(Clip) Laying Hold Of The Promises Even if It Gets You Killed
Tim Conway challenges believers to boldly trust and lay hold of God's promises even if it costs them their lives, emphasizing faith as the driving force behind historic Christian advances.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting God throughout history, especially in times of missionary advances and evangelistic outreach. It highlights the reality that trusting God may lead to persecution or even death, but ultimately, it is better to die trusting God than to live in safety without faith. The message encourages pastors to lead their churches in faith, reminding them of the greatness of God and the power of His promises.
Full Transcript
Church has been, all you have to do is look through history. All you have to do is look through history at every single time there has been any sort of major missionary advance, any sort of church that has really been a light in this world. Every time there is some great evangelistic outreach in this world, all through history, every time there has been a real upheaval, guaranteed, look, open up your history books, open up the Christian history and read, somebody was raised up by God who had faith.
Always, always, that's always trusting God. Trust God. And brother, I'll tell you this, trusting God might get you killed, or it might get somebody in your church killed.
And Jesus never said it wouldn't. He never said that. We want to protect our people, but our people are expendable for the glory of God.
And when I say expendable, I'm not talking about throwing them away. I'm talking about what more glorious death would they ever die than to die for Christ. It might get you killed.
It might. Jesus never said it wouldn't. But brother, would it not be better to die trusting God than to be caged up safe and secure within your Calvinistic walls of a church who won't put their trust in a sovereign God of Scripture.
Brother, that's far better, far better, far better. Brother, play the man as you pastor this church. You have a big God.
Don't ever forget it. You have a big God, and this book is full of His promises. You latch onto those promises.
Because the John G. Patons and the William Careys, despite what the crowd had to say, they latched onto the promises, the Hudson Taylors, the men and the women that have turned this world upside down, they laid hold on those promises, and they found they had a big God. And it cost many of them their lives. Though it cost you your life, that doesn't diminish the greatness of God.
In fact, when you'll choose to trust God even to the death, there's no better way to glorify Him than to give Him all. Brother, that's my charge to you. Lead the church in faith.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Historical examples of faith-driven missionary advances
- The necessity of trusting God in ministry
- Faith often involves risk, even death
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II
- The reality that following Jesus may lead to suffering or death
- The concept of believers being 'expendable' for God's glory
- The glory in dying for Christ
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III
- The danger of complacency and safety in church culture
- The call to lead boldly with faith in a sovereign God
- Examples of historic Christian figures who trusted God's promises
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IV
- The greatness of God revealed through faithfulness to death
- The ultimate glorification of God through total trust
- A charge to pastors to lead the church courageously
Key Quotes
“Trust God. And brother, I'll tell you this, trusting God might get you killed, or it might get somebody in your church killed.” — Tim Conway
“Our people are expendable for the glory of God.” — Tim Conway
“You have a big God, and this book is full of His promises. You latch onto those promises.” — Tim Conway
Application Points
- Boldly trust God's promises even when facing opposition or danger.
- Lead your community with faith that embraces God's sovereignty over safety.
- Remember that ultimate glory comes through faithful sacrifice for Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'lay hold of the promises'?
It means to firmly trust and rely on God's promises in Scripture, especially in difficult or dangerous circumstances.
Why might trusting God 'get you killed'?
Because following Jesus and acting in faith can lead to persecution or suffering, as it has throughout Christian history.
Is the sermon encouraging reckless behavior?
No, it encourages courageous faith that trusts God's sovereignty, even if it involves risk or sacrifice.
Who are some examples mentioned of those who trusted God's promises?
Missionaries like John G. Paton, William Carey, and Hudson Taylor are cited as examples.
What is the main charge to pastors in this sermon?
To lead their churches boldly in faith, trusting God's promises and sovereignty.