The Importance Of Practicing Faith Series

SERMON SERIES

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH

Sermon 5

The Importance of Practicing Faith

Hebrews 10:23

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

Intro:

1. This month we began a sermon series called The Importance of Faith. The first message was The Importance of Pleasing Faith. We said that pleasing faith brought Salvation, Serenity, Satisfaction, and Service. And we also noted that if we please God with our faith then He would declare us to be righteous!

2. The second message was The Importance of Perfect Faith, and we said that perfect faith is when you have Pardoning Faith, Purifying Faith, Penetrating Faith, and Persevering Faith.

3. The third message was The Importance of Personal Faith, and we said personal faith is a Recognizing Faith, Responsive Faith, Revealing Faith, Rebuked Faith, Requesting Faith, Receiving Faith, and Rejoicing Faith!!

4. The fourth message is The Importance of Prized Faith. There is a prize when you have pleasing, perfect, personal faith, and that prizes include Freedom, Assurance, Involvement, Triumph, and Heaven!

5. The fifth message is The Importance of Practicing Faith.

6. Things that are important to you, I believe you will make them priorities in your life, and you will keep doing and practicing those important things.

7. Professed Faith should be the most important thing in your life if you are a Christian!! It should be your number one priority, and for the right reasons.

(So many want to have faith for the wrong reasons such as: business reasons, family reasons, social reasons, and so on. Your reasons for professed faith should be because of your desire for God and you see He only can fill the void in your soul!)

8. Our verse in Heb. 10:23 tells us to “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering. . .” Since professed faith is the most important thing in a Christian’s life, this verse tells us to hold onto it without wavering!! In other words, practice it!

9. So today if your professed faith is real important to you, let me tell you how to practice your faith, and it does not include sitting it up on the shelf and forgetting about it!!

Body – The Importance of Practicing Faith

We Practice Faith by . . .

I. Realize the Value of Faith

Matthew 17:20 If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

**Faith can move mountains and do the impossible!

A. Value Salvation

Ephesians 2:8 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

1. No Faith, No Grace!

2. No Faith, No Gift!

3. No Faith, No God!

B. Value Satisfaction

Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:

1. Faith is valuable because it Satisfies the Savior!

2. Faith is valuable because it Satisfies the Sinner!

C. Value Strength

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Healing Strength, Helping Strength, Hoping Strength, and Heart Strength

D. Value Safety

Ephesians 6:16 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

1. Safe from the Wicked

2. Safe from the World

We Practice Faith by . . .

II. Recognize the Vision of Faith

Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith:”

**How do we keep looking to the vision of our faith (Jesus)?

A. Bow to Keep the Vision of Our Faith

1. Bow and Keep Praying! 2. Bow and Keep Praising!

B. Believe to Keep the Vision of Our Faith

1. Believe despite the Discouragements

2. Believe despite the Disappointments

Russell Spray said, “Many Christians want to receive first and see results, and then believe later.” But we must keep our eyes on Jesus and the vision of Jesus and keep believing!

C. Battle to Keep the Vision of Our Faith

1. Keep Faith and Keep Your Eyes on Jesus while you Battle.

2. Keep Fighting and Keep your Eyes on Jesus while you Battle.

D. Build to Keep the Vision of Our Faith

** We must keep our eyes on Jesus and keep on building!

** We are in a building program! Not a building program that involves blocks, bricks, concrete, or wood.

** What are we building?

1. We are building a Church! Keep your eyes on Jesus, the vision of our faith, and let us build this church together.