Empowered By Faith

Empowered by Faith

1 Peter 1:3-7 KJV

Jesus earthly ministry was characterized by great demonstrations of power.

-Healed the sick -Calmed the wind and sea.

-Cast out devils -Fed the 5,000.

-Raised the dead.

Why no power in our lives, our faith is anemic.

I. Unstudied Scriptures

Rom. 10:17 faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

1. The primary way that God imparts faith is by the Word.

II. Unattended Services

Heb 10:23-25 KJV

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

1. A Christian who doesn’t understand the principle of faithfulness will never grow to full maturity in the Lord.

III. Counterfeit Faith

1. Counterfeit faith is also seen in some who say they believe and yet fail to show work through love. If a person professes to believe in Christ but has no labor of love, their faith is counterfeit.

2. Counterfeit faith is also seen in foolish people who talk about faith yet it does not change their lifestyle.

Faith is needed in facing life, trials, and setbacks

If you could know the truth about successful people, the fact is they failed many more times than they succeeded. They learned from their failures, they found different ways to accomplish their goals, they didn’t give up when it would be easy to.

The same applies to the many victorious Christians that became "pillars of faith". They had their moments of doubt, their moments of discouragement’s, their many setbacks. There key is to never give up on God and move closer to him with faith.

Even during our moments of doubt, the effort and discipline of faith allows us to grow.

Chinese proverb

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.

A man whom many believe was the greatest American president is a good example. When he was 7 years of age, his family was forced out of their home, and he went to work. When he was 9, his mother died. He lost his job as a store clerk when he was 20. He wanted to go to law school, but he didn’t have the education. At age 23 he went into debt to be a partner in a small store. Three years later the business partner died, and the resulting debt took years to repay.

When he was 28, after courting a girl for four years, he asked her to marry him, and she turned him down. On his third try he was elected to Congress, at age 37, but then failed to be re-elected. His son died at 4 years of age. When this man was 45, he ran for the Senate and lost. At age 47 he ran for the vice-presidency and lost. But at age 51 he was elected president of the United States.

The man was Abraham Lincoln, a man who learned to face discouragement and move beyond it. Did you know that it was Abraham Lincoln who, in the midst of the Civil War, in 1863, established the annual celebration of Thanksgiving? Lincoln had learned how important it is to stop and thank God in the midst of great difficulties.

1 Peter 1:3-7 KJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Satan battles for your soul - Shield of faith

Eph 6:13-18 KJV

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.