Stand Firm In The Faith

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you firm in the faith?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show or prove that our faith is the overcomer in us.

IV. TEXT:

1 Corinthians 16:13 (Amplified Bible)

Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!

V. THESIS:

Our faith is the overcomer in us

VI. TITLE:

Stand firm in the faith

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Paul

B. Date written: 56 A.D.

C. Place written: Ephesus

D. Purpose: To purify the church from divisions and immorality.

E. To whom written: Corinthian church

F. Main theme: Unified and pure living, in the midst of an impure world.

G. Keyword: love

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Be on guard

"Be alert and on your guard"

Matthew 26:41 (Amplified Bible)

All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Acts 20:31 (Amplified Bible)

Therefore be always alert and on your guard, being mindful that for three years I never stopped night or day seriously to admonish and advise and exhort you one by one with tears.

1 Corinthians 10:12 (Amplified Bible)

Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].

Colossians 4:2 (Amplified Bible)

Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.

1 Peter 5:8 (Amplified Bible)

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

B. Stand firm in faith

"stand firm in your faith (your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it)"

1 Corinthians 15:58 (Amplified Bible)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

Galatians 5:1 (Amplified Bible)

IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].

Philippians 1:27 (Amplified Bible)

Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, so that whether I [do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are standing firm in united spirit and purpose, striving side by side and contending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel).

1 Peter 5:9 (Amplified Bible)

Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.

2 Peter 3:17 (Amplified Bible)

Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind].

C. Be men of courage

"Act like men and be courageous;"

Psalms 91:5 (Amplified Bible)

You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,

Psalms 118:6 (Amplified Bible)

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Proverbs 3:24 (Amplified Bible)

When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

Isaiah 12:2 (Amplified Bible)

Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation.

D. Be strong

"grow in strength"

Ephesians 6:10 (Amplified Bible)

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible)

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].