Gtcotr/ss082816
Twenty
eight years ago today, Sunday, August 28, 1988, I preached my first sermon as
the new pastor of Golden Triangle Church on the Rock. It’s been a great ride …
but the greatest days are yet ahead!
My
sermon that first Sunday was on the subject of faith. Today, now 28 years
later, our text comes once again from:
Hebrews 6:12 Do not become
lazy but be followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the
promises.
(Faith; Patience; & Promises)
·
Faith is Trust
in the Truth – the foundation upon which every Believer must build their life. (Faith)
·
Time is the
constant in which God works to develop and implement His timeless plan for all mankind.
(Patience)
·
Heaven is the fulfillment
of every promise that God ever made to mankind. (Promises)
Each
person’s eternity is determined by their own faith. Without faith no man will
see heaven or the eternal promises of God. Works won’t do it; Money won’t do
it; Good looks or Charm won’t do it; Family History or Fame won’t do it; only
Faith over Time will unlock the promises of God.
Since
Faith is the only key that can unlock the gate of Heaven for anyone, faith is decidedly
the most important possession a person can own. Perhaps we should review what
Faith is so that you will know for sure if you have Faith or whether you need
to get some before you get leave here. Faith is a miracle in Time … only faith
will unlock the promises of God.
Once
more:
·
Faith is
Trust in the Truth
What
is truth?
John 14:6 Jesus said … “I am
the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through
Me.”
Trust
in The Truth, not trust in a truth. Jesus, the Living Word
of God, is the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth. When Jesus was
communing with His Heavenly Father He prayed:
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by
Your Truth. Your Word is Truth.”
Faith is the
life expression of our trust in God. Living the expression of our trust in God
means we will demonstrate a firm:
1.
Trust in God’s Word.
2.
Trust in God’s Will.
3.
Trust in God’s Way.
Faith
over Time equals Heaven. Do you trust in the Truth? If you are not trusting
Jesus with your life and goods right now, you may not trust Him.
Faith
is the only key that can unlock the heaven’s promises. How then can you get
more faith? There are 4 Ways to Faith:
1. The Measure of Faith
Romans 12:3 For I say,
through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according
as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
2. The Word of God
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God.
3. Faith is a Fruit
Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith …
4. The Manifestation of God
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom … To another faith
by the same Spirit … (1 Corinthians 12:7-9)
