We are not “of those” who through fear or timidity shrink back and stop pursuing what Jesus died to give us, but we are convinced and persuaded to take the actions necessary to possess, experience, and preserve everything that Jesus acquired for us in this life and in eternity!
“Faith is a requirement for the believer to please God.”
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11 : 6
“Faith is believing without the validation of feelings or the sense realm.”
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor 5 : 7
“Faith will require a decision.”
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
“Faith will require corresponding actions.”
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26
“I’m ‘scoping’ Jesus, because I’ve got a race to run! Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.
We lack endurance, because we’re not keeping our eyes on Jesus as the “Finisher.”
Hebrews 10:32-37; Mark 4:16-17; Hebrews 12:1-2; II Corinthians 4:18; Philippians 1:6
DO YOU NOT KNOW?
Your life doesn’t belong to you.
You were bought at a price.
Your life cost Jesus His life. He paid the debt that you were never able to repay.
Your body is a temple of Holy Spirit.
You are joined to the VINE – IF you abide in JESUS!
John 15:5–11, 1 Corinthians 2, 1 Corinthians 6
What wouldn’t you do to GET TO JESUS?
Guest speaker Matt Woodruff shares his story of addiction, redemption, and the freedom that comes from Jesus Christ ALONE.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
“I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.” Philippians 4:12-13 (TPT)
Colossians 1:13, Exodus 33:13, John 5:19, Matthew 6:8–13, Matthew 12:25–26
“I have something you can’t take from me.
I have something that endures forever.” -Pastor Chad Everett
We won’t grow and be like Jesus in easy times. We become like Jesus through adversity. Persecution is coming, and God is saying that it is time for us to be prepared, to ENDURE. What we have, what we own, what is in our bank accounts – THE BIBLE SAYS THAT ALL OF THIS IS TEMPORARY.
WE CAN NOT PUT OUR FAITH OR HOPE IN EARTHLY THINGS.
We have to put our faith AND our hope in an ENDURING possession.
MAIN SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:
But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
“For yet a little while,
and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
Now the just shall live by faith;
but if anyone draws back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:32-39 (NKJV)
Mark 4:13–14, Genesis 1:11–12, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 10:32–34, Ephesians 1:16–19