Message Notes

(I) THE DISCERNMENT NOT TO TRUST IN OURSELVES

“That we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” 2 Corinthians 1:9

1. The problem of trusting in ourselves

a) Tend to think highly of ourselves

b) Dependant on our abilities and achievements

2. Need discernment not to trust in ourselves

a) Need to go beyond ourselves

b) Need to turn to God

(II) DOCTRINE OF TRUST IN THE CONTEXT OF TRIBULATION

1. Life is filled with tribulation (2 Corinthians 1:8, 9)

a) Trouble

b) Burdened beyond measure

c) Despaired of life

d) Sentence of death

2. Tribulations are hard to cope with

3. We may not be able cope with it

4. Need to understand the doctrine of trust

“That we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” 2 Corinthians 1:9

(III) THE DEPTH OF THE DOCTRINE OF TRUST

1. Seen in Moses (OT faith)

a) Initial faith

b) After 40 years, his trust was totally on the Lord

2. Seen in Paul (NT faith)

“That we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” 2 Corinthians 1:9

a) Faith is the starting point

b) Faith moves on to hope

i) Hope has to do with the future

“And our hope for you is steadfast” 2 Corinthians 1:7

ii) Hope is dependent on the past and present

“Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us” 2 Corinthians 1:10

c) Hope becomes trust

(IV) THE DELIVERANCE THAT TRUST IN PRAYER CAN BRING

“You also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.” 2 Corinthians 1:11

1. Trust in God’s deliverance causes us to pray                             

2. It also brings us to ask for prayer support

3. Others too can collectively exercise trust in prayer

4. When God answers our prayers, thanksgiving may be given by all