Church 6/25/2022
Offertory scripture:
Malachi 3:8-12
Matthew 6:25-34
Sermon message:
Thesis: Our faith is being tested
Christian values are being tested/under attack in America.
A record number of pastors resigned in 2021.
The Bible says to not draw back on your faith or compromise your faith.
Hebrews 10:39 KJV, NLT, ESV
Hold on to your faith - don’t shrink back.
Don’t be surprised when challenges come your way.
1 Peter 4:12-14 NLT
1 Timothy 6:12 NLT
Fight for your faith. Fight for your faith so you can overcome the world.
1 John 5:4
Everyone struggles with feeling inadequate. But: You are not inadequate in God’s eyes. Because you have Christ in you, you have overcome the world.
People of the world cover up their inadequacy. It began with Adam and Eve falling into sin. Sometimes they will run and hide. Same reasoning. Sometimes also people will blame others to cover up or hide their inadequacy. Actually it is Satan deceiving those people.
Stop. God will help you. Just receive His power.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Philippians 4:19
Point #1: Go to God’s word. This is a supply line for you. Do this to keep your supply/energy to fight against the devil and against the world.
Ephesians 6:10-11 NLT
Romans 10:17
Ephesians 6:16 NLT
Point #2: Go to God in prayer. This too is a supply line.
Romans 8:26
The Holy Spirit can intercede when we need help on how to pray. Don’t worry about feeling inadequate; God will help.
Point #3: Go to God in fasting. When you fast your flesh goes weak, but your spirit gets stronger, if you fast for God.
Just make sure you’re fasting for the right reasons when you fast.
Point #4: Go to God in praise. This is often a total shift from where we may be at in a given moment. But praising God always works.
Think about something to praise God about.
Consider David in the Bible. Even when he was down he praised God, and he found new strength.
These are military strategies from God.