HOW TO BUILD A FAITH THAT WILL LAST

A Living faith is a great blessing from god Generation has no purpose for living Government & Media working to cleanse any references to faith and God in everyday life Culture is descending into greater hostility and alienation Psalm 33:12-17 “The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.” Isaiah 40:15 “the nations are as a drop in a bucket”

We cannot depend on our culture to build a living faith that will last Learn from the expression of faith found in those who have trusted God We can read about the apostle Paul – Romans 8:18 We can hear the words of Christ – John 16:32,33

You must make faith your own Need to recognize that there is a God May need help in overcoming the indoctrination of this world Most will admit there is God – Romans 1:20 Ecclesiastes 3:11 “Faith” is not a discarding of reason but is built upon it – Hebrews 11:1

You must begin to seek god Hebrews 11:6 “believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Many do not want to believe because they think their lusts will provide fulfillment in life – John 3:19,20

You must seek the pure word of god Psalm 119:140; Proverbs 30:5; 1 Peter 2:2 Many led astray because they let men stand in the place of God To believe in the one true God you must make His promises your own How can you build a faith in God by building with the writings of men or the directions of a human organization?

You must handle the word of god with the will to obey Faith without a life of repentance is dead- James 2:17-19 Word of God correctly applied will create great discomfort The one with living faith knows and seeks it out! John 3:21 You must never stop seeking, discerning & learning – Hebrews 5:12-14

You must handle the word of god with the will to obey Rather than run from doctrinal questions, you run to them Rather than letting someone else teach, you desire to learn how to share with others that which has so enriched you life Have great confidence in God’s grace as offered in His conditional promises – Romans 8:15-17

Protect the conscience Acts 23:1 “lived in all good conscience” 1 Timothy 1:5 “love from a pure heart, from a good conscience” 1 Timothy 4:2 “having their own conscience seared with a hot iron”

You must build relationships with faithful people What does into your heart? How do you build a faith that will last? 1 Corinthians 3:11-14 The kind of teacher and teaching you receive will make a difference Who do you open your heart to? Malachi 3:16 You know the difference between one really wanting to hear and know God one who is playing religion

You need to separate from those with a “toxic faith” Some take their focus off God & begin to become bitter & proud Beware of those who become enamored with others & cause you to develop bad attitudes toward others – Hebrews 12:14,15 It is easier to spread the ‘gospel of bitterness’ than to patiently endure and work with brethren – Ephesians 4:31,32

You must build a solid doctrinal foundation It is challenging – Ephesians 4:13-15 We must not despise the discernment that leads to a solid foundation 1 Timothy 1:3 “teach no other doctrine” 1 Timothy 4:13 “give attention to…. doctrine” 1 Timothy 4:16 “take heed to…the doctrine” 1 Timothy 6:3,4 “doctrine which accords with godliness”

You must resist the attitude that fights sound doctrine within a local church 2 Timothy 4:1-4 How do these attitudes spread within a local church? How do men like this react to sound teaching? Please fight to keep a good conscience – 1 Timothy 1:19,20

Renew your mind daily by seeing the unseen Take time to place yourself before God – Romans 12:1,2 When we center on God we can keep our thoughts on His promises Simply expressing thanksgiving to God will keep our hearts faithful

Think often about the second coming & heaven Romans 8:23-25 “Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” What kind of faith are you building?