'I promise' is a phrase that used to mean something. If someone said, "I promise," you could take it to the bank. Their word was good, you could count on whatever they said. The dictionary definition of promise is: A declaration that something will or will not be done or given; or an expression of assurance on which expectation is to be based. Some synonyms are: agreement, commitment, guarantee, pledge, vow, covenant, oath. But today, a promise has become a device used to get someone to agree with your plan, vote for you, join your group, or fall for your deception. Promises are made and broken with alarming regularity. Some politicians make empty promises no one believes. And that's the crazy thing, you vote for someone based on a promise that you don't even believe when they say it. But you want to believe it and you tell yourself, "Well, maybe they'll at least keep part of it." Wedding vows are promises made while you're all dressed up in front of friends, and family, and God. At your wedding, the Pastor probably asked you something like this: Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, forsaking all others keep you only unto her so long as you both shall live? To which you answered, "I do," or "I promise." Then you doubled down on that promise with a vow that went something like this: I, Rod, take you, Cindy, to be my wedded wife, from this time forward, for better or for worse (I'd prefer better), for richer or for poorer (I'd prefer richer), [audience chuckles] in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, till death us do part; and I pledge to you my faithfulness. I'm in this for life. It's what those words mean: No matter what. Sorrow, sadness, sickness, trouble, hardship, I love you. I'll be with you forever. A promise made, and way too often, a promise broken. You've probably heard the statistic that 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. That's alarming, but it's not true. Now, I won't go into statistical analysis, but if you took statistics in college you can quickly explain the flawed logic behind that percentage. So, even though that number is not the actual percentage it still isn't good. Depending on how you figure it, the percentage of marriages that end in divorce is somewhere between 30 and 40 percent. That's a lot of promises broken. It doesn't happen as much now, but years ago a guy would give his girlfriend a promise ring. Anyone remember promise rings? Which meant: I promise, one day, an expensive ring will take its place. [audience chuckles] But if you go on eBay or any other online shopping sites you can buy used promise rings. I guess that would really be called a broken promise ring. Right? If you google the phrase 'used promise rings for sale' you get over 36 million results. That's a lot of broken promises. Promises made, promises broken. It's not just marriage vows and promise rings. Think of all the broken promises we now just come to expect. Coaches sign a contract with a university, only to leave early to sign another contract with a bigger school that pays more. But the other side's also true. The university gives the coach a five year contract, and then fires him after two. In a sign of the times, there's always a buyout in the contract. In other words, neither side expects the contract to be honored. The coach has to pay if he breaks his promise and leaves early. The university has to pay if they break their promise and fire him early. Some universities actually are paying three head coaches at the same time. [audience chuckles] Somewhere that could be happening. If you loan someone money you expect they'll pay you back. When they don't, you struggle every time you see them spending money on something else. And you're like, "Wait a second. Instead of taking that vacation shouldn't you be paying me back?" Instead of keeping their word, paying you back becomes an if I ever have extra money someday kind of thing, or he doesn't really need it anyway. People buy stuff they can't afford, on credit. When you charge something you're making a promise to the credit card company, but bankruptcy filings are on the rise as Americans pile up debt. The latest American Bankruptcy Institute data pegs household debt near 14 trillion dollars. That's a lot of broken promises. Broken promises also go the other way. Some of you were promised pensions that were taken away, promised benefits were cut. The promise made to you took a backseat to current needs. You feel ripped off, cheated, gypped. Many of my Pastor friends tell broken promise stories. Someone says, "Pastor, you can trust me. I'll always have your back." Few weeks later, that same person gets mad and leaves the church. We live in an age of mistrust. You've learned from experience that people, companies, and governments break their promise. As a result, you've learned to doubt. No matter how tight the contract, how deep the relationship, or how sincere the commitment you wonder if a promise made will equal a promise kept. It's sad when people bring that same distrust to church. They don't trust the Pastor, the leadership of the church. While writing this message, I talked to a wonderful Pastor in Missouri who's frustrated because people are creating confusion and division not because they don't trust, but because they refuse to trust. And it's even more heartbreaking when people make that same decision about God, and they decide God can't be trusted. God doesn't keep His word. I can't trust His promises. God will let me down just like everyone else in my life. Often, they make that decision based on one of two mistakes. First, God never made that promise. Instead, it's something they feel entitled to, or a promise they decided on their own that God should make. For instance, God never promised you 85 years of healthy living. God never promised you'd always be happy. He did promise you Heaven. Second, God made that promise but it includes a command they decided to ignore. Many of God's promises are in response to your obedience. Think of it this way: If I say to you, "If you attend every weekend this year I'm going to take you to the best steak dinner in our city." It's a promise. Then you miss twelve weekends, but you still expect a steak. That's not a broken promise, that's foolishness on your part. You didn't do your part so of course I'm not buying you the steak. I'm not buying you a hamburger. [audience laughs] God promises to bless and provide for you, but if you ignore His commands about your money you choose not to live according to the promise. When you choose to engage in sexual sin you move your relationship out from under God's promise and protection. You want the Lord to give you the desires of your heart, but you don't want to delight in Him. You want everything to go well for you, but you don't want to honor your father and mother. And then after making those mistakes you decide God doesn't keep His word, but you claimed the promise and ignored the command. It doesn't work that way. Maybe life has dealt you unexpected challenges. You're disappointed with God and you feel like He's let you down, that His promises aren't true. Well, this year I want to challenge you. I want to challenge that mindset. By the time we reach December you're going to know 50 of God's promises. More important, you're going to learn that God is a promise keeping God. [audience says, "Amen!"] It's going to be an incredible year of learning and growing, and it might turn out to be the most encouraging year you ever spend in church. Every week, we're going to learn one of God's promises. By the end of December you're going to be armed with a promise for every situation. You're going to learn to trust and rely on God's promises. When Satan tries to make you believe a lie, you're going to reply to it with a promise. When people try to drag you down, you're going to answer with a promise. When circumstances don't go your way, you're going to have a promise from God to apply. When you're sick, there's a promise. When you feel alone, there's a promise. When you're discouraged, there's a promise. When you're afraid about the future, there's a promise. When you face a new challenge you can face it with confidence, because you have a promise from God. When I was a kid, my dad was the Song Leader in our church. We didn't have Worship Pastors then, we had Song Leaders. My dad was the Song Leader, and I remember him leading the song, "Standing on the Promises of Christ my King." I want you to listen to these words. Standing on the promises of Christ my king
Through eternal ages let His praises ring Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God Then the chorus.
Standing, standing Standing on the promises of God my Savior
Standing, standing I'm standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises that cannot fail When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail
By the living Word of God I shall prevail I'm standing on the promises of God
I'm standing on the promises I cannot fall Listening every moment to the Spirit's call
Resting in my Savior as my All in all Standing on the promises of God
Standing, standing Standing on the promises of God my Savior
I'm standing, standing Standing on the promises of God
[music begins] [singing begins] Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages let the praises ring Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God I'm standing, standing
Standing on the promises of God my Savior Standing, standing
Standing on the promises of God Standing on the promises that cannot fail
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail By the living Word of God I shall prevail
Standing on the promises of God Standing on the promises I cannot fall
Listening every moment to the Spirit's call Resting in my Savior as my All in all
Standing on the promises of God I'm standing, standing
Standing on the promises of God my Savior Standing, standing
Standing on the promises of God I'm standing, standing
Standing on the promises of God [audience applauds]
[music/singing ends] Now, it didn't sound exactly like that in the little church I grew up in. [audience chuckles] I still find myself singing those words in times of trouble. They stuck with me, and it's not just the song. My mom had a method for making sure that we learned, and knew, and remembered God's promises. On the wooden windowsill above our kitchen sink there was a small wooden box. Now this one's plastic, but it looks just like it. And every morning one of us would walk to the box, pull out a card, and read God's promise for the day. This one's second Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for thee." That's a good promise. See, we didn't do them in any kind of order. We just reached in the box, and picked one, and read it. It's a precious memory. And many of the verses I memorized I first learned when I pulled my daily promise. So, we're going to do the same thing. When you leave today the ushers have a box for you. And every week this year, you're going to get a card with a promise to add to that box. I want you to start the same habit we had. Every morning pull a card out of the box, and read God's promise. Now, I understand I'm only giving you one promise this week. So, every morning you know what you're going to do? Yes, you're going to read that promise. [audience chuckles] You're going to learn it. And I want you to relax, there's not rules. You're allowed to add your own cards to the box. So, it's business card size. I bought a hundred blank business cards on Amazon for less than five bucks. So get some cards, write down your favorite promises, add them to the box. We're learning 50, but there are thousands of promises in the Bible. One source I saw said there were 5,467 promises. So I encourage you to learn, and pray, and believe the promises. Now although skepticism is at an all time high, there are still people you trust and believe in, people you know are promise keepers. How do you know that? You believe someone's promise if they've kept a promise in the past. You develop trust in their work, because they're consistent. What they say is true. You don't doubt it, you don't investigate, you don't worry, you don't wonder, they're trustworthy. In fact, before you even receive what was promised you're already counting your blessings, you're already spending the money. I have some people like that in my life. I completely trust and depend on them without doubt or hesitation. They are reliable, dependable, faithful, and true. They keep their promises regardless of the cost. That's what God's like. God is a promise keeping God, that's His nature. But God's promises aren't like a lottery ticket. His promises aren't designed to fulfill your every wish and desire. Instead, God's promises are designed to fulfill His plan for your life, and His plans are good. In fact, God's plan for your life is better than your plan for your life. And when you follow God's commands you receive God's promises. [music begins] [singing begins] Can you hear the voice of the Father
Inviting you to walk on the water Risk it all, answer the call, and enter in
Now we stand on every promise We're not afraid, our faith goes before us
When we believe, we're gonna see The Supernatural
We're gonna see what we're praying for We believe every single word
Stronger than we've ever been Standing on His promises
We're gonna see the impossible We release the Supernatural
Stronger than we've ever been We are standing on His promises
We will face the darkness around us As we break the chains that have bound us
Yes, it's true, we can do the impossible So we stand with keys of the Kingdom
To declare the day of our freedom We believe, we're gonna see
The Supernatural We're gonna see what we're praying for
We believe every single word Stronger than we've ever been
We are standing on His promises We're gonna see the impossible
We release the Supernatural Stronger than we've ever been
We are standing on His promises We are standing, standing
Standing on the promises of Christ our Savior We are standing, standing
Standing on the promises of Christ our Savior We are standing, standing
Standing on the promises of Christ our Savior We are standing, standing
Standing on the promises of Christ our Savior We're gonna see what we're praying for
We believe every single word Stronger than we've ever been
Standing on His promises We're gonna see the impossible
We release the Supernatural Stronger than we've ever been
We are standing on His promises Stronger than we've ever been
We are standing on His promises Stronger than we've ever been
We are standing on His promises [audience applauds]
[singing/music ends] We're standing on God's promises. Now, these verses that I'm about to share with you will form the background to our journey through God's promises. And here it is, the first promise we're learning. Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold unswervingly," what does that mean? We're not turning away, we're not giving up, we're holding on tight. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess," why? Because, "He who promised is faithful." Isn't that a great verse to start on? He who promised is faithful. And then a few verses later that promise is expanded on. Verse 35, "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you've done the will of God, you will receive what He's promised." He who promised is faithful, and you're going to receive what He promised. God keeps His promises. And your reaction to that should be, Amen! [audience says, "Amen!"] Now, let me show you why I say that. Second Corinthians 1:20 says, "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." Here's how the New Living Translation says it: "For all God's promises have been filled in Christ with a resounding 'Yes!' And through Christ, our 'Amen' ascends to God for His glory." Amen is kind of a curious word. For many people it's a tradition. When they're done praying over their meal they say, "Amen." But amen is not just some random ancient word you say at the end of a prayer which means: This prayer is over, let's eat. The word amen is almost a universal word. In fact, it's been called the best known word in human speech. When I speak in other countries the one word they never have to interpret is, amen. It's the same everywhere. In Africa, Asia, Russia, China, Europe, Latin America they all end their prayers with the word, amen. But also when they're responding to something in church, all over the world they shout, "Amen!" Now, it's pronounced different. I've heard 'awe man', I've heard 'a man', I've heard 'awe mean', I've heard 'awe mina', but regardless of how it's pronounced it's always recognizable in almost every language. In response to the goodness and the promises of God believers around the world respond with, "Amen!" And one day in Heaven around the throne all God's people are going to be gathered there from every race, every tribe, every language group, every people group, and together we will shout the word that we all have in common. A word of victory, we will shout, "Amen!" The word is directly related, in fact it's almost identical, to the Hebrew word for believe or faithful. In the New Testament, it's sometimes translated verily or truly. Over time, the word amen came to mean sure or truly. It was an expression of absolute trust and confidence. It is not just the end of a prayer, it's a declaration. When you believe God you indicate your faith by saying, "Amen." When God makes a promise the believers' response is, "Amen." When we pray according to God's will and God's Word we know God will answer, and so we close with the word, amen. Now look at this. The word is even used as a title for Christ Himself. The last of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation begin with this phrase: "These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation." This word is so emphatic that the Bible calls Jesus, Amen. He's faithful and true. We can be certain that God's Word is faithful and true. When Paul said, "Every promise of Christ is yea and amen," that's as strong an affirmation as is possible in the Greek language. Listen to me. Amen is not just a word to finish a prayer, it's not just a tradition people shout out when the Preacher makes a good point, or when he says something loud. Instead amen means, what was said is faithful, what has been said is true. Now we're going to watch it happen, we're going to watch it take place. Here's my definition: Truth, plus so be it, plus yes, plus I am confident, plus I accept it as truth, plus I believe it, plus let it happen, plus I can't wait. That's a lot in one definition, isn't it? [audience applauds] I put it on the back of a shirt. Truth, so be it, yes, I'm confident, I accept it as truth, I believe it, let it happen, I can't wait. See, that definition will change the way you pray. You don't just say, "Amen." It's emphatic, it's declarative, it means something. It should be said with authority, and force, and conviction. It's not amen, it's AMEN! It's powerful. Can you imagine if you finish your prayer that way in a restaurant? [audience chuckles] You're sitting at Newk's, you're having your barbecue chicken pizza, and it comes. And you bow your head, and you thank God for that, and at the end everyone at the table shouts, "Amen!" Now that would get everybody's attention, wouldn't it? When someone shouts, "Amen," in church it is perfectly appropriate. In modern day language they're shouting, truth. And people shout everywhere. They shout at football games, political rallies, in arguments, on TV, when they win something, but for some reason we get to church and we're hesitant. Here's what I say: "Let God's people say, 'Amen.'" [audience says, "Amen!"] Let God's people shout, "Amen!" It's true, I'm confident, I believe it, let it happen. I can't wait to see what God's going to do. See, truth is different than a promise. Promises are broken, but truth is truth. Amen is amen. You can deny it, you can fight it, you can argue it, but you can't change it. Because at the end of all the talking it's still the truth. It is amen. The promises of God speak truth over your life and your situation. Amen. When your response to God's promise is "Amen," that reflects a change in mentality. It's a switch from, I really hope God will do this, to God will keep His promise. I accept it, I believe it, I'm watching for it, I receive it, let it happen, and it'd be okay with me if it happened right now. God's promises are not if or maybe, they are amen. And we need to say amen, more in church. Now, not at weird moments that don't make sense. [audience chuckles] Have you ever heard somebody do that? That's just weird, and they're saying it because there's a gap. So it's not you know when I say, "Okay, now shoot the QR code." Amen. No, that doesn't make sense. [audience chuckles] It's a response to the truth of God's Word. It is entirely appropriate. It is a beautiful affirmation of truth. If amen sounds like an old word to you, say truth. Now, here's how we're going to close this message, we're going to practice. I'm going to give you a sneak preview of some of the promises we'll be studying. I'm going to read the promise, and after I read the promise you respond by saying or shouting, "Amen!" Which remember what it means, let's go back to that definition. It means truth, plus so be it, plus yes, plus I'm confident, plus I accept it as truth, plus I believe it, plus let it happen, plus I can't wait. Now that's a long definition, isn't it? Alright, are you ready? I'll read the promises, you respond. And when you respond you're responding according to scripture, because all God's promises are yea and amen. Exodus 14:14, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." [audience says, "Amen!"] Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord goes before you and be with you; He will never leave you or forsake you." [audience says, "Amen!"] Second Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from Heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land. [audience says, "Amen!"] Psalms 34:17, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He will deliver them from all their troubles." [audience says, "Amen!"] Here's one for every parent: Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go: and when he's old, he'll not depart from it." [audience says, "Amen!"] Jeremiah 29:11, "'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.'" [audience says, "Amen!"] Matthew chapter 11, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." [audience says, "Amen!"] [music begins] John chapter 8, "If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed." [audience says, "Amen!"] Second Corinthians 5, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come." [audience says, "Amen!"] Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for the proper time, God's time, we will reap a harvest if we don't give up." [audience says, "Amen!"] Philippians chapter 4, "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." [audience says, "Amen!"] James chapter 5, "The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; and the Lord will raise him up." [audience says, "Amen!"] And then here's maybe my favorite promise of all. This is the last one in the Book, Revelation 22:12. This ought to make you shout. "Behold, I am coming soon!" [audience says, "Amen!" and applauds] Amen! Let the church say, "Amen!" [music plays] [singing begins] Let the church say Amen
Let the church say Amen God has spoken
Let the church say Amen Let the church say Amen
Let the church say Amen God has spoken
Let the church say Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen God has spoken
Let the church say Amen Let the church say Amen
Let the church say Amen God has spoken
Let the church say Amen Let the church say Amen
Let the church say Amen God has spoken
Let the church say Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen God has spoken
Let the church say Amen He can change it
Rearrange it God Said It
Believe it God has spoken
Let the church say Amen He can change it
Rearrange it God Said It
Believe it God has spoken
Let the church say Amen God has spoken
Let the church say Amen God has spoken
Let the church say Amen [audience applauds]
[singing ends] And so Lord, in the middle of uncertain times we say, "Amen." When we don't know what to do and trouble surrounds us we say, "Amen." When life brings us unexpected challenges and we don't have the answers we say, "Amen." When the doctor gives us a report that puts fear in our heart rather than cower we say, "Amen." Our confidence is in You. Your promises are true. What You say, You will do. You've done it before, You'll do it again. You come through each time and every time. And our response to whatever is in front of us is, "Amen!" We trust You, Lord. We trust You. And today the church says it together, "Amen." Amen. We believe it, Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.
