What would you think about a person who was very wealthy but always complained about not having enough? Many Christians have the same attitude. They are spiritually wealthy, but don’t act like it and often choose to live as paupers.
Unfortunately, many believers don’t understand their true wealth. In this message, Dr. Stanley shares over 20 rich promises we should remember about our faith including:
- Our reconciliation to God through the death of Christ.
- God’s continued presence in our lives.
- His promise to answer our prayers.
- His promise to never withhold good things from us.
- Our fruitfulness in old age.
- God’s help in time of trouble.
- Our eternal security.
- The promise of heaven as our home.
God’s promises are precious and magnificent because He is the one who made them. He is the God who has the power and ability to keep them, and He never changes. Commit these promises to your heart and trust your Heavenly Father to keep every last one.
Sermon Outline
GOD’S PRECIOUS PROMISES
KEY PASSAGE: 2 Peter 1:1-4
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE: Psalm 32:8 | Psalm 37:4 | Psalm 46:1-3 | Psalm 68:19 | Psalm 84:11 | Psalm 92:12-15 | Psalm 103:1-3 | Isaiah 41:9-10 | Isaiah 55:11 | Matthew 6:25 | Matthew 6:31-32 | Matthew 7:7 | Matthew 11:28-30 | John 10:27-30 | John 14:1-3 | John 14:16 | John 14:27 | Romans 5:6-11 | Romans 8:38-39 | 1 Corinthians 10:13 | 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 | 2 Corinthians 5:8 | Philippians 1:21-24 | Philippians 4:6-7 | Colossians 1:27 | Hebrews 13:5 | James 1:5 | 1 John 1:9 | 1 John 5:14-15
SUMMARY
As believers, we are wealthy beyond measure.
However, the sad truth is many Christians live like spiritual paupers despite the many riches God has given them. Through “His precious and magnificent promises,” He’s granted us all we need to live godly lives (2 Pet. 1:3-4). The word precious describes something valuable and cherished, and magnificent means something is splendid or superb. The promises of God can be defined using both of these terms because of His trustworthiness. On the day of your salvation, you inherited all of God’s promises and became truly prosperous. However, in order to benefit, you must cash them in. To live without claiming what God has for you is like being a millionaire who has a bank account but never makes a withdrawal.
SERMON POINTS
God’s promises are like a treasure chest.
When you were saved, you gained a vast wealth of spiritual riches that are now at your disposal. And when you realize how much He wants to bless you with, you can’t help but be amazed. For example:
- The Lord brought you into relationship with Him (Rom. 5:6-11). When you trusted Jesus as your Savior, you became a child of God and a member of His household. This is the foundation of your heritage because all other promises flow from a relationship with Him.
- You can have daily cleansing (1 John 1:9). As His child, you now have the privilege to come to Him each day, confess your sins, and receive His forgiveness in order to grow in unhindered fellowship with Him.
- God’s presence is continually with you (Heb. 13:5). You have a traveling companion in the person of Christ. He’s your intimate friend and has promised to never leave nor forsake you, no matter what’s going on in your life.
- You have the Holy Spirit who is your Helper (John 14:16). Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He promised to send a Helper. You now have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to provide guidance and empower you to accomplish everything the Lord asks.
- You have the assurance of God’s strength (Isa. 41:10). When you’re weak and helpless, you can rely upon the sovereign Ruler of the universe who has unlimited power and has promised to strengthen you.
- God Himself will supply all your needs (Matt. 6:31-32). He knows exactly what you need and has committed Himself to provide it. Instead of worrying about your problem, you can simply rely on Him.
- He answers your prayers (1 John 5:14-15). When you pray according to God’s will, He answers. In fact, prayer is the means of cashing in His promises. Just take your needs to Him and claim those that apply to your situation.
- God is always ready to give you His best (Ps. 84:11). If you’re living a godly life, the Lord will never withhold any good thing from you. When you have a need, He will provide.
- He daily bears your burdens (Ps. 68:19). There is no reason to wake up each morning hindered by trials and heartaches. If you lay your concerns down before God and believe in His promises, He’ll replace your worries with remarkable joy.
- He comforts you in times of trouble (2 Cor. 1:3-4). No matter what the difficulty may be, God knows what you’re going through, and He will come alongside you to provide comfort and encouragement.
- The Lord sets limits on your trials and temptations (1 Cor. 10:13). He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to endure. When you think you can’t take any more, He’ll provide the way of escape so you can persevere.
- He grants wisdom (James 1:5). In every decision and circumstance you face, God offers wisdom to see life from His perspective if you ask in faith and without doubt. However, sin can keep you from claiming this promise because it crowds out truth, creates uncertainty, and leads to unwise choices.
- The Lord provides rest for your soul (Matt. 11:28-29). When your heart is burdened, Jesus offers both physical and emotional rest to those who come to Him.
- God gives His peace (Phil. 4:6-7). Whenever you bring your anxieties to God in prayer, He provides His surpassing peace, and it creates an impenetrable wall that separates you from all your worries.
- You can be strong and fruitful in old age (Ps. 92:12-15). Retirement can be one of the most spiritually productive times of your life if you remain strongly planted in the Lord. He desires you to be growing and producing fruit until He calls you home.
- The Lord will give you the desires of your heart when you delight in Him (Ps. 37:4). If God is more important to you than anyone or anything else, He will grant your desires because, above all, you delight in worshipping, serving, and living for Him.
- He is a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1-3). The Lord is your refuge in times of uncertainty and danger. Since His presence dwells within you, He is always available to help in every way.
- God gives you direction for life (Ps. 32:8). He knows the pitfalls and dangers that lie ahead and has promised to teach you which way to go to stay on His path.
- He heals in times of sickness (Ps. 103:1-3). Since God never changes, you can come to Him for healing just as people did in biblical times. Our heavenly Father did it then, and He can still do it today.
- Nothing can separate you from God’s love (Rom. 8:38-39). His unconditional love is a possession no one can ever take from you. When you doubt that, review this passage.
- Jesus provides the gift of eternal security (John 10:27-30). Christ promised eternal life to His followers, so when you die, you’ll instantly be with Him.
- You have a home in heaven (John 14:1-3). Before Jesus died and rose again, He told His disciples He was going away to prepare a place for them and would one day return and take them there. This is your ultimate hope.
RESPONSE
- Why is it that Christians often forget about the promises of God when Scripture provides us with so much assurance of God’s faithfulness?
- What promise has God given that you treasure in your heart on a regular basis?
- When difficulties come, which Scripture promises have been the most reassuring for you to go back to time and again for comfort?
