## In God We Trust

## II Timothy 1:12

"In God We Trust" can be found on our money, in our history, and on our lips. However, saying it or writing it doesn't make it so! Trust or faith is an act of our will. We decide whether or not to put our trust in something or someone. Tonight I want us to consider why we should put our trust in God. The apostle Paul makes it very clear where his trust is placed. Read: 2 Timothy 1:8-12. Let's look again at verse #12. In this verse we find the object of our trust, the result of our trust, and the final culmination of our trust.

I. The Object of Our Trust. "I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed."

A. These are words of commitment to Jesus Christ. "...I know WHOM..."

1. When Paul wrote to the church at Philippi his prayer was that he might "...know Him..." Ph.3:10 2

. God was answering Paul's prayer, because now Paul declares "I know Whom I have believed!"

3. He had become acquainted with the "power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings" and soon would be "made conform-able unto his death."

4. Notice also that Paul did not say "I know "what" I have believed."

5. Our faith is not in just some doctrine or creed...it is in a Person: Jesus Christ, the Precious Son of God!

B. A commitment to the message of Christ.

1. In Romans 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation..."

2. Here Paul expresses his personal faith in God's Word.

3. God's Word is authoritative: we can trust it, and we do not have to be ashamed of it's message!

II. The Result of Our Trust. "I am not ashamed: for I ... am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him..."

A. Words of certainty.

1. Paul declares that he was "persuaded".

2. That means that he was convinced of this fact.

3. To persuade means to induce by one's words. Paul was certain because he had God's Word on it!

B. There had been a deposit made.

1. "...that which I have committed unto Him..."

2. What was that deposit?

3. His entire life: soul, ministry, time, and future hope...EVERYTHING!

C. When was this deposit made?

1. Daily...note: Galatians 2:20

2. Ro. 6:11, "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

3. We must die to self, and totally commit ourselves to Christ, there is no safer place to be!

III. The Final Culmination of Our Trust. "...against that day."

A. There is a day coming that will mean the end of this life and the beginning of eternity with Christ.

1. Note: 2 Timothy 1:18

2. Note: 2 Timothy 4:8

B. Paul is talking about the day when the Lord comes to reward His own and give to every believer a crown of righteousness.

1. That will occur at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

a. Ro. 14:10, "...we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."

b. 2 Co. 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ..."

2. This will take place sometime after the rapture and before He comes to establish His kingdom.

3. Re. 22:12, "And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be."

C. Paul trusted God's ability to keep him until that day.

1. A similar statement of faith was made by Jude in v24-25.

2. Both men knew that none could snatch them out of God's hand (cf Jn. 10:28-29) and that Jesus would keep them and raise them up on the last day (cf. Jn. 6:39).

Conclusion: What great assurance to know that God keeps us saved! "In God We Trust" because He is trustworthy! He will never forsake us! Aren't you glad that you don't have to trust your own ability (which is actually our inability) to keep ourselves saved! Read v9 and v12 again.