Faith-Rest Drill, God's Provision, Abraham's Example

08-20 Sermon Outline: Faith-Rest Drill, God's Provision, Abraham's Example

Sermon Outline: The Faith-Rest Drill – God’s Timeless Provision

I. Preparation for Study

Silent Prayer & Confession

 1 John 1:9  – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Importance of restoring fellowship with God before studying His Word.

Cast all cares upon Him; set aside distractions to focus on God’s message.

II. Introduction

Personal testimony: Learning under Pastor R.B. Thieme Jr. and Pastor Bob McLaughlin.

Commitment to doctrinal integrity and honoring one’s pastor-teacher.

The Faith-Rest Drill: Not an invention, but a biblical problem-solving device taught by doctrinal pastors.

Objective: To teach how to apply doctrine personally, not just academically.

III. The Faith-Rest Drill: Mechanics and Steps

Romans 8:28 (NASB)

 “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Paraphrase: “God is in all things working for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”

Exegetical Note: The Greek word for “work” is synergei – to cooperate toward a goal; God actively weaves events into His eternal purpose.

Three Steps of the Faith-Rest Drill

1.  Claiming Promises

2. Doctrinal Rationales

3. Forming Doctrinal Conclusions

Analogy: Like drilling moves in sports, it’s practice in stabilizing oneself with God’s Word.

IV. God’s Omnipresence and Timelessness

Jeremiah 23:23-24

 “Am I a God who is near... and not a God far off?... Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?”

Psalm 139:7-10

 “Where can I go from Your Spirit?... Even there Your hand will lead me.”

Isaiah 46:9-10

 “I am God... declaring the end from the beginning... My plan will be established.”

Psalm 90:2

 “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

Revelation 1:8

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega... who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Doctrine: God is outside of time; the future is as present to Him as the past. His provision precedes our need.

V. Case Study: Abraham’s Faith and God’s Provision

A. The Promise and Human Effort

Genesis 12:2-3 – God’s promise to Abraham.

Genesis 15:4-5 – God clarifies the promise: “One who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”

Genesis 15:6 – “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Genesis 16 – Sarah’s doubt leads to Hagar and Ishmael; human effort vs. God’s grace.

Galatians 4:22-23

 “Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman... born according to the flesh, and one by the free woman... through the promise.”

B. The Crisis: Isaac’s Sacrifice

Genesis 21:9-10 – Tension between Sarah and Hagar after Isaac’s birth.

Genesis 22:1-14 – Abraham called to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah.

 Isaac’s age: 15–25 years old (old enough to carry wood and converse).

Abraham’s faith: “God will provide for Himself the lamb...” (v.8)

The ram caught in the thicket: Provision already present before Abraham arrived.

Abraham names the place Jehovah-Jireh – “The Lord will provide.”

Hebrews 11:17-19

 Abraham’s rationale: God is able to raise the dead; faith in God’s provision.

C. Principle

God’s omnipresence and foreknowledge mean His provision always precedes our need.

The “Ram in the Thicket” principle: God is already in our future with the solution.

VI. Application: Personal Struggles and Faith-Rest

Personal testimony: Overcoming depression, anxiety, and bipolar symptoms through daily application of the faith-rest drill.

God is already in tomorrow; provision is already made.

Romans 8:28 is not about things magically improving, but about God’s personal activity in every detail.

VII. Case Study: Hagar in the Wilderness

Genesis 21:14-19

 Hagar and Ishmael sent away; water runs out; Hagar weeps, convinced her son will die.

“God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.” (v.19)

Principle: Sometimes the solution is already present; we need God to open our eyes to see His provision.

VIII. Christ as the Ultimate Provision

Revelation 13:8

 “The Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.”

1 Peter 1:19-20

 “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for your sake.”

God’s provision for salvation was made before creation; every crisis has a pre-designed solution in God’s eternal plan.

IX. Doctrinal Rationale and Conclusion

Romans 8:29-30

 “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined... called... justified... glorified.”

All stated in the past tense (aorist): God’s plan is already accomplished.

Romans 8:31-39

 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?... In all these things we are more than conquerors... nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Doctrinal Conclusion: Eternal security; God’s love and provision are unbreakable.

X. Practical Application

Future problems are present to God; the “Ram and the Thicket” principle.

God’s provision exists before your crisis begins.

You cannot arrive at a moment where God is absent or unprepared.

Personal sense of destiny: Your path is secure in God’s eternal plan.

Appropriation: Salvation and spiritual blessings are already provided; we must appropriate them by faith.

Perception, metabolization, and application of Bible doctrine are essential.

XI. Closing Exhortation

Romans 8:28 is a declaration of God’s eternal omnipresence and grace provision.

On the mountain, Jehovah-Jireh; in the wilderness, the well is waiting; in eternity, the Lamb is already slain.

Rest in this truth: God is in all things, working for your ultimate good, because His provision is timeless and His presence is everywhere.

XII. Closing Prayer

Thanksgiving for God’s provision, guidance, and blessing.

Petition for God to lead, strengthen, and reveal His plan to each believer.

Scripture References (Chronological Order)

1. 1 John 1:9

2. Romans 8:28

3. Jeremiah 23:23-24

4. Psalm 139:7-10

5. Isaiah 46:9-10

6. Psalm 90:2

7. Genesis 12:2-3

8. Genesis 15:4-5, 6

9. Genesis 16

10. Galatians 4:22-23

11. Genesis 21:9-10

12. Genesis 22:1-14

13. Hebrews 11:17-19

14. Revelation 1:8

15. Genesis 21:14-19

16. Revelation 13:8

17. 1 Peter 1:19-20

18. Romans 8:29-30

19. Romans 8:31-39

Key Doctrinal Principles

God’s omnipresence and timelessness guarantee provision before need.

Faith-rest drill: Claim promises, reason doctrinally, form conclusions.

God’s plan is accomplished; our role is to appropriate by faith.

Every crisis has a pre-designed solution in God’s eternal decree.

Eternal security: Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ.

Amen.