COURAGE FOR THE BATTLES OF LIFE

2 Corinthians 4:1-5:8

Truth: We have a glorious ministry. We have a valuable treasure. We have a confident faith. We have a future hope. Are you ready for the battle?

I. WE HAVE A GLORIOUS MINISTRY

1. We can not quit. 2 Cor 4:1, 16; Phil 3:14
2. We must share the gospel light. 2 Cor 4:2-4; Rom 1:14
3. We lift up Christ and nor ourselves. 2 Cor 4:5-6; 2 Cor 2:17

II. WE HAVE A VALUABLE TREASURE

1. God places His treasure in our earthly vessel. 2 Cor 4:7; 1 Cor 2:5
2. We are to focus on the treasure and not the vessel. 2 Cor 4:8-10; Col 1:27
3. We are to focus on the Master and not on the servant. 2 Cor 4:11-12; Phil 3:10

III. WE HAVE A CONFIDENT FAITH

1. We are sure of victory in Christ. 2 Cor 4:14
2. We are sure God will receive glory. 2 Cor 4:15
3. We are sure our trials will grow our faith. 2 Cor 4:16-17; 1 Peter 1:7
4. We are sure that invisible world is real and eternal. 2 Cor 4:18

IV. WE HAVE A FUTURE HOPE

1. We know we have a home in heaven. 2 Cor 5:1; John 14:3
2. We groan for our heavenly home. 2 Cor 5:2-5; 1 Cor 15:53
3. We are always confident that when we leave this body we will be with the Lord. 2 Cor 5:6-8. Luke 23:43

ARE YOU READY FOR THE BATTLES?

TRUE BIBLICAL FAITH

Matthew 8:5-13, Hebrews 11:1-6

Truth: True Biblical faith comes from God. True Biblical faith has God as its object. True Biblical faith brings godly results. How great is your faith?

I. TRUE BIBLICAL FAITH COMES FROM GOD

1. It is confident obedience to God’s Word in spite of circumstances and consequences. Heb 11:1, Rom 10:17, Psa 119:105, Isa 55:11, John 5:39
2. Faith is the substance (Confidence or assurance) of things hoped for. Heb 11:1; Matt 8:2-3; 1 John 5:14-15
3. The evidence of things not seen is the inward conviction from God that what He has promised, He will perform. Heb 11:1, Heb 11:11; Matt 8:5-10,13

II. TRUE BIBLICAL FAITH HAS GOD AS ITS OBJECT

1. God is our focus. Heb 11:6 Heb 12:1-2; Isa 26:3-4
2. God’s Word is our manual. Heb 11:3, John 17:17; Josh 1:8
3. God the Holy Spirit is our guide through the Word. John 14:26

III. TRUE BIBLICAL FAITH BRINGS GODLY RESULTS

1. God always blesses our faith. Heb 11:6, Heb 11:17-19
2. God will not bless our lack of faith. Matt 13:58; 17:20;
3. We can not please God without faith. Heb 11:6, Rom 14:23

HOW GREAT IS YOUR FAITH?

WHY AND HOW WE MUST BE SAVED?

Romans 5:12-21

Truth: We must be saved because of sin. We can be saved because Jesus died for our sins. We are saved when we repent of our sin and have faith in Jesus Christ! Have you been saved?

I. WE MUST BE SAVED BECAUSE OF SIN

1. Adam brought sin into the world. Rom 5:12, Gen 2:15-17; Gen 3:6
2. Sin brought death to all mankind. Rom 5:12, 1 Cor 15:21- 22, Gen 3:17-19
3. Death is the only payment for sin. Rom 6:23, Vs. 13-18

II. WE CAN BE SAVED BECAUSE CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS

1. Jesus Christ died for the sins of Adam and all mankind. Rom 5:18, Heb 2:9, 1 John 2:2
2. Jesus Christ died for our sins because He was sinless. Rom 5:17-19; Phil 2:8-11; 2 Cor 5:21
3. Jesus Christ is our only hope to be saved. Rom 5:20-21;1 Tim 2:3-6

III. WE ARE SAVED ONCE WE REPENT AND BELIEVE ON CHRIST

1. It is the goodness of God that leads one to repentance. Rom 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 11:18; Acts 5:31
2. We are saved by grace through faith. Eph 2:8, Acts 16:30-31
3. When that are saved have eternal life. Rom 5:21; John 6:47

HAVE YOU BEEN SAVED?

SALVATION HAS COME

Luke 2:21-38

Truth: Jesus is our salvation. Simeon called Jesus the consolation of Israel. Anna called Jesus our redeemer. Has salvation come for you?

I. JESUS IS OUR SALVATION

1. Salvation is the deliverance, by the grace of God, from eternal punishment for sin. Luke 2:21, Rom 5:9, 1 Thess 5:9
2. Salvation is available in Jesus alone and is dependent on God alone for provision, assurance, and security. Acts 4:12, 2 Cor 1:22, 1 Peter 1:5
3. Salvation is granted to those who trust God’s conditions of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus. Luke 2:30, Acts 20:21

II. JESUS IS THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL

1. The Consolation means Jesus is the Messiah. Luke 2:25, John 4:25-26
2. Jesus is the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:26, 30-32, John 3:16-17
3. Jesus will lead Israel and the Gentiles to salvation. Luke 2:34-36, Acts 13:47-48, Isa 60:1-3

III. ANNA CALLED JESUS OUR REDEEMER

1. Sin separates us from God. Isa 59:2, Rom 6:23, Rom 3:23
2. Anna praised the baby Jesus because He came to redeem us from our sins. John 1:19, Eph 1:7, Heb 9:12-15

HAS SALVATION COME TO YOU?

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS

1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 100:1-5, Psalm 95:1-11

Truth: Be thankful to God. Express your thankfulness to God. Be thankful in the tough times. Are you thankful to our God?

I. BE THANKFUL TO GOD

1. God wants us to have an attitude of gratitude. 1 Thess 5:18, James 1:17, Rom 8:28
2. God wants us to know He is God. Psa 100:3, Col 3:16, Psa 95:3-5, 1 Thess 5:19-21

II. EXPRESS YOUR THANKFULNESS TO GOD

1. Thank God for your salvation, church membership, Holy Spirit leadership, the Word of God. Psa 107:1-2, 1 Thess 5:19-21
2. Thank God by praising Him. Psa 100:1, Psa 95:2
3. Thank God by serving Him. Psa 100:2-5

III. BE THANKFUL FOR THE TOUGH TIMES

1. Tough times should cause us to draw closer to God. Psa 95: 7-11, 2 Cor 12:9-10
2. Tough times should cause our faith to grow. 1 Peter 1:7-8
3. Tough times can be our greatest witness. Dan 3:16-18, Matt 10:19-20

ARE YOU THANKFUL TO OUR GOD?