The human need for security
There is something deep in the heart of man that longs for security, a form of security that can protect us from evil, hurt, harm or loss that applies to our spirit, souls, and bodies. A security that is ever present with us today and will go with us throughout this life and into the next. Does it exist? Most forms of security have their Achilles’ heel and be definition cannot be totally secure. Prisoners escape from secure units and military bases get broken into.
Everybody is talking about security these days, national security from terrorism, building security, airport security, social security, insurance, pensions and securities, social security from cradle to grave or from the womb to the tomb. The list goes on.
To these ends the nations of the world spend countless billions of dollars and yet for all this there are very few guarantees.
The only sure type of security is found in God himself, tonight we will explore what God says about his security in these days of insecurity.
Where can we find real security?
We begin our bible study by looking at the first two of seven places where you can find the security of God. Together these seven form a composite picture of the total security of God.
Security in focusing on the eternal things.
Security found when you build on the Rock.
Security found in using the Wisdom of God.
Security in life and in death.
Security in times of difficulty/trouble.
Security in doing the will of God.
Eternal security
1. Focusing on the eternal things
2 Cor 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
We need to fix our hearts and minds on the eternal things which are from God and are invisible but the natural things of this world are generally discoverable by our five senses. Examples of the eternal things might include faith, immortality, eternal life, our heavenly crowns etc. We ought to view the natural world through the lens of the eternal.
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Here are some examples of setting your heart/mind on things above:
Put to death the earthly (Col 3:5-8)
Put on the new man (Col 3:11)
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (Col 3:15)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col 3:16)
Give thanks to God (Col 3:17).
See also 1 John 2:16-17 and Isaiah 40:6-8
We must keep our focus on the eternal things which provides us with a strong sense of security knowing that God hold our future and eternity in his hands.
2. Security found when you build on the Rock.
Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
1 Cor 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the Rock, the bedrock, only on him can we build a secure and solid foundation for our lives.
1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--
5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
The precious cornerstone- we shall never be ashamed!
Refuse to put your trust in yourself.
Commit your life to God.
None of man’s efforts to provide security are all-embracing, at best they can bring partial security and on temporary basis.
Look at the foolish man who built his house on the sand. He is the man who either does not know God’s word or does know but does not practise it.
What foundation are you building your house tonight?
Build on the Rock, by putting the words of God into practice then you are building on the rock a solid foundation for today, tomorrow and eternity.
Amen
Personal Prayer
In Part 2 we consider the security we find in using the wisdom of God and where we can find security in life and death,