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PROVERBS 29: 25

"TRUSTING IN THE LORD"

Intro: Our actions greatly governed by peer pressure. We often do things we
       really don't want to do,  or we fail to do what we really want.

I. THE FEAR OF MAN BRINGETH A SNARE.
        A. It leads us to sin.
                1. Aaron made molten calf.
                2. Pilate feared Caesar.
                3. Peter's fear of the soldiers.
                4. Most drug use begins under pressure.
        B. It lowers the dignity of good men.
                1. Abraham denied his wife Sarah.
                2. David before king Achish.
        C. It hinders Christian service.
                1. Mark left Paul and Barnabas.
                2. So many times we fail to witness.
        D. The fear of man is a trap.
                1. It will keep you from being a Christian.
                        a. Many would really like to accept Christ.
                                1. Fear what others would say.
                                2. Couples have sat together.
                2. It will keep you from being effective Christian.
        E. We fear the forces of man.
                1. They're so well organized.
                2. They have so much influence.
                3. "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

II. "WHOSO PUTTETH HIS TRUST IN JEHOVAH SHALL BE SAFE."
        A. Joseph - His masters wife sought to entice him.
                1. "How can I do this sin against Jehovah."
                2. What do you mean safe?  Thrown in prison.
                        a. Safe from her enticements.
                        b. Better to be a Christian in jail than a free
                           sinner.
        B. Three Hebrew children, "The God that we serve."
                1. Safe in the fire.
        C. Paul in the storm.
        D. This is only place of real safety.
                1. Trusting in myself is folly.
                        a. My power to stand.
                        b. My power to resist.
                2. Trusting in friends disappointment.
                        a. They may not be around in need.
                        b. When pressure on we may discover they're not
                           friend. Lone Ranger.

III. THE SECRET OF TRUSTING IN THE LORD.
        A. Conscious of His presence.
                1. Potiphar's wife may say "no one will see."
                        a. Joseph knows God is there. He sees.
        B. Assured of His love.
                1. I may not understand His workings but I trust His love.
        C. Fully committed to trust in Him.
                1. Hebrew children "the God that we serve..."
        D. These results from communion with Him.

IV. WHAT IT MEANS "SHALL BE SAFE."
        A. Isaiah trusted in the Lord the wicked king has him sawed in half.
        B. Paul trusted in the Lord, was beheaded.
        C. Jesus trusted in the Father, was crucified.
        D. Jesus said: "Don not fear those who can kill your body but are
           not able to kill your soul, but rather fear him who is able to
           destroy both body and soul in Gehenna."
        E. God looks beyond death and speaks of eternal salvation.