The Believers Rule of 3

Q: What does the Bible say about God's deliverance in trials?

The Bible assures that God delivers us from our troubles, both in the past, present, and future (2 Corinthians 1:10). The Scriptures reveal a comforting pattern regarding God's deliverance in our lives: He has delivered us, He doth deliver us, and He will deliver us. This threefold assurance is captured in 2 Corinthians 1:10, where the Apostle Paul reflects on his experiences of affliction and highlights the unfailing deliverance of God. Understanding this rule of three provides believers with peace and stability amid trials, knowing that God's grace is sufficient for each moment of our lives. The faithful character of God, as stated in Hebrews 13:8, underscores that He is the same 'yesterday, today, and forever,' offering enduring hope through all circumstances.

Q: How do we know God's promises are true?

God's promises are affirmed through His unchanging character and faithfulness (Hebrews 13:8). The truth of God's promises is rooted in His constant and unchanging nature. In Hebrews 13:8, we read that 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,' which assures us that He will keep His promises throughout all time. This unchanging character of God assures believers that His past faithfulness guarantees His present and future assurances. Each promise, from God’s election to our eventual glorification, is secured in the sovereignty of the Lord, who has authority over all of creation. When believers grasp the depth of God’s faithfulness, they can face their trials with courage, fully trusting in the Lord’s guidance and provision.

Q: Why is understanding God's past, present, and future deliverance important for Christians?

Understanding God's deliverance reassures Christians of His ongoing faithfulness and presence in their lives. Recognizing the full scope of God's deliverance—what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do—is foundational for the believer's confidence. In 2 Corinthians 1:10, Paul reflects on how past instances of deliverance serve to bolster faith when facing current trials and provide hope for future challenges. This framework offers believers a robust assurance that God is actively involved in their lives, capable of transforming trials into opportunities for spiritual growth. Additionally, it reminds believers that regardless of circumstances, God remains sovereign and faithful, assuring them that they are encompassed by His grace from their beginnings to their eternal futures.

Q: What role does the Holy Spirit play in our understanding of God's deliverance?

The Holy Spirit helps believers remember and apply God's promises of deliverance in their lives. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the believer's life as a source of comfort and guidance, enabling Christians to remember God's past deliverance and trust in His future promises. As Paul recounts his reliance on God’s deliverance in 2 Corinthians 1, he points out that the Holy Spirit aids in understanding God's grace during trials. The Spirit also illuminates the truth of God's character and His unchanging nature, as stated in Hebrews 13:8. By instilling God's Word and promises in the hearts of believers, the Holy Spirit empowers them to navigate challenges with faith and reliance on God's ongoing presence and providence, assuring them that they are never alone.

Turn with me, if you would, to 2 Corinthians chapter 1. 2 Corinthians Chapter 1 we're going to look this morning at the believers rule of three the believers rule of three This rule of three forms the base rock the unmovable foundation of every child of God if you're a child of God whether you Want to name it this or not?

I got this I got this name from somebody else. I liked it. So I stole it and The believer's rule of three. If you're a believer, whether you know it or not, you have this unmovable foundation. Now, I've quoted Scott Richardson. He has famously quoted the three phases. the three phases of the believer's life.

That is, we're heading into trouble, or we're in trouble, or we've just come out of trouble. That's what he stated, which I think that's pretty accurate. But I will say this, if you know this rule of three in the heart, as God by revelation has taught you this, it will quiet the conscience, it will soothe the heart, and it will give peace in the midst of any trial, any affliction, or any loss. 2 Corinthians chapter 1, we'll start reading in verse 8. Paul says to the Corinthians, for we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble, there you go, which came unto us in Asia.

We were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life. I don't think we've been there, but I know some of us have been pressed by trials and difficulties. But, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God, which raises the dead. Now here's our text, verse 10. The rule of three, the believer's rule of three.

Who delivered us? God who delivered us from so great a death, and he doth deliver us, in whom we trusted that he will deliver us. He will deliver us. So in God, in the Lord Jesus Christ and His work, by the Holy Spirit's assistance, we have the past is taken care of, who delivered us, verse 10. We have the present, who doth deliver, and we have the future. He will deliver us.

Now I ask you this, And I'm sure I'll be the first one to fail tomorrow or this afternoon, go home and be tried and then just fail. Couldn't have not remembered this. But oh, may the Holy Spirit bring this to our mind. To me, it's like when Job, when Satan was talking to Job, he said, you got a hedge about him. Here's our hedge. I ask you, in our lives, whether it was yesterday, the day before, whether it's tomorrow, whether it's right now, I ask you, is there any other time other than this? Past, present, or future?

Nope. Absolutely not. And we're covered. Past? Even in ungodliness, the Lord had his people. We didn't know we were his people. Well, what if I had, no, you're playing games. Well, what if I had, you know, use Bruce's examples, what if I had left five minutes early? No, no, no, it wasn't going to happen. You were going to hear the gospel. You were going to believe the Lord Jesus Christ. and he was going to take care of you. Past, present as future. As far as he has them all in his hands, as far as his people is concerned.

I want us to look at several scriptures. This is not a new concept. This may be titled strangely, but the Believer's Rule of Three. Let's look at some passages of scripture, and then we'll look at some examples, and then we'll look at, or we may have to look at some promises.

You take a promise, Romans 8, 28. All things work together. They were, they are, and you can just apply it, however you want to look at this. Let's look at Hebrews chapter 13. Why is this so? Why is the believer so secure in Christ, in this rule? Well, Hebrews chapter 13, here's why. Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 8. Jesus Christ The same yesterday, today, and forever.

That spans all of time. That spans every generation. That'll span whether this country is a nation in 20 years, it's gonna cover it then. He always is the same towards his dear people. Now he's ever the same towards all, but he's specifically precious to those who believe. We've tasted that he is, the word says, is gracious. You look back and you're like, well, why am I here today? Because of yesterday's grace, which just applies today. His grace is sufficient for today. And then tomorrow, we'll see this as well.

Turn to Revelations chapter one. And there's more of these, but there's, I just got one, five, six or seven or eight of them or so. We're gonna look at every one of them. Revelations chapter one, verse seven and eight. Revelations one, verse seven and eight.

Behold, he, that is Christ, comes with the clouds. Every eye shall see him, and they also, which pierced him. And all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, amen. Look at verse eight. I am, this is Christ, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord, which is, which was, which is to come, the Almighty. Three, you got them again. Look at Revelation chapter four. And one verse, Revelations 4. And one verse, verse 8. Revelations 4, 8. And the four beasts, and each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within, and they rest not day and night, saying, holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, which is, and which is to come.

This is our God that we're speaking of. This is our friend. This is our elder brother. He's all these and more to the believer. Look at Psalms 34. Psalms 34. Verse 19. Many, many are, many were, many shall be the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Past, present, future. And if he doesn't deliver, he's gonna take you home. I don't know how else to say it. It's in his hands. Isaiah 46. Isaiah 46. and verse three, Isaiah 46 and verse three. Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob. That's his people. That's you, his people.

And all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are born by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb. And the connotation is from the womb, to the grave. In life, that's all we know is the beginning and the end, but it is not the end. It is not the end. He carries us from the womb to glory. Why? Because He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. Ecclesiastes chapter 4. Ecclesiastes chapter 4. And verse 12, Ecclesiastes 4, verse 12.

If one prevail against him, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not easily broken. Meaning it's impossible. Threefold cord. And this could be applied, I preached this years ago or read somebody that taught from it, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, there's the blessed Trinity. The three or four chords, you're not gonna break that, but you're not gonna break this covenantal agreement between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which is He's the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So we are surrounded by He will, He has, He shall. And I wanted to look a bunch of more of these in Isaiah and Jeremiah and Ezekiel. You look at the I wills, I shalls, he hath. You look at those and it's splattered throughout all three of those books. He will, or he hath. He will and he shall.

We're talking now, if your God is a weak and needs help from man or from sinners or from anybody, this doesn't apply. But this does apply to the God of this book indeed. 2 Timothy chapter four. 2 Timothy chapter four and verse 17 and 18. 2 Timothy four. Here's Paul in a difficult time again, verse 17, notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, he stood with me right now, strengthened me that by me the preaching might be fully known and that all Gentiles might hear that I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion and the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom to whom be glory, Forever and ever, he had delivered, I was delivered, he shall deliver and preserve me. That's, you know, it's that no man can pluck us out of his father's hand.

That's because we're completely surrounded by the grace of God, which includes his mercy, which includes his peace, which includes his love, includes all his attributes. And lastly, turn to Job chapter five. Job chapter 5. We could also look at this, he says, I was, I am, I shall be. The perfect rule of three. Job chapter 5, starting in verse 17. Behold, happy is the man. Didn't Bruce say the Lord will have us be happy? He was a man of sorrows. Why? So we could be in joy. His grace, His mercy that He's given us. Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore, despise not the chasing of the Almighty, for He maketh sore and bindeth up and woundeth and His hands make whole. Tears down, builds up.

He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea, in the seventh there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death, and in war from the power of the sword thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue. This is future. You're going to be hid. It hadn't even come yet. Neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction, when it comes at destruction and famine, thou shalt laugh. Neither shalt thou be afraid of the beast of the earth. Now, there's a promise right there. Yeah, I'm not even gonna go there. These are for his people. These promises.

Are you worried about sickness? Are you worried about death? Are you worried about something? Maybe the Lord is telling you not to be in this verse. And as Spurgeon says, you take this, put it in the bank, and then when you need it, you take it out and you spend it. And I hesitate to say this, but I say this with all humility. When COVID was going around, I was not going to get COVID. Why? Because the Word of God said this is how I applied it. Now, I know some people get upset, and some pastors have said, you can't do that. Why not?

He's the same. Yesterday, today, forever. I wasn't going through and looking for promises that COVID was here. I was reading, and this, and the first thing that popped in my mind. Cancer may get me. old age, Alzheimer, all these other things, I don't know, but I know this is our rule of three. It's as solid as the Trinity is to... It's solid. It's rock solid.

So I tell you, first off, if you would look at any promise, apply this rule of three and see if it holds true. How will I prove the or and or? Particularly in your case and my case. See, we don't get specific enough. Secondly, look to the rock that is higher than ourselves. Turn with me to Hebrews chapter 13. Hebrews chapter 13 and look at verse 5, let's look to our rock, not to ourselves.

Hebrews 13 verse 5, let your conversation be without covenants and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. I will never. Past, in electing love. Present, Romans 8, 28. all things working together, and future. Our glorification rests upon him and this word and what he said to us.

If he changes, you know, was it Malachi, I'm the Lord God, I change not. If he does, which God is he today? Maybe he changed his mind on redemption. Maybe he changed his mind on who he satisfied the law on Calvary. You just can't stop. You can just go on and on and on. And then you make God a liar. You might as well close the book. Burn it. It's not worth anything. But we hold this book, this sacred book, as the outspeakings of God to his people. And I tell you to look at any saint in the book, and I quoted it this morning.

We could go to Joseph in Genesis 50, when his brethren, they were afraid that he was gonna, after their father died, they were afraid Joseph was gonna, second in command, he was gonna throw them in jail. And he said, you guys meant this for evil. You threw me down in that pit. And I went through all these things at the hands of the Egyptians, Potiphar's wife, and all these different things, but he said, but God meant it for good. Why? Because he knew God was over and above time. He knew that he's the same yesterday, today, and forever. His confidence was in God. and God alone. And that we know in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Turn back a few pages if you're still in Hebrews to Hebrews 11. To Hebrews 11. Look at what it says in Hebrews 11 verse 13. These all who, these all died in faith not having received the promises, But having seen them afar off, were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things plainly declare that they seek a country." Who? Verse 4, Abel. Verse 5, Enoch. Verse 7, Noah. Verse 8, Abraham.

Moses in verse 24, he choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy pleasures of sin for a season. He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater. I mean, why is that in there? Christ, it should be God. No, because Christ is God and God is Christ. And then he knew, he saw, he saw the Redeemer from afar off, though he had not even been born yet. Why? Because he's, the same yesterday, today, and forever. These all believing Christ and Him slain for sin and uncleanness were fully persuaded.

It's what our text says in Hebrews 11. He was fully persuaded that God hath done, He did, and He shall do. Brethren, Let not our hearts be troubled. Let our hearts not be troubled. God, in whom we trust, is able to save. He's able to conquer. He's able to keep past, present, future. Don't kick against him. Simply trust him. Trust him. Quit working. I close, turn with me to Acts chapter 4. I pray that we would come to Him and confess to Him and believe upon Him. Acts chapter 4 starting in verse 10 and finishing in verse 12. Acts chapter 4 starting in verse 10.

Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, yes, you'll see you crucified him. If you'd have been there, you'd have done that. Whom God raised from the dead, even by him that this man stand before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which has become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men. whereby we must be safe. Come to him, flee to him, and trust in him. Bruce, would you close us, please?

The Believers Rule of 3

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about God's deliverance in trials?

How do we know God's promises are true?

Why is understanding God's past, present, and future deliverance important for Christians?

What role does the Holy Spirit play in our understanding of God's deliverance?

Sermon Transcript

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The Believers Rule of 3

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about God's deliverance in trials?

How do we know God's promises are true?

Why is understanding God's past, present, and future deliverance important for Christians?

What role does the Holy Spirit play in our understanding of God's deliverance?

Sermon Transcript

About Drew Dietz

Comments

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