Sermons from Good News: Fight For Your Future, Part 1

Blogger's Note: On Sundays, I will be copying and pasting on this blog notes I take in my phone from sermons at the church I attend. I'll be sharing sermons from the current week. On Wednesdays I'll also be sharing sermon messages dating back to October, when I first began attending my current church. Because of the backlog of sermons, I will be running posts on Wednesdays until sometime in May. My goal on Sundays is that sharing these sermons will theoretically be perpetual, or until I feel God nudging me to do something different. I want to also clarify that these are not my sermons, but rather the bullet point notes I put together. I enjoy our pastor's messages very much, and more importantly he preaches the Word of God as-is, which means the Spirit of God is imparting wisdom and knowledge through him. To God alone be the glory.

Church 2/13/2021

Offertory scripture:

Honoring Jesus' word. Peter says yes to Jesus at the end of a long fruitless workday, and he reaps the harvest then and only then.

Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].
2 Corinthians 9:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%209:7&version=AMP

Sermon message:

We really are going to get blessed.

Thesis: fight for your future.

Caveat: we are not fighting politically, physically, financially, etc; we are fighting spiritually.

God cares about your future b/c He cares about you b/c He wants you blessed b/c He wants you to be a blessing to others. Your future will influence other people's lives.

Fight for your future. Your future can still influence other people's lives. So you're also fighting for other people's futures. And you're letting them know you love them.

Our belief structure WILL be tested.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%206:12&version=NIV

It's a fight for our faith.
Study the Bible.
Get wisdom.
Get armed for the fight.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2010:17&version=NIV

Let's dig into the Bible to fight for our faith.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
3 John 1:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=3%20John%201:2&version=NIV

God WANTS you to win the fight for your future and to be blessed. Satan doesn't. He wants to RUIN your future. Jesus addresses this:

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2010:10&version=NIV

Case study: Genesis 2,3: Adam and Eve.

Don't let Satan fool you. When bad things are happening, IT'S NOT GOD. It's Satan.❗️

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Peter%205:8&version=NIV

Peter saw how Satan devoured Judas.

Satan is the accuser of a brother. Satan is the one that beats you up and makes you feel like you can never be forgiven. IT'S NOT GOD. It's Satan doing that.

Satan may accuse you, but God forgives you.

Satan is not just an accuser; he is a liar.

44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%208:44&version=NIV

Jesus was saying the above to the Jews who say they believed Him.

Satan ruined 1/3 of all angels' futures.

Satan impersonates God.

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%2011:14&version=NIV

Context of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians:

But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%2011:12-15&version=NLT

Paul's letter to Timothy toward the end of his life:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Timothy%204:7&version=NIV

Your future can be great.
Your marriage can be great.
Your children can be great.
Your job can be great.
Your relationships with others can be great.

**Because this sermon is so rich and vast... and also because Blogger prevents me from tagging all the scriptural references... I've decided to split this sermon into two posts. Tune in for Part 2 next post.