Message - Trusting in God The Way to True Blessing

 

Trusting in God – The Way to True Blessing

Life is full of choices—where to place our trust, what foundation to build upon, and what hope to hold onto. The passages today reveal the contrast between trusting in human strength and trusting in God, between perishable and eternal hope, and between earthly and heavenly blessings.

1. Trusting in Man vs. Trusting in God

Jeremiah 17:5-10

A. The Curse of Trusting in Man (Jeremiah 17:5-6)

• “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.” (v.5)
• Trusting in human strength alone leads to dryness and spiritual barrenness, like a shrub in the desert (v.6).
• No matter how capable or strong we feel, human wisdom and power are limited.

B. The Blessing of Trusting in God (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

• “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.” (v.7)
• A person who trusts in God is like a tree planted by water, always nourished, bearing fruit even in tough seasons.
• This mirrors Psalm 1, where the righteous are like a tree planted by streams of water.

C. The Deceitfulness of the Heart (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

• “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (v.9)
• We often deceive ourselves, thinking we can manage life without God.
• But God examines our hearts and rewards each person accordingly (v.10).

 

2. The Foundation of Our Faith – Christ’s Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

A. The Importance of Resurrection (1 Cor 15:12-14)

• Some in Corinth denied the resurrection of the dead. Paul argues that if the dead are not raised, then Christ is not risen!
• If Christ is not risen:
• Preaching is useless.
• Faith is empty.
• We are still in sin.

B. The Hope We Have in Christ (1 Cor 15:15-20)

• Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection.
• Because He lives, we will also live (John 11:25).
• Without the resurrection, Christianity has no foundation.

 

3. The True Measure of Blessing

Luke 6:17-26

A. The Beatitudes – Blessings of the Kingdom (Luke 6:20-23)

• Jesus turns the world’s values upside down:
• The poor are blessed because they inherit God’s kingdom.
• The hungry will be filled.
• Those who weep will laugh.
• Those hated for Christ will be rewarded in heaven.
• These are not just future blessings, but realities that begin now in a life surrendered to God.

B. The Woes – Warnings of False Security (Luke 6:24-26)

• Jesus warns those who trust in wealth, satisfaction, and human approval:
• The rich will lose their comfort.
• The full will hunger.
• Those who seek only worldly approval will face judgment.
• Earthly success is not the true measure of blessing—eternal security in Christ is.

 

4. The Way of the Righteous vs. the Wicked

 Psalm 1

A. The Righteous Are Blessed (Psalm 1:1-3)

• The blessed person:
• Avoids the path of sin (v.1).
• Delights in God’s Word (v.2).
• Is like a tree planted by streams of water—always fruitful and thriving.

B. The Wicked Will Perish (Psalm 1:4-6)

• The wicked are like chaff—weightless, blown away by the wind.
• Their path leads to destruction, but the Lord watches over the righteous.

 

Where Do We Stand?

1. Where is our trust? – In man or in God? (Jeremiah 17:5-10)
2. What is our foundation? – The resurrection of Christ or temporary life? (1 Cor 15:12-20)
3. What blessings are we pursuing? – Worldly comfort or eternal reward? (Luke 6:17-26)
4. Which path are we on? – The way of the righteous or the wicked? (Psalm 1)

The true blessing is found in trusting in God, anchoring our hope in Christ’s resurrection, living by kingdom values, and delighting in His Word.