'tis The Season To Be Confident Series

This season should give us confidence in God who loves us and gave Himself for us.

Wouldn’t you want to do something great with God?

What gives you confidence?

Zach’s view: Wanted to please God (6)

...behavior is good

...heart is good

Zacharias means "God has Remembered"

Elizabeth means "My God is faithful"

John means "God is gracious"

Mary’s view: Wanted to please God (30)

...behavior is good

...heart is good

ILL: ALL I REALLY NEEDED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN (Page 130)

Opportunity came...

Zach’s view: Focused on situation (18)

"But this is impossible! I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years." (Living Bible)

a. Confidence is not the result of absent of problems.

b. Confidence is a result of trusting God in our problems.

...if you don’t believe God than you really don’t have anything worthwhile to say. (19-20)

ILL: DEAR BRISTOL (Page 247)

Mary’s view: Focused on God (38)

a. Confidence grew as her knowledge increased

b. Confidence grew as her self decreased

We are so concerned with what others think.

If they say we shouldn’t, then we don’t.

If they say wait, we wait.

If they say come, we follow.

...stand alone!

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." Luke 9:24

"And a great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brother and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it---lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ’This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:25-33

ILL: Judas denying Christ - lead to his death

Shadrach/Meshach and Abednego - lead to their life

Zach’s view: Attitude is negative to God (18)

...not in prayers

...not in duties

...not in attendance

BUT where it counts, in faith!

Mary’s view: Attitude is positive to God (38)

...not in prayers

...not in duties

...not in attendance

BUT where it counts, in faith!

How will you recognize these faith people?

1. They have faith in God, not in self

2. They change people, nations and generations

3. They are willing to stand alone

4. They possess unusual powers