Trust The Lord All Our Heart. (Proverbs 3:5).
He knows what is best for each of us!
Trust the Lord exclusively, entirely, and expectantly.
4. The Lord Will Not Mislead Us Or Misguide Us.
He knows the way. How? Because, He is the Way (John 14:6)!
Jesus Christ doesn't merely point the way or tell a person how to walk through life, He Himself is the Way!
The Lord Jesus Christ Is Our Pattern.
The Lord Jesus Christ Is Our Pilot.
C. The Lord Jesus Christ Is Our Protection!
1. He Sustains Us Day by Day!
Psalm 3:5–“I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”
2. He Will Never Leave Us Nor Forsake Us.
Hebrews 13:5-6–“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
3. He Is Our Shepherd Each And Every Day, And All The Day
Psalm 23:1–“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
D. The Lord Jesus Christ Is Our Peace!
1. Only The LORD Can Keep Us In Perfect Peace.
Isaiah 26:3-4–“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”
A poem I found by E.D. Mund says,
"Amid the trials which I meet,
Amid the thorns that pierce my feet,
One thought remains supremely sweet,
Thou thinkest, LORD, of me!
Let shadows come, let shadows go
Let life be bright or dark with woe,
I am content, for this I know
Thou thinkest, LORD, of me!"
(Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 49).
2. We Will Inevitably Face Tribulation, But Jesus Gives Us His Peace.
John 14:27–“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 16:33–“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
3. Jesus Can Calm Us In The Storms of Life.
Matthew 8:26-“And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful, 0 ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea and there was great calm.”
We so often take our eyes off of the LORD and put them on circumstances, on people, and even on our own inability.
When we do that we find ourselves in deep trouble!
We are to keep our eyes fixed on the LORD which will help us keep going and give us direction.
Hebrews 12:1 says that we are to “lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:2–“Looking unto (i.e. focusing on) Jesus. . .”
WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EYES ON THE LORD!
II. WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EARS OPEN TO THE WORD OF GOD!
A. The Word Of God Is Truth!
1. Only God's Word Is Truth. (John 17:17)
Romans 3:4-". . .Let God be true, but every man a liar. . ."
2. Only God’s Word Is Inspired!
2 Timothy 3:16
3. Only God’s Word Is Food For The Soul. (1 Peter 2:2)
4. God's Word Tells Us Of The Past, Present, and Future!
a. It Tells Us The Answers To Many Of The Questions Of Life.
b. It Tells Us Of Our Past, Present, And Future!
1) It Tells Us Of Our Awful Condition Before We Come To Him!
2) It Tells Us Of Our Wonderful Standing In Him!
3) It Tells Us Of Our Glorious Future With Him!
5. It Warns Us Of Things To Come!
a. Many Warnings Are Given Concerning The End-time.
(1 Timothy 4:1; 3:1-5; 3:13)
b. Through His Wisdom God Forewarns Us And Encourages Us Not To Lose Faith!
B. The Word Of God Is Trustworthy.
1. The Issue We Face As Believers Is Will We Trust God.
God is faithful! He will keep His promises!
2. Our Trust Is Dependent On What We Know About God From His Word!
3. God Is Faithful And True.
His Word is also faithful and true.
Psalm 119:89–“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
Isaiah 40:8–“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
4. We Are To Completely Trust In The LORD.
We can trust His person and we can trust His Word!
We can depend upon His promises, provisions, plans, and purposes!
WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EYES ON THE LORD!
WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EARS OPEN TO THE WORD OF GOD!
III. WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EXPECTATION ON THE LORD!
A. Jesus Always Has Our Best Interest In Mind! (Romans 8:31-39)
Though we may not be able to figure out what God is doing sometimes, we can always trust Him to do the right thing!
B. Jesus Does Not Change As Man Does! (Hebrews 13:8)
IV. WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EXALTATION OF THE LORD! (Isaiah 40:28-31)
A. Exalt Him As Saviour.
1. He is the One Mediator Between God and Man (1 Timothy 2:5)!
2. He Is Our Intercessor. (Hebrews 7:25)!
3. He Is Our Advocate and Propitiation For Our Sins (1 John 2:1-2)!
B. Exalt Him As Shepherd.
He Is Our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1).
1. A Shepherd Is One Who Tends To The Sheep.
Isaiah 40:11–“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
2. A Shepherd Is One Who Leads The Sheep.
He finds food and water for them.
3. A Shepherd Is One Who Protects The Sheep.
He Watches Over Them!
The hymn-writer wrote:
"Savior, like a shepherd lead us, Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare:”
Exalt Him As The Saviour!
Exalt Him As The Shepherd!
C. Exalt Him As The Solution!
1. He Is The Answer To The Sin Question!
1 John 3:5–“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”
2 Corinthians 5:21–“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
1 Peter 2:24–“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
2. He Is The Answer To Satan's Quest! (Ephesians 6:10-11)
Satan desires to destroy men's lives, Jesus came to save men's lives
3. He Is The Answer To The Saint's Quiz!
How can we serve God and be acceptable to Him? The Bible tells us that the only way is through Jesus Christ!
John 15:5–“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
CONCLUSION:
In order to keep it together in this crazy world, we need the LORD!
He is the only way to keep sane in this crazy mixed-up world!
Do you know Jesus today as you personal Savior? He wants to be a part of your life to strengthen you, and encourage you, and give you peace of mind. Will you come to Him today?
If you are saved today, are you resting by faith in Him? He is our strength, our wisdom, and our all? We can't make it in this life without Him!
He is the only way to keep sane in a crazy world!
Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!