Text: Genesis 15; Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40
Theme: “Is God big enough? – 2: For our future”
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Intro – How many of you have insurance? Life insurance, home insurance, health insurance, car insurance? When we have it, we try to guarantee something for the future in case anything happens.
Now, what if I questioned your trust in God because you are insured? You know, if you are paying money to have some guarantees for the future, doesn’t that show a lack of faith in God’s providence? Are you trusting in God fully, or more in your practical wisdom? Believe it or not, this discussion was on the table in the early days of insurance. Actually, to this day it is a problem for some people.[1] For us however, it is not an issue anymore. Just like with interest on investments and pension plans, we see insurance not a matter of lack of trust, but of responsible management of God’s gifts.
But here’s one paradox I wanted to bring up today: we live in the most insured generation in history, and yet we’re drowning in anxiety. Thinking about the future and problems, disasters and pain that might never happen consume our time more than it should. The other day I saw this guy saying that there’s statistics saying 85% of the things we anticipate never really happen.
Then, as some say, guilt is the consequence of living in the past. Anxiety is the consequence of living in the future.
Today we reflect about the question: “Is God big enough for our future?” The question is pertinent because thoughts of worst-case scenarios frequently visit all of us. Health failing, Marriage crumbling, Children making dangerous choices, Career ending, what to do after retirement, money running out, rain or shine next month. In one hand, we may have more protection than any generation in history. But on the other hand, we feel less and less secure about what is to come. Then, we pray over our meals but lose sleep over our mortgages. We sing about God’s knowledge and power, but Google “how to control” everything else.
1 – The Illusion of Control
Why? Here are 4 temptations and mistakes about the future that may befall on all of us:
–We want to control and anticipate future based on our ability to imagine, produce and propose it. We think of Psalm 37:5 as “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, but you unless you plan everything and follow up accordingly, then…”
-We try to direct God’s agenda. We write our plans, we build our agenda and our plans, and we expect God to say amen to every one of them. We try to be the underwriters of our own policies, to make sure God will be there to back up our guesses about the future.
–When we lose hope. On the opposite side of anxiety lies despair, which means lack of hope. It is not that we don’t care about the future anymore, but we give it up, sort of drifting away in the day-to-day stream of events. We are tempted to think that there’s no hope in the future, and we live with no plans and dreams for it, forgetting who holds the future in His hands.
-And the plain clear and simple falling for the world, the devil and our flesh. There are plenty of offers around us when it comes to tackling the future. Trusting your bank account, horoscope, futurology, technology, politicians, connections to important people. And many more.
Trusting the greatness of our wisdom and preparations is what impairs our ability to see the greatness of God. Then we are left with only one resource: our own head, our own capacity for figuring out our life and plans. The worst thing about a God who is not big enough? He is not able to redeem, forgive us and give us new life. In this case, it is not life eternal that lies ahead, but eternal separation from God.
2 – Faith for an Unknown Future
Let me tell you about someone who had no insurance policies. Abraham.
When God called him to leave everything familiar and go to a place he’d never seen, there was no travel insurance, no life insurance, no property insurance. Listen to what the writer of Hebrews says: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).
It is not that he himself didn’t stumble in his own plans, as in the case when he lied his wife was his sister. Abraham trusted God’s promises (Gen 12:2–3), yet in Egypt (Gen 12) and Gerar (Gen 20), he let fear of death overrule his confidence in God’s protection. Luther comments in his Lectures on Genesis that Abraham “fell into sin through weakness” and that “even the greatest saints are subject to fear when the flesh trembles before danger.” However, trust in God’s guidance was always present as Abraham left the security of the known because he had something better. He trusted in the character of the One who called him.
In the epistle today, we hear about the heroes of faith described in Hebrews 11. They “died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar” (v. 13). In faith and failure, they lived with certainty about God’s character even when they couldn’t see the outcome of their circumstances.
And this is where what Jesus tells His anxious disciples makes total sense: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Jesus brought the kingdom of God in his work, in His death and resurrection, in extending forgiveness to the repentant heart. To those who are in Him he says, “Fear not!” Notice He doesn’t say, “Don’t worry because nothing bad will happen.” He says, “Don’t fear because your Father’s kingdom nature overcomes fear.” It’s not that we won’t’ have it—it’s that we know who controls it.
We want to know the future; God wants us to know Him.
We fail in our fears and weaknesses. God’s Grace shines thorough to forgive, restore and renew our trust in Him.[2]
3: God Is Big Enough
So, let me ask again: Is God big enough for our future?
The answer: He is.
God is big enough to provide for our faith. Jesus doesn’t promise us a trouble-free life. He promises us His presence in every trouble. Faith in Jesus Christ encourages us to let go of anything that might paralyze us with fear.
God is big enough to provide for our life. Through Scripture, through His people, through His providence, God announces His care for us in ways no insurance policy ever could.
God is big enough to provide direction and purpose. As Paul writes in Philippians 3, God dwells within our hearts, giving us peace that transcends understanding and purpose that transcends our circumstances.
-To give us and anticipation of the future in his Supper – in Holy Communion your are reminded that Your current life situation is not the end of the story. Think about this especially if this is a crisis moment for you: your life limitations can never limit God’s possibilities for your life.
-To lead our faith to be active in love, so that in the future more people will come to know his promise, providence and love.
-To give us Hope: I recall here the words of lady about to undergo a life-threatening surgery. “If things go well, Jesus will be with me here. If things go wrong, I will be with Jesus there. In any event, Jesus will never leave me.”
The “fear not” of Jesus reminds us:
Faith in Jesus isn’t about refusing to plan wisely. Faith is about holding our plans lightly while holding God tightly.
Faith in Jesus isn’t mere optimism. Optimism says, “Everything will work out fine.” Faith says, “God is good and all-knowing, even when I can’t see how this works out.”
Faith in Jesus isn’t having all the answers. Faith is confidence in God’s character when the future is unclear. And remember: one of the best things about the future is that it comes one day at a time.
I thought of adding this interesting thing about human conceptions about past and future. When you talk about what is to come, you usually point forward, right? The past is behind us, and the future is in front of us. Story is linear. But there are people in the world who think differently about this topic. There’s a tribe in South America, the Aymara with a fascinating perspective on time. Researchers noticed that when Aymara spoke about their ancestors, they were likely to gesture in front of themselves, indicating that the past was in front. However, when they were asked about a future event, their gesture seemed to indicate that the future was perceived as behind. They refer to the future by pointing behind them and the past by pointing in front of them. Why? Because the future is uncertain—you can’t see it. The past is what you know for sure, that’s why it’s in front of your eyes.[3]
As Christians, it doesn’t matter in what type of culture you live, both past and the present are held by Christ in His hand. You can see it right in front of you – His Cross that in the past, gave you forgiveness and life in the present. But also the future is in front of your eyes, for God has your life in His hand. You see God’s faithfulness behind you, and at the same time right in front of our eyes – in Jesus. And as we see His promises ahead of us, we walk into the future with confidence. We move forward not knowing exactly where we are going in life but knowing exactly who our Guide is (Martin Luther).[4]
As I did last week, I wanted to tackle a few questions that may come to mind as we hear the sermon today:
Q: Why do some Christians’ futures seem to get worse, not better?
Because we still live in a broken world. Even Jesus’ closest friends suffered, but their hope wasn’t in a comfortable life — it was in the resurrection. Following Jesus means that we will walk through some hard valleys, but His promise stands: He will walk through them with us. And when the road ends, it ends in life with Him that never ends. (John 16:33; Psalm 23:4; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
Q: If planning and insurance aren’t wrong, how do I know when my preparation has crossed into distrust?
God expects us to take care and make good use of what He gives us — our family, our money, our health. That’s called stewardship. But planning turns into a problem when it becomes our main source of security. Luther put it simply: whatever you trust in the most — that’s your god. Plans and insurance are good gifts, but they can’t give you the peace Jesus gives. (Matthew 6:19-21; Proverbs 3:5-6)
Q: What if God’s plan for my future includes pain or loss?
The Bible doesn’t talk about life without pain. But it surely talks about the promise that nothing — not even the worst loss — can pull you out of His hand. The Cross shows us that God’s plan for saving the world went through the deepest suffering. That means even in pain, God hasn’t abandoned you. He is working for your good in ways you might only see clearly later — maybe even in eternity. (John 10:28; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 12:2)
Q: What about the guilt I feel for still worrying?
Keep moving forward, don’t let worry paralyze you. Feeling anxious doesn’t mean you don’t have faith. It means you’re human. Jesus doesn’t condemn you to hell for being worried — He invites you to bring those worries to Him. Sins and fears happen to all of us, and when we confess them, He forgives us and gives us rest. Faith is the gift of God that makes us hold on to Jesus in the middle of fear about our future. (Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7)
Conclusion: God is big enough, and more than enough, for your future. Faith is about trusting in God’s promises regardless of what will come. His Word is for you. The Sacraments are for you. God presence near to your heart is a daily reminder that yes, God is big enough, more than enough that no matter what will come he always knows the steps of your path, you’ll never be alone.
Insurance, like our human wisdom, asks, “What if something bad happens?” Faith asks, “What if God is actually as good as He says He is?” Trust me, He is. Your insurance policies will expire. God’s presence and promises never do.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” – Luke 12:32
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Q&A Appendix: “Is God Big Enough for Our Future?”
Q: How can I feel like God is big in my life and not far away?
The closer you are to where He promises to meet you, the bigger He will seem. That’s why we stay close to His Word, come to worship, receive His Supper, live in fellowship with our family of faith. He constantly reminds you, “I’m here for you.” (Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:42; Romans 10:17)
Q: Does God promise my personal future will be “good”?
Yes — as long as we understand what “good” means in the Biblical sense. God promises that your future will be good in the eternal sense, even if some days here are hard. While we live in this world, “good” means that God works in your life to keep you grounded in Jesus — in His teaching, His love, and in the promise of life forever with Him — whether things seem good or bad according to our standards and measurements. It can be hard to navigate certain seasons of life, but this is far greater than simply having “everything go smoothly” for a few years. (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Q: If God already knows my future, why pray about it?
Prayer isn’t about giving God new information — it’s about exercising our faith and trust in Him, bringing before Jesus what’s on our hearts. In Prayer our fears and hopes are brought into line with His good will. (Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 6:8-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Q: How do I trust God with my future when I can’t even trust people?
People will fail you — sometimes badly. But God’s track record is spotless. The whole Bible is His history of keeping promises. He kept His most important promise of all – to send Jesus to save you. Rest assured you can trust Him to keep His promises for the rest of your life, too. (Numbers 23:19; 2Corinthians 1:20; Hebrews 13:8)
Q: What’s the difference between trusting God and just “hoping for the best”?
“Hoping for the best” is wishful thinking. Trusting God is anchored in who He is and what He’s already done for you in Jesus. It’s not crossing your fingers or “having faith in something better”— it’s holding on to a sure promise. (Hebrews 11:1; Psalm 62:5-6; Lamentations 3:21-23)
Q: What if I’ve already made bad decisions about my future?
God can redeem even the worst choices. In Christ, there’s no cul-de-sac He can’t turn into a new road and a fresh start. He can work good even out of our mistakes. In His Love, he continues to shape us into the likeness of Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:28; Joel 2:25; Isaiah 43:18-19)
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[1] 1. Pietist Opposition to Insurance: Amish, Mennonites & Dutch Reformed. Sources:
Finance Reference, “Insurance,” accessed August 11, 2025, https://www.financereference.com/insurance/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
Samantha Liss, “Mennonites Seek Insurance Exemption,” MRT.com, July 18, 2013, accessed August 11, 2025, https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Mennonites-Seek-Insurance-Exemption-7856312.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
Christina Jewett, “Morning Breakout: Medicaid Expansion and Other Health Policy News,” KFF Health News, accessed August 11, 2025, https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/dr00053032/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
[2] Jesus continues: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). If excessive anxiety and need of control is what underpins our thoughts and expectations about the future, it reveals what we’re really treasuring, whom we’re really trusting. Jesus calls us to trust less in our policies and plans, and to trust with our whole heart in the Person who holds our future.
[3] Aymara, an Indigenous people of the Andes in South America. In the Aymara worldview, the past lies in front of you and the future is behind you. The reasoning? The past is visible and known, so it lies ahead, whereas the future is unseen and uncertain, so it’s conceptually behind you. In cultures that stress the importance of progress, change and modernization, the future is normally in front—for example, the UK and the US. However, in cultures that place a high value on tradition and ancestral history, such as in Morocco and indigenous groups such as the Māori, the past is the focus and is therefore usually in front.
Source: Ruth Ogden, “Why the Future Might Not Be Where You Think It Is: How Different Cultures Perceive Time,” Phys.org, November 14, 2023, accessed July 30, 2025, https://phys.org/news/2023-11-future-cultures.html.
[4] You know what is the most frequent times in which God seems small before our insecurities about future? Let me illustrate.
A boy asked his Father, “Dad, how big is God?” The father thought for a little, and at that exact moment a plane was travelling in the sky. “How big is that plane, son?” “It’s tiny,” he replied.
Then the father said, “Get in the car, we are going somewhere.” He drove to the airport and took the boy as close as possible to an airplane. “Now, what do you think?” “Dad, it is huge!”
The father then explained: “That’s how it is with God. When we are distant from His Word, from His family of faith, from His presence, He often seems small and far away. But the nearer you are to Him—where He said you can find Him—the more you realize how great He is.”
