Sermon:
Faith for the future
Date:
Preacher:
13 January 2013 – morning service
Pastor Francois van Niekerk
Text: Genesis 18:14a (NIV)
‘‘‘Is anything too hard for the LORD?”’
Introduction
 No one knows what the future holds. If we could only know what this year will bring –
but we don’t!
 Knowledge around the future rests with God.
 Faith in God and His ability is required to successfully thrive and not only survive the
future.
 I believe He is faithful to give us specifically what we need for every new season we go
into.
 God would love our faith for the future to be based on His ability. And we can meet the
future with confidence, because God is indeed able.
 What is required from our side is faith for the future – simple trust that He is able.
Main points
1. God is able
 From man’s earliest encounters with God He proved Himself as the God who is able to
do the impossible. One such encounter was with the elderly couple Abraham and Sarah.
In Genesis God promises them a son, even though they were way past their childbearing
age.
‘“Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next
year, and Sarah will have a son.”’
Genesis 18:14 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul confirms that God is able in his letter to the Ephesians:
‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us …’
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)


I have discovered that the devil has a tried and trusted strategy to trap us in a place
where our faith becomes ineffective. This strategy is to complicate things.
Let’s make sure we keep simplicity in our faith. Simply believe that God is able to do
whatever He sets out to do; that He is unlimited in His ability.

Make a decision to not allow any circumstances or facts to become the final
determining factor for your future. Let your faith in God do that. Let your faith define
your future!
2. God’s intent
 God has a good future planned for those who seek and trust Him.
‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and
not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and
come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you
seek me with all your heart.”’
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
3. Joyful expectation
 Let’s look at the meaning of biblical joy, following some of the thoughts expressed by
Charles Spurgeon.
o Joy is the assurance faith brings that we are accepted by God and that He constantly
works for our good on our behalf.
o It is an inner calm produced by confidence in God.
o It is untouched by outward circumstances and is not diminished by pain and sorrow.



Joy is always a by-product of faith.
I believe the Lord wants us to face the future with a joyful expectation. I clearly sense in
my heart that the Spirit of the Lord is placing special emphasis on joy at this time. He
wants everyone to be filled with the joy of His presence!
I am reminded of David’s description of his journey to joy:
‘I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be
shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest
secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One
see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in
your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.’
Psalm 16:8-11 (NIV)




We can follow the trusted way to true joy. It starts by setting the Lord before us in this
year, in all that we do (Verse 8).
It means that we must start every dream, task, project or relationship in consultation
with Him and from His presence.
Whatever you do, do it with Him from start to finish!
Undoubtedly many things will fill our days and demand our attention in this coming
year. I encourage you in the midst of it all, to continually set the Lord before you. Think
of Him often, make time to sit in His presence daily, love Him and share all with Him.
Invite Him into all you do. In short, engage yourself in the practice of His presence.



If we set the Lord before us at the beginning of this new year, we can be assured that we
will not be shaken by the uncertainties and happenings in this world, but rather be filled
with His joy and remain unshaken (Verses 8-9).
Joy is not a loose standing spiritual item we acquire; it is presented to us as part of His
presence. True joy isn’t things-centred.
In and from His presence He will guide us through this year and our souls will be thrilled
and filled with joy and delight (Verse 11).
4. Joyful shining
 Let’s trust that God will continue to cause us to have an ever increasing influence on the
world and people around us. There is no doubt that joyful believers shine the brightest
for Jesus!
 His glorious joy in us attracts people to Jesus and shows them the way to Christ.
 My prayer is that the joy you receive from daily living in His presence will cause you to
shine!
Practical application
 This year, let’s have the same kind of response to God that Mary showed:
‘“For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant
of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from
her.’
Luke 1:37-38 (NKJV)
Prayer
Lord, I believe You hold me and my future in the palm of Your hand. I choose to believe
that You are able to make all things work together as I trust in You. Fill me with Your
joy as I walk with You into this year.