The Finish Line Series

Purpose of this teaching: For you to develop confidence in God no matter what your state is in life.

Objective: Develop a systematic plan of development based on the Word of God to build confidence through fear, knowledge, trials and tests, by example and practice.

In order words: We want saints who will not QUIT ON GOD in the face of trials, tests, temptations, persecution, trail, test, distress, famine, peril, hard times but be steadfast and unmoveable. God never quits on us.

We need confidence not to waver in our commitment and stay our course and steadfast unmoveable.

I Cor. 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Bottom Line: No matter what you think, who you are, your education, social status – I want to show you that God knows what is best. He knows how He desires to get things done, the way He wants to get things done, the methods He has designed to get things done, the people He needs to get the purpose done. God’s system is not by might, not by power but by His Spirit. He can take the least and use it.

2 Tim 4:7

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

The Spirit of God is the controlling, dominate power in the system of God.

We must learn to trust, rely, submit and be led by the Spirit of God.

You must make a choice to be confident.

Definition of Confidence:

1. Standing under

2. That which stands under

3. That which is set under a foundation

4. Endure or to undertake

We are to be confident in God so that the world can be drawn to Him.

Confidence in Greek: Parrshiva – par-rhay-see-ah

Confidence – boldness; assurance; trust or faith; a trusting relationship; a feeling of assurance; absolute certainty in the trustworthiness of another; a firm belief.

Confidence – faith we have in the testimony of God (or His Word).

Can’t please God without it.

Confidence is knowing that everything is going to be okay.

I am not talking about self-confidence or the power within you. We have no power of our own.

If you have confidence in the world, it developes in you:

1. Deludes you into a false sense of security.

2. Destroys the influence of truth (deception).

3. Following mode of activities that get you so involved you forget God.

As Christians, our confidence must be in God.

If you are only happy when no problems, then you don’t have any confidence in God.

Don’t fear trying times, they don’t last. They pass.

God will deal with you in the areas where your confidence is not in Him. YOU WILL BE TESTED!

Hebrews 10:32-38 (Message Bible)

Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It’s won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.

The devil tries to steal your confidence because he doesn’t want you to finish. The devil wants you think it’s impossible, illogical, and ridiculous. He will send others even other saints (or family) to discourage you.

You may not know the way, but you know the waymaker.

If God tells you, He will finance it, open/close doors, give, favor, make enemies help, send people, resources, anoint your mind.

You have no idea what you’re capable of with God.

John 5:1-7 (Impotent man)

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.