“THE FRAILTY OF FAITH”
By: Dr. Dennis Deese - www.dennisdeese.com
JOHN 21:1-15
I’m thankful I’m not preaching and indeed can’t preach on the frailty or weakness of salvation! While we don’t serve a weak God we can have and often to have a fragile faith.
1. DISCOURAGED FAITH
1. Seasons (sometimes long) of no visible activity of God
The former way of doing God’s business was about to change. He was about to leave them in the physical sense. Things had changed!
2. The virtually unrelenting experience of spiritual warfare
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
3. Maintaining spiritual discipline, growth & intimacy with Jesus
4. The nature of human nature (temptation)
Romans 7:23-24 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
2. DISTRACTED FAITH
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Let me share with you three critical issues of one who has chosen and set his mind, heart and life on a path contrary to the purpose of God.
There is the issue of::
1. Spiritual and eternal consequences
2. Influence 21:3 “I go a fishing, we also go with you”
3. Vanity
Ecclesiastes 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all [is] vanity.
Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
I would rather have difficulty than vanity!
3. DEEP-SEATED FAITH
1. Confronted 21:5 “have ye any food”
2. Challenged 21:6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat”
3. Convicted 21:6 “they answered him no” (they were empty)
4. Concerned 21:6 “they cast, therefore”
5. Compensated 21:6
IV. DISCIPLED FAITH
It is interesting to note that the Lord Himself is the one who taught Simon Peter in this hour of low degree. You see, I believe divine faith, can truly only be restored by the Lord Himself through the inward working of the Holy Spirit! Glory to His name.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
