True Faith

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TRUE FAITH

March 2, 2008 Jay Davis Robison ACTS 14:8-22

Few weeks ago began Lenten journey toward Easter

Time of reflecting on our faith

Considered being Generous, Last week living on Purpose

This week living life of true faith what does it look like?

Jesus encouraged us to let light of faith shine

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good

deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 TNIV

There is no mistaking the effect of light upon a darkened place. Light boldly & unabashedly announces its presence and vigorously dispels darkness. God’s desire is to fill you with His light. God wants you to shine as a brilliant testimony of His presence & power in your life so that the darkness in the lives of those around you will be displaced by the light of God’s glory.

If, you notice the world around you becoming darker & darker, don’t blame the darkness! It’s simply doing what darkness does. The only remedy for darkness is light. If the world is becoming darker, the problem is not w\the darkness. The problem is with the light. Jesus said His disciples are to be “light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). What an awesome responsibility—to be the ones through whom God would shine His divine light and dispel the darkness from around others!

Acts 14 teaches about true faith what does it mean to let our light shine for God? Characteristics of TRUE FAITH

1. Looks FOR GOD AT WORK AROUND US

How busy is God in our world today?

Is God as active in world today as he was during Biblical times?

Or has God gotten tired now lying in lounge chair waiting for UK

Does God work in your life as often as he did in the life of David?

I don’t know about you, but I wonder sometimes.

The key to experiencing GOD DAILY IS TO

Realize God is ALREADY AT WORK

AND INVITES YOU TO TAG ALONG

Refreshing to know God working we on tipped toes to see what next

God has not gotten tired, still at work today

May say that cannot be true, don’t know how hard life is

I am in places only Christian around, everyone else seems hard

Consider what’s going on around Acts 14

Paul and Barnabus had been telling about Jesus in city of Iconium.

Some of the people got angry with them for preaching about Jesus.

Enemies of the gospel got together & planned a secret plot

to first mistreat Paul and Barnabus and then to stone them.

Paul & Barnabus caught wind of plot and fled to Lystra and Derbe.

Lystra had a reputation for being a rude city, wild people

Who were very superstitious not hotbed for Christian revival

Yet Paul and Barnabus looking for God at work there

One guy caught Paul’s eye, he had been crippled all his life

Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and

called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up

and began to walk. Vs 9 and 10 TNIV

Someone had to bring this guy to town every day to beg

No governmental help, it was survival of the fittest and he not fit.

Underline Paul saw that he the faith to be healed.

In seemingly godforsaken Lystra Paul looking for God at work

Rise up and Claim Christ, get up and the man did, jumped

What would have happened if Paul not looking for God? Nothing

Wherever 2 or 3 gathered in my name Jesus said I am in midst

God is here today working in your life are you sitting on sideline?

God is here and at work, join in what God is doing

Never forget: EVERYBODY DEALS WITH

THE GOD QUESTION

Perhaps you heard this week about shift in American religion

Many leaving churches they grew up in for something else

Heed the warning make it relevant, and real for next generation

Increase in unaffiliated and atheists

Those who believe not passion or power to what we do

Do we live our lives that way?

Paul and Barnabus are blessed with spiritual conversation

If you get to interact at gut level with someone blessing

We must always be open where is God working in lives near us

Atmosphere was strictly pagan, looking for hope

For help in life we have hope to share,

Others may not understand it at first, but sow seeds & pray for fruit

Reporter asked Mrs. Edison if she understood the theory of relativity

No but I know Albert and he can be trusted

We do not know the answers to all of life’s questions

but we know Jesus And he can be trusted