Faith-Rest Life, Divine Decrees, & God's Promises
09-03-25 Sermon: Faith-Rest Life, Divine Decrees, and God's Promises
Sermon Outline: The Faith-Rest Life, Divine Decrees, and the Promises of God
I. Introduction & Opening Prayer
Purpose: To study the faith-rest life, the divine decrees, and how believers appropriate God's promises.
Opening Prayer: Thanksgiving for God's mercy, grace, provision, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
II. The Faith-Rest Life: Overview
A. Terminology and Importance
Shift from "faith-rest drill" to "faith-rest life"—not just a crisis tool, but a daily way of living.
Three Spiritual Skills:
1. Filling of the Spirit
2. Perception, metabolization, and application of Bible doctrine
3. Operating in the pre-designed plan of God
B. Essential Nature
Faith-rest life is foundational; without it, believers cannot operate in God's plan.
Not just for crises, but for daily living.
III. Exegesis: Hebrews 4:2-3
Hebrews 4:2: "For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did, but the word they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who listened with faith."
Context: Exodus generation, already delivered (Exodus 4:31), hearing Moses' teaching (Bible doctrine), not the gospel.
Application: Failure to mix doctrine with faith leads to repeated failure.
Hebrews 4:3: "For we who have believed enter that rest..."
Rest: Entering God's rest is for believers who trust His word.
IV. Divine Provision: God Goes Before Us
Deuteronomy 31:8: "The Lord is the one who is going ahead of you. He will be with you; He will not desert you or abandon you. Do not fear and do not be dismayed."
Principle: God’s provision precedes our problems; solutions are already prepared.
V. The Promises of God in Christ
2 Corinthians 1:20: "For as many as the promises of God are in Him, they are yes; therefore through Him also is our Amen to the glory of God through us."
Exegetical Note: All promises are fulfilled in Christ; Christ is the "Amen" (Revelation 3:14).
1 Kings 8:56: "Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to His people Israel in accordance with everything that He promised. Not one word has failed of all His good promises, which He promised through Moses His servant."
Principle: Not one promise of God has ever failed.
VI. The Faith-Rest Drill: Steps and Rationale
A. Steps
1. Claim a Promise
2. Create a Doctrinal Rationale
Use doctrine to explain why the promise is true (e.g., God's omnipotence, immutability, justice).
3. Arrive at Doctrinal Conclusion
Begin living the faith-rest life.
B. Examples
Romans 8:28: "God causes all things to work together for good..."
Romans 4:21: "Being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform."
VII. The Divine Decrees
A. Definition
God's eternal, omniscient, immutable record of all things that would ever happen in human history.
Integrates divine sovereignty and human free will.
B. Scriptural Support
Isaiah 46:9-10: "I am God... declaring the end from the beginning... My plan will be established and I will accomplish all my good pleasure."
Acts 15:18: "Says the Lord who makes these things known from long ago."
Psalm 139:16: "Your eyes have seen my formless substance, and in Your book were written all the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."
C. Application
Every promise claimed in faith-rest is already a certainty, included in the decrees.
Faith-rest appropriates what God has already decreed.
VIII. Prayer and the Divine Decrees
A. Principle
Every prayer ever prayed or not prayed was included in the divine decrees.
Psalm 139:4: "Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, Lord, You know it all."
1 John 5:14-15: "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us..."
2 Corinthians 12:7-10: Paul's unanswered prayer; recalls doctrine ("My grace is sufficient for you...").
Exegetical Note: Greek tense indicates Paul recalled doctrine, not a direct answer.
B. Prayer’s Function
Prayer does not change God's eternal plan but aligns us with His will.
Deuteronomy 29:29: "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us..."
C. Summary Principle
Prayer changes the believer, not the decrees.
Prayer is a system of adjustment to the justice and will of God.
IX. Faith-Rest Life Defined
Hebrews 4:1-3: Trusting God's promises, doctrines, and character for every detail of life.
Daily adjustment to the justice of God, resting in His perfect provision.
Mixing the promises of God with faith (Hebrews 4:2).
X. Doctrinal Rationales for Faith-Rest
A. God's Omniscience
Psalm 139:16: God knew every problem before you were born.
B. God's Omnipotence
Colossians 1:17: "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
C. God's Justice
Deuteronomy 32:4: "The rock, His work is perfect, and all His ways are just..."
XI. Application: Handling Suffering and Adversity
Genesis 50:20: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..."
God uses even evil for good in His plan.
Romans 4:20-21: Abraham did not waver, but grew strong in faith.
Romans 8:28: All things work together for good.
Principle
Faith-rest life is moment-by-moment participation in the eternal divine decrees.
Peace, confidence, and stability come from knowing every event was anticipated and provided for by God.
XII. Prayer and Faith-Rest: Practical Promises
A. Psalm 37:3-4
"Trust in the Lord and do good... Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Rationale: Trusting and delighting in God aligns desires with His will.
Malachi 3:6: "I, the Lord, do not change..."
Titus 1:2: "God, who cannot lie, promised..."
Conclusion: God provides desires in harmony with His plan.
B. Mark 11:24
"All things by which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you."
Rationale: Prayer and faith draw on God's integrity and timing.
James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God..."
Conclusion: God answers prayer by granting, delaying, or redirecting requests.
C. Luke 17:6
"If you had faith the size of a mustard seed..."
Rationale: Power is in the object of faith, not its size.
Conclusion: Even small faith in God's word can accomplish what human effort cannot, if in God's will.
D. John 6:35; John 10:28
"I am the bread of life... I give them eternal life..."
Conclusion: Union with Christ satisfies spiritual needs; eternal security.
E. Psalm 34:19; Psalm 41:3; Psalm 138:7
"The afflictions of the righteous are many, but the Lord rescues him from them all."
"The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed..."
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me..."
Rationale: God's sovereignty and faithfulness ensure deliverance and sustaining grace.
Conclusion: Believers can endure afflictions with confidence in God's timing and wisdom.
F. Job 42:2
"I know that You can do all things, and that no plan is impossible for You."
Conclusion: God's plan will stand; He will deliver.
G. Psalm 34:18
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Conclusion: In sorrow, believers find God's intimate care and comfort.
H. Isaiah 55:7-9
"Let the wicked abandon his way... He will have compassion... My thoughts are not your thoughts..."
Conclusion: No matter the failure, God abundantly pardons; His ways are higher.
XIII. Obstacles to the Faith-Rest Life
Hindrances:
Scar tissue on the soul
Negative volition toward doctrine
False thinking
Arrogance and emotional complex of sins
Failure to claim promises and apply doctrine
Upcoming Studies: Arrogance complex and emotional complex of sins—how they hinder faith-rest and play off one another.
XIV. Final Principles and Encouragement
Rebound and Keep Moving: Confess sin, isolate the old man, focus on the new nature and God's plan.
No Condemnation: Conviction is for growth, not guilt or judgment.
God's Plan: Trust God’s provision for tomorrow; evil can be turned to good if you lean on God.
XV. Closing Prayer
Thanksgiving for doctrine, divine decrees, and promises.
Petition for protection, healing, and continued growth in grace and knowledge.
Encouragement to be winners by taking opportunities, not excuses.
Scripture References (Chronological Order)
1. Exodus 4:31
2. Hebrews 4:2-3
3. Deuteronomy 31:8
4. 2 Corinthians 1:20
5. Revelation 3:14
6. 1 Kings 8:56
7. Romans 8:28
8. Romans 4:21
9. Isaiah 46:9-10
10. Acts 15:18
11. Psalm 139:16
12. Psalm 139:4
13. 1 John 5:14-15
14. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
15. Deuteronomy 29:29
16. Colossians 1:17
17. Deuteronomy 32:4
18. Genesis 50:20
19. Romans 4:20-21
20. Psalm 37:3-4
21. Malachi 3:6
22. Titus 1:2
23. Mark 11:24
24. James 1:5
25. Luke 17:6
26. John 6:35
27. John 10:28
28. Psalm 34:19
29. Psalm 41:3
30. Psalm 138:7
31. Job 42:2
32. Psalm 34:18
33. Isaiah 55:7-9
34. 1 John 1:9
35. Philippians 3:13-14
Summary Principle
Faith-rest life is the believer’s daily participation in God’s eternal plan, appropriating promises already decreed, trusting God’s character, and adjusting to His justice through prayer and doctrine. Every event, prayer, and promise is woven into the divine decrees, ensuring peace, confidence, and stability for the believer. Obstacles such as arrogance and emotional sins must be identified and overcome, but God’s compassion and pardon are always available. The Christian life is lived by focusing on the new nature, rebounding from failure, and pressing forward in the plan of God.