Sunday July 4, 2021
INTRODUCTION: On this 4th of July, the day we celebrate our independence as a country, as long as I can remember, I’ve never seen our country so divided.
I’VE NEVER SEEN THE CHURCH SO DIVIDED!
The economy struggling. Some say jobs are vanishing, but really sometimes I think people don’t want to work.
People are anxious, unsettled, emotionally on edge! WILL IT EVER GET BACK TO NORMAL.
Small things make us angry and we’re more easily discouraged! This is the end of the world as we know it!
AND NOW- We have the new Delta Variant of Covid sweeping through our country!
I’m not trying to make light of Covid 19, my wife was in the hospital very near death and some have lost their lives.
BUT FRIENDS, you can’t be full of fear and faith at the same time!
A negative, fearful outlook never leads to a faith full life!
Luke 18:1-8- “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Jesus is concerned about your faith!
In Luke 22 he spoke to Peter and told him that Satan had asked for him to sift him as wheat but Jesus told Peter, “I prayed for you that your faith should not fail!’
WHAT IS THIS FAITH I’M TALKING ABOUT?
It’s a conviction that God exist and is the ruler and creator of all things on Earth. It’s the belief that He is the provider of eternal salvation in Christ. To have faith also means to believe with conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, whom through we receive eternal salvation in the Kingdom of God.
Faith is also a favorable and confident expectation; a forward look with assurance. This refers to the unseen and the future. It’s translated into the word “hope” over 50 times.
AND THIS IS WHERE SOME OF US GET TRIPPED UP
A faith full life is not a denial of reality!
A faith full life is a confidence about the future!
A faith full life is the unwavering expectation that our loving God is working in every situation for our future good!
Romans 8:28- “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
SO WHERE DOES LIVING THIS FAITH FULL LIFE BEGIN?
1. Think about what I think about
HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE? We’re getting so angry and fearful about a world that God said would get this way!
WHAT CONSUMES YOUR MIND CONTROLS YOUR LIFE!
The life you have is a reflection of the thoughts you think!
The quality of your life will never exceed the quality of your thoughts!
WHAT CONSUMES YOUR MIND? FAITH OR FEAR FOR THE FUTURE?
I’ve got to think about what I think about.
2. Starve my fears
I’ve got to stop feeding my fears!
FEAR ATTRACTS WHAT FEEDS IT!
“BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER”
All throughout the Bible. Fear not, fear not! Be not afraid, be not afraid.
2 Timothy 1:7- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Starve my fears.
3. Feed my faith
If I’m going to be FAITH-FULL I’ve got to feed my faith!
Invest time in God’s presence! Invest time with other believers. Invest time in God’s Word!
SPEAK GOD’S WORD!
Mark 11:22-23- “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”
Feed my faith.
4. Adjust my focus
Colossians 3:1-3- “You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
WE WIN!
He was imprisoned multiple times- 5 times he endured 40 lashes.
3 times he was beaten with rods and stoned.
Shipwrecked- betrayed and beaten and left for dead.
YET PAUL WROTE THE FOLLOWING
Romans 8:18-21 (MSG)- “That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.”
My current struggles can’t even compare to God’s future blessings!
CONCLUSION: I want you and me to live FAITH-FULL lives in this negative world.
- Think about what you’ve been thinking.
- Starve your fears
- Feed your faith.
- Adjust your focus!
Are you feeling weak? Discouraged? Overwhelmed? Exhausted? Broken? Desperate?
Do you feel incapable? Unsure? Uncertain? Worn out?
Romans 8:26- “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness….”
God doesn’t help those who help themselves!
God helps those who need His help!
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?