WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.879 All right, go ahead and take your Bibles this morning, turn to the book of 1 Thessalonians. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:09.980 ! I'm getting here this morning as we continue on with our series going through Thessalonians 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:18.580 ! here. I'll just ask you a question this morning. How's your faith? What's the condition of your faith? 00:00:19.620 --> 00:00:27.980 That's really an important question to consider because oftentimes we think faith is generic. 00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:38.820 Faith is simplistic. Or just the concept of faith we'll talk about and we want to have faith in this, 00:00:38.980 --> 00:00:45.320 but the reality is the Bible talks about the conditions of our faith. The conditions of our 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:57.400 faith being strong, being weak, being wavering, being grounded, established. You'll find all 00:00:57.399 --> 00:01:06.340 sorts of descriptions of faith. And understanding the condition of our faith is important in what we do 00:01:06.340 --> 00:01:12.879 to build that because faith is the essential element of a Christian life. You know, 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:19.659 the Bible tells us the just shall live by what? Faith. Faith is essential. It's the practical 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:28.179 application of what you believe because faith is not just abstract. Faith is practical in what we do. 00:01:29.019 --> 00:01:34.640 Faith is part of our life. You know, if we're going to walk by faith, we need to understand the importance 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:41.000 of it. And here the believers at Thessalonica, we looked and saw that they had received the gospel 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:49.460 wholeheartedly by faith, which changed their life. You know, when you come to know the Lord as your 00:01:49.460 --> 00:01:56.400 Savior, your faith at the moment of salvation changes everything. It ought to alter. If you say you have 00:01:56.400 --> 00:02:02.680 faith in Christ and you're not having a different life from the people of the world, it ought to make 00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:10.719 you question what's going on. Because a faith changes us because we look at the world differently and it's 00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:17.140 evident that a change took place in the lives of those at Thessalonica. It talks about that they moved 00:02:17.140 --> 00:02:24.800 from idols to worship the living God. It was a change that wasn't only internalized, but it was realized 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:29.719 practically in their life. In other words, it wasn't something they did on Sunday. 00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:37.580 It was something that they lived on Monday through Saturday. And they honored it on Sunday, you might 00:02:37.580 --> 00:02:43.620 say. That's the way a Christian ought to live, is our faith ought not to be a Sunday thing. 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:52.759 And we know that those here at Thessalonica, it was not just a one-day-a-week faith. Because Paul notes 00:02:52.759 --> 00:02:59.180 that transition of how they turned to the living God from their idols to serve him with truth 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:03.460 and with some vigor behind it, it wasn't just half-heartedly, it was wholeheartedly. 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:09.599 It was their work of faith, their labor of love, and the patience of hope in Christ that revealed 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:16.939 their faith. Because we're going to look here today to realize that real faith is more than just reciting 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:22.360 facts about Christ or the Bible. You know, oftentimes people know a lot of information. 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:30.000 They know information about their faith. But we're going to see here, Paul's worried about today the 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:39.060 condition of their faith. Because our faith, in our walking faith, not the saving faith, because 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:43.540 I want you to understand, we're talking about two different dynamics. There's a faith that says, 00:03:43.720 --> 00:03:48.720 I believe Christ is the one. And then there's faith to say, I'm going to walk with him. 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:55.639 And to make that walk with him is important. And we're going to see that because Paul was concerned 00:03:55.639 --> 00:04:03.680 about the condition of their faith. Had they remained steadfast to live in light of eternity? 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:09.860 Knowing that while this life was going to be filled with troubles and trials, you know, 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:15.180 but to understand and remind ourselves we're also delivered from the wrath to come. You know, 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:20.060 we're going to look here as we go through Thessalonians here in a few weeks of all the different things 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:26.300 that are going to be looked at. But it all focuses on the future. It focuses on eternity. 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:32.460 And knowing that Paul says, he knew that they were going to face challenges because even his sudden 00:04:32.460 --> 00:04:39.579 departure to Athens and the apostle writes back to them because he had gotten a report from Timothy. 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:45.439 And we're going to talk about that report this morning and why he sent Timothy to them, 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:49.919 not only to bring back a report, but what Timothy was supposed to do, why he was there, 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:55.639 because Paul sent Timothy because he's concerned about the condition of their faith. 00:04:56.299 --> 00:05:00.039 The condition of their faith. So if you found 1 Thessalonians this morning, 00:05:00.299 --> 00:05:06.219 let's stand together as we'll read chapter 2 here. We'll pick up in verse 17 and read down 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:10.820 through a little bit here in the chapter 3 here this morning. But it says this, 00:05:10.880 --> 00:05:15.640 but we, brother, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, 00:05:15.780 --> 00:05:19.880 endeavoring the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore, 00:05:19.900 --> 00:05:24.080 we would come unto you, even I, Paul, once again, but Satan hindered us. 00:05:25.340 --> 00:05:28.640 For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing? 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:33.260 Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ it is coming? 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:36.899 For ye are our glory and joy. 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:42.360 Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone, 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:47.379 and sent Timotheus, our brother and minister of God and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:51.420 to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:55.459 That no man should be moved by these afflictions. 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:58.560 For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:04.040 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation, 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:06.079 even as it came to pass. 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:09.879 And ye know, for this cause, when I would no longer forbear, 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:14.680 I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter hath tempted you, 00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:17.699 and our labor be in vain. 00:06:18.319 --> 00:06:20.459 Heavenly Fathers, we come before you this morning. 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:23.100 Lord, we just thank you for your word. 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:28.580 Lord, we just lift up each one here today, Lord, as we even consider an important question, 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:31.939 the reality of the condition of our faith. 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:36.480 Because, Lord, we understand you've told us that there's going to be challenges, 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:40.320 and there's going to be things, there's going to be pressures in this life, 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:44.580 that the impact of whether our faith is going to stand strong, 00:06:44.860 --> 00:06:46.080 or whether it's going to waver. 00:06:46.580 --> 00:06:49.300 But, Lord, I pray just have your hand upon each one today, Lord, 00:06:49.300 --> 00:06:53.100 that we might honestly look at the condition of our faith, 00:06:53.220 --> 00:06:56.660 knowing that we need to come and rest upon you. 00:06:56.720 --> 00:07:00.220 It needs to be firmly grounded in you and your word. 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:01.879 And, Lord, we just thank you and praise you. 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:03.780 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:07:04.020 --> 00:07:04.500 You may be seated. 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:10.420 You know, even though Paul here is writing back after Timothy returned, 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:21.020 he returned with a report about the steadfast condition of their faith, 00:07:21.020 --> 00:07:25.560 because he wanted them to know what was going on. 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:29.420 He wanted to know if they were going to be encouraged and equipped to continue. 00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:34.379 And it's important to keep in mind that there's some things when we talk about faith, 00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:36.120 you know, we talked about a saving faith. 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:41.860 You know, the good part is your faith to salvation isn't dependent upon you at all. 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:49.019 Your faith is set because when you trust Christ as Savior from that moment, 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:50.680 you're not the one holding on. 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:53.899 You're not the one doing anything. 00:07:54.540 --> 00:08:01.500 You are the one that has placed yourself wholeheartedly into the hands of the one that saved you. 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:06.120 You know, our faith may waver, but his promise never will. 00:08:07.339 --> 00:08:09.279 His promise is steadfast. 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:11.540 His promise will not fail. 00:08:11.779 --> 00:08:15.259 Hebrews tells us this in chapter 10 and verse 23. 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:15.639 It says, 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:19.160 Let us hold the profession of our faith without wavering, 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:21.860 for he is faithful that promised. 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:23.319 You know what? 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:28.379 Christ promised that whosoever shall call upon him will be saved. 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:29.639 They shall be saved. 00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:31.360 It's not an option. 00:08:31.620 --> 00:08:33.159 He said he will do it. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:35.720 And we rest in that. 00:08:36.199 --> 00:08:37.879 Because, you know, I'll know about you, 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:42.720 but I'm glad that my salvation isn't based in what I can do or where my faith is. 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:46.000 Because I want to be honest with you, you know, 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:48.220 our faith goes like this in life sometimes. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:53.639 Because we're going to look at some things that Paul talks about this morning that impact that. 00:08:53.639 --> 00:09:02.220 Because we have a lot of outside things impacting internally in our life when it comes to our faith. 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:09.480 And that's what Paul, we're going to see here, was worried about because we have a saving faith, 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:11.600 but also we have a faith that we walk. 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:15.860 You know, the Bible tells us we walk by faith and not by sight. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:22.019 And it's faith that connects our hope to eternity, to live in light of eternity. 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:27.919 Because our faith is when Christ is going to accomplish and finish when he comes again. 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:32.840 He finished our salvation on the cross, but he's going to complete our redemption. 00:09:34.060 --> 00:09:36.899 We're going to be transformed into his image. 00:09:36.940 --> 00:09:40.899 We're going to be changed, the Bible tells us, when he comes again. 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:48.000 You know, when we understand that picture of what's happening and we see the connection of faith, 00:09:48.100 --> 00:09:51.059 because faith ties people together also. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:58.000 You know, Paul was concerned about those at Thessalonica because their faith tied them not only to one another, 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:00.779 but to all believers. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:03.559 You know, a common faith. 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:06.039 Jude talks about that common salvation. 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:15.219 You know, when we realize the importance of a common connection and believe that we'll be connected in this life, 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:16.839 but also in the one to come. 00:10:17.219 --> 00:10:19.839 You know, Paul wasn't concerned about right now. 00:10:20.099 --> 00:10:22.159 He was also looking to the future. 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:27.240 He was ministering to them, a bond with them, as you might say. 00:10:27.299 --> 00:10:33.079 Look at our verse here in our text here in chapter 2 and verse 17. 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:37.960 He says, but we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, 00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:41.220 endeavoring more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:44.259 You know, think about what Paul's saying here. 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:47.500 He says that salvation connects us. 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:49.420 We become a family together. 00:10:50.540 --> 00:10:52.680 Salvation connects every believer. 00:10:54.040 --> 00:10:56.440 Because there's only one way to salvation. 00:10:56.440 --> 00:11:02.820 In other words, we have a common point that connects everybody who's called upon the name of the Lord. 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:04.980 It's a common connection. 00:11:05.140 --> 00:11:09.120 There's no dynamic of difference because you're only saved one way. 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:15.080 You know, I want you to understand there's not a Baptist salvation, a Methodist salvation, 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:17.620 a Catholic salvation, or whatever salvation. 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:19.100 It's only Christ's salvation. 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:23.440 You know, when we realize that that's the common point, 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:26.880 salvation is essential. 00:11:27.400 --> 00:11:29.500 But we need to understand that when we walk, 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:33.860 and by faith, that's saying I want to connect with what the Bible says 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:36.980 and want to connect with what God has declared that we ought to do. 00:11:38.040 --> 00:11:39.780 Now that's where you get some variation. 00:11:41.020 --> 00:11:44.720 Because there's some people that want to waver in what they believe. 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:50.680 Because your faith is also in what you believe and how you steadfastly hold to it. 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:52.419 To what is a priority. 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:53.379 What is there. 00:11:53.819 --> 00:11:56.779 And we see here Paul's connection to their faith. 00:11:56.859 --> 00:11:57.899 He was concerned about it. 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:59.000 Because look at verse 19. 00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:00.179 He says this, 00:12:00.459 --> 00:12:02.679 For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing? 00:12:03.719 --> 00:12:06.779 Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ? 00:12:06.859 --> 00:12:07.439 It is coming. 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.959 For ye are our glory and joy. 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:12.039 You know what Paul said? 00:12:12.099 --> 00:12:12.299 He said, 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:12.939 One day, 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:17.299 With a great desire that since you've been transformed, 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:21.559 Paul knew that they were going to stand one day before the Lord. 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:23.899 They were going to stand before the Lord. 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:27.519 He knew that was the ultimate dynamic. 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:30.099 That was the ultimate thing that was going to take place. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:32.559 And it brought joy in his life. 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:35.740 And that's the reason he was concerned about the condition of their faith. 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:38.899 Because he knew one day they would stand before their Savior also. 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:43.659 You know, I want you to understand that we're all going to stand before Christ one day. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:48.559 There's nobody gets out of this life without standing before Christ. 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:51.379 The only question is, which place are you going to stand? 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:55.459 Because if you've called upon the Lord as Savior, 00:12:55.579 --> 00:12:58.120 the Bible makes it clear you're going to stand before what they call 00:12:58.120 --> 00:13:00.500 the Bema Seat or Judgment Seat of Christ. 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:04.500 Now, as soon as we mention judgment, everybody, 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:08.120 I want you to understand, it's like judging for reward. 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:13.699 It's talking about, as you see people receive reward, 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:16.319 it's a judgment that says a race will run. 00:13:17.819 --> 00:13:20.579 As a believer, that's where you're going to be. 00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:26.159 When you stand before Christ, it's going to be a judgment seat of reward to say, 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:28.799 what have you done in this life for me? 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:31.340 God says, I'm going to recognize those things. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:37.059 You know, God is just, he's not just saves us and just lets us wander. 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:38.739 He says, I want to walk with you. 00:13:38.819 --> 00:13:39.419 I want you to grow. 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:41.859 I want you to mature in the faith. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:46.719 And we're going to see here that he's concerned about this because he says, 00:13:46.839 --> 00:13:50.559 for him, it's a great joy to see what's taking place. 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:53.699 They've been saved. 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:58.200 He says, one day you're going to stand with me before Christ. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:00.940 It said it brought joy to his heart. 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:04.320 You know, when somebody gets saved, it's a joyful event. 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:09.180 It's something we can rejoice, that we can celebrate. 00:14:09.660 --> 00:14:13.520 Because, you know, I want you to understand that there's no doubt when you read through, 00:14:13.640 --> 00:14:19.420 especially 1 Thessalonians, the theme on every chapter is a glimpse of Christ's return. 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:22.620 A glimpse of eternity, what's ahead? 00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:27.059 And notice here, he talks about this judgment seat of Christ. 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:29.199 You are my glory and joy. 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:33.759 And he talks about our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing. 00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:35.339 Are you not? 00:14:35.479 --> 00:14:38.759 Ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is coming. 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:42.439 You know, there's many today, I think, doubt whether Christ is going to come again. 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:44.959 But your faith is this. 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:47.839 Think about what Jesus told his disciples in John 14. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:48.940 He made it clear. 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:52.840 He says, if I go to prepare a place for you, I will do what? 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:54.240 Come again. 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:56.320 And do what? 00:14:56.720 --> 00:15:02.060 Receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be what? 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:02.860 Also. 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:07.120 Jesus said clearly he's coming again. 00:15:08.040 --> 00:15:11.379 Paul's writing to the church at Thessalonica, those believers, and said, 00:15:11.680 --> 00:15:15.139 I want to encourage you in your faith to keep light of eternity. 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:17.200 This life will pass away one day. 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:19.519 The trials, the struggles. 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:25.280 I mean, it's very easy to get caught up in the cloud of chaos of this life that puts pressure 00:15:25.280 --> 00:15:27.399 upon our faith. 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:35.500 Because when we see these things taking place, it challenges our faith and it tests our faith. 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:41.300 But when the Lord's return, we're going to stand before the Lord for reward for those that 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.299 are there also. 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:47.479 And we understand that it's going to be a time of a crown of rejoicing. 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:53.279 You know, 2 Timothy chapter 4 and verse 8, Paul told Timothy a little later, he says, 00:15:53.279 --> 00:16:07.860 You know, as a believer, our hope isn't in this life. 00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:09.939 Our hope is in what is to come. 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:11.740 This life's going to be filled with troubles. 00:16:12.560 --> 00:16:14.140 You don't have to look for trouble. 00:16:14.260 --> 00:16:14.480 You know that? 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:16.760 You say, you go out and look for trouble, you don't have to look for trouble. 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.700 It finds you. 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:19.500 You know? 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:25.120 If you're going to look for something, look how to avoid trouble and not try to run into 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:26.240 it because you don't have to. 00:16:26.280 --> 00:16:27.860 You can be sitting there and get in trouble. 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.580 Life happens. 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:36.460 You know, when we understand that this is that dynamic that he's talking about, this 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:39.080 same hope connects every believer. 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:43.680 It's something that brings rejoicing now and even later before the Lord. 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:46.040 And so this is Paul's concern. 00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:50.139 This is what reason he was concerned about the condition of their faith. 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:53.920 Are they serving to be ready and prepared to stand before the Lord? 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.300 They're going to stand before one day. 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:59.759 We ought to be concerned with the condition of our faith. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:05.460 And Paul was not hindered or not fazed by the hindrances to see them again. 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:09.460 Notice here in verse 18, notice what Paul says. 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:15.079 He says, wherefore we would have come unto you, even I, Paul, once and again. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:17.879 But notice this, Satan hindered us. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:21.119 You know, I want you to understand why he was joyful. 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:26.240 He understood that there was going to be hindrances. 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.920 There was going to be challenges. 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:29.039 There were going to be troubles. 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.180 There were going to be things. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:34.619 He says, even your adversary, the devil, is going to cause havoc in your life. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.960 Those things are going to be hindered. 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:39.200 He's out to hinder those things. 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:41.859 And our faith is a dynamic. 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:48.519 And we understand our faith here and how it works and what we have and to keep our eyes on that which is to come. 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:55.099 Because notice in chapter 3 as it kicks off here, he has some concerns of their faith. 00:17:55.099 --> 00:18:07.679 He says, wherefore, you know, wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone and sent Timothy as our brother and minister of God, our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ. 00:18:07.919 --> 00:18:12.199 And notice he has two things that are going to help the condition of your faith. 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:15.559 He says that you need to be established and to comfort. 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:17.619 And in that order. 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:23.220 I think a problem is sometimes people try to find comfort without being established. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:27.079 We'll talk about that just a little bit. 00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:33.039 You know, Paul needed to see them, not just to catch up. 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:44.420 But he said, I wanted to see them to see if they were established and were comforted that they had what it needed to survive the onslaught of things of this life. 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:48.579 He wanted them to be able to continue in the face, in the midst of opposition. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:54.279 And he said, when our faith is established, we focus on the right things. 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:58.420 Because we're going to look here in just a moment. 00:18:58.420 --> 00:19:02.180 Life is filled with pressures that distract us, that deceive us. 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:05.079 That draw us away. 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:08.759 He wanted them to be able to continue in their faith. 00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:13.099 A strong faith is something that just doesn't happen. 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:17.720 Because remember, Paul just made note of how strong their faith was at the beginning. 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:21.779 How they withstood opposition and they did those things. 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:23.099 And now he's writing back. 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.379 How is it doing? 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.879 What's the condition of it? 00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:30.460 Because we can start out strong and kind of fade out. 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:35.420 You know, there's a lot of times in life you start strong and begin to fade. 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.980 I want you to look at it like this. 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:42.180 In the Christian walk, our faith, our goal ought to be to finish strong. 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:46.000 To finish on a firm foundation. 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:48.039 To finish the right way. 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:54.220 Because I want to let you know, it's not, it's our faith and our growth in faith is not one of these. 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:57.000 It's not just this curve of a constant up. 00:19:57.160 --> 00:20:00.640 As you go through this life, there's going to be moments your faith is going to go like this. 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:05.299 Because there's going to be situations or things happen in life that just rattle you to the core. 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:07.319 It doesn't make sense to us. 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:11.339 And notice here as Paul is describing these things to him. 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:14.140 It says that they need a strong faith. 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.720 It needs to be maintained. 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:19.100 It needs the right context in which to grow and to flourish. 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:24.459 And the first task that he gave to Timothy was to build them up in the faith. 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:27.519 That personal faith in Jesus Christ. 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:33.359 And he was concerned about the foundation and the support that is in their faith. 00:20:33.439 --> 00:20:34.819 To establish it. 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:37.579 Notice what he says here as we look here. 00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:39.679 He says to establish you. 00:20:40.199 --> 00:20:41.039 In verse 2. 00:20:41.179 --> 00:20:42.279 He said, now think about this. 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:44.539 Paul's writing back to say I'm going to establish you. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:46.339 But he's already said you have a strong faith. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.779 What's he talking about there? 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:50.940 How is your faith established? 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:52.519 That's a good question, isn't it? 00:20:54.000 --> 00:21:00.240 We're going to look here because Paul, I believe, lays out some things of a solid faith. 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:06.440 And the things we need because what established means is to continue to be set in place. 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:09.180 Because situations in life cause disruption. 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:10.720 We have to put things back in place. 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:15.039 We have to firmly get it secured where it needs to be. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:18.839 That when the next storm comes, it doesn't get shuffled around. 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:22.399 You know, that our faith is locked down. 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.299 It's strapped down. 00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:25.099 It's ready to endure. 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:29.579 But I want you to understand that it's not something that you just maintain on your own. 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:31.139 It needs to be established. 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:33.500 It needs to continue to be set in place. 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.000 Unwavering. 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:37.220 With our eyes on the right things. 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:41.059 It's essential that we continue to build faith. 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:43.680 To build our faith. 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:45.660 To keep looking and growing. 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.720 You know, think about what Jude says. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:49.220 Look over to Jude there. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.720 It tells us in verse 20. 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.519 Notice what it says. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:58.259 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith. 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.700 Praying in the Holy Ghost. 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:01.700 Keep yourselves in the love of God. 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:05.920 Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:08.240 To build up yourselves. 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:10.619 Establish. 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:15.279 Because your faith isn't built on just Sunday morning. 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:17.819 Your faith is built day by day. 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:27.559 As you grow and you build and you put things and you understand and you keep things in light of the scripture. 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:29.399 In light of God's return. 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:33.179 You know, to understand that we need a strong faith. 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:36.379 Every believer needs to build their faith. 00:22:36.439 --> 00:22:38.919 A faith that honestly knows Christ. 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:41.720 And knows what it is to walk with Him. 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:44.159 It's a faith that stands fast. 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.079 It's unmovable. 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.159 Unmovable. 00:22:45.439 --> 00:22:49.919 But also able to abound in the face of opposition and conflict. 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:56.439 Because, you know, your faith is easy to put together until it's tested. 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:58.720 You know, we have... 00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:01.039 In the Midwest, you have tornadoes. 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:06.220 You know, people build a lot of buildings and, oh, this will be standing strong. 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:08.220 You know what the test is when the storm comes by? 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:11.199 When it's still standing after the storm, you know what you say? 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:14.179 That was properly built. 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.720 Why? 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:16.380 Because it was tested. 00:23:17.320 --> 00:23:19.400 It didn't just look good. 00:23:19.820 --> 00:23:21.180 It worked good. 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:25.140 Our faith is not just to look good. 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:27.420 Our faith needs to work good. 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:31.019 It needs to be functional in our life. 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:34.420 It has to have a foundation that moves forward. 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:35.759 And we see this. 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:37.880 Think about how Jesus described this. 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:40.760 Look over to Luke chapter 6 for a moment. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:45.160 Because Jesus talked about this very element. 00:23:45.520 --> 00:23:48.980 And he describes it this way in Luke chapter 6 in verse 48. 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:49.440 He says, 00:23:49.520 --> 00:23:54.520 He is like a man that built his house and digged deep and laid the foundation where? 00:23:54.820 --> 00:23:55.740 On a rock. 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:59.720 I want you to understand, Jesus is making clear that if you're going to have a firm foundation, 00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.580 it takes work. 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:03.279 It takes intention. 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:06.059 Because it's easy to build. 00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:09.500 The guy that built the house on the sand, he didn't have that much work to do to build. 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:12.399 But the one who built it upon the rock, what did it require? 00:24:12.639 --> 00:24:13.899 For him to dig. 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.019 To effort. 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:16.159 It took energy. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:18.699 It took intention to dig down. 00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.819 And notice what it says. 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:25.379 And when the flood rose and the streams beat vehemently upon that house that could not shake it, 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:27.139 for it was founded upon the rock. 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:32.439 We're going to see here, Paul was concerned about the things that were going to test their faith. 00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:33.960 He says, 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:37.539 I want the condition of your faith strong because it's going to be tested. 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:44.679 There's going to be things in life that are going to rattle completely everything about life. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:49.460 And that first concern of faith that has a foundation that will not move. 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:53.720 An established faith precedes a faith that comforts. 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:57.320 We don't get comfort in the scripture until we're grounded in the scripture. 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:59.539 Because in other words, it's just platitudes. 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:01.960 When we understand, look over Colossians for a moment. 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:04.460 Colossians chapter 1, verse 23. 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.360 The Bible says, 00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:08.680 If ye continue in the faith. 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:11.160 Now, this isn't talking about salvation. 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:13.160 This is talking about daily life. 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:16.759 This is talking about our walk. 00:25:18.300 --> 00:25:19.320 As a believer. 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:22.180 This is our part. 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:28.160 The decision that we make is how close are we going to walk with our Savior. 00:25:28.800 --> 00:25:32.160 Salvation is secured, but our walk with Him is a choice. 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:32.720 It says, 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:33.960 If ye continue in the faith. 00:25:34.060 --> 00:25:34.380 Notice this. 00:25:34.560 --> 00:25:36.140 Grounded and settled. 00:25:36.600 --> 00:25:40.200 And be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard. 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:43.279 And which was preached to every creature which is under heaven. 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:46.600 Whereof I, Paul, am made a minister. 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:48.160 I want you to see here. 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:48.940 If you what? 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.580 Continue. 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:52.500 If you're grounded and you're settled. 00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:57.240 And move not away from the hope of the gospel. 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:59.600 Now, we don't have time to develop that this morning. 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:04.779 But I want you to understand, there's things out there that are going to deviate your thought process away from the truth of scripture. 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:06.920 Paul talks about false teachers. 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:09.940 Peter talks about false teachers. 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:12.360 John talks about false teachers. 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:18.140 There's going to be some that are going to make and draw your faith away from the scripture. 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:20.100 What the scripture says. 00:26:20.320 --> 00:26:21.980 What God has taught. 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:27.400 But I want you to see here a strong faith that's established. 00:26:27.620 --> 00:26:28.259 That it's built. 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.920 It has a solid foundation. 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:34.060 He says, I want you to be solid and then to be comforted. 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:39.339 Because when we trust Christ, when we build that, we have comfort in the midst of the storm. 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:43.940 Now, let's go back to that house that withstood the tornado. 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:50.319 If you have a big storm coming, do you want to go on an untested shelter or a tested one? 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:52.259 I know we got some from Oklahoma down here. 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:54.859 So, they're like, yeah, we understand. 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.919 Tornado alley. 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:57.960 I mean, they want something that's tested. 00:26:57.960 --> 00:27:02.279 When you get in there, when the storm comes, you know what? 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.920 You have comfort. 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:05.319 Because it's survived the storm. 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:07.200 We know that it's going to hold. 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:09.819 That's what establishing our faith does. 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.940 And it gets tested and it holds. 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:16.220 And it builds comfort in our life knowing we can trust what God has said. 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.920 That he is there with us. 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:20.319 He's going to maintain us. 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:25.960 He's going to allow those things to take place in our life. 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:29.220 And as we see these things come together, we get comfort. 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.639 It's an encouragement. 00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:34.759 It is a faith that will keep you focused on the right things. 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.839 A coming Lord. 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:39.980 And that is a need that's needed as we walk through this life. 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:44.000 Just as it was needed for those who faced affliction and tribulation. 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:47.599 And would cause a conflict of their faith. 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:51.740 Because I want you to see here, Paul talks about next, what is going to move them. 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:54.380 Look at verse 3 of our text. 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:58.500 He says that no man should be moved by these afflictions. 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.599 This is the test. 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:03.640 When our faith, the condition of our faith is strong and it's grounded. 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:15.920 When the storms come, when the storms rage, we grab a hold of the comfort we have in a strong faith. 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:19.980 Knowing it's going to hold through the storm. 00:28:21.100 --> 00:28:24.880 It's not going to remove the storm, but it will hold through the storm. 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:28.120 You know that you have something that's far greater. 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:34.159 He says that no man should be moved by these afflictions. 00:28:35.939 --> 00:28:38.239 Look over to Psalm 112 for a moment. 00:28:39.199 --> 00:28:40.939 Psalm 112 in verse 7. 00:28:41.479 --> 00:28:43.039 The Bible tells us this. 00:28:43.479 --> 00:28:44.559 And God makes it clear. 00:28:44.679 --> 00:28:47.279 He says, he's talking about their faith. 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:50.159 He says, he shall not be afraid of evil tidings. 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.659 You know what? 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:54.899 Things are going to happen in life that we just don't want to have happen. 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:57.059 But notice what he says. 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:59.539 I shall not be afraid of evil tidings. 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.379 His heart is fixed. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:02.500 Trusting in the Lord. 00:29:03.179 --> 00:29:05.579 You know, the context of affliction is pressure. 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:08.579 And that has the potential to move or alter direction. 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:11.259 We can be swayed by the pressures of life. 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:14.899 Pressures that will move us if we're not steadfast in our faith. 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:17.099 A faith that's fixed and trusts the Lord. 00:29:17.419 --> 00:29:19.379 You know, look over to Romans chapter 8 for a moment. 00:29:20.399 --> 00:29:22.279 You know, consider that dynamic. 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.319 Romans chapter 8. 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:27.339 It says, who shall separate us from the love of Christ. 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:29.039 I want you to think about these things. 00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:33.179 To separate you from the love of Christ. 00:29:34.379 --> 00:29:35.259 Look at the list. 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:36.139 Shall tribulation. 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:40.119 You know, the word tribulation here literally means pressure or trouble. 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:45.460 You know, troubles put pressure on our life to say, what are we going to do? 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:48.640 How are we going to overcome? 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:50.059 What are we going to trust in? 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:52.000 Where are we going to look to? 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.759 You know, distress. 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:55.759 That's calamity or anguish. 00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:56.680 You know what? 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:58.660 Life is filled with tribulation. 00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:00.440 Life is filled with distress. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.819 There's pressures. 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.720 There's calamity. 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.460 There's persecution. 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.460 That's harassment. 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.299 Or needs. 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.460 It says famine or nakedness. 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:10.220 That's just the needs of life. 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.660 You know what? 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.660 There's going to be time. 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.420 There's going to be need. 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:14.160 Paul spoke about that. 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:15.180 Peter speaks about it. 00:30:15.300 --> 00:30:17.640 I want you to understand that there's going to be time. 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:20.840 That there's going to be sometimes not everything that you think you need. 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:25.380 But a strong faith looks and says, Jesus said, I'll never leave you or forsake you. 00:30:27.300 --> 00:30:31.980 Even in the midst when it looks like everything's cut loose, he's still there. 00:30:33.860 --> 00:30:35.279 A solid faith. 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:37.259 A solid foundation. 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.560 Peril. 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:42.519 That's just dangers all around us. 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:45.460 I mean, we definitely live in a world that's filled with peril. 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:48.000 I mean, when you read the news, there's peril all around. 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:49.859 Yes, even in Lincoln, there's peril. 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:55.039 There's dangers that lurk. 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.059 Or you have the sword. 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:59.099 The sword here is talking about the authority of government. 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:01.180 All around the world, believers. 00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:04.779 In America, I want you to understand that we got to count our blessings. 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.859 It's a weekend of Thanksgiving. 00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:14.859 We can be thankful we have a nation that we have the liberty to openly worship our Savior. 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:21.539 Now, we might have some trials or tribulations or struggles or all the other things that are on this list. 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.579 But you know what? 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:28.099 We don't have a government yet that just directly opposes our worship of the Lord. 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:31.039 We ought to be thankful for that. 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.879 Because that's a blessing. 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:35.799 Because there's a lot of places that's not true. 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:41.680 Think about even Paul, as he went to Thessalonica, when we read there in Acts chapter 17, 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:44.399 think about what happened when he left. 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:48.220 Those that accepted Christ, Jason and his household, 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:53.159 got drugged before the magistrates, drugged before the government, and fined for believing. 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:58.039 You know, it would be interesting today, how many people would pay a fine to be able to come to church? 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:05.279 How many in America would risk a rest to gather together to worship the Lord? 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:06.379 You know what it reveals? 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:08.220 It reveals a condition of faith. 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.319 Is it strong? 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.119 Is it grounded? 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:15.619 Are they comforted because they know Christ is above all else? 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:19.680 That I'm living not in light of the present alone, but in light of eternity. 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:22.500 To keep our eyes upon the right things. 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:31.259 You know, the necessity of knowing that we'll have things that will attempt to move us from a solid walk with Christ. 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:34.899 Matter of fact, we are appointed to them. 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:37.539 You know, notice verse 3. 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.059 It says, 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:42.099 There no man should be moved by these afflictions. 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:45.339 For yourselves know that ye are what? 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.519 Appointed thereunto. 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:48.940 In other words, Paul says, 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:51.480 Guys at Thessalonica, the believers there, 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.899 and even for us today, 00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:55.559 he says know that these troubles are going to come. 00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:57.559 They're appointed to happen. 00:32:57.559 --> 00:33:00.379 Now I want you to understand what that means. 00:33:00.419 --> 00:33:01.379 It just means it's coming. 00:33:02.659 --> 00:33:07.179 In other words, you're not going to avoid all the problems and trials and struggles of life. 00:33:08.919 --> 00:33:10.579 You're not going to just coast through. 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:14.819 There's going to be times that you need a grounded, solid faith, 00:33:14.899 --> 00:33:19.139 that the condition of your faith is grounded and solid in the Word of God, 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:27.560 so when the storms come, we can have the comfort that we have something that's been tested and that we can hold on to. 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:33.960 We need to hold on to those things because notice Paul reminds them here. 00:33:34.040 --> 00:33:36.400 Look down in verse 5. 00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:36.720 He says, 00:33:36.780 --> 00:33:39.380 For this cause, when I can no longer forbear, 00:33:39.540 --> 00:33:40.980 I sent to know your faith, 00:33:41.040 --> 00:33:44.640 lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, 00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:46.759 and our labor be in vain. 00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:50.640 You know, the tempter here is the same one Paul talks about that Satan hindered him. 00:33:52.060 --> 00:33:52.840 You know what Paul said? 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:56.440 I wasn't able to come because Satan was causing conflict 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:59.720 and dynamics were happening that I couldn't come, 00:33:59.800 --> 00:34:01.900 but Paul says it didn't move my faith. 00:34:02.080 --> 00:34:03.880 He says, I'm going to continue to stand. 00:34:03.880 --> 00:34:05.540 You need to continue to stand. 00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:08.200 We see here he's coming. 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:12.079 As you see, he's hindered from coming to see them personally, 00:34:12.280 --> 00:34:15.360 but he's concerned about the condition of their faith. 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:21.800 Their believers had faced the pressure of a personal attacks upon themselves and the apostle. 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:25.740 Remember in chapter 1, it talked about, and early in chapter 2 here, 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:28.940 Paul's writing about the lies that were told about him. 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:32.200 You know, hey, don't follow Paul because he's just in it for the money. 00:34:32.200 --> 00:34:35.280 You know, Paul's just trying to make a name for himself. 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.260 You know what? 00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:39.900 When you read through things today, it's amazing how these same tactics get used. 00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:43.360 The attacks that get made. 00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:46.840 They try to tell, oh, you can't trust that. 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:49.200 But you know what? 00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:53.340 God gives us something greater than just our thoughts, 00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:56.240 or our opinions, or other people's opinions. 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:58.720 He gives us his word. 00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:00.720 His word is there. 00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:02.480 We know what he has. 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:08.299 That we can withstand the pressure, even trying to convince them that what they received was an error. 00:35:08.439 --> 00:35:14.480 You know, Paul said that they wanted to, had attempted to deceive them, 00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:20.779 to draw them away, to say, hey, what Paul's telling you about Christ is not true. 00:35:21.319 --> 00:35:21.579 You know what? 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:23.579 There's a lot of people today do the same thing. 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:27.380 They try to convince people, well, you can't trust God's word. 00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:30.920 You can't trust what God said. 00:35:31.340 --> 00:35:34.179 You can't trust what is happening. 00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:37.279 And we see here that they face this dynamic, 00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:41.460 and they were trying to convince them the ridicule and the attacks of others. 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:45.500 Even they used the civil authorities to find them. 00:35:47.179 --> 00:35:47.880 You know what? 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:49.199 Today is no different. 00:35:49.199 --> 00:35:55.539 You know, every believer faces the pressure to be moved from the faith. 00:35:57.159 --> 00:36:00.879 The security of their salvation in Christ, 00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:04.759 and to be moved away from the sound doctrines of Christ, 00:36:04.879 --> 00:36:08.059 replacing them with more palatable things. 00:36:08.339 --> 00:36:10.299 You know, our faith needs to stand strong. 00:36:10.939 --> 00:36:15.639 It needs to be firmly established that it might comfort us. 00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:21.460 That we know that we're not tossed around by the pressures and the tribulations 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:24.179 and the trials that are appointed to this life. 00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:28.900 You know, look over to Ephesians chapter 4 for a moment this morning. 00:36:29.239 --> 00:36:31.059 Ephesians 4 down in verse 14. 00:36:31.400 --> 00:36:33.319 That we henceforth be no more what? 00:36:34.619 --> 00:36:35.059 Children. 00:36:35.159 --> 00:36:35.819 You know what children? 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:37.139 Children blow around a lot. 00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:38.480 You know, have you ever watched kids? 00:36:38.579 --> 00:36:41.139 I mean, their attention span's pretty limited. 00:36:41.139 --> 00:36:45.159 You know, as we call today squirrel, 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.539 you know the problem is, 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:49.699 is that oftentimes people in their faith operates the same way. 00:36:50.299 --> 00:36:52.879 Every time something new or something different 00:36:52.879 --> 00:36:55.819 or something that catches their attention, they chase it. 00:36:57.199 --> 00:36:58.579 They're tossed to and fro. 00:36:59.099 --> 00:37:03.099 They're tossed around and carried about with every wind of doctrine 00:37:03.099 --> 00:37:05.259 by the slight of men, the cunning craftiness, 00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:07.599 whereby they lie and wait to deceive. 00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:09.619 And he tells us, 00:37:09.759 --> 00:37:11.299 but speak the truth in love, 00:37:11.619 --> 00:37:15.420 may grow up into him in all things, 00:37:15.460 --> 00:37:17.039 which is the head, even Christ. 00:37:18.779 --> 00:37:22.299 You know, Paul was concerned about the condition of their faith. 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:25.239 Today we ought to be concerned about the condition of our faith. 00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:27.960 Is it grounded? 00:37:28.179 --> 00:37:28.980 Is it settled? 00:37:28.980 --> 00:37:31.900 Is it established? 00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:37.119 That it might comfort us when the pressures and trials 00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:39.840 and the tribulations of this life come, 00:37:40.099 --> 00:37:44.679 that it'll stand firm in light of eternity. 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:48.280 You know, this morning, what's the condition of your faith? 00:37:50.059 --> 00:37:53.460 Is it a sure faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior? 00:37:53.780 --> 00:37:55.320 You know, there's a lot of people that have a faith 00:37:55.320 --> 00:37:56.719 that they trust all sorts of things. 00:37:56.719 --> 00:37:57.739 They trust religion. 00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:59.279 They trust themselves. 00:38:00.619 --> 00:38:02.099 Say, preacher, how do people trust it? 00:38:02.119 --> 00:38:03.039 Oh, I'm a good person. 00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:04.099 You know what you're doing? 00:38:04.159 --> 00:38:05.839 You're trusting yourself for salvation. 00:38:07.939 --> 00:38:09.059 Look at what I do. 00:38:09.799 --> 00:38:12.219 I want you to understand salvation is not what we do. 00:38:12.299 --> 00:38:13.859 It's what's already been done in Christ. 00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:18.379 We place our faith in what he has accomplished. 00:38:18.739 --> 00:38:21.559 And we need to understand that we need a sure faith. 00:38:21.679 --> 00:38:25.879 You know, is your faith sure in Jesus Christ as your Savior today? 00:38:25.880 --> 00:38:28.019 Do you need to trust him today? 00:38:28.280 --> 00:38:30.119 If you know Christ as Savior, 00:38:30.619 --> 00:38:35.300 is your faith being firmly established that it might comfort you, 00:38:35.660 --> 00:38:40.340 give you the confidence to continue to stand strong 00:38:40.340 --> 00:38:44.220 when the pressures of life barrel in? 00:38:45.220 --> 00:38:47.579 To put pressure to move us, 00:38:48.340 --> 00:38:51.059 is your faith weak or wavering? 00:38:51.059 --> 00:38:55.500 Or is it strong and sure in truth of the Word of God? 00:38:55.679 --> 00:38:58.159 Because the reality is you're only going to have one or the other. 00:38:58.500 --> 00:39:01.380 What's the condition of your faith? 00:39:03.139 --> 00:39:04.500 As heads are bowed this morning, 00:39:04.539 --> 00:39:07.400 as we take just a moment to even consider among ourselves, 00:39:07.579 --> 00:39:09.480 what each one, 00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:12.139 what's the condition of your faith? 00:39:12.279 --> 00:39:13.099 Is it strong? 00:39:13.320 --> 00:39:14.000 Is it weak? 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:15.039 Is it wavering? 00:39:15.219 --> 00:39:16.619 Or is it grounded and settled? 00:39:16.880 --> 00:39:18.360 The only one that knows that is you. 00:39:20.219 --> 00:39:22.559 As we have an opportunity to respond this morning, 00:39:23.679 --> 00:39:25.059 as the piano plays, 00:39:25.139 --> 00:39:26.199 what about you today? 00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:28.400 Maybe you just need to send a few moments with the Lord 00:39:28.400 --> 00:39:28.619 and say, 00:39:28.679 --> 00:39:31.239 Lord, I want a strong faith. 00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:33.920 I want a faith that stands. 00:39:34.239 --> 00:39:35.280 What about you today? 00:39:35.780 --> 00:40:01.220 I want a gift for you.