August 14, 2005 Summit PM

Maturing In Our Faith

Introduction

A. Text - Heb.11:6

B. Verse that perhaps all of us can quote – at least partially

1. Throughout scripture God has always urged man to believe

2. Our whole relationship with Him based upon our faith

3. Paul says

We walk by faith & not by sight

Are saved by grace through faith

4. Through faith we obtain the victory over the world

C. Satan will do anything to destroy our faith

1. Therefore we must nurture our faith – continually strengthen it

2. As text says – without faith – we receive nothing from the Lord

3. Discuss maturing our faith

D. Pray

I. Effect Faith Has Upon Our Lives

A. Physically

1. Book – “From here to happiness”

a. Deals with power of believing

1) Written from a scientific point of view not religious

2) Success book – how to think successfully

b. Full of illustrations of the power of believing

1) How the mind controls the body

2) What think changes way organs function

3) How way think effects physical healing

(medicines are not enough)

c. Say - mind produces results according to belief not facts

2. Physicians tell us – attitude makes a tremendous difference

a. Believe get better – probably will

b. Believe get worse – probably will

B. Spiritually – makes all the difference in world

1. OT – God’s people won victories beyond imagination

a. Moses delivered Israel from dominance of Egypt

1) Perhaps the greatest nation of that day

2) Without an army or weapons of any kind

3) Entire Egyptian army drowns in Red Sea

b. Battle of Jericho – march around city for 7 days

c. Gideon & 300 men defeat the Midianites

d. Sennacherib’s army destroyed in 1 night (angel kills 186,000)

2. NT

a. Brought healing through Jesus

Centurion’s servant; Woman with the issue of blood;

Blind had sight restored; Lepers cleansed; Dead raised

b. Without it blessings were lost

No miracles worked in Nazareth; Unable walk on water;

Apostles unable cast out demon; Fear overpowered them

c. A must when praying

Mk.11:22-24 – believe have received – yours

James 1:5-8 – ask nothing doubting

II. How Mature In Our Faith?

A. Conscious awareness that faith must always be strengthened

1. Not a one-time thing – have it & forget it

a. Heb.3:12-14 – believers can become unbelieving

1) Turn away from God

2) Sin can deceive us & hardens us – lose faith

3) Must hold onto our faith firmly = fragile

b. Examples

1) Apostles – Peter sank; All fearful & scattered

2) Parable of the soils – stones effected enthusiasm

2. All kinds of things in world to make us doubt

a. Presence of evil – bad things happen to good people

1) If God so powerful & in control = why happen?

2) Hardships & struggles overwhelm us

b. Satan has 1000’s of skeptics ready to attack

1) People full of bitterness & hate

2) People do anything to destroy our faith

c. Own feelings of unworthiness – undeserving of His blessings

B. Things we can do to help mature our faith

1. Overcome all doubts

a. Some blessings just seem too good to be true

1) Lk.24:40,41 – disciples & news Jesus was alive

2) Perhaps thought – God would care about me personally

b. Preconceived ideas – beliefs held all life

1) Must somehow earn God’s love, grace & mercy

2) We tried that & didn’t work – not way we do it

c. Fearful of what others might think of us

1) See what others believe – not accept truth

2) Jn.5:44 – how can you believe = focus others accepting

2. Overcome our procrastination – our failure to act upon truth

a. Faith must produce actions – James 2:14 (alone is dead)

b. Not act = lose what once had

1) Heb.5:11,12 – had be taught basics all over again

2) Peter had only one opportunity to walk on water

3) Mk.4:23-25 – unused – what have taken

3. Grow in our sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading

a. Jn.10:24-27 – My sheep hear My voice & follow Me

1) Are in tune with Me

2) Ready & willing to do whatever I ask

b. James 4:4-10 – adulterous because wanted world

1) Desire was things world had to offer

2) God is looking for us to submit to Him alone

3) Must discipline selves

c. Keep resisting – will allow us to be hardened

1) Heb.3:15-19 – allowed Israel to die in desert

2) Heb.6:4-6 – impossible to restore

3) Heb.10:26,27 – deliberately keep on sinning = wrath

Conclusion

A. Where is your faith?

1. Are you allowing it to grow stagnate?

2. Are you doing all you can to mature it?

3. Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to God

B. Appeal