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Finding Your Evidence Series
Contributed by Ricky Nelms on Jul 31, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the third message in the series "From The Problem To The Solution". This talks about finding faith to make it to the solution. The outline is 1-)The Search For Evidence 2-)The Source For Evidence.
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From The Problem to the Solution
#3 - FINDING YOUR EVIDENCE
This morning, we are continuing our series of messages where we’re talking about going "From the Problem To The Solution"
And over the last few weeks, we’ve discovered that God wants us to go from the problem to the solution
He doesn’t want us to stay in a perpetual state of…
--defeat
--depression
--lack
The Psalmist said…
Psalms 34:10 (KJV) "The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing."
He wants us to go FROM THE PROBLEM TO THE SOLUTION
Now, we told you the 6 reasons for all of life’s problems…
--world we live
--choices we make
--enemy we face
--people we know
--progress we gain
--God we serve
And we told you that the very first step to get to the solution was to ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM – don’t live in denial, be willing to confront people you know that are hurting themselves
And then, the second major step is you have to MAKE A CHOICE
And we talked to you about how to make the right choices
And along with these messages, we’ve preached on Sunday nights on some complimenting themes…
--Thank God for Romans 8:28
--Faithing It
--Above And Beyond
But this morning, I want to give you the THIRD STEP in going from the problem to the solution
And that is FINDING YOUR EVIDENCE
And I want us all to be "spiritual detectives" this morning, because if we’re going to go from the problem to the solution, we need to find out what the Word says about the problem, find our evidence, and move on to the solution
Let’s read…
•Hebrews 11:1-2 (KJV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report."
•2 Corinthians 13:1 (KJV) "This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."
INTRODUCTION
Here, in our first text, we find the classic definition of faith
Hebrews 11:1-2 (KJV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Now let me start out by saying "What Faith is Not…"
It is not…
--a magical formula (hocus, pocus, abra cadabra)
--denial (I’ve got a fever of 103, but I don’t have it!)
--faith in faith (it’s faith in GOD)
--instant gratification and answers (we’ve emphasized "NOW" faith over "THROUGH" faith)
No – listen carefully the definition again – Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen
Now, let me tell you that the word "hope" doesn’t mean "wish"
It means ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY!!!
The Bible says…
Titus 2:13 (KJV) "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
In other words, the Bible calls the rapture the blessed hope not the blessed maybe
But I want you to understand what this definition is saying
It’s really saying that FAITH IS THE *****TITLE DEED***** TO OUR SOLUTION
Now, we all know what a deed is – it is a piece of paper with certain descriptions on it that entitles the owner to have full proof of their possessions and the legal authority to back it up
A deed is the sure evidence that what belongs to us, is legally ours
And when you talk about going from the problem to the solution, whatever that problem is…
--sin
--sickness
--disease
--debt
--discontent
--unemployment
--anxiety
--fear
--failure
One of the things that is vitally important is that you’ve got to find the evidence that says you have the answer to your need
You need the TITLE DEED
And I want to tell you how you find your title deed and your evidence
Two things – first of all to find your evidence and title do, you have to SEARCH for it
1. THE SEARCH FOR EVIDENCE
Because over and over in the Word of God, there is a principle – and that is if you want…
--to change
--a breakthrough
--success
--to go from the problem to the solution
It will not be handed to you – you have to make a search for it
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (KJV) "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (14) And I will be found of you, saith the LORD…"
Now, understand, we’re not talking about salvation – when it comes to salvation, Jesus was seeking for me
But after salvation, for everything else, we have to search for what we desire and what we need from God
Let me explain it to you this way
Have you ever considered and thought about THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY…