We Find Someone to Trust

Series: At The Cross 
Message: We Find Someone To Trust 
Scripture: Luke 23:44-46

"God is not looking for men of great faith, He is looking for common men to trust His great faithfulness” Hudson Taylor

“Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.” (Psalm 31:5)

• Something added: Father
• Something omitted: Redeem me

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:17–18, ESV)

Jesus Died:

• Voluntarily
• Reverently
• Confidently

4 Lessons from These Words

1. In my darkest hour I have a Father who Loves Me

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:13, ESV)

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9, ESV)

Our Heavenly Father Is:

• Close
• Consistent
• Competent
• Compassionate

“Real rest of heart isn’t to be found in understanding everything that comes your way, but in trusting the One who understands it all because he rules it all.” Paul Tripp

2. God can be Trusted

This is true not just for death, but for all our lives!

Who or what are you going to trust?

“which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” (2 Timothy 1:12, ESV)

“For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.” (Psalm 33:4, ESV)

God Can Be Trusted Because:

• He has your Best Interest at heart
• He Knows everything
• He is Perfect
• He will always tell you the Truth

"Faith - trust - is the key that unlocks our readiness to receive God's sufficiency in our lives." Dallas Willard

Question: What do you need to entrust to God today?

3. There is life Beyond the Grave

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23, ESV)

Death is not the End of the road, but a Bend in the road

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17–18, ESV)

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27, ESV)

“And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”” (Acts 7:59, ESV)

4. God can handle Whatever I give Him

God’s Hands Are:

• Big enough to Bless Me

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

• Scarred enough to never Forget Me

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” (Isaiah 49:15–16, ESV)

• Strong enough to keep me Eternally Secure

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:28–29, ESV)

"God is not looking for men of great faith, He is looking for common men to trust His great faithfulness” Hudson Taylor  

Making it Personal

• Who or what are you trusting in as you live your day-to-day life?
• Who or what are you trusting in as you think about eternity – life after death?
• Which of the lessons above do you most need to meditate on this week?
• What is your next step in response to these truths? What specifically will you do to live out your personal trust in Jesus Christ this week?
• Who can you share these truths with?