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August 19h , 2007
Confession
I am who God says I am in His Word.
I have what God says I have;
I can be what God says I can be;
I can do what God says I can do.
All authority in heaven and on earth
Has been given to Jesus.
I have been given Jesus' authority.
I have the authority to resist the devil
because Jesus completely defeated him through the cross.
I have been given the right to win over the devil every day!
Satan and his demons are under my feet.
I resist the devil and he runs from me!
The devil is afraid of me because I walk in Jesus' authority.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-10
Pastor Tom Squashic
God Is Interested in Your Faith Part 3 Trinity A/G 8-19-07
MAIN THOUGHT: Every believer can see the importance of strong faith by noting the ways Paul paid attention to it.
Your faith needs to be strengthened and encouraged.
1 Thessalonians 3:2 NIV "We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,"
strengthened Acts 14:22; 16:15 The faith is the basis of your faith.
Romans 4:20 NIV "Yet he [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,"
encouraged
Romans 1:12 NIV "that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."
Hindrances to Your Faith Matthew 13
BIRDS ROCKS WEEDS
Your faith needs checking up on.
1 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV "For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless."
Gal. 4:11, 20 Paul's fear of Galatians' faith being corrupted
When your faith is strong, it is good news.
1 Thessalonians 3:6 NIV "But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love..."
Hebrews 11:6 Faith is a necessary ingredient to pleasing God.
Helps to Your Faith
Being Born Again - having a new spirit (a new creation)
The WORD of God
A Renewed Mind
The Holy Spirit & His Gifts - Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Spoken Word of God out of your mouth 2 Cor. 4:13
The Body of Christ - The local church sharpens your faith.
Evangelism - Sharing the gospel challenges your faith!
Praying in the Spirit - Jude 1:20 NKJ "...building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,"
The Testing of Your Faith - James 1:2-4
Ministry
Tithing
Your faith brings encouragement to others.
1 Thessalonians 3:7 NIV "Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith."
8 The Message "...Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive."
Romans 1:11 NIV "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong --
12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."
Sometimes your faith needs to be repaired or restored.
1 Thessalonians 3:10 NIV "Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith."
The Message "...doing what we can to help when your faith falters."
New English Bible "...to mend your faith where it falls short."
Luke 22:32 NIV "But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Your Faith Must Grow
2 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJ "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,"
"Your faith" (personal faith) used 160 times in the NT.
The following are levels of faith found in the Bible:
Pursue faith - 2 Timothy 2:22
No faith - Deuteronomy 32:20; Luke 8:25
Unbelief - Matthew 17:20; Mark 6:6; 9:23-24
Weak faith - Romans 14:1
Slow of heart to believe - Luke 24:25
Faith that is lacking - 1 Thessalonians 3:10
Little faith - Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 16:8; 14:31; Luke 12:28
Not weak in faith - Romans 4:19
A measure of faith - Romans 12:3
Faith as a mustard seed - Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6
Prophesy in proportion to your faith - Romans 12:6
Established in the faith - Colossians 2:7
Progress of your faith - Philippians 1:25
Strengthened in faith - Acts 16:5; Romans 4:20
Faith working - James 2:22
Increasing faith - Luke 17:5-6; 2 Corinthians 10:15
Faith made complete - James 2:22 (NIV)
Faith growing exceedingly (more & more) - 2 Thessalonians 1:3
Great faith - Matthew 8:10; 15:28; Luke 7:9
Full of faith - Acts 6:5, 8; 11:24
Abound in faith - 2 Corinthians 8:7; Colossians 2:7
Rich in faith - James 2:5
Full assurance of faith - Hebrews 10:22
A faith that can move mountains - 1 Cor. 13:2 NIV; Mark 11:22-24
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