A Statement Of Faith

A STATEMENT OF FAITH

10/21/01

N.F.M.B.C.

MORNING SERVICE

INTRODUCTION:

OUR NATION HAS BEEN ATTACKED FROM OUTSIDE FORCES WE ARE STILL FEELING THE IMPACT. OUR WAY OF LIFE HAS BEEN FOR ALL PURPOSED FOREVER CHANGED. NOTHEN WILL QUITE EVER BE THE SAME. BUT WHEN WE LOOK BACK OVER HISTORY THIS HAS HAPPEN TO NATIONS BEFORE.

IN PSALM 27 WHEN WE READ THE SCRIPTURE WE FIND NOT JUST A NATION BUT THE KINGOF THAT NATION UNDER ATTACK. FROM HIS ENCOUNTER WITH ENEMIES AND HOW HE DEALTH WITH IT IS STILL THE ONLY WAY TO DEAL

WITH THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS.

THE SAME ENEMY THAT BROUGHT AFFLICITAION AND MISERY IN DAVID’S LIFE IS STILL THE SAME ENEMY WHO BRINGS DIFFICULTIES IN OUR LIVES.

IN THIS PSALM, DAVID BRINGS TO OUR ATTENTION THAT GOD OFFERS HELP FOR TODAY, AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. HIS SOLUTION FOR FEAR AND LONELINESS IS UNWAVERING CONFIDENCE IN GOD. (FAITH IN GOD).

(VERSE 1) FEAR IS A DARK SHADOW THAT ENVELOPS US AND IF IT IS NOT DISPELED WILL ULTIMATELY IMPRISON US WITHIN OURSELVES. EACH OF US HAS BEEN A PRISONER OF FEAR AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER: (1) FEAR OF REJECTION (2) MISUNDERSTANDING (3) UNCERTAINTY (4) SICKNESS (5) EVEN DEATH.

HOW DO WE CONQUER FEAR?BY USING THE BRIGHT (LIBERATING) LIGHT OF THE LORD WHO BRINGS SALVATION

THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION: WHO OR WHAT IS YOUR LIGHT?

(VERSE 2) I DON’T KNOW MAYBE YOU FORGOT, BUT THERE ARE WICKED PEOPLE STILL HANGING AROUND.AND IT SEEM TO ME DAVID’S WICKED PEOPLE WERE PERSONAL. (CLOSE ASSOCIATE)

(VERSE 3) DAVID SAID IT DID NOT MATTER WHAT CAME OR HOW MUCH OF IT. HE WOULD NOT LET FEAR CONTROL HIS LIFE. (HIS FAITH)

(VERSE 4) THE ONLY THING HE DESIRED WAS TO REMAIN IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD ALL THE DAYS OF HIS LIFE.TO SEE OR BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD. (WHO CAN BRING PEACE) TO INQUIRE IN HIS HOUSE.

(VERSE 5) WE OFTEN RUN TO GOD WHEN WE EXPERIENCE DIFICULTIES BUT DAVID SOUGHT GOD’S GUIDING PRESENCE EVERYDAY. WE CAN CALL ON GOD AT ANYTIME, BUT HOW SHORTSIGHTED TO CALL ON GOD ONLY WHEN TROUBLES COME. MANY OF OUR PROBLEMS COULD BE AVOIDED OR HANDLED FAR MORE EASILY BY SEEKING GOD’S HELP BEFORE HAND.

(VERSE 7) DAVID SAID LORD HEAR MY VOICE, HAVE MERCY ON ME, AND ANSWER ME. HE PLEADED WITH GOD NOT TO HIDE HIS FACE FROM HIM. THROUGH I HAVE DONE WRONG, BE ANGRY BUT DON’T PUT ME AWAY, YOU HAVE BEEN MY HELP IN THE PAST, DON’T LEAVE ME, DON’T FORSAKE ME.

(VERSE 8-12) REGARDLESS OF MY CONDITION, REGARDLESS WHO LEAVES, I AM DEPENDING ON YOU GOD. ENEMIES AND FALSE WITNESS HAVE COME. BUT I AM HANGING ON TO YOU. AS A MATTER OF FACT HIS BELIEF IN GOD CAUSED HIM TO SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD.

BUT THE FORMULA, THE SOLUTION, WAS A THREE FOLD SITUATION; (1) WAIT ON THE LORD, (2)BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND (3) FAITH.

PREACH JESUS.